Chapter 2: The Greatest Event on Earth

Objectives:

• The Eucharist is one of life’s greatest blessings.

• Everyday is a new day in our journey with God – and every day has a message he is trying to share with us.

• Going to Mass on Sunday is a great way to show God we are grateful for all our blessings.

Opening Prayer:

Start by saying, “Let’s take a moment in silence to be still and quiet and open ourselves up to whatever God wants to lead us today.”

Have your child/children bless themselves and read the prayer:

God, our loving Father, thank you for all the ways you bless me. Help me to be aware that every person, place and adventure I experience is an opportunity to love you more. Fill me with a desire to change and to grow, and give me the grace to become the best-version-of-myself in every moment of every day. Amen.

Pages 72-73 are a review of what you have learned in this chapter. Give your child time to answer all of the questions and review the answers with them at the end. Suggest that they may have to look back in the chapter to find the answers to some of the trickier questions.

Read the closing prayer on page 76-77.

The Mass is at the center of Catholic tradition, and yet, the general consensus today seems to be that Mass is boring. When was the last time you approached Mass with an open heart and open mind, expecting God to communicate with you? If we are being honest with ourselves, we probably can’t remember. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Write down the one thing God says to you during the Mass, and invite your family members to do the same. Our lives change when our habits change, and your experience of the Mass will change when you change the way you approach the Mass.

Be, Lord Jesus, a bright flame before me, a guiding star above me, a smooth path below me, a kindly shepherd behind me: today, tonight, and forever. Amen.