Primary Session
John 20:19-23
Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
And kindle in them the fire of your love.
(Traditional Prayer to the Holy Spirit)
Opening Life Reflection
The main topic for today is the Holy Spirit and Confirmation. To begin draw a picture of a large flower with petals large enough to write in. Invite the children to brainstorm who helps them to grow. Write down their responses inside the flower petals. Discuss:
• How does your family help you to grow?
• How does the Church help you to grow?
• How can you help the Church to grow?
Allow time for discussion. On today's feast of Pentecost we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit coming upon the Church. The Holy Spirit helps the Church to grow. We help the Church grow by using our gifts and talents to help others.
Listening to the Word of God
In the gospel today listen to find out what happens when Jesus gives his disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Read John 20:19-23.
Allow for silence.
Scripture Discussion Starters
• Why are the disciples meeting behind locked doors?
• What happens when Jesus gives his disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit?
• How does the Holy Spirit help the disciples?
Scripture Background
Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the gospel using the Catechist Background section.
Today's feast of Pentecost celebrates the day in which the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples. Pentecost is the birthday of the Church. It is the last Sunday of Easter and brings the Church's Easter Season to a close.
Today's gospel begins with the disciples gathered in fear behind locked doors. Then suddenly the Risen Lord comes to the disciples and their fear turns to joy. Jesus greets his friends with peace. He gives each of them the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus gives the Spirit by breathing on the disciples. He commands them to go forth and forgive sins. The gift of the Holy Spirit helps the disciples go out and tell others the good news about Jesus.
Questions for Deeper Reflection
• What do we celebrate on Pentecost?
• How does the Holy Spirit help the disciples?
• How does the Holy Spirit help us?
[If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.]
Doctrinal Discussion Starters
The Holy Spirit and Confirmation
The Holy Spirit was given to the disciples so that they could tell people about Jesus and help the Church to grow. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Blessed Trinity.
The Holy Spirit comes to us in a special way at Baptism and in the Sacrament of Confirmation. Confirmation is one of the three sacraments of initiation and it completes baptismal grace. Through the Sacrament of Confirmation we are given the strength to bring the love of Jesus into the world.
The Holy Spirit gives us different gifts so that the Church can do many different things. When we use these gifts we help the Church to grow. The gifts of the Spirit help us to live as Christians in the world. By the power of the Holy Spirit the work of Jesus continues in those who believe in him and follow him.
* Why was the Holy Spirit given to the disciples?
* How does the Holy Spirit help the Church to grow?
* How can the Holy Spirit help you to live as a Christian?
Sacrament Connection
Through the Sacrament of Confirmation we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation is one of the three sacraments of initiation. Through the Sacrament of Confirmation we are blessed with special strength to be true witnesses of Christ in the world.
The Gospel in Life
How can you use your gifts to help others this week?
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