Primary Session
John 20:19-23
Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
Come Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of you faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Amen.
Opening Life Reflection
The topic for today is the Holy Spirit. For today’s session provide a bottle of bubbles for blowing. To begin, invite the children to form a large circle and pass the bottle of bubbles around to each child. Have the children blow bubbles and watch as the wind carries them through the air. Explain that today we will hear about how Jesus gave his disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit through signs of wind and fire. Discuss:
- What are some features of the wind?
- How is the Holy Spirit like the wind?
- Why did God send the Holy Spirit?
Allow time for discussion. Today we celebrate Pentecost, the day that the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples. We call Pentecost the birthday of the Church.
Listening to the Word of God
In the gospel today, listen to find out how the Holy Spirit is given to the disciples.
Read John 20:19-23.
Allow for silence.
Scripture Discussion Starters
- Why are the disciples behind locked doors?
- How does Jesus give the Holy Spirit to his disciples?
- What does the Holy Spirit help the disciples to do?
Scripture Background
Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the readings using the Catechist Background section.
On today’s feast of Pentecost we celebrate the sending of the Spirit upon the Church. We are reminded that fifty days after Easter the Holy Spirit was given to the disciples. Pentecost is the birthday of the Church.
In today’s gospel reading we find the disciples gathered behind locked doors, afraid. Suddenly, Jesus appears and gives his friends a message of peace. Jesus breathes on the disciples and they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The gift of the Spirit changes the hearts of the disciples. Their fear is changed to joy. Jesus tells his friends that the Holy Spirit will help them spread peace and forgiveness throughout the world.
Questions for Deeper Reflection
- Why is Pentecost the birthday of the Church?
- What happened on Pentecost?
- How does the Holy Spirit help Jesus’ disciples?
[If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.]
Doctrinal Discussion Starters
The Holy Spirit
The Catholic Church teaches that there is one God in three Persons. The Holy Trinity is our belief in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity.
The Holy Spirit helped the disciples spread the good news of Jesus’ resurrection to others. God sends the Holy Spirit to us too. We have names for the Holy Spirit such as advocate, helper, and guide. These names show how the Spirit helps us. Every Sunday when we gather at Mass we show our belief in the Holy Spirit by proclaiming: “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets” (Roman Missal, Profession of Faith).
The Holy Spirit helps us in many ways. The Holy Spirit helps us to be good and loving people. The Spirit helps us to pray and to tell others the good news about Jesus.
- What are some names for the Holy Spirit?
- How do we show our belief in the Holy Spirit at Mass?
- What does the Holy Spirit help us to do?
The Gospel in Life
How can the Holy Spirit help you to see the goodness in yourself and others this week?
Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
At Home Family Guide, theme 5
Kindergarten, chapter 18
Grade 1, chapter 7 and page 281 parish and page 385 school
Grade 2, chapter 9 and page 281 parish and page 385 school
Grade 3, chapters 7 and 21 and page 281 parish and page 385 school
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