Session Overview for Catechists, Monday 10/26/2020
Introduction to the Session (15-20 minutes) by Ms. Hohner
Gathering and Zoom Etiquette (5 minutes)
Opening Prayer — “Glory Be” as Embodied Prayer (5 minutes)
Presentation on the Mystery of the Trinity (5-10 minutes)
Instructions for Breakout Rooms (5 minutes) by Ms. Hohner
SEAL: Example given QUICKLY in the large group by Ms. Rachel Hohner
- Home Scavenger Hunt items (will have 2 minutes to find, 3 minutes to show & share):
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- an empty envelope
- resealable plastic bag (e.g. Ziploc sandwich bag)
- Tangible object(s) catechist shows: zip ties, embossing seal (will have 5 minutes to show & discuss)
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- List as many uses for these objects as you can.
- When thinking about how these items are used, what do the two types of items have in common?
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (will have 15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss using voice/chat responses):
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- Read 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 on page 1539. What do you think is “the Spirit in our hearts”? What kind of deal (as in “seal the deal”) might the words “security” and “first installment” be intended to make you think of?
- Read Ephesians 4:30 on page 1571. What is being sealed and when will its seal be opened?
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best Scavenger Hunt sample items to show, and who will explain how they relate to the idea that the Holy Spirit is like a seal
Breakout Rooms (30 minutes) led by each catechist pair
BREATH/WIND: Breakout Room 1 with Mrs. Monica Hohner & Mrs. Jane Bishop Lillegard
- Home Scavenger Hunt items (2 minutes to find, 3 minutes to show & share):
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- something you control with your breath (blowing bubbles, bubble gum, drinking straw, party blower)
- something designed to make air move (paper or electric fan, air conditioner, stove hood)
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechists: blowing bubbles, electric fan (5 minutes to show & discuss)
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- What effect does your breath have on these items?
- How does it make you feel to have the air stream pointed toward you?
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss using voice/chat responses):
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- Read Genesis 2:7 on page 24. What gift is given to the man through breath? In what situations might you see this action taken today?
- Read John 3:3-8 on page 1399. What sacrament is Jesus talking about in this passage? Look again at the final verse in this passage (3:8). What specifically do you think the wind represents in this verse?
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best Scavenger Hunt sample items to show, and who will explain how they relate to the idea that the Holy Spirit is like breath or wind
DOVE: Breakout Room 2 with Ms. Rachel Hohner & Mrs. Ami Allen
- Home Scavenger Hunt items (2 minutes to find, 3 minutes to show & share):
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- something that came from a bird (feather, egg, chicken bone)
- something very light (tissue, fluff)
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechists: model bird, feathers (5 minutes to show & discuss)
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- Have any of you ever seen a dove (white pigeon)? When and where? How do doves and pigeons move when they are on the ground? When they are in the air?
- Try dropping the light objects from high above your head. What words would you use to describe them?
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss using voice/chat responses):
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- Read Psalm 55:6-9 on page 703. Do you ever wish you had wings? Why Where would you go if you could fly?
- Read Matthew 3:16-17 on page 1238. What do you think Matthew means when he says that the Spirit was “coming down like a dove”? How would you feel if you heard what Jesus heard at his Baptism?
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best Scavenger Hunt sample items to show, and who will explain how they relate to the idea that the Holy Spirit is like a dove
FIRE/LIGHT: Breakout Room 3 with Mrs. Liz Wannemacher & Mrs. Stella Peters
- Home Scavenger Hunt items (2 minutes to find, 3 minutes to show & share):
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- something that has been partly or totally burned (used candle, incense, ashes, burn scar)
- something that gives off light (flashlight, lamp, lantern)
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechists: baked goods, candle (5 minutes to show & discuss)
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- How have the burned items and food items changed because of fire?
- When might you be very glad to have the light-giving items around?
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss using voice/chat responses):
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- Read Acts 2:1-4 on page 1441. What were the believers enabled to do when the Spirit came as fire? (Check out the green box on page 1443 if you need a hint.)
- Read Isaiah 9:1-3 on page 919-920.
- What change is described here?
- How do you think the people would feel before and after the change?
- Have you ever felt like you “walked in darkness” and then saw a “great light”?
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best Scavenger Hunt sample items to show, and who will explain how they relate to the idea that the Holy Spirit is like fire or light
OIL/PERFUME: Breakout Room 4 with Mrs. Roine Dryer-Michaels & Mr. Scott Michaels
- Home Scavenger Hunt items (2 minutes to find, 3 minutes to show & share):
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- something that helps you smell good (perfume, cologne, body spray, air freshener)
- a bottle of some kind of oil (olive oil, cooking oil, motor oil, neatsfoot oil)
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechists: perfume, motor oil, hand lotion (5 minutes to show & discuss)
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- Smell the scented items and describe for the group what they smell like. When might you use them?
- Look at the labels on the bottles of oil. How is the oil used? What is its purpose? What might be the similarities between these different kinds of oil?
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss using voice/chat responses):
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- Read Proverbs 27:9 on page 801. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
- Read 2 Chronicles 28:14-15 on page 493. Why do you think the prisoners are being anointed (smeared with oil) after the battle? What might we use for this purpose today?
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best Scavenger Hunt sample items to show, and who will explain how they relate to the idea that the Holy Spirit is like oil or perfume
WATER: Breakout Room 5 with Ms. Regina Rizzo & Mr. Michael Timble
- Home Scavenger Hunt items (2 minutes to find, 3 minutes to show & share):
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- something that needs water to live (plant, flower, pet)
- a bottle of water
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechists: seashells, pitcher of ice water and a cup (5 minutes to show & discuss)
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- Have you ever visited an aquarium or gone scuba-diving? What would you see?
- What would you usually do with these items? How do you feel afterwards?
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss using voice/chat responses):
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- Read John 7:37-39 on page 1410. What will the streams of water do?
- Read Psalm 42:2-3 on page 695. Have you ever been as thirsty as the deer? What do you thirst for in your life?
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best Scavenger Hunt sample items to show, and who will explain how they relate to the idea that the Holy Spirit is like water
Return to main Room (60 second countdown as warning)
Drawing Conclusions (20-25 minutes)
Group representatives report back (10 minutes, or 2 minutes for each group)
FlipGrid DOs and DON’Ts (5-10 minutes)
- DO make a video each FlipGrid class (or for the FlipGrid version of a Zoom class if you missed the Zoom)
- DON’T panic if you hate appearing in videos — there are alternatives!
- DO complete the assigned question sets — read directions carefully!
- there may be one set for all, OR the option to choose a set
- sometimes to submit in an online Form, sometimes to write down on a piece of paper from your packet
- DON’T think you can get away with doing nothing!
- Confirmation is not automatic, you are preparing for it and have to put in the effort.
- Relying on all this tech is challenging, reach out if you are having trouble with it
- DO the prayers — they are important for your relationship with Jesus and to remind you why you are doing the work
- DON’T lose your FlipGrid code — but reach out to Ms. Hohner if you need it replaced or changed
Homework Assignments & Closing Prayer (5 minutes)
- Textbook, read/do pages 5-8
- Next steps for choosing Confirmation Name
- Read instructions for Confirmation Name reflection paper (final paper due November 30)
- Start researching saints using the guidelines and resources
- Next FlipGrid class, you will be asked to share info on 2 saints you looked at in your research: give their names and one fact you thought was interesting about each of them
- Closing Prayer to the Holy Spirit, textbook page iv