Nov 1 Feast of All Saints

Children’s Liturgy Instructions

Feast of All Saints   Nov 1

use the Weekday Children’s Lectionary*

Welcome children to their worship space.

Ask them to get their carpet squares and sit down in a circle.

Introduce yourself and your helpers.

Introduce  

Explain: Today we celebrate the special Feast of All Saints This is the day that we celebrate people who have been declared saints by the Catholic Church.  Can you think of any saints that you have heard about? <let the children respond>   Why do you think that they are called saints?  What is special about them?

Introduce symbol

Say: Our symbol <hold up symbol - heart > represents LOVE – the love that Jesus has for us & the love that the saints (and us!) have for Jesus.

Say:  Now we are going to practice the Responsorial Psalm, that part between the readings where you get to help.  The Responsorial Psalm comes from the Bible just like our readings do.  Today’s psalm is: Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.  Can you say this with me?  <Have the children repeat it.>

Say:  Who do you think are the people that long to see Jesus’ face?

Introduce readings

Say:  Let’s light the candle to show that we are ready to listen to the Words of God.

Say: Today’s first reading is from the New Testament, the book of Revelation. (Revelation 7:9-10)  This reading tells about how the Apostle John saw God’s people.

Have the reader read the first reading.

Ask:  What did you hear John say about the people of God?  <from every tribe and nation, spoke every language, worshipped God and Jesus>  Who is the Lamb?  <Jesus>

Say: Now it is time for the Responsorial Psalm.  Your part is to say:

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

Say:  Now we’ll have the Gospel reading.  The Gospel selection today is from the book of St. Matthew. (Matthew 5:1-12ab).  Today we will hear about something called the Beatitudes.  They are some things that Jesus said to help us know the way to live and follow him.  Saints listened closely to what Jesus said and we should too!

Say:  Now we will get ready to hear the Gospel

(hold up card)  Alleluia!  Alleluia!

Have the reader begin: “a reading from the holy gospel.....”

All respond:  Lord, let your Word be in my mind <make cross on forehead>, on my lips <make cross on lips>, and in my heart <make cross on heart>

Read:  Read the Gospel

Ask:  What did Jesus tell us to do?  <review the Beatitudes read in the Gospel>  How do they show love?

Hand out the poster symbols to put their names on and Offertory symbols to color.  (The symbol is a heart) 

Explain: Color this symbol of a heart and bring it to the altar (don’t forget to put your name on the back!)  to show that we have learned about Jesus raising us from the dead.

If there is time, ask questions and go over the lessons one more time to help the children remember.

While they are coloring, explain how we will go back into the church, up to the front with our gifts and rejoin our families.

Count out the parent letters and hand-outs to go home.

Parent Letter

Feast of All Saints 

              Today your children heard readings that are similar to the readings that you heard.  Revelation 7: 9-10 and Matthew 5:1-12ab

To reinforce at home:

The Feast of All Saints specifically celebrates those people who have been honored by being declared saints.  We remember that they were people just like us who lived their lives according to God’s wishes.  They paid attention to what Jesus said and lived in the way He taught us.

We talked about how to live a good life like the saints did and how we can be saints just like them!

Activities to do at home:

*Review the Beatitudes read in today’s Gospel with your child.  Talk about how they reflect the love that Jesus taught us.

*Together with your child, read a story about your favorite saint.

*Share the story of your child’s name with them.  If he/she was named after a saint, share that story too!

Thank you for sharing your children