The Synthesis of the Mass 

 

Every year I make a new discovery regarding this material

that was not shared in the CGS training.  Several years ago

I discovered that the Chart material listing the different parts of the

Mass were taken from the pages of the Missal for the children.

I first made this discovery when I numbered the parts of

the Mass on the chart because my eyes were having trouble tracking

it and I wanted the children to follow it with me while doing this

work. Then last year I noticed that the numbers on the chart

discussed each page in the Control Notebooks.  The language was

very different on the chart, which is why I never noticed before.  

     Last year and this year I passed out the Control Notebooks to the

children and had them follow with me.  Together we went through 

the Mass, placing the Mass materials on the table.  At the end of

this work, they practiced receiving the unconsecrated host in their

hands.  

     
     Now it makes it so easy to teach the Synthesis of the Mass. 

If only I'd known this from the beginning.  Not only that, it gives

the perfect introduction into creating the Missal and teaching them

the materials they will be using.  The following week I then pass

out the laminated covers to their Missals to include their names

and date.  They really enjoy this work. 

     You can see the Control Notebook

that the boy below is copying.  It

contains graphic pictures of the parts 

of the Mass.  He is copying the words 

of the Priest for the Epiclesis (calling

down the Holy Spirit).

     You can scroll to an earlier posting

of the Synthesis of the Mass to see

the layout of materials used for the

children's work. 

 

     I have decided to paste in the lined paper for the children as that is

the greatest difficulty for them: "gluing them straight."  This program 

captures all five senses which children need to learn.   For example,

the children copy and write seven prayers:  Preparation of the Chalice,

Epiclesis, Elevation of Host and Chalice, Mystery of Faith, Doxology and

the Gesture of Peace, which helps learn these prayers concretely using

their sight and eye-hand coordination.  This is their final work learning 

the Liturgy of the Eucharist after practicing these gestures and prayers 

all year.