Crossways Religious Education Curriculum Website Compatible Learning Design Template

Year Level: Title: Term and Weeks:

3 The Key Moments of Mass Term 1 6-9

Big Idea:
The Mass is the central and most important way that Catholics pray together and be with
God.
Stage 1 - Desired Learning and Growth
Crossways Content - Wisdom skills and dispositions, Enduring Understandings (and elaborations) and Scripture (STSS)
(exported from the Crossways website)

Doctrinal and Content Elaborations:

• Liturgy is the official public prayer of the Church and the Mass is the main liturgy of the Catholic
Church.
• Sunday is an important day for celebrating Mass because it is the day of the resurrection of Jesus;
Catholics are called to participate in the Mass on Sundays (which includes the Vigil Mass on Saturday
evening).
• In the Mass, Jesus is present in the community that gathers, in the Word that is proclaimed, in the
Eucharist (consecrated bread and wine) and through the presiding priest.
• The structure of the Catholic Mass has four main parts:
– Introductory Rites (gathering)
– Liturgy of the Word (listening): There are readings from Sacred Scripture followed by a homily
which invites people to think more deeply about God’s message.
– Liturgy of the Eucharist (sharing): In the Eucharistic Prayer, Jesus’ words “do this in memory of
me” are heard, people offer each other a sign of peace, and people receive Communion.
– Concluding Rite (being sent forth).
• Liturgy of the Word’ is a main part of the Mass and can be celebrated on its own.
• A priest presides at a Mass. For a Liturgy of the Word that is not celebrated within the Mass, a
Christian who is not a priest (a deacon or lay person) can lead the Liturgy.
• ‘Eucharist’ comes from a Greek word meaning thanksgiving.
• The Catholic community gathers to thank God and celebrate Eucharist in the Mass; they are
continuing to do what Jesus asked of the disciples at the Last Supper (Mark 14: 17-25). In the Eucharist,
Christians accept Jesus’ invitation to join him and all disciples, past and present, at the Lord’s table.
• At Mass the priest consecrates the bread and wine by praying a special prayer to God (the
Eucharistic Prayer), and by the power of the Holy Spirit, the bread and wine are spiritually changed into the
body and blood of Jesus.
• Through participating in and receiving the sacred meal of the Eucharist, Christians become deeply
connected with Jesus and God (‘Com’ (= with) + union (= joined together)) and they are nourished, united,
and sent forth to live Christian lives.
• Receiving the Eucharist is also called receiving Communion.
• Celebrating the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time (First Holy Communion) completes the
process of initiation into the Catholic community. * This process began at Baptism and is confirmed with
the Sacrament of Confirmation. [*In some dioceses, this order may differ with the Christian initiation of
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children.]
• In the Roman Catholic Church children are often baptised as infants and the Sacraments of
Confirmation and First Eucharist are celebrated when they are older. In Eastern Catholic Churches and
Orthodox Churches infants often receive these three Sacraments of initiation at the same time.
Learning goals/intentions: reflecting on the above, identify:
 Surface learning (knowledge acquisition)?
- Mass is the main liturgy of the Catholic Church.
- Sunday is an important day for celebrating Mass because it is the day of resurrection of Jesus.
- In Mass, Jesus is present in the community that gathers, in the Word that is proclaimed, in the Eucharist and through the presiding priest.
- The structure of the mass has four main parts (Introductory Rites – gathering; Liturgy of the Word – listening; Liturgy of the Eucharist –
Sharing/giving thanks; Concluding Rites – being sent forth).
- Liturgy of the Word – there are readings from Sacred Scripture followed by a homily which invites people to think more deeply about God’s message.
- Liturgy of the Eucharist – in the Eucharist prayer, Jesus’ words ‘do this in memory of me’ are heard, people offer each other a sign of peace, and
people receive communion/
- Liturgy of the Word is the main part of the Mass and can be celebrated on its own.
- A priest presides at Mass.
- For a Liturgy of the Word that is not celebrated within the Mass, a Christian who is not a priest (a deacon or lay person) can lead the Liturgy.
 Deep learning (meaning making)?
- God is present at Mass in many ways – through the people and the priest, through his words, through the songs, and through the bread and wine.
- Mass is about celebrating the life of Jesus and reflecting on God’s messages so that we can then go forth and spread the Kingdom of God.
 Transfer learning?
- Prepare, host, and reflect on a Mass – transferring understanding of the structure of Mass, important words and actions during Mass, identifying
moments of connection, realisation and reflection on experiences.
- Share knowledge of the Mass by identifying the key moments within the Mass, describe what happens and why and identify the importance of Mass
in the Catholic community.

Hopes for student faith formation (see CESA Key Capabilities Continua)
Pose questions about the traditions of the Catholic Church.
Engage authentically during Mass.
Reflect on my religious faith.
Respond to the invitation to be in a relationship with God.
Stage 2 - Evidence of Learning (Assessment) Connections with stage 1

What evidence will be collected that aligns with the identified desired learning?
OF - Create a book or video that describes and explains the tradition of Mass and the ways in which
God is present with us during Mass.
- Knowledge of the structure of the Mass
o Traditional prayers and liturgical music
o The Word of God
o Liturgy of the Word
o Introductory Rites
o Liturgy of the Eucharist and receiving the Eucharist
o Concluding Rite
- Knowing that Sunday is a particular special day of Catholics
- Knowing that it is a public community event
- Knowing that Jesus is present in the community and the community is the body of Christ
- Knowing that the priest is the way that we encounter God
- In the final part of the Mass we are called to go forth into the world and spread the Kingdom
of God

FOR - Describe a time when a liturgy helped you feel close to God

FOR - In preparing and hosting a Mass, can you reflect on your personal experiences of the Mass and
compare your experiences with the experiences of others?
Preparing, hosting and reflecting on Mass – Transfer their understanding of the tradition of Mass.

FOR – Booklets from each lesson

- Knowledge of the structure of mass and their individual components
- The meaning and important of the key moments
- Key actions and words in the Mass
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OF – Scavenger Hunt
- Knowledge of the structure of Mass and their individual components
- Knowledge that the Mass is the central and most important way Christians pray and be with
God.

Stage 3 - Learning Opportunities and Strategies Resources

What teaching and learning strategies will enable the desired learning and growth
and gathering of evidence?
Lesson One – Our Experiences with Mass Overview of Mass
display
Give context to scripture.
The Walk to Emmaus
Read ‘The Walk to Emmaus’ (Luke 24: 13-35) with the class. (Luke 24: 13-35)
Ask students:
- What parts of the scripture are familiar to us or parts that we recognise
happen in current times?

Create a classroom display using the Overview of the Mass stimulus from Together
at One Alter. As a class, order the key moments of the Mass. Brainstorm knowledge
and understandings of Mass and add students’ knowledge and understanding under
each of the key moments. Invite students to pose questions about Mass and identify
knowledge and skills they would like to discover. Add their questions to the display.

Lesson Two – Introductory Rites

Look at the overview of the Mass resources from Together at One Alter and briefly
explain the overview of the Mass. Overview of Mass
At Mass we gather as the friends of Jesus coming together. We listen to the story display and image
about Jesus, told to us from the scripture (Ask students what scripture means). We Overview of the
give thanks to God the Father for all that Jesus did for us. Introductory Rites
image
The Mass is made up of twelve key moments. The ‘Greeting’ is the beginning of the
Introductory Rites
celebration of Mass. Next is the ‘Penitential Act’ when we tell God we are sorry for Study Booklet
the times we have not loved as we should have. The We Go section of the Mass
involving the ‘Greeting’ and ‘Penitential Act’ are both parts of the ‘Introductory Wellbeing books
Rites’. Videos:
‘The Mass: I -
Introductory Rites –
Introduce the ‘Introductory Rites’: Greeting’
Look at the Overview of the ‘Introductory Rites’ and explain: ‘The Mass: II -
The Introductory Rites brings us together and remind us that although we are Introductory Rites -
Penitential Act and
individual people, we are gathered as the one people of God.
Gloria’
We go to Mass to worship Jesus. We go to be with people who also love Jesus. ‘The Mass: III -
When we arrive in church, we are welcomed into the church family. As we gather in Introductory Rites -
Opening Prayer’
the church, we greet each other.
When Mass begins the priest welcomes us. We are welcomed In Jesus' name,
because Jesus is present in the church family.
Then something very special happens. Jesus forgives us for the times we have let him
down. He forgives us when we have been unkind and selfish. Jesus does this through
the actions and words of the priest. All we have to do is to be sorry and ask for
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forgiveness! This is called the Penitential Act’.

Handout the Introductory Rites Study Booklet. Explain that these are not to be
touched when watching the video. But when the video is paused, and we are
discussing things they may tick off sections that we see and add interesting and/or
important notes about the sections.

Watch ‘The Mass: I - Introductory Rites – Greeting’ pausing throughout the video to
discuss key moments, words and actions. Encourage students to participate in the
actions and prayers as you talk about them.
https://youtu.be/fmBl3dPThmw
Discuss and add learnings to the class display.

Watch ‘The Mass: II - Introductory Rites - Penitential Act and Gloria’ pausing
throughout the video to discuss key moments, words and actions. Encourage students
to participate in the actions and prayers as you talk about them.
https://youtu.be/vjx7Rso4FeA
Discuss and add learnings to the class display.

Watch ‘The Mass: III - Introductory Rites - Opening Prayer’ pausing throughout the
video to discuss key moments, words and actions. Encourage students to participate
in the actions and prayers as you talk about them.
https://youtu.be/BQaglW9o4fc
Discuss and add learnings to the class display.

Students glue their booklet into their Wellbeing books.

Invites students to reflect on learning from today’s lesson and share with the class.

Lesson Three – Liturgy of the Word

Look at the overview of the Mass resources from Together at One Alter and briefly
explain the overview of the Mass.
Following the Introductory Rites (invite students to name the parts of the
introductory Rites) are the ‘Scripture Readings’ read by people from the assembly,
after which the Priest reads the Gospel. The First and Second Readings, and the
Gospel are explained by the Priest, and he talks about what we can learn from them
in the ‘Homily’. The ‘Creed’ is when everybody in the Church stands up and says
what they believe as a group. The ‘Prayer of the Faithful’ is when we offer prayers
for people in need. People from the assembly lead us in this. This section of the Mass
is call ‘The Liturgy of the Word’.

Introduce ‘The Liturgy of the Word’:

The Liturgy of the Word is the part of Mass where we hear the Word of God
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proclaimed.

Handout the Liturgy of the Word Booklet. Explain that these are not to be touched
when watching the video. But when the video is paused, and we are discussing things
they may tick off sections that we see and add interesting and/or important notes
about the sections.

Watch ‘Catholic Liturgy of the Word Explained’ and record key moments and words
on the board as they arise in the video. Pause the video throughout to discuss.
https://youtu.be/WT11eCmQl8c
Discuss and add learnings to the class display.

Watch ‘Paying Attention in Church’.

https://youtu.be/l_DXYZljfVA
Discuss the meaning of the video and the importance of paying attention in Church.
Videos:
‘Catholic Liturgy of the
Word Explained’
Watch ‘Liturgy of the Word’ pausing throughout to discuss key moments. Encourage
students to participate in the actions and prayers as you talk about them. ‘Paying Attention in
Church’
https://youtu.be/U2rQZ5AzeHI
‘Liturgy of the Word’
Discuss and add learnings to the class display. Class Display
Invites students to reflect on learning from today’s lesson and share with the class. Liturgy of the Word
Booklet

Lesson Three – Liturgy of the Eucharist

Look at the overview of the Mass resources from Together at One Alter and briefly
explain the overview of the Mass.
The ‘We Give Thanks section’ is call the ‘Liturgy of the Eucharist’.
We bring gifts of bread and wine to the altar. Then something amazing happens. The
priest says a special prayer over the bread and wine. The bread becomes the body of
Jesus. The wine becomes Jesus' blood. This is the most sacred moment in the Mass.
The host still looks like bread. It also tastes like bread. But it is really the body of
Jesus.
The cup of wine still looks like wine. And it tastes like wine. But it is really Jesus'
blood.
The Holy Spirit works through the priest. When the priest says this special prayer the
Holy Spirit changes the bread into Jesus' body. And the Holy Spirit changes the wine
into Jesus' blood.
We are now ready to receive Jesus in Holy Communion. But first we give one
another the Sign of Peace. This reminds us that we come together as one big family
to receive Jesus.
We approach the altar to receive Holy Communion. Usually we only receive the
sacred host. But sometimes we may be invited to drink the sacred wine.
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We give thanks to Jesus for giving us himself. We tell Jesus how much we love him.

Handout the Liturgy of the Eucharist Booklet. Explain that these are not to be Class Display
touched when watching the video. But when the video is paused, and we are Liturgy of the
discussing things they may tick off sections that we see and add interesting and/or Eucharist Booklet
important notes about the sections. Videos:
‘The Bread and Wine at
Mass’
Watch ‘The Bread and Wine at Mass’ and discuss with the class.
‘Liturgy of the
https://youtu.be/XGjF0rL5j_U Eucharist’

Watch ‘Liturgy of the Eucharist’ pausing throughout to discuss key moments.

Encourage students to participate in the actions and prayers as you talk about them.
https://youtu.be/HBX4E6egNfc
Discuss and add learnings to the class display.
Invites students to reflect on learning from today’s lesson and share with the class.

Lesson Four – Concluding Rite

Look at the overview of the Mass resources from Together at One Alter and briefly
explain the overview of the Mass.

The ‘We Go’ section is called the ‘Concluding Rites’. The Concluding Rites send us
forth into the world to live out what we have celebrated.
The word Mass comes from a Latin word. This word is Missio. Missio means
dismissal. You may be wondering why we use this name.
The reason is that everything that happens during Mass prepares us for the moment
we are told to leave the church.
When we are dismissed, we go out into the world. We are dismissed to go and do a
very important job.
We are commanded to share Jesus' love with all the people we meet. We are
commanded to live in the way Jesus taught us.
During Mass we have been nourished by the Word of God. We have been
strengthened through prayer. Above all, we have been nourished by receiving Jesus
in Holy Communion.
All these things help us to grow in our relationship with Jesus. They help us to
become more like Jesus. We are given the strength and courage to love others like
Jesus loves us.

Handout the Concluding Rites Booklet. Explain that these are not to be touched
when watching the video. But when the video is paused, and we are discussing things
they may tick off sections that we see and add interesting and/or important notes
about the sections.
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Watch ‘Concluding Rites’ pausing throughout to discuss key moments. Encourage

students to participate in the actions and prayers as you talk about them.
https://youtu.be/VUjjC9B8JsM

Scavenger hunt. Students work in pairs or small teams to find the key moments of Class Display
the Mass and piece together a secret code. Concluding Rites
Booklet
Videos:
‘Concluding Rites’
Lesson Five – Preparing for Mass
The Key Moments of
Invite Deacon Olek to the classroom to talk us through and help us prepare for our Mass Scavenger Hunt
class Mass. Booklets and
resources
Invite him to help us put together the script, choose songs and write prayers.
Encourage students to ask questions they still have about certain parts of the Mass.

Pose this question - Round Circle discussion:

Can you reflect on your personal experiences of the Mass and compare your
experiences with the experiences of others?

Following the Mass, invites students to reflect on their experience and any moments
that they connected with. Students record their reflections in their Wellbeing books.

Lesson Six – Assessment

Introduce the assessment to students and brainstorm criteria for the assessment. Use
the criteria below to help guide students.

Create a book, mobile, puzzle, PowerPoint or video that describes and explains the
Key moments of the Mass and the ways in which God is present with us during
Mass.
- Knowledge of the structure of the Mass:
o Traditional prayers and liturgical music
o Introductory Rites
o Liturgy of the Word
o Liturgy of the Eucharist and receiving the Eucharist
o Concluding Rites
- Knowing that Sunday is a particular special day of Catholics
- Knowing that it is a public community event
- Knowing that Jesus is present in the community and the community is the
body of Christ
- Knowing that the priest is the way that we encounter God
- In the final part of the Mass, we are called to go forth into the world and
spread the Kingdom of God
Send students off to begin the assessment.
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Reflecting on the Teaching and Learning Design - Evaluation