1. Please take your assigned seat Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. – Mt 6:33 Stephanie V. KaitlynMaddyAlexHannahDugan RyanNadineKyleAshleyNedBeatrice GenevieveZachHaley D.AinsleyJamesPaige EllaStephanie W. CiahnaSamanthaSunnySymeon Hailey A.RachelNik

2. Today’s Checklist Prayer as song – finish partner presentations Field of Dreams recap Symbol vs. sign Ritual vs. routine Ritual group activity On deck  Guided meditation  Journey of faith

3. The Serenity Prayer God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen.

4. Field of Dreams recap Make note of specific examples of the following concepts:  Sacramental awareness  Sacramental dullness  Grace  Flesh-and-blood communication  God speaking through friendships  Listening for God  Responding to God

5. Symbols versus signs Symbolic signs are much richer types of signs than simple signs Unlike signs, symbols may have more than one meaning  They are multi-dimensional

6. Powerful response Symbols speak to us in a more powerful and personal way than do other, simpler signs Symbols involve us totally; they spark a deep response  They touch our hearts as well as our heads

7. Two kinds of symbols Cultural symbolsUniversal symbols -Closely dependent on a specific situation, place, or group -Over time, they evolve to have different meanings -Clearly recognized throughout the world -They can have complex and even contradictory meanings The maple leaf represents Canada. It fills us emotionally with pride and a sense of freedom. Wind is a universal symbol. It can represent refreshment OR destruction (i.e. a hurricane).

8. Changing symbols Symbols can change in meaning due to historical events and cultural shifts The swastika was once a Hindu symbol of peace and good luck  It was misused by the Nazis and is now associated with death and destruction

9. Ritual as symbol Rituals are symbolic actions that help us concretely, or physically, express our beliefs, values, and deepest concerns Ritual expresses the deeper meaning of the sacraments to those who participate in the sacraments of the church

10. Ritual versus routine RitualsRoutines -Symbolic actions -They carry a deeper meaning and help us concretely, or physically, express our beliefs values and deepest concerns -Example: walking down the street in a procession -Practical actions -They are performed for specific, practical purposes and have no deeper significance - Example: walking down the street to get to school -Have a deeper, multilevel meaning -Example: a wink -Are one dimensional in meaning -Example: a blink

11. Personal rituals and routines Brainstorm personal rituals and routines that you perform in your life RitualsRoutines - Birthday celebrations- Brushing your teeth - Anniversary celebrations- Setting your alarm - Giving flowers or gifts on occasions such as Valentine’s Day - Packing your lunch for school

12. Rituals in the early church Christians gathered for meals – they broke bread and shared the cup as Jesus had instructed them to do Examples:  Converts to Christianity underwent a ritual washing to symbolize the change that they felt inside  The laying of the hands developed out of the Apostles’ experiences of receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

13. Characteristics of rituals Read the selection and note  the eight most important characteristics of rituals  a brief description of each criteria

14. Characteristics of rituals Characteristics 1) Movements with gestures and meaning 2) Repeated actions 3) Symbolic celebrations 4) Important events 5) Significant words 6) Linkages to the past 7) Communal actions 8) Participation, not observation

15. Group activity – Rituals Think about special moments that communities or families encounter Examples  The birth of a baby  The adoption of a baby  A child losing his or her first tooth  Retirement  Beginning of a new job  Relocation – moving from an old house to a new one  Vacation

16. Faith journey Listen to the lyrics of the song “Learning to Breathe”Learning to Breathe How do these lyrics express the journey of faith? Does the speaker convey a need for God in his life?

17. Guided meditation As you listen to the guided meditation, envision your faith journey You will then chart your faith journey indicating special events, and highs and lows