Scripture: Daniel 6:19-21
At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?" Daniel answered, "O king, live forever!
Supplies:
10 Five Gallon Buckets
1 Play Ground Ball
Rules:
1. The playground ball is hidden under one of the ten five gallon buckets.
2. The team must enter the lion’s den and find the ball
3. If they are tagged by the moderator then they are out
his game of deduction will help players learn more about the Liturgical year.
Supplies:
Using the clues below create individual sheets with each feast day on it
Rules:
The first team to put the cards in order wins.
Advent Season
The Advent Season is the beginning of the Church's liturgical year. The First Sunday of Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas.
Immaculate Conception
Each year on December 8th, the Church celebrates this feast which honors the fact that Mary was conceived without original sin through the grace of God so that she may be a fitting home for our savior.
Christmas
Each year on December 25th, the Church celebrates the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ in history.
Christmas Season
The Christmas Season runs from Christmas day to the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
Holy Family
On the Sunday between Christmas and New Years the Church celebrates the feast of the Holy Family.
Mary, Mother of God
8 days after Christmas (which happens to be de New Years Day) the Church celebrates the feast of Mary, Mother of God.
Epiphany
On January 6th or the Sunday after Mary Mother of God the Church celebrates the Magi finding the Baby Jesus in Bethlehem
Baptism of the Lord
On the last day of the Christmas season we celebrate the beginning of Jesus' public ministry by celebrating His baptism in the Jordan.
Ordinary Time
Between the Baptism of the Lord and Ash Wednesday the Church celebrates Ordinary Time. A time in which we in a special way celebrate the life of Christ.
Chair of Peter
On February 22nd each year the Church celebrates the fact that she can trace her roots through the papacy back to Christ giving St. Peter the Keys to the Kingdom.
Ash Wednesday
It is the first day of Lent and Christians will gather to have blessed ashes placed on their forehead as a reminder of their sins and their need to repent.
Lent
The 40 days before Easter not including Sundays in which the Church prepares to celebrate Easter through prayer, fasting and penance.
Annunciation
On March 25th each year the Church celebrates the day that the angel told Mary that she would be the Mother of God. Everyone is now 9 months away from Christmas.
Palm Sunday
The Sunday before Easter we celebrate Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
Holy Thursday
The Thursday before Easter the Church celebrates the Last Supper and the gift of the Eucharist.
Good Friday
The Friday before Easter is the only day of the year in which Mass is not celebrated anywhere in the world because the Church is remembering the day that Jesus died upon the Cross for us.
Holy Saturday
It is the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It is a day of waiting as the Church waits to celebrate the Easter Vigil after sundown.
Easter
The Church in a special way celebrates the day that Jesus rose from the grave.
Divine Mercy
The Sunday after Easter is a special day in which people celebrate God's mercy. It is not an official feast but rather a personal devotion that was fostered by Pope John Paul II.
Ascension
Either on the 40th day after Easter (which would place it on a Thursday) or the following Sunday depending upon which diocese a person is in, the Church celebrates Jesus ascending into heaven.
Pentecost
50 Days after Easter the Church celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost is also referred to as the Church's birthday.
Ordinary Time
Following Pentecost and until Advent the Church finds herself in Ordinary Time.
Trinity Sunday
The Sunday following Pentecost the Church celebrates the doctrine of the Holy Trinity where the Church proclaims that our God is three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Corpus Christi
The Sunday following the feast of the Holy Trinity the Church celebrates the gift of the Eucharist in a special way.
Sacred Heart
The Friday after the feast of Corpus Christi the Church celebrates the feast of the Sacred Heart.
Immaculate Heart
The Saturday following the feast of the Sacred Heart the Church celebrates the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Birth of John the Baptist
On June 24th the Church celebrates the birth of John the Baptist
Peter & Paul
On June 29th the Church celebrates the feast of two very important apostles - Peter and Paul who were both martyred in Rome
Assumption
On August 15th the Church celebrates the fact that Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven.
Death of John the Baptist
On August 29th the Church celebrates the martyrdom of John the Baptist
Triumph of the Cross
On September 14th the Church celebrates the fact that Jesus has transformed the cross into His sign of victory over death.
All Saints Day
On November 1st the Church celebrates all those who have gone before us into our heavenly Father's house.
All Souls Day
On November 2nd the Church prays for everyone's soul in the hopes that everyone will be allowed to experience salvation.
Christ the King
The last Sunday of the liturgical year is the feast of Christ the King. It is a reminder to us that our Lord Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead and His kingdom will have no end.
Supplies: A pack of M&Ms for every two players
Rules:
1. Have players divide up into pairs and have each pair face each other.
2. Place the M&Ms in between each pair and explain that each one may take an M&M only when the other person blinks at them.
3. Give them 1 minute or 2 for their staring contest. At the end of their contest take the M&Ms that were not won back.
4. The lesson of the game is that if they would have seen each other as friends and not competition then they would have blinked at each other all the time so that they could get as many M&Ms as possible but because they saw the other person as competition they did not get as many M&Ms as they could have.
Scripture: Luke 1:26-28
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
Supplies:
20 Pieces of Wood with the different mysteries of the rosary written on them
4 Buckets with each of the different types of mysteries
Blindfold
A statue of Mary for ambiance
Rules:
Team’s must place the different mysteries of the rosary into the right bucket. To make it harder, you may wish to blindfold the player who must carry the mysteries to their buckets
Joyful Mysteries: Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity (Birth of Jesus), Presentation, & Finding Jesus in the Temple
Sorrowful Mysteries: Agony in the Garden, Scourging at the Pillar, Crowning of Thorns, Carrying the Cross, & Crucifixion
Glorious Mysteries: Resurection, Ascension, Descent of the Holy Spirit, Assumption, & Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven
Luminous Mysteries: Baptism of Jesus, Wedding Feast of Cana, Annoucement of the Kingdom, Transfiguration & Institution of the Eucharist
This game was designed to teach players how the different parts of the Mass.
Supplies: List all the parts of Mass on different sheets of paper.
Rules: The first team to place the different parts of the Mass in order wins.
Opening Song The first song of the Mass in which the priest and other ministers process down the aisle to the sanctuary |
Sign of the Cross Once the priest has reached the sanctuary. We all begin Mass by making the Sign of the Cross. |
Penitential Rite (Lord Have Mercy) After the Sign of the Cross and before the Opening Prayer, we ask God for forgiveness |
Gloria The Gloria comes after the Penitential Rite but before the Opening Prayer. It is one of the songs that the angels sing in the Bible |
Opening Prayer After the Gloria, the priest invites all to pray together as one people by saying “Let us pray. He then prays a prayer before the First Reading. |
First Reading After the Opening Prayer We hear a reading from Sacred Scripture. Most of the time the First Reading is from the Old Testament. |
Responsorial Psalm This psalm (song) is sung between the First and Second Reading. |
Second Reading After the Responsorial Psalm and before the Gospel Acclamation we have the Second Reading. Most often from one of the Letters in the New Testament. |
Gospel Acclamation Right before the Gospel everyone stands and signs a short song. The acclamation contains the word “Alleluia” except during Lent. |
Gospel The Gospel comes after the Gospel Acclamation. The Four Gospels are Mathew, Mark, Luke, & John |
Homily Before the Creed and after the Gospel the priest or deacon tires to explain the Scriptures to us. |
Creed After the homily everyone stands and professes the Nicene Creed together to show our unity of belief |
Prayers of the Faithful (Petitions) After the Creed we take the time to pray for the particular needs of the church, world, and Community. |
Preparation of Gifts After the petitions everyone sits down and people bring the gifts of bread and wine forward for the priest to use at Mass. |
Holy-Holy-Holy (Sanctus) After the Preparation of Gifts and before the Eucharistic Prayer, we all sing another angelic song. |
Eucharistic Prayer Between the Holy-Holy-Holy and the Great Amen, the priest leads us in a prayer that changes the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. |
Great Amen The Eucharistic Prayer is concluded by everyone in unison crying out “Amen” which means “I believe”. |
Our Father After the Great Amen and before the Sign of Peace we all pray the prayer that Jesus taught us. |
Sign of Peace After the Our Father, the priest or deacon invites us to share a sign of Christ’s peace with everyone. |
Lamb of God After the Sign of Peace but before we receive communion the priest breaks the host into smaller pieces and we proclaim Christ to be the “Lamb of God” |
Communion People come forward now to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. |
Closing Prayer This prayer takes place after everyone has received communion. |
Blessing & Dismissal After the Closing Prayer, Mass ends with the priest giving all present a blessing. |
Closing Song The last song takes place when the priest and other ministers leave the sanctuary for the last time. |
Scripture: Isaiah 66:20
"They will bring them, as the Israelites bring their grain offerings, to the temple of the LORD in ceremonially clean vessels.
Supplies:
Index Cards with numbers on them & Liturgical Items (i.e. Chalice. Paschal Candle, etc.)
Or
A sheet with pictures of different liturgical items with numbers next to them.
Sheet with names of the liturgical items on it
Rules:
1. Each team is given a list of terms to match with the liturgical furniture & vessels. By placing the number in front of the item on the question sheet
Scripture: Psalm 45:17
I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you forever and ever.
Supplies:
2 Decks of 10 Cards with Religious Symbols on them. (2 of each card)
Rules:
The team must match the religious symbols with only making x number of mistakes. If they make more mistakes they must start over.
This game is an awesome way to teach players about the different vessels and vestments used at Mass. It is an awesome tool for training altar servers.
Supplies:
-Cards with pictures of vestments and vessels used at Church. To find great pictures, go to an online Church supply company website and save the images of the products they are selling.
-Cards with the definition of what the items and vessels are.
Rules:
1. Shuffle all of the images and definitions up and then lay them face (picture) down on a table or on the floor.
2. Next allow a player to turn over papers at a time. If they player gets a match he or she gets a point. If they do not get a match then they should have to do something silly. Suggestions: Sing “I am a Little Teapot”, do the “Hokey Pokey”, roar like a dinosaur, say the Pledge of Allegiance, etc.
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Alb: An alb is the white vestment worn by priests, deacons, and servers. It is simply a large baptismal gown worn by these ministers to remind them of their baptism. |
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Altar: The altar is the place where the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ |
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Ambo or Lectern or Pulpit This is the place where the word of God is read from during Mass. |
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Aspergillum The aspergillum is the item that priest uses to sprinkle people with holy water. |
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Book of the Gospel This book contains all the Gospels read at Mass and can be used to help note the special veneration that the Gospel should receive. |
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Chasuble: The chasuble is the large outer garment worn by a priest. It symbolizes love and thus, for the most part is worn, over the stole because a priest should only exercise his power through love like Jesus did. |
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Cincture: A cincture is a long cord used as a liturgical belt. It is a reminder of our call to live chase lives. Priests, deacons, and servers are normally seen wearing them. |
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Chalice: A chalice is a special cup used at Mass. It is normally made out of precious metal in order to help us realize how precious Jesus is to us. |
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Cope: A cope is a cape like vestment worn by priests at liturgical celebrations that do not involve a Mass. |
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Corporal: The corporal is a linen that is used as a place mat during Mass |
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Cruet or Flagon Cruets are the containers used to hold the water and wine for Mass. A large cruet is a flagon. |
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Dalmatic: The dalmatic is a large outer garment worn by a deacon. It looks like a chasuble but it has sleeves. It symbolizes service. |
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Humeral Veil: A humeral veil is worn by the priest when carrying the Blessed Sacrament either in procession or when using a Monstrance to give a blessing (Benediction) |
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Lectionary: The Lectionary is the book that contains all the readings read at Mass. |
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Missal/Missalette A Missal is a book that contains all the prayers and readings for the Mass. A Missalette is a smaller version which normally has all the information for a particular liturgical season. |
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Monstrance Monstrance comes from a Latin word which means “showy”. The monstrance is used for showing the Blessed Sacrament. |
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Paten or Ciborium A paten is a plate or bowl-like container used to hold the hosts. A ciborium is a paten with a lid. |
Presider’s chair: This is the place where the priest sits during Mass. He normally says the opening and closing prayers from this place. |
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Purificator: The purificator is a small linen that is used as a napkin during Mass. |
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Pyx A small container for taking the Blessed Sacrament to the sick. |
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Sacramentary: The Sacramentary is the book that contains all the prayers that the priest says at Mass. |
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Stole: A stole is a long piece of cloth that is worn by a priest or a deacon. A priest wears it over his neck with both ends hanging down in front. A deacon wears his in a diagonal across his chest. The stole is a sign of office and the power that comes from that office. In ancient Roman and medieval times, government officials wore chains around their neck with medallions hanging from them to symbolize their office. For example, a priest stole symbolizes the power given to him by Christ to forgive sins and consecrate the Eucharist. |
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Tabernacle: The word “tabernacle” means tent. It is where the Blessed Sacrament is kept so that Jesus’ abiding presence may remain with us between Masses. |
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Thurible/Censer & Boat The thurible also known as a censer is used to burn incense in. The boat is the container for the incense |
Scripture: Psalm 29:11
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.
Supplies:
A maze
Blindfold
Paper plates (you may wish to draw mines on them)
Rules:
One player is blindfolded and the player’s partner must guide them through the maze without touching them. As the person goes through the maze he or she is not allowed to touch a paper plate (a mine) and or the maze walls, if they do then they need to start back at the beginning. Game is over when every player has had a chance to lead and to have been led.