Year 6

Topic: Unity

Theme: Eucharist

LO: To give reasons why Christians gather together in ‘communion’ and receive ‘Holy Communion’.

‘

Communion’ means ‘being at one with’.  The celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of being at one with God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as well as being at one with one another.  It is about God making the world holy and of people offering worship to God.  

In Year 5, you learnt how the Eucharist is a memorial of Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus’ sacrifice unites the whole Church, those in Heaven and those on earth and makes it one Church. That is why, in the Eucharistic Prayer, reference is made to Mary and all the saints. 

This is part of a Eucharistic Prayer written especially for Children.

Priest: Jesus now lives with you in glory, but he is also here on earth, among us.  We thank you and say:

All: Glory to God in the highest.

Priest: One day he will come in glory, and in his kingdom, there will be no more suffering, no more tears, no more sadness. We thank you and say:

All: Glory to God in the highest.

Priest: Father in heaven, you have called us to receive the Body and Blood of Christ at this table and to be filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit. Through this sacred meal give us strength to please you more and more.  Lord, our God, remember Francis, our Pope, Robert our bishop, and all other bishops.  Help all who follow Jesus to work for peace and to bring happiness to others. Bring us all at last together with Mary, the Mother of God, and all the saints, to live with you and to be one with Christ in heaven.

(The priest takes the chalice and the paten with the host and lifting them up, he sings or says:)

Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all glory and honour is yours, Almighty Father, for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Some questions to think about and answer...

• Which are your favourite words or phrases and why?
• Was there a word or phrase which made you think more deeply?  Why?
• How do you think being in communion with Jesus Christ and his Church might make a difference to your life?

Task:

Design a detailed poster to illustrate some of the words used in the Eucharistic Prayer for Children III, giving reasons for the actions and symbols used.