Twenty-Second Sunday
in Ordinary Time
Year B
HOW TO USE THIS RESOURCE
Children’s RCIA Resource
Dismissal Session
The Dismissal Session is for catechumens only who are dismissed from
worship before the Creed (RCIA #75.3). The Dismissal Session group may
gather for the Catechetical Session at another time during the week.
Catechetical Session
When the Dismissal Session is immediately followed by the Catechetical
Session, parents or other sponsors join the group after Eucharist. Baptized
children preparing for confirmation and Eucharist may also join in the
Catechetical Session (RCIA #254; Appendix III, #19). Select the session
options that fit your time frame.
NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY
Sunday’s readings
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8
Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5
James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Doctrine correlations
Created beings have free choice and, therefore by moral evil, can
go astray (CCC #311).
Jesus was confronted by certain teachers of the Law who did not
accept his interpretation (CCC #582).
RCIA team notes
As families begin new school year activities, they also may seek to join
the church. Any children inquirers are not yet catechumens.
Gatherings for such children are informal and do not anticipate
conversion (National Statutes, #1). Children in the precatechumenate
stage need gatherings separate from the catechumens.
By Janet Miller. Copyright © 2012, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved.
CATECHIST’S NOTES
CATECHIST’S NOTES
GETTING READY FOR THE SESSION
Items to prepare
 check-in sheet, nametag materials, scissors
 poster paper or white board, erasers, and erasable markers
 green cloth on table or counter space for prayer, percussion
instrument
 Bibles, one set to Mark 7
 fall leaves, candle in a heat-proof holder, matches
 snack, drinking water
 scratch paper, pencils, biblical costumes (optional)
 word lists, dictionaries or e-devices, copies of “Faith at Home”
 paper squares, glue or tape, paper slips, pencils, antonym lists
Gathering Prayer Ritual
Place a Bible, candle, and fall leaves scattered on a green cloth. Bring
scissors and nametag paper and markers in fall colors.
Singing option
Use music from your faith community resources. The suggested music is
available in Gather Comprehensive and Give Your Gifts, Melody Book
(GIA Publications, Inc.). Bring songbooks and music in a player.
Building Community
Prepare individual servings of a messy snack. Arrange for catechumens
to clean their hands before and after and to have a drink of water. Check
for any food allergies.
Snack option
Send a reminder to the sponsor providing the snack this week.
Engaging the Word
Bring recycled scratch paper, pencils, and simple biblical costumes
(optional).
Sharing Faith groups
Choosing for the children’s maturity levels, develop a list of ten evils
based on Mark 7:21-22 and leave space to write after each word. Make
copies for groups. Contact sponsors to bring dictionaries or electronic
devises with dictionaries.
Crossing the Ages Activity option: “What’s In Your Heart?” Prayer
Pocket
Cut color paper into 8 ½ inches squares. Make a sample, Bring tape or
glue, paper slips, and pencils. Plan to use the antonym lists developed
during Sharing Faith.
Planning ahead
For the Crossing the Ages activity option next session, plan the time and
reserve a chapel or other area. Arrange with a presider and music
minister. Invite other members of the faith community.
Friends on the Way - Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
2
DISMISSAL SESSION
GATHERING
(15 MINUTES)
Catechumens, having heard the Sunday proclamation of word, are dismissed from the Mass. Greet the
catechumens as they arrive. Ask them to create nametags that represent autumn and attach them to
recycled lanyards.
GATHERING PRAYER RITUAL
Chime a percussion instrument. All stand around the prayer focal point. (†) Light a candle.
Song Suggestion: “Come and Follow Me.”
Invite everyone to follow the prayer movements. Using both hands, lead the following prayer.
(Touch your heart.) We honor you, O God, with our hearts, as we show your loving
ways to others.
(Touch your lips.) We honor you with our lips, as we seek to speak words of truth.
(Touch your ears.) We honor you with our ears, as we respectfully listen to others.
(Touch your head.) We honor you with our minds, as we strive to understand the
ways of Jesus.
(Hold arms out, palms up.) Teach us, we pray, to follow your loving ways.
(Reach high and bring your arms down.) Send your Holy Spirit to inspire and guide us
as we share here today.
As one in Christ, we pray. Amen
Invite everyone when you lift a hand to respond, “Do justice and live in God’s presence.” Prayerfully say
the following verses inspired by Psalm 15.
Walk blamelessly, do justice,
and think the truth in your heart. (response)
Harm no one
and do not seek revenge. (response)
Neither charge high interest rates
nor accept a bribe. (response)
Extinguish the candle flame.
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CONNECTING WITH ONE ANOTHER
Invite everyone to sit in a circle. Introduce anyone new. Invite sharing about their experiences with the
“Faith at Home” pages from the previous session.
BUILDING COMMUNITY
Messy Snack: Have everyone clean their hands. Offer individual servings of a messy snack, such as,
cheesy or sticky popped corn. As they eat, ask:
Why did we clean our hands before eating?
What is happening to your hands?
What would you like to do when you are finished?
What kinds of messy foods do you enjoy?
What rules, if any, does your family have about eating with your fingers?
Provide an opportunity for everyone to clean up and get a drink of water.
This week we explore a gospel story about Jesus’ disciples needing to eat but not
being able to clean their hands. Jesus uses the situation to teach about something
more important.
RECALLING THE WORD
(10 MINUTES)
Have everyone sit with Bibles in a circle. Use the following as a guide. For information, refer to “Insight
for the Catechist” and the reflections on the “Faith at Home” page. Always affirm the catechumens’
responses adding comments to aid their understanding.
Help the catechumens find Deuteronomy 4:1-8. Ask the catechumens which of the Ten Commandments
they know. If they do not know any, tell a few commandments. Explain:
This section of the Bible reminds the people Israel that they are to live by the
commandments of God.
What characteristics will the people have when their nation lives by God’s
commandments?
Have the catechumens find James 1:17-27.
How does someone who claims to be religious behave?
Have the catechumens find Mark 7:1-23. (Note: The liturgical proclamation omits two explanations that
may detract from the central message. Gently address any giggles and help the children focus on the
message. As necessary, briefly define difficult terms.)
What kinds of behavior are worse than eating with dirty hands?
Against which kinds of behavior do we need to guard our hearts?
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Affirm the members’ comments. Summarize:
In this week’s message Jesus teaches followers to know the difference between
what God intends and human-made rules that claim to be what God intends. We
are warned to protect our hearts against evil desires.
PRAYING INTERCESSIONS
(5 MINUTES)
The words of Scripture inspire us to pray for everyone. When I lift my hand please
respond, “God who gives good gifts, hear our prayer.”
 Give us leaders who will guide our nation with wisdom and intelligence. (Lift a
hand for the response.)
 Send your Holy Spirit to inspire us to be doers of your word. (Lift a hand for the
response.)
 Put holy thoughts in our hearts and keep us from evil. (Lift a hand for the
response.)
Invite the members to contribute intercessions. Conclude:
God, you willed our birth and called us to be firstfruits.
May we humbly welcome the word you planted in our hearts.
We ask for all things according to your will.
Hear our prayers that we offer through Christ Jesus,
the Holy One of God, who lives and reigns
for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Option: Break for a snack or social time. If the group disperses now and meets for catechesis later in the
week, collect nametags.
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CATECHETICAL SESSION
The Catechetical Session follows the Dismissal Session either immediately or
at another time during the week. The catechetical session is designed for
catechumens and parents or sponsors to grow in faith together. The status of
the catechumens never is to be confused with that of baptized children
preparing for confirmation or Eucharist, who may join in this catechesis as
supportive companions (RCIA, Appendix III, #19).
GATHERING FOR CATECHESIS
(5 MINUTES)
Welcome the catechumens, parents, sponsors, and any baptized
children arriving from liturgy. If this Catechetical Session is not
following the Dismissal Session, allow an additional ten minutes and
begin with the Gathering segment in the Dismissal Session. Have those
arriving check in and put on nametags.
PRAYING
Invite everyone to stand around the prayer focal point. Use the (†)
prayer from the Gathering Prayer Ritual in the Dismissal Session,
another prayer, or sing a gathering song from liturgy.
ENGAGING THE WORD
(15 MINUTES)
Distribute Bibles. Have everyone find Mark 7. Form groups of four to
six with recycled scratch paper and pencils. Assign each group one of
the following sets of verses: Mark 7:1-4, Mark 7:5-8, Mark 7:14-15, and
Mark 7:21-23. Repeat or combine as needed.
Ask the groups to create a dialog that expresses the meaning of the
verses. For example, the Pharisees have a discussion about washing
things before they eat. The crowd might ask Jesus about things that are
evil intentions using possibilities from their experiences, such as,
tattling, spreading rumors, cheating, and hitting. Encourage creativity.
Circulate to offer assistance. (Option: Offer simple biblical costumes.)
Have the groups perform the passages in order. After any costumes are
put away, ask:
What did you notice during the presentations?
What did Jesus teach when the Pharisees questioned
him about cleanliness?
Jesus was judged by people who did not understand
him, so what does this teach us about judging people
we do not understand?
By Janet Miller. Copyright © 2012, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved.
TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN
ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8
Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5
James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Insight for the Catechist
Which are we suppose to
obey—human precepts or the
ways of God? Jesus
challenged the Pharisees’
teachings that
overemphasized human
legalities while ignoring
interior motives. Dietary
restrictions exemplified this
struggle.
In ancient tradition, as is
true today, how, what, and
with whom people ate was
the basis for community life.
The evangelist Mark
addressed a real concern for
his community—whether or
not Christians were to follow
dietary restrictions.
The issue of washing hands
and utensils brings up the
question of evil. Following
ritual is not a guarantee of
moral purity. Morality rests
in the heart and comes out of
the person in words and
actions.
Evil does not come from
eating something not ritually
prepared. Evil comes from
acting on inner desire
instead of abiding by God’s
law. Make decisions
according to the will of God
instead of blindly following
doctrines developed by
humans.
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Mention:
The Pharisees did not simply wash their hands before eating. They followed strict
traditions about keeping things clean. Their ancestors had developed these
practices as a type of prayer and as a precaution against disease. They criticized
people who did not follow their set rituals.
SHARING FAITH
(15 MINUTES)
Form mixed-age groups of four to six members with word reference books or electronic devices.
Explain:
A word that means the opposite of another word is an antonym. As followers of
Jesus, we have attitudes that are opposite of evil. Each group will have a list of
evils selected from the gospel message. Find or create antonyms for the evils on
the list.
Distribute the lists and pencils. Assign a recorder for each group. Circulate to offer support as needed.
With the whole group invite members to tell antonyms that describe a Christ-centered heart. Conclude:
For Jesus, attitudes of heart were more important than religious rules. Teachers
of religious laws often confronted Jesus. They did not agree with Jesus’
interpretation of what was godly.
Note: Save the antonym lists for the Crossing the Ages activity.
CARRYING OUT THE WORD
(5 MINUTES)
SUMMING UP
Invite everyone to gather around the prayer focal point. Encourage them to offer insights from this
week’s session. Conclude:
God creates each of us to have free choice. When people develop evil and immoral
ways of behaving, they go astray from God’s ways. It is possible for people to hold
evil ways in their hearts while doing actions that seem good. The Pharisees’
concern about washing rituals instead of caring about people’s needs is an
example.
CLOSING PRAYER
Invite everyone to stand in a circle holding hands. Ask each person to add to the prayer aloud or silently
in their hearts and gently squeeze their left hand for the next person to pray. Suggest they use the
antonyms from “Sharing Faith.” Begin the squeeze prayer with something like:
O God, we seek to follow your ways. Turn us away from human-made priorities.
May I always be generous at heart.
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Gently squeeze your left hand, when you feel your right hand squeezed, say aloud:
Go forth from this place holding God’s ways within your hearts.
And may the ever-living God bless us,
(Make the Sign of the Cross on yourself as a model for everyone.)
protect us from all evil,
and bring us to everlasting life.
All: Amen.
Distribute the “Faith at Home” page. Collect the nametags.
Crossing the Ages Activity
(Optional activity for children and adults together: 20 minutes)
“What’s in Your Heart?” Prayer Pocket (Activity that inspires hearts of faith, Ad gentes #15.)
See the private web page where you downloaded this session
to view a video how-to for this activity.
Invite the members to make an origami pocket-heart as a reminder of having hearts like Jesus.
1. To crease an 8 ½ inches paper square: Fold diagonally, corner to corner. Open it. Fold diagonally,
corner to corner in the other direction. Open it. Fold it in half. Open it. Fold it in half the other way
open it. The creases form 8 sections.
2. Repeat step 1 creasing the paper the opposite way to make the folds flexible.
3. Along one diagonally crease, refold the paper to form a triangle.
4. With the triangle pointed upward, push each bottom corner into the center and crease firmly along
the fold.
5. You now have a diamond-shape with a crease down the center. Keep the opening at the top. Fold the
top layer down 2 1/4 inches so the point meets the fold.
6. Turn over and fold over the top layer on the back side.
7. Fold the top points diagonally down on the backside to meet along the horizontal fold.
8. Still working on the back, fold the top tips down and the side tips in to create a heart. Option: Glue
or tape these tips in place.
9. Turn your heart to the front side. Slip prayers or reflection words into the pocket.
Offer slips of paper and pencils. Set out the antonym lists from Sharing Faith. Ask them to
print on separate slips of paper words that express Christ-like attitudes and insert them
into the heart. Suggest that at home during prayer time they pull out a slip. They reflect
on ways they are living that trait or how they might change to live it more fully.
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Remember
Sunday’s Word
Faith at Home
Twenty-Second
Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8
Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5
James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
At a convenient time for the family, gather around a dining table or in the living room. Silence all
electronics. Place a Bible opened to Mark 7 in the center. Begin with a moment of quiet.
REFLECTING ON DEUTERONOMY 4:1-2, 6-8
God’s commands are the way of the covenant, which is not altered by human desires. A great nation
has laws that are just, according to God’s mercy. A people who observes the ways of God will be a
beacon of wisdom and intelligence for others.
 If we had the responsibility to write a constitution for a new country, what would we
include?
 To what extent do the actions of our government show justice and wisdom?
Together, brainstorm national issues. Choose one issue. Compose a letter from the family to a
government official. Either affirm a recent decision or request a concrete change. Make sure to give
reasons.
REFLECTING ON JAMES 1:17-18, 21B-22, 27
God of creation is the same God for all time. Those who welcome the word planted within are like
firstfruits. We delude ourselves if we hear the word of God but do not act on it.
 How can we be doers of the word and not just listeners?
REFLECTING ON MARK 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
The early Christians challenged the need to follow religious rituals regarding excessive cleanliness
and eating. The issue led to the question of evil. Jesus taught that evil does not come from a failure to
follow manmade rules. While we wash hands and foods for health reasons, the source of evil lies
within where it can impact our decisions, our actions, and the way we speak.
 Why do we wash our hands and dishes?
 According to Jesus, what is even more important than eating clean food?
By Janet Miller. Copyright © 2012, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved.
Permission is given to reproduce this handout for family home use.
Do Good for Your Heart
Together as a family, make lists of heart-healthy choices. Post the lists on the refrigerator or other central
location. During one meal a week, review the lists and determine if the family needs to make any adjustments in
order to be more heart-healthy.
Making Heart-Healthy Choices
Heart-Healthy Eating Choices
Heart-Healthy Spiritual Choices
Eat whole-grain cereals.
Pray before meals.
Limit processed foods .
Support missionary sisters.
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Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
TeamRCIA.com