Professional Documents
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STRAND
Church in the World
Term:
TRANSFER GOAL (whole strand)
YEAR LEVEL
Year 1
Date:
UNIT TITLE
Church as Community
Duration:
Engage in the life of the Church and respond to the needs of society
ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
ACHIEVEMENT STANDARD
By the end of this unit students will understand that we gather in the love of God to pray and celebrate.
ASSESSMENT
Diagnostic
Formative
Summative
SCRIPTURE
Mt 18:19-20
Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in
heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.
Acts 2:46-47
Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad
and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their
number those who were being saved.
CATECHISM
752 In Christian usage, the word church designates the liturgical assembly, but also the local community or the
whole universal community of believers. These three meanings are inseparable. The Church is the People that
God gathers in the whole world. She exists in local communities and is made real as a liturgical, above all a
Eucharistic, assembly. She draws her life from the word and the Body of Christ and so herself becomes Christs body.
1180 Christians construct buildings for divine worship. These visible churches are not simply gathering places but
signify and made visible the Church living in this place, the dwelling of God with people reconciled and united in
Christ.
1140 It is the whole community, the Body of Christ united with its Head, that celebrates.
1142 But the members do not all have the same function. Certain members are called by God, in and through the
Church, to a special service to the community. These servants are chosen and consecrated by the sacrament of Holy
Orders, by which the Holy Spirit enables them to act in the person of Christ the head, for the service of all the
Treasures New and Old (1: Church as Community) 2014
members of the Church Since it is in the Eucharist that the sacrament of the Church is made fully visible, it is in his
presiding at the Eucharist that the bishops ministry is most evident, as well as, in communion with him, the ministry
of priests and deacons.
TEACHER BACKGROUND
The literal meaning of the Hebrew and Greek words, rendered in English as church, is assembly. Over time the
word has come to be used exclusively of the collective of those who are followers of Christ. By association, the
physical place where Christians gather to worship is also called a church. The building is more than a simple
meeting hall. It is architecturally symbolic, and so tells us much about the Christian community.
Vatican II issued a Dogmatic Constitution on the Church. In this a blueprint was laid out for a renewed
understanding of the Church. Whilst it can be understood in many ways, the Council gave first place to seeing
the Church as the People of God.
Just as the covenant at Sinai had established Israel as Gods chosen people, so the covenant sealed on Calvary
forms the followers of Jesus into the People of God. Salvation comes to us not as isolated beings, but through
our union with Christ and all those who are his. This understanding of Church focuses more on people and their
relationship with God and one another, and on how this relationship is strengthened, than on institutional
structures and authority. It does not, however, neglect the proper place of these.
For the Jewish people the Sanctuary, and later the Temple, were sacred places. They were set apart through a
solemn ritual of consecration to be used exclusively for the worship of God. In a special way Jews encountered
Gods presence amongst them there. The Tabernacle or Holy of Holies was Gods dwelling place on earth.
At first Christians continued to worship at synagogue and Temple, and to celebrate Eucharist in their homes. But
as communities grew and the Church became more structured, buildings were set aside for worship. Christians
continued the Jewish tradition of consecrating the building with prayer and anointing, and of reserving it
exclusively for religious affairs. The practice of reserving the Eucharist in the church confirmed the view of its
being Gods special dwelling place in our midst.
The focus of any church building is the sanctuary or area set apart for celebrations, although the whole space is
considered the liturgical space. There are three essential furnishings here. The altar is the centrepiece of the
church. Traditionally made of stone, it symbolises Christ who is the foundation stone of the living Church. It also
recalls his sacrifice on the cross, which is re-presented there in the Mass. Covered with a cloth, it is also the
Lords Table from which we are fed with the Eucharist. The lecturer (ambo) or reading table is the place reserved
for the proclamation of the Scriptures and the homily. Vatican II reminds us that at Mass we are nourished at the
twofold table of the Lords word and body. The chair is reserved for the presider. It reminds us that we gather as
a community for worship, not just as individuals. Through the ordained minister, Christ continues to lead his
people.
In Catholic churches the Eucharist is usually reserved to be available for taking to the sick. The Eucharist is kept
in a secure cabinet, the tabernacle. A lamp burns nearby to alert people to the Lords presence.
Other features of the church include a cross recalling the mystery of Christs saving death. The baptismal font,
with the Easter candle nearby, is a reminder that we all share in Christs resurrection through baptism. There
may be statues or icons of Mary and the churchs patron saint. Stained glass windows not only beautify the
building, but also have a catechetical purpose.
1: Church as Community
The focusing activity generates a focusing activity for the unit through a generative theme, engaging symbol or action.
NAMING (N)
REFLECTING (RF)
CHRISTIAN STORY
AND VISION (CS)
INTEGRATING (I)
RESPONDING (R)
Present Scripture/Tradition
related to the topic.
Apply Scripture/Tradition
to our own lives.
Focusing Activity: Create an invitation to a party for your class and send them/leave them for the students. Set up a
mini-party with decorations, singing, gifts, sharing of stories and games.
N
RF
CS
LEARNING EXPERIENCES
1. Read a book or watch a clip about gathering to celebrate. Discuss
Adjusted Learning
Teachers to complete
according to need.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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13.
ways we pray (Listen, sit quietly, kneel, sing, pray, stand genuflect,
sign of the cross) when we gather to celebrate.
25. Students will provide their tour for a family member/parishioner
or older student. (A)
Resources
Gather Together (John Burland)
Sacred Objects and Symbols, Kathy Horan - Garrett Publishing
Together At One Altar - http://www.togetheratonealtar.catholic.edu.au/
Appendices