Activity: Exploring Catholic Prayers and the Role of Altar Servers

Objective: By the end of this activity, students will recognize the importance of personal and communal prayer in their relationship with God. They will be able to identify and understand the meaning of traditional Catholic prayers, participate in different approaches to prayer, describe the significance of prayer in the liturgical and devotional life of the Church, and reflect on the various ways of worshiping God.

Suitable for: First level (Primary 1-3)

Materials needed: 1. Whiteboard or flipchart 2. Markers 3. Printed copies of traditional Catholic prayers (e.g., Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be) 4. Optional: Altar server robes or pictures of altar servers

Procedure:

1. Introduction (5 minutes):
   • Begin by asking the students if they have ever heard or said any prayers before. Allow them to share their experiences.
   • Explain that today, they will be learning about Catholic prayers and the role of altar servers in the Church.
2. Traditional Catholic Prayers (10 minutes):
   • Display the printed copies of traditional Catholic prayers on the whiteboard or flipchart.
   • Read each prayer aloud and ask the students to repeat after you.
   • Discuss the meaning of each prayer, encouraging students to share their interpretations.
   • Emphasize that these prayers are important in Catholic worship and help individuals grow in their relationship with God.
3. Different Approaches to Prayer (15 minutes):
   • Explain that prayer can take different forms and can be done individually or as a group.
   • Divide the students into small groups and assign each group a different approach to prayer (e.g., silent prayer, praying with music, praying with gestures).
   • Provide materials or resources for each approach (e.g., quiet space for silent prayer, musical instruments for praying with music).
   • Allow the groups to engage in their chosen approach to prayer for a few minutes.
   • Afterward, ask each group to share their experience and how they felt during the prayer.
4. Prayer in the Liturgical and Devotional Life of the Church (10 minutes):
   • Explain that prayer is an essential part of the liturgical (worship) and devotional (personal) life of the Catholic Church.
   • Discuss different forms of prayer in the Church, such as the Mass, the Rosary, and Adoration.
   • Show pictures or videos of altar servers assisting during Mass and explain their role in facilitating worship.
   • Optional: If available, show or let students try on altar server robes to give them a sense of the role.
5. Reflection and Conclusion (5 minutes):
   • Ask the students to reflect on what they have learned about prayer and its importance in the Catholic faith.
   • Have a class discussion where students share their reflections and insights.
   • Summarize the main points discussed during the activity and reiterate the desired outcome.
   • Conclude by emphasizing that prayer is a way to worship and grow closer to God.

Note: It is important to adapt the activity to suit the specific needs and abilities of the students in your class.