Activity Objective
To look at the way we celebrate both our secular and religious events

Lesson Outcome
The children will use a review of well-known secular and religious celebrations to come to a deeper understanding of ritual.

Materials

• Chalkboard or flip chart
• Parish hymnals (one copy per group)
• List of Holy Days of Obligation in the United States (see page 256)

Small Group or Partner Activity

• Ask the children to quickly name as many holidays as they can recall (include both secular and religious) and write their responses on the chalkboard or flip chart.
• Divide the children into small groups and ask each group to choose one of the holidays for their group project. (Be sure that no two groups choose the same holiday or holy day.)
• Give each group the task of deciding at least three things (such as food, music, colors or decorations, actions or symbols) that are usually associated with their holiday.
• Ask one person from each group to describe their holiday without giving its name. Members of the other small groups should guess which holiday the group chose.
• When all groups have finished describing their holidays, return to the initial list and ask the children to identify which days are civic holidays and which are holy days. If the children's list does not include all of the six Holy Days of Obligation in the United States, ask them to turn to page 256 in their books and add whatever ones are missing.
• As a large group, try to find at least one ritual or symbol that could be associated with each Holy Day of Obligation. Examples:
  
  1. January 1: Mary, Mother of God—Plan a baby shower for a local women's care center and pray for all pregnant women.
     
  2. Ascension—Fly kites or helium-filled balloons.
  3. Assumption—Sing "Hail Mary, Gentle Woman."
     
  4. November 1: All Saints—Have an "All Saints Party" where children bring a symbol of a saint as their ticket to be admitted.
     
  5. December 8: Immaculate Conception—Have a Mary Procession.
     
  6. December 25: Christmas—Go Christmas carolling to parish shut-ins.
  
  

Approximate Time
10-15 minutes

Hint
If there is time, the group could make a poster using pictures of the symbols, songs, colors, and so on, that they associated with their holiday.

Sensitivities
If there are children in your group with special needs (physical, visual, hearing, language, or behavioral disabilities), adapt the activity accordingly.

Learning Styles
Word Smart

People Smart

Finding God Themes
Sacraments

Liturgy

Feast Days