(Recorded Course) The Mass Explained for Middle School with Gary Michuta

We know the prayers and the gestures of the Mass, but what does it all mean? Learn everything you need to know about worship, the Holy Mass, symbolism, and more. 

How to get the most out of The Mass Explained for Middle School with Gary Michuta:

  • First, read the course materials below before the first class meeting.

  • Then have a notebook ready and available for class notes each live session.

  • Read assignments before class meetings

  • Watch that week’s recording if you need to revisit information from our live session.

  • Do the assignments, quizzes, and any extra work assigned for that week.

  • Once the course is completed to the parent's and professor’s satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records.

Total Classes: 10

Duration: 55 minutes

Prerequisite: None

Suggested Grade Level: 7th to 8th grade

Suggested Credit: 3/4 semester Apologetics or Religion. For a full semester, choose reading from Mr. Michuta’s optional booklist.

Instructor: Gary Michuta

Instructor Email: gmichuta@hotmail.com

Course Description: The Q&A format of our textbook, makes it easy for students to digest the lessons. Together, we will learn everything we need to know about Catholic worship. This course is a comprehensive overview of nearly everything concerning the Holy Mass, its components, what it is, and how it is celebrated. We will find the answers to questions such as: What is the Real Presence? Why does the priest mix water with wine? What are the Jewish roots? Why does the priest wear vestments? What are rubrics? And more.

Course Outline

  • Class 1 – The Basics of the Mass (Q. 1-8)

  • Class 2 - The Eucharistic Real Presence of Christ (Q. 9-17)

  • Class 3 – Scriptural and Historic Roots of the Mass (Q. 18-25)

  • Class 4 – The Celebrant (Q. 26-33)

  • Class 5 – Obligation and Opportunity (Q. 34-41)

  • Class 6 – Rites of the Mass (Q. 42-47)

  • Class 7 – Properly Equipped (Q. 48-56)

  • Class 8 - Receiving Communion (Q. 57-74)

  • Class 9 – Parts of the Mass (Liturgy of the word) (Q. 75-86)

  • Class 10 – Parts of the Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist (Q. 87-100) 

Course Materials: 

The required textbook for the course is Understanding the Mass: 100 Questions 100 Answers by Mike Aquilina (St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2011), ISBN-10: 0867169494 or ISBN-13: 978-0867169492 (https://amzn.to/3aqOp8R).

For students (and parents) who wish to go beyond the current reading, Mr. Michuta recommends A Biblical Walk Through of the Mass: Understanding What We Say And What We Do During the Liturgy by Edward Sri (Ascension Press, 2011), ISBN-10: 1935940007 or ISBN-13: 978-1935940005 (https://amzn.to/3jQ4LL6).

Homework: Reading and weekly quizzes to reinforce learning. Quizzes are graded by the computer for immediate feedback. Students should expect to spend between approximately 30 minutes of homework for reading and taking the quizzes outside of the classroom.