QUESTIONS
- The author talks about people from Earth as migrants to Mars. What is the difference between a migrant and an immigrant?
- What is the definition of pilgrimage?
- Is there a connection between the terms migrant and pilgrimage?
- Use a highlighter to mark where the author has used items, objects or things that we know about today to make her fictional vision seem more realistic.
- What is an apparition?
ACTIVITIES
Biblical Reflection and empathy activity:
The author has written an experience of Mass that is truly ‘out of this world’. It might seem funny to us to think of holographic pictures and space suits as being the norm. To others it might not be that different from their understanding of Mass, having never attended before or having never had the Mass explained to them, feeling like they have walked into a different world. Sometimes, even the experience of faith can be quite ‘out of this world’. The stories we hear of miracles can seem ‘out of this world’ too.
Jesus’ Resurrection is one example of a miracle that all Christians believe, in faith. When the Resurrection was new though, it might have seemed ‘out of this world’ too. Some of Jesus’ disciples even had trouble believing in the resurrection. Cleopas was leaving Jerusalem and walking on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-35. He left Jerusalem because he didn’t believe. When Jesus explained the scriptures and let Cleopas see it was Him, resurrected, that He was talking to in Luke 24:31, Cleopas immediately returned to the other disciples in Jerusalem. To overcome similar disbelief, Jesus let St Thomas touch the wounds on His resurrected body in John 20:29: “Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’”.
Think about some things in life that you believe even though you can’t see them. They might be things like love, pain, grief or excitement. You might be able to feel some of these things like St Thomas. You might have to experience some of these things like Cleopas, and you might think of others that you can’t feel. Are some of these harder for you to believe? Do you think it feels or is experienced the same for everyone? Can you describe them? Have a conversation with a friend about something they have experienced without feeling, or have felt without seeing. Can you relate to what they experienced or felt?
The Catholic tradition:
What makes a church Catholic? Read the article, and highlight anything you think is a characteristic of Catholicism. Consider the objects and symbols that are referenced in the article, as well as rituals, roles, and even how people relate to each other. Why are each of these characteristics important? Now consider what, to you, are the most important characteristics a Catholic parish should have, then:
a) Write a letter or create a short video message for a Catholic bishop outlining those characteristics
B) Write an imaginative article (or video) about a group of people starting a new parish - much like Our Lady of Mons - and how they go about ensuring their parish has these important characteristics.
Board game:
Imagine you’re building a packing list for a pilgrimage to Mars or to a holy site, Church or location of your choosing. What are you going to take with you? In a team, make a board game where you have to collect these items at different stations on the board. Maybe some of the items can be collected by solving puzzles, answering questions, completing challenges or gaining knowledge along the way.
The Priest’s new look:
Imagine you belong to the youth group in this parish on Mars, and helped to make Our Lady’s holographic space suit and the light strips for the stained glass windows. The parishioners loved your designs. Now, you have been asked to design the new Priest’s vestments. Before making your design, research the history behind the different parts of priestly vestments today. Would you include all of these elements? Are there any elements that could represent what they are meant to symbolise more effectively?
Apparitions:
There have been many apparitions of Our Lady all over the world. Some, such as Lourdes, Fatima and Guadalupe are more well known than others. Use a map to pinpoint all the different locations of Marian apparitions around the world. Use different colours for Church-approved apparitions, Vatican-approved apparitions and bishop-approved apparitions.
FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS
A warm welcome: The character speaking in the article is being very warm and welcoming to the new person, Sadhika, at her parish on Mars. Have you ever been the new person somewhere or helped someone who was new? What actions does the speaker take that might help Sadhika feel welcome?