Passover Seder

Parish Passover Seder

Host a Parish or School Passover Seder

Description: Here’s everything you need for planning and hosting a Seder in your parish or school. This Seder is specially designed to reveal Jewish roots of the Catholic Mass. Even if your parish has held Seders before, this one will be so effective and so easy to plan that you’ll appreciate our unlimited-use license to host the Seder year after year!

Why host a Parish Seder?

Preparing for a parish Passover SederThe Seder is a Jewish Passover ritual that is the foundation of our Catholic liturgies. It’s an ecumenical, family event, because everyone can participate fully regardless of age or denomination, making it a great parish activity for those who have non-Catholic spouses.

It will be a prayerful and profoundly spiritual event. It will be educational, bringing many of the Psalms to life while giving a new dimension to participants’ understanding of Mass, including why we use bread and wine, the blessings, the thanksgiving prayers, etc. It will capture something of the origins of Judaism and our own Christian roots. It will set the scene for Holy Week in a very special way. It will also be a joyful community event that will provide a good bonding of parishioners.

Setup for a parish Passover SederFor more photos from actual events using our Seder Package, scroll down.

Report from an RCIA director after using this Seder package: Thank you for the wonderful program you have. It is so organized, and everyone there tonight just loved the way that it connected them to our Mass. Several times tonight I heard that they had been to other Seders but had not come out with the meaning of our Eucharist as they did tonight! It was so beautiful to have people just hanging around afterwards, not leaving right afterwards like we have had before. I am just so excited and can’t wait to go to Mass tomorrow [on Holy Thursday] and celebrate the First Eucharist. (Florence, 2009)

This package includes:

  • Bulletin flyer (fully editable). previewPreview
  • “The Jewish Seder: Roots of our Catholic Mass” bulletin article or hand-out with customizable corner box for advertising the date of your Seder. preview
  • Checklist for Planning the Seder
  • Seder Plate and Table Setup instructions on how to set the tables and lay out the ritual foods, with photo illustrations.
  • “The Seder Meal” Preparation Booklet
    to give to participants when they make their reservations; includes family discussion questions. (8 pages, printed double-sided on 2 sheets, folded in half, and stapled.) preview
  • Suggestions for introducing the ceremony by the Priest or M.C. 
  • “The Passover Meal” ceremony script (10 pages) preview
Prices are in US dollars
Most countries convert automatically in PayPal
Full Package (save $50!)
      Bulletin Inserts – Whole Parish License (unlimited printing, PDF)
$90
Or order by the piece:
Bulletin flyer $14
“The Jewish Seder: Roots of our Catholic Mass” bulletin article or hand-out $20
Checklist for Planning the Seder $2
Seder Plate and Table Setup instructions $2
“The Seder Meal” Preparation Booklet $40
Introduction of Ceremony $2
“The Passover Meal” ceremony booklet $60
Total price if ordered this way: $140

Photos of a Passover Seder using our Seder Package

Participants: Staff of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Florida – Date: April 2, 2009
Photos by Terri Rick of the Diocese of St. Petersburg

“The Seder went exceptionally well. All of those who attended felt the spirituality of the event and had many good things to say. What a wonderful resource you have provided.” (Theresa Rick)

Diocesan Staff Passover Seder
Room Set-up
Diocesan Staff Passover Seder
Head Table
Diocesan Staff Passover Seder
Elijah’s Table
Diocesan Staff Passover Seder
The Ceremony
Diocesan Staff Passover Seder
The Ceremony
Diocesan Staff Passover Seder
The Ceremony
Diocesan Staff Passover Seder
The Ceremony
Diocesan Staff Passover Seder
Idea: They used our Seder Plate instructions sheet for the place-mats by printing them on 11×17 papers.

Beth Solis, a group facilitator in Oklahoma, says, "Our members asked us in the beginning if we minded taking things slowly so we could have time to really discuss each paragraph. We always have such great discussion! The PPT has been very helpful and is a nice addition."

study group

Feedback from a study group in Florida

Sylvia says, "This experience deepened my love for the Eucharist in ways I couldn’t imagine when we first started this course."

Karen says, "I never thought that I would read an encyclical. However, using the study guide made this experience so rewarding. It broadened my view about the Eucharist and my Catholic faith that makes me love and appreciate what Jesus did for us ever more deeply."

Tim says, "Being the only convert in the group, I ascertained a better and stronger understanding of the importance of the Eucharist, not only in the Mass but also in my daily life."

Jimmy says, "I learned so much about the Eucharist that was powerful and enlightening. This course helped deepen my faith and my appreciation for the Holy Mass."

Erin says, "It was amazing to get everyone’s perspective on the readings. And it deepened my love in the beautiful gift that the Eucharist is to all humanity for our salvation."

Shirley says, "This course was so enlightening. It was a gift that helped me grow in my faith."

Which PowerPoint Presentations cover what Sacraments?

An overview of all 7 sacraments is in the PPT
"The Nature and Function of the Church".

PLUS: The sacraments are also covered in the following PPTs:

Baptism - The Call to Discipleship
& it's further developed in
1. Confession: Sacrament of Healing
2. The Creed
3. Mission of the Redeemer

Eucharist - Christ's True Presence in the Mass
& it's further developed in
1. Life in Jesus
2. Who's Who in the Catholic Church
3. Confession: Sacrament of Healing
4. The Creed

Confirmation - The Sacrament of Confirmation
& it's further developed in
1. Salvation History
2. The Nicene Creed

Reconciliation - Confession: Sacrament of Healing
& it's further developed in
1. Who's Who in the Catholic Church

Anointing of the Sick is covered primarily in
The Nature and Function of the Church

Holy Orders - Who's Who in the Catholic Church
& it's further developed in
1. Christ's True Presence in the Mass

Marriage is touched on in The Call to Discipleship