The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level III
October 14, 2008 - Vol 1, Issue 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Dear CGS Level III Parent, |
I am so excited to return to a Level III Atrium this year for St. Teresa's Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program! In July, I attended two intense weeks of Level III training. It was a wonderful experience.
I have long been in love with CGS and have desired to spread that feeling to others. So this year, I want to tackle one new goal: improved communication to CGS parents. Catechists often hear from parents that they don't quite "get" the program. And you wouldn't believe how many times I hear catechists say that they wish parents received the same presentations as the children - because the materials are so enriching to anyone!
I hope through this Level III newsletter that parents will gain a bit more insight into what happens within the Atrium. If this experiment works out, then maybe we can spread the news to other CGS levels.
I thank you for your commitment to catechesis for your children. I pray they will grow in their relationship with and love of God and become more deeply committed to their work in building His kingdom.
Peace,
Lina Hilko
|
|
|
|
|
| Overview of the Year |
This, the first e-newsletter, will provide an overview of the entire 2008/2009 Level III year. Subsequent newsletters will describe the presentation(s) actually occurring around the time of each publishing.
This year's Level III presentations will revolve around four main areas:
- The Plan of God;
- moral parables;
- structure of the Mass; and
- Creation typology.
A little more information on each of these is given in following sections.
Keep in mind that each CGS level is designed as a three-year cycle. A child receives the fully-intended richness if the child attends all three years of a level. Also, each higher level builds upon or deepens work from previous levels. Nonetheless, all presentations and materials are rich in and of themselves. So, a child (and parents) can enter in at any moment. After all, even as adults we are constantly learning (hopefully!).
You, as parents, must be patient in order to see the overall plan unfold or emerge. Despite the help of a newsletter, you still may not "get" the program. Even as catechists, we don't fully see the fruits of this work. After all, this is God's work through the Holy Spirit. And we each must walk by faith and not by sight. |
| The Plan of God |
Many Level III works revolve around the Plan of God strip. In Level II, children worked with the Fettucia, a long ribbon representing the timeline from Creation through Redemption (the time of Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection) to Parousia (the time when God will be all in all). In Level III, the Plan of God strip focuses on a portion of this overall history - the part related to human beings. Although Plan of God works are rich and complex, with many messages and avenues of exploration, there are two strong messages that are repeated throughout Plan of God presentations.
- A plan has existed all along in the mind of God to bring all people, all things, all of creation into the full enjoyment of God in a cosmic communion of love.
- The history of the Kingdom of God has been, and continues to be, written by people all over the world, of all types and all ages. We are each called to contribute to this history.
|
| Moral Parables |
|
Level III children (ages 9 to 12) exhibit a strong sense of social justice and fairness. They are ready to move from a black-and-white view of morality to seeing shades of grey. And they are ready to turn the moral parables on themselves - How does this message affect me? How does this parable impact the way I live my life?
In Level I, the parables focus on the love, protection and care of God; the incredible preciousness of the Kingdom of God; and God's remarkable process of transforming the very small into the very great and wonderful.
In Level III, the parables become more challenging, with much room for discussion and even room for discomfort. The Level III parables connect with the Plan of God through a call to personal action, responsibility, and preparedness. |
| Structure of the Mass |
| In Level II, children learned that the Bible in one book made up of many books. In Level III, children learn that the Mass is one prayer composed of many prayers - 49 prayers, to be exact. In previous levels, children have been exposed to gestures (movements with meaning) and articles (items such as the chalice and paten) of the mass. Now, they will see this earlier information come together with spoken prayers through a specific order and structure which comprises our Mass. |
| Creation Typology |
| In Level III, the children begin to work deeply with the Old Testament. Earlier levels focus on the New Testament, with the only Old Testament touch points being the prophesies related to Jesus (and some Psalms). Level III works with the Old Testament through a concept called typology, which essentially looks for recurring concepts throughout God's history. This year, children will work on the typologies related to the Creation accounts. |
| Food for (Parental) Thought |
You might have noticed and wondered about the title of this newsletter: The Gatekeeper. It's not like I ran a nationwide contest for this one. But there was some logic and tie to CGS, at least in my mind. From the very start of Level I (age 3), children are introduced to the parables of the Good Shepherd. The "gatekeeper" is mentioned in John 10: 1 - 4.
Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice.
One of the harder things I have learned (and am still learning) as a catechist is to stop myself from interpreting, explaining, or defining - to simply present and facilitate the children's discovery of meaning and purpose. Parables can speak uniquely to each individual. The same parable can provide a different message at different points in one person's life. But the power of a parable can only work within a person if the catechist humbly steps down and leaves space and silence.
So, I will leave you with this parable to think over as the Spirit guides you. |
| Schedule of Presentations |
|
Session/Date Presentation
1 10/14 Orientation to Atrium / Plan of God Meditation
2 10/21 Plan of God - 2nd Moment
3 11/14 The Peoples and the People of God
4 11/18 My Century
Advent begins 11/30
5 12/2 Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids
6 12/16 Structure of the Mass (Introduction)
Christmas season 12/25 - 1/10/09
7 1/6/09 Creation Typology - 1st Account
8 1/20 Creation Typology - 2nd Account
9 2/3 All: Creation/Redemption Timeline Work
1st Yrs: Holy Bible and the Sacraments
2nd Yrs: Creation/Redemption/Parousia Booklet Work
10 2/17 1st Yrs: Hist of the Kingdom of God - Individual Gifts Strip
2nd Yrs: Hist of the Kingdom of God and the Holy Bible
Ash Wednesday (beginning of Lent) 2/25
11 3/3 Maxims in the Cosmos
12 3/17 Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
Palm Sunday 4/5
13 4/7 Structure of the Mass: Eucharistic Prayer
Easter Sunday 4/12
14 4/21 Story of a Bread
15 5/5 1st Yrs: Fettucina
2nd Yrs: Plan of God 2 - Individual Strip
16 5/19 Synthesis of the Our Father
Pentecost 5/31
| |
Please feel free to email me ( LHilko@aol.com) your comments regarding this specific newsletter or the general concept of Catechesis newsletters. If you have other ideas on how St. Teresa's CGS program can better support parents in their role, I'd be happy to hear those comments, as well.
If this newsletter went to the wrong household email address, just let me know of any changes.
Also, note that I plan for future newsletters to be shorter. There was a lot to accomplish in getting going. Thanks for reading!
Sincerely, Lina Hilko
|
|
|
|
|
