The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level I 
April 21, 2009 - Level 1, Issue 12
In This Issue
The Empty Tomb
Feed My Sheep
Here I am, Lord!
Finances
Picture Perfect
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
Dear CGS Level I Parent,   
The Good Shepherd
Joyous Easter!  Joyous Spring!  This is a perfect time to explore the awakening world with your young child.  Notice every little detail.  Notice every little change day by day.  And always remember to thank God for these remarkable gifts.  Isn't it amazing!  Parents have the special opportunity of experiencing all the awe and wonder of the world anew, with their young child as their guide.
 
If it's a possibility for you and your home/garden situation, consider planting some seeds together.  You'd be amazed at how many CGS presentations are tied to seeds and the process of growth.  Wonder together about all the information and energy and potential held in that tiny seed.  After the plant grows a bit, look gently in the soil for the seed.  Is it still there?  Or did it give itself up to become the plant?  Look at the plant.  How big and wonderful it is becoming, even when it started so tiny.
 
Remember (and help your child to remember) that Easter is a whole season.  It started on Easter Sunday and lasts until Pentecost (May 31st).  The gift of Jesus' Resurrection is so great it couldn't possibly be contained in just one day.
 
Be sure to visit with your child the Alleluia flower bouquet in front of the lectern.  Our children created these flowers at the beginning of Lent and put them away for the whole of Lent.  Now, they have blossomed and are truly beautiful.
 
Peace & Joy,
 
The Level I catechist team:
   Anne Edwards, Sylvia Pelini on Tuesdays
   Betsy Peterson, Sarah Coles on Wednesday
   Natalie Spadaccini Rosenberg, 
      Megan Wallenfang on Thursdays
and Lina Hilko (editor)
 
The Empty Tomb
Christ is Risen!  Alleluia!  You may recall from last time's newsletter that, in Atrium, we always talk about the events of Jesus' death in conjunction with the events of Jesus' Rising.  It is crucial not to separate the two.  This week's Level I presentation focuses on the joy of the empty tomb.  Jesus isn't in the tomb.  He is Risen!
 
In this presentation, the children will hear an account of the resurrection from Mark 16:1-7:

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him.  Very early when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb.  They were saying to one another, "Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?"  When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back; it was very large.  On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed.  He said to them, "Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him.  But go and tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.'"

The young man in white brought good news indeed.  And this news wasn't just for the three women.  The young man told the women to go tell the disciples.  And we hear this same news today.  This is good news for the whole world.
 
The children will be shown materials with which they can continue to reflect on this news.  The materials are a model of the tomb, which is a cave with a model of the rock to cover the entrance, and the three-dimensional figures of the women and the young man.

Feed My Sheep
Have you ever given even just a little thought to becoming a catechist?  It's certainly a big commitment.  It's such important work, especially in Level I and Level II.  Young children can't always work independently for a long period.  They are learning, and they really try.  Atrium offers them the invaluable gift of a quiet, calm environment that is so very different from the activity of regular life.  This gift of quiet time and calm space requires the help of committed adults.  The gifts of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd are unique and are not possible without the support of quite a few adults.  If you might consider becoming a catechist, please read the next article to learn more.

Here I am, Lord!
[Same article as in Level III]
 
Sarah Coles (St. Teresa's Director of Religious Education) is already planning for the 2009/2010 catechetical year.  Families will have the opportunity to register starting very soon.  And a crucial part of planning is to ensure we have catechists for our growing population of eager, hungry sheep (e.g., children).
 
This year we are introducing (or perhaps just formalizing) a new opportunity for adults to serve Catechesis of the Good Shepherd:  the Neocatechist.  What?!  Okay, well, we're just making up the term.  The role could be viewed as an internship or the entry point of an apprenticeship and is designed to provide the adult with the opportunity to learn about and naturally fall in love with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.  The Neocatechist would not be expected, nor required, to pursue formal CGS catechist training.  The Neocatechist would be expected to:
  • Commit to attending their assigned Atrium regularly;
  • Commit to attending a weekend retreat at the beginning of the catechetical year; and
  • Commit to attending diocesan-required training on the prevention of child abuse.
Currently, CGS sessions meet on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 4:30 to 6:00 PM during the first and third weeks of the month from October through May.  Consistency of catechist attendance is very important to the children, as well as to this program since we run on a very lean volunteer staff.  Tentatively, the retreat is planned to occur September 26th and 27th, covering about 10 hours in total.  The purpose of attendance is for new, untrained catechists to learn the basics about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and Montessori learning environments and the developmental stages of children.  The initial diocesan training for volunteers that work with children requires about three hours.  Volunteers are required to periodically read continuing education materials that are provided on-line.  Neocatechists are also invited to attend, as possible, three catechist meetings throughout the year.  Meetings are held on a weekday evening at St. Teresa and last about 1� to 2 hours.  The purpose is for catechists to share experiences, successes, concerns and ideas and to plan for the future or for program improvements.
 
The Neocatechist would be paired with a trained, experienced Catechist and would serve as the secondary catechist in the Atrium.  The Neocatechist would not be expected to give the main presentations to children but would learn about CGS and the presentation method simply through observation and experience.  It would be our hope that this role provides new adults the opportunity to discern whether they would like to commit more fully to CGS by pursuing catechist training.  However, pursuit of training or continued service as a catechist in subsequent years is not assumed nor required.
 
A successful Level I or Level II Atrium truly requires at least two, and even three, adults.  This allows the primary catechist to tailor presentations to the needs of individual children or small groups while ensuring that the rest of children are using their Atrium time appropriately.  We ask that parents and other parish adults consider this service opportunity.  Most CGS catechists will assure anyone who is considering becoming a catechist that the spiritual rewards to the adult often seem to be far greater than anything the adult offers the children.  This is a very spiritually-nourishing opportunity.
 
Please contact Sarah Coles or talk with any of the current CGS catechists to learn more about becoming a catechist.  Sarah's goal is to finalize the list of and schedule for catechists by the end of May.
  
Finances
St. Teresa's Finance Council will hold a meeting next Sunday, April 26th, at 7:00 PM to present information about the parish's financial needs.  Families who enjoy and benefit from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd are invited and encouraged to attend this meeting, especially as the parish finances are intrinsically connected with the desire to provide appropriate CGS space at St. Teresa.  We are blessed and very grateful for the opportunity we have had to continue CGS (without interruption) at Church of Our Savior.  However, we do also hope and pray, God willing, to eventually return the program to St. Teresa.
 
Please become knowledgeable about St. Teresa's financial realities and opportunities.  Please help bring to this meeting good representation of CGS families.
  
Picture Perfect
Remember that  St. Teresa's is working to create a picture directory of parishioners.  Please support St. Teresa's creation of a complete directory.  You can sign up for your free photo by calling the parish office at 773-528-6650.
  
Feel free to comment on this information to Lina Hilko, [email protected], the editor and/or Sarah Coles, [email protected], St. Teresa's Director of Religious Education.  Thanks!