The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level III 
May 19, 2009 - Level 3, Issue 16
In This Issue
Synthesis of the Our Father
Remain!
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Dear CGS Level III Parent,  
The Good Shepherd

I can't believe this marks our last Atrium gathering for this catechetical year.  I will miss Atrium, and I will miss the many blessings I receive from the Level III children.  Please be sure to fill out the registration form for the 2009/2010 year.  Your child should have given you one last session, but if not, please fill one out this week.  We're actually expecting a "bubble" of Level III kids and really need to get a jump on registration in order to plan appropriately.  We expect to run two Level III days next year (as opposed to just one this year).
 
May 31st is Pentecost.  Please notice the day with your child.  Notice the change of liturgical color from white for celebration (Easter season) to red for Pentecost.  The following week will then be green for "growing," or Ordinary Time.  If you are interested in learning about Pentecost, and especially about the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, you may want to read the Level I/II newsletter for this week.  You can reach it from the e-newsletter archives (a link is available on the St. Teresa web site).  I don't think we'll have a Pentecost celebration in Level III this year because it is still a couple weeks away.  Maybe it's something you want to try out - just a parent/child thing.
 
St. Teresa still needs new catechists.  If you have wondered at all about this opportunity to serve our parish while growing spiritually yourself, please reach out to Sarah Coles or a current catechist.  There's no obligation for learning about the opportunity and responsibilities.
 
Peace & Joy,

Lina Hilko
Synthesis of the Our Father
This week, Level III children will work on a synthesis project organized around the Lord's Prayer.  I will lay out large laminated strips containing parts of the prayer.  The children will place items from the Atrium or written recollections around the different strips, thus connecting the year with the prayer.  Children may choose to perform a similar synthesis written into their personal Prayer Journal.
 
Maybe you'd like to try this for yourself.  Sometimes with formulaic prayers, they become routine.  It is an insightful experience to really slow down the prayer and listen to each phrase.  Stop at each phrase and listen to God's whisper to you on that topic.
 
I remember a couple times that Fr. Michael Sparaugh, S.J., led retreats at St. Teresa.  Both times he led the retreat participants through the Our Father with body movements (mostly hands and arms).  This had the effect of slowing down the prayer and helping one be cognizant of each message within the prayer.  You can try this, too.  You don't have to know his motions.  The challenge is to think of your own motions that depict each phrase.

Remain! 
This marks our last week of the catechetical year.  St. Teresa's team of catechists, led so beautifully by Sarah Coles, our Director of Religious Education, wishes all of you a safe, relaxing summer filled with awe and wonder, filled with exceeding joy toward God's gifts and spontaneous expressions of gratitude for these gifts.  We hope that these newsletters have helped parents remain connected to their child's catechetical experience this year.  Parents are always the first and best teachers of the faith to their children.  But during summer, parents are especially entrusted to help their child remain connected to Jesus during the break.  Enjoy! 
Please feel free to talk to me or email me (LHilko@aol.com) with your questions, comments or concerns.  Sincerely, Lina Hilko