The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level II
December 1, 2009 - Level 2, Issue 054 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Dear CGS Level II Parent |
Advent has just begun, and we are now in a new Liturgical Year. Hopefully, your family noticed the change of color in the church to mark the season of preparation - purple for preparation. Children will begin their time in Atrium this week by setting up the prayer table for Advent, with a purple cloth and the Advent wreath. How are you as a family preparing for the joyful feast of Christmas in these weeks of Advent?
Looking for some Advent inspiration? Try adventconspiracy.org. Level II children will receive two presentations this week, one presentation that helps the children to explore two gestures in the Mass and one that addresses the Advent season. Peace, The Level II catechist team: Jane Ott and Liza Bloomer on Tuesdays Megan Wallenfang, Vanessa Hernandez, and AmyMcCue on Wednesday Barb McHugh and Myrna Gomez on Thursdays and Jane Ott (writer) and Lina Hilko (editor) | |
|
|
|
| Epiclesis and Offering |
The gestures of Epiclesis and Offering are first introduced in Level I and are explored more profoundly in the coming years. The combination of these two gestures reflect the continuance of a main theme throughout our Judeo-Christian history and one that is represented in Mass during the Eucharist. The theme is one of covenant between God and His People. God is gifted to us through Christ and in turn we are thankful and respond to this gift by offering something in return to God.
The Epiclesis and Offering are seen during every Liturgy of the Eucharist. At a particular point in the Eucharistic Prayer, the priest brings his hands, palms facing downward, from above his head down to a position hovering just above the gifts of bread and wine. We call this gesture the "Epiclesis." The words that accompany the gesture are:
And so, Father, we bring you these gifts.
We ask you to make them holy by the power of your Spirit,
that they may become the body and blood
of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
At whose command we celebrate this Eucharist. Another gesture, called the "Offering," occurs as the final step of the Eucharistic Prayer. The priest raises the Body and Blood of Christ upward and says:
Through him,
with him,
in him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours,
almighty Father,
forever and ever. We all respond with a resounding, "Amen."
The children will be encouraged to practice these gestures and words at a table with a paten, paper host, and chalice. We will discuss the direction of the movement during the Epiclesis and the Offering and the meaning of the priest's words. In the Epiclesis, we are calling God from above to bless the gifts of bread and wine and transform them to the Body and Blood of Christ. In the Offering, we explore that the motion and words reflect a "giving back," or offering up to God. The children and catechists will contemplate what it means to offer ourselves through Christ? What does it mean to you?
|
| Prophesy of the Star and Scepter |
In celebration of the Advent season, a time for preparation, the children will be asked to reflect upon some words spoken by a prophet and recorded in the Old Testament. The words are a portion of Numbers 24:17: "A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel." To what could these words refer?
[Interesting (Parent) Note: Jacob is another name for Israel. Jacob is the third patriarch of the Jewish people, son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham. After wrestling victoriously with an angel (or a man or God, there are various interpretations), Jacob is blessed by that being with a new name, Israel, which mean something like "one that struggled with the divine angel" or "one who fights victoriously with God."]
|
| Walk the Talk |
[For those new to the Level II newsletters, "Walk the Talk" is the title for articles providing ideas for parents to connect with or support their child's Catechesis experience. The title is based on the developmental sensitivities of the 6-9 year-old child. If you want to learn a bit more, please refer to the "Walk the Talk" article in the 11/18/2008 archived newsletter.] The presentation of the Epiclesis and Offering underscores a theme that occurs repeatedly throughout CGS presentations at all levels: God's gifts and our response. Through the consistent focus and reflection on gift and response, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd strives to support the development of the mature Christian whose whole moral and spiritual life is a response, freely and spontaneously provided out of joy and love, to God's gifts. This ideal can be contrasted to moral conduct driven largely by a sense of responsibility, duty, or obligation. A joyful response borne of a deep, mutual, and loving relationship is far more beautiful, joyful, and lasting. Parents have the unique opportunity to strengthen the message of gift and response through their own moral and spiritual life. Children learn so much simply by watching your actions and listening to your words. For example, when you give to someone in need, is it out of obligation or guilt or fear? Or is it a sharing of gifts out of gratitude for what you have? Can your child discern the genesis of your action? Consider becoming more conscious of your moral and spiritual actions. When are they a joyful response borne of gratitude and love? Can your child see that or feel that or know it? Are there areas you want to improve upon? |
| Advent Idea - Prophesies |
|
There are various prophesies which are presented in Level II, sometimes individually or sometimes as a synthesis presentation all together. Perhaps your family would like to use these prophesies as a part of family prayer, such as before meals, during Advent. You and your child can prepare cards with the words of each prophesy, and your child can choose just one to read before each family dinner. The scripture passages are as follows:
- Isaiah 9:2 - The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
- Isaiah 7:14 - Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Emmanuel.
- Numbers 24:7 - A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.
- Micah 5:2 - But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from You shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel.
- Isaiah 9:6 - For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
|
| Christmas Eve Family Mass |
|
Planning is well underway for the Christmas Eve Family Mass at 4PM. You should have recently received an e-mail from Sarah Coles explaining opportunities for your child's involvement. Key highlights:
- If your child is interested in a reading/speaking role, let Sarah know by Friday, 12/4.
- Rehearsal at 10AM on Sunday, 12/20.
- Practice singing Silent Night at home.
- If participating, be at church by 3:30 PM on 12/24.
| |
Please provide comments about this newsletter to Lina Hilko, the editor, at LHilko@aol.com and/or Sarah Coles, St. Teresa's Director of Religious Education, at SEColes@gmail.com. |
|
|
|
|
