The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level III
December 15, 2009 - Level 3, Issue 06 |
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| Dear CGS Level III Parent, |
We are celebrating the third week of Advent, and we are particularly joyful that Christmas is almost here. In Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, children are called to recognize the many gifts from God and respond out of joy, love and gratitude to those wonderful gifts.
In the last Thursday session, one child spontaneously asked to work with a presentation that helps children reflect on the many, many gifts of Creation. It wasn't "scheduled," but it was actually very supportive of this child's work over the previous two sessions on Creation. The fascinating and joyful experience for me, the catechist, was to watch as this work drew every single child in. It was a magnet. They all gathered around, through free choice, and very quietly worked to uncover the gifts and place gifts around a meditative timeline. It was a very beautiful moment celebrating the joy of Creation.
This week, the first-year Level III children will be introduced to a work called the Structure of the Mass. This work provides a very high-level depiction of the various prayers that comprise the mass. The chart organizes the prayers of the mass into four sections. Later works will allow the child to delve deeply into each of the four sections, one at a time.
The returning Level III children were already introduced to the Structure of the Mass last year. They also worked deeply with the section of the mass called the Eucharistic Prayer. In this session, they will look deeply into the section called the Preparation of the Gifts.
Christmas Eve family mass will be on December 24th at 4PM. A rehearsal will occur after the 9AM mass this Sunday, December 20th. Something you can do at home to "prepare the way of the Lord" is to practice together singing Silent Night.
Peace,
The Level III catechist team:
Sarah Coles and Michael Sanem on Tuesdays
Lina Hilko and Bernadette Diaz on Thursdays
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| Structure of the Mass |
(First Years) Since the earliest level, many presentations of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd help the child connect to and understand the mass. Level I and Level II presentations revolve around gestures (movements with meaning) and articles (things) of the mass. The articles of the mass are many, but include such things as the chalice (which holds the wine) and the paten (which holds the bread). Some important gestures are the "epiclesis," a lowering of hands over the bread and wine toward the beginning of the Eucharistic Prayer; the offering, the holding up of the consecrated bread and wine, which has become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer; and the sign of peace. Even very young children can read the meaning of gestures, even before they can communicate their understanding in words.
Most Level III children have by now become very familiar with the articles and gestures of the mass. Now they will begin to look at the mass more closely. The Structure of the Mass work has 49 color-coded tiles which the children ultimately place on a chart. Some tiles contain pictures of gestures which the child already knows. These will provide clues to the placement of all items. The children will discover that the mass is one prayer consisting of 49 individual prayers. Prayers include words, songs, and gestures. The children will visibly experience the complex order of the mass.
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| Preparation of the Gifts |
(Returning Children) This section of the mass occurs after Liturgy of the Word and before the Eucharistic Prayer. This is the shortest or simplest of the four section works. It begins with a song and procession to bring the bread and wine to the altar. The prayers over the bread and wine remind us that these come from gifts from the earth (seed, soil, water, sunlight) transformed through the work of human hands (planting, harvesting, baking, fermenting). This brings us to focus on the gifts given by God in Creation and, at the same time, on human beings' work with God's gifts to transform them to a higher purpose.
This part of the mass contains two gestures to which even the youngest (Level I) children have already been exposed: the mingling of water and wine, and the lavabo (washing of hands). The mingling is particularly beautiful. Children learn that the water represents humanity and the wine represents divinity. But once that small droplet of humanity is poured into the large chalice of divinity, it becomes inseparable. That water is changed; it cannot be taken back out.
Now in this work, the Level III children will see small pictures which remind them of the mingling and lavabo, though they will no longer work with wine and water to execute these motions. |
| Continued Conversations |
Do you ever talk to your child about what the mass means to you? It's interesting that, if you are ever called upon to speak out loud (or to write about) the meaning or importance of something, you can find that it's difficult to express yourself. From time to time, I read essays from a book called This I Believe. It stems from an essay series on National Public Radio in which authors write of a strong belief in about 300 words. It's pretty tough! What if you tried writing such an essay about the Catholic Mass? What would it say? Do you think your child would recognize your voice - recognize you - in the essay? Does your child know what you believe about the mass?
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| We Gather Together |
[Same article as in Levels 1 & 2] The greatest goal of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is to provide the time and space for the child to come into relationship with Jesus the Good Shepherd. One of the best ways that children learn how to be in good relationships is through the examples around them. This coming Sunday, December 20th, St. Teresa will hold a Christmas Open House in the rectory from 2 to 10 PM. Enjoy food, drink, and holiday cheer. Children can enjoy each other's company, as well as hot chocolate and holiday movies. Consider combining your open house visit with the 7PM Christmas Carol concert (right after 6PM mass). Read last Sunday's bulletin for all the news ( http://www.st-teresa.net/SunBullMain.htm). When you as parents make special effort to attend an open house at the rectory, you are demonstrating to your child that St. Teresa is an important community to you and that you are investing in building relationships within this community. Consider making arrangements with your parish friends (like over coffee after 9AM mass?) to attend the open house together at a specific time. This is a great way to get the kids together. |
| A Time to Pray |
[Same article as in Levels 1 & 2] Many parishioners may have heard of the unexpected death last Saturday of Tim Halpin, the youngest (but adult) son of parishioners Marilee and Jack Halpin. A memorial service will be held this Saturday, December 19th at St. Teresa's at 11:00 am. Please pray for the Halpins and join the St. Teresa family in supporting them at this time.
And I also want to mention another loss, although I know many readers of this newsletter won't feel a direct connection to this person. Tina Lillig, the National Director of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA, suffered a stroke last Friday and died on Sunday morning. Tina Lillig was truly devoted to the Good Shepherd and to children and was truly a gift from God. There are many catechists and CGS formation leaders who are saddened by losing such a devoted servant of the Good Shepherd and an example and inspiration. It would mean a lot to keep the CGS community in your prayers and to give joyful thanks for so many people throughout the world who serve children so they may know the joy of a deep and lasting relationship with God. Here is an excerpt from an e-mail notifying CGS members of Tina's death:
Tina impacted countless lives with her loving care. She served as our National Director with such devotion and grace. She fully gave of her gifts and skills to further the work of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She was a vital branch on the True Vine who knew the joy of first remaining and then of bearing fruit. How full of gratitude we are for who she is and what she has done in service to God. How grateful we are for her friendship. She will be deeply missed. May her life be an inspiration to all of us who seek to love and serve the Lord with such joyful purpose.
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Please feel free to talk to Lina Hilko ( LHilko@aol.com) or Sarah Coles ( secoles@gmail.com) with your questions, comments or concerns about Level III or this e-newsletter. |
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