The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level II 
February 2, 2010 - Level 2, Issue 09
In This Issue
The True Vine
Developmental Stages of Moral Formation
Walk the Talk During Lent
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Dear CGS Level II Parent  
The Good Shepherd

The Level II children will listen and reflect on the theme of the Level II Atrium, the parable-allegory of "The True Vine."  The True Vine is a central proclamation in Level II.  We hope everyone is able to attend and work with this important parable.

 

At home, you may consider continuing the presence of this Good News by keeping a beautiful vine plant in a visible location.  Make the selection, purchase, and planting of this vine a special work for you and your child.  You can even paint or decorate a special pot for the plant.  And your child can water and care for the vine.  This is an excellent practical life work that extends Atrium into the home.

 

It's hard to believe, but by the next time this newsletter is being written, we will be in the week of Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.  Even though it perhaps feels too soon, please take time now to think about how you and your family will observe Lent.  There are two articles below related to Lent.

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)
The True Vine 

The parable of The True Vine is found in John 15:10in  Read it below and consider again these most powerful words.

 

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love."

 

This parable told by Jesus to his friends and followers answers the question, "Jesus, who are you?"  In the Level I Atrium, the answer was, "I am the Good Shepherd."  In Level II, Jesus says, "I am the True Vine, and you are the branches."  Both answers emphasize the relationship God has with us.  Sofia Cavalletti explains this in The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Years Old (pages 53-54):

 

"As Jesus tells us in the parable of the Good Shepherd, he is in relationship with us and we with him in the same way that he is in relationship with the Father and the Father with him.  Thus, it is through Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that we are also in relationship with the Father....

The two images for relationship offered by these two parables differ in their evocative powers.  In the parable of the Good Shepherd (John 10) we meet a shepherd who has a very close relationship with his sheep, which he establishes by calling them by name and they respond to his voice.  Yet, he remains distinct from them.  They are two separate entities:  He is shepherd; they are sheep.  In the parable of the True Vine we have, instead, the image of a particular kind of plant.  From among the many possible choices of a plant, Jesus chooses a vine.  Why?  What does Jesus want us to understand in this choice of a vine?"

 

The catechist explores with the children the elements of the vine.  A vine plant will be present in the Atrium, and we will be able to look at this plant.  We will see that the trunk of the vine is not distinct from its branches. Jesus also states that God, his Father, is the vine dresser (or gardener) that keeps the vine alive.  What does Jesus want to tell us by using the image of the vine in this parable?

 

We will also discover while the parable is read that the word "remain" (or "abide," depending on the Biblical translation) is repeated by Jesus 10 times!  There is also mention of "bearing fruit" two times in the parable.  "Remaining" must be important if Jesus stated it 10 times!  We will then wonder together what we must do as children of God to remain on the True Vine.

 

The second moment in this presentation may or may not be presented in the particular atrium your child attends this week.  It depends on time and attention span.  It includes the discussion of the "sap" of the vine that helps it grow and subsequently bear fruit.  (Sap is to the plant as blood is to the human.)  We discuss the sap of the True Vine.  Is the same sap given to each branch?   The catechist will ask if we as branches on the True Vine might cease to grow in Christ and need healing sometimes.  We will ask if there are special gifts that we receive through the church that help to restore our sap.  Through the sacraments, such as Eucharist and Reconciliation, we can heal our branches and become closer in relationship to God, Our Father.


Developmental Stages of Moral Formation 

The Level III newsletter contains an article on the approach of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd toward moral formation throughout the three Levels.  This topic actually relates very closely to the parable of the True Vine.  In addition, since Lent is quickly approaching, and Lent is a time of repentance and reconciliation, now is a good time to read about these topics as presented to the children.  Lastly, because moral formation is an aim that moves through each of the CGS Levels (from Level I to II to III), it is important for parents to see the big picture of CGS's nine years.

 

Please take time before Lent to read about moral formation within the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.  Click here to access the Level III article.

 
 
Walk the Talk During Lent 

We want to encourage parents to already think about Lent and how you and your family will observe Lent.  Remember that your Lenten observance doesn't have to be about giving up.  Doing something new or extra or life-enhancing can be even more powerful.  Also, we sometimes hold the perception that the observance is just during Lent, with a huge sigh of relief when Easter comes and that task is over.  Consider that a much more powerful observance is one that sticks with you, one that remains a part of your life.  This may raise the bar and make it harder to choose.  But remaining on the True Vine isn't actually an easy task.  It's a challenge.  It can be a stretch.  Imagine the joy you can feel a couple weeks after Easter when you are still sticking with your life-change.  That's much more than a sigh of relief.  That's a lasting joy!

 

Children learn a lot about relationship with God through human relationships.  Perhaps one of the greatest areas of your life to scrutinize, and perhaps an opportunity for change this Lent, is the amount of time you invest in relationship with your child or your family as a whole.  We live in a society in which many children are incredibly overbooked or over-scheduled.  Do you feel you are getting enough time to eat family dinners together, have a meaningful bedtime routine with meaningful discussions, or have family time to play a board game together.  These are just examples; there's no right or wrong thing to do or time in which to do it.  But maybe scheduling is an area to tackle this Lent.  Regardless of what you do, talk to your 6-9 child about your choice and why you chose it.  Get them on board.  Collaborate.

 
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.