The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level III 
March 2, 2010 - Level 3, Issue 11
In This Issue
The Found Sheep
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Maxim Work
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Dear CGS Level III Parent,   
The Good Shepherd

The Level III children will continue their work on the topic of Reconciliation, which began in our last session (Feb. 16/18) and continues to our next session (March 16//18).  We begin by talking about our work over the past two weeks in following one of the Maxims.  We will also reflect on the steps of the sacrament of Reconciliation.  If your child cannot attend Atrium this week, please e-mail your catechist if you want to collaborate to fill in gaps for this three-session series.

 

We will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation on March 16 or 18 (whichever day your child normally attends) during the second half of our Atrium time.  The children will start that session by creating the examination of conscience which will be used in the Reconciliation service.  If your child cannot attend Atrium on their designated day next session, your child is encouraged to come to the other day if they are free.  If your child cannot attend either March 16th or 18th, please take your child to some other Reconciliation service, such as St. Teresa's Community Reconciliation Service on Monday, March 29th at 7:00 PM.

 

As you continue with your Lenten journey, it is not too early to start planning your family's celebration of Holy Week.  The dates and times of key celebrations are shown on the front page of St. Teresa's web site.  May your Lenten journey be filled with positive transformation.
 
Peace and joy,
The Level III catechist team:
   Sarah Coles and Michael Sanem on Tuesdays
   Lina Hilko and Bernadette Diaz on Thursdays
The Found Sheep

Last session, each child picked one Maxim to practice specially for these past two weeks.  We will start this session by sharing our experiences - successes, failures, or even just forgetting.  Is it easy and natural to follow the Maxims?  Is it too hard?  Would we be better off without Maxims?

 

How does God feel when we stray from His Word?  We will read and talk about the parable of the Found Sheep from Luke 15: 4-6.  This is a parable which the children have heard proclaimed since Level I.  Now they can listen with fresh ears just having experienced their Maxim work for the past two weeks.  The parable tells us:

 

What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?  And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.'

 

God provides us the means and the strength to get back on track, rejoining God in perfect communion, always facing forward.

 

Sacrament of Reconciliation

The children will work with a card material to learn about the complete Sacrament of Reconciliation.  God offers infinite love and mercy in the gift of forgiveness and healing as mediated by the church through the sacrament of Reconciliation.  The card work lifts up four moments that comprise the sacrament:

 

§         The Good Shepherd calls us by name to walk with him.  We compare our lives to God's Word and realize that we are not always able to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd and follow him.  (Examination of Conscience)

§         When we become aware of our unloving choices and actions, we confide to God our weaknesses, trusting that God is loving, good, and faithful.  (Confession)

§         God releases us from the bonds of our sins, freeing us from our weaknesses with the strength of the Holy Spirit.  (Absolution)

§         We respond to God's gifts of grace, healing, and strength by walking forward on the path shown to us by the Good Shepherd.  (Penance)

 

 
Maxim Work
Each child will again pick one Maxim (the same one or a new one) that they want to practice specially for the next two weeks.  The child may keep notes on their Maxim observance.  We will discuss our experiences in this second exercise the next time we meet. 
 
Please feel free to talk to Lina Hilko ([email protected]) or Sarah Coles ([email protected]) with your questions, comments or concerns about Level III or this e-newsletter.