The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level I
March 2, 2010 - Level 1, Issue 11 |
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| Dear CGS Level I Parent, |
The Level I children will receive a presentation on the sign of the cross. This is a very important gesture that truly marks who we are. Children have learned that gestures are actions which have meaning. What does this gesture mean to you personally?
Sometimes we can become so used to an action that we don't even really notice it. Maybe through this newsletter, parents can receive an invitation to slow down this important gesture and really think about its meaning. How is your life affected by Jesus' death and resurrection?
Lent is set aside as a special time of change, of transformation. But actually our whole lives as Christians are intended to be a continuing process of transformation in which we grow into deeper and deeper relationship with God and become more and more like God. Each time we mark ourselves with the sign of the cross, we have the opportunity to remind ourselves, to truly and sincerely remember, that we are called to love as Jesus loves. Peace, The Level I catechist team: Betsy Peterson, Martha Garcia Barragan on Tues. Kathy Murdock, Donny Wallenfang on Wed. Anne Edwards, Sylvia Pelini, Erin Walsh on Thurs. and Lina Hilko (editor) |
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| Sign of the Cross |
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Level I children receive various presentations on gestures of the mass. The past couple Atrium sessions have focused on important gestures (lavabo, epiclesis, offering). This week the children work with a gesture that is foundational to our faith - the sign of the cross.
The catechist will begin by showing the children various crosses. We remember that Jesus died and he rose. We always proclaim Jesus' resurrection in conjunction with his death. We slowly demonstrate how we mark ourselves with the sign of the cross. There are certain words we say when we make this sign: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. We all practice the movement and the words.
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| Triple Cross |
Assuming attention span is still good, the presentation may continue with another signing of the cross, this time three small crosses. We do this before we hear the proclamation of the Gospel. We mark a small cross over our forehead, our lips, and our heart. We can silently say a prayer as we mark these signs: May the Word of the Lord live in our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts.
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| Genuflection |
A final moment of this presentation, which may be given now or presented at some other time, is on the gesture of genuflection. The catechist demonstrates how we genuflect by kneeling on one knee. The catechist asks where the gesture begins (standing up) and where it ends (kneeling). We move from tall to small. What could this mean? Why would we perform this action in a special place where God is especially present? Over time the child discerns, through this gesture (as well as the gesture of bowing) and through reflection on certain parables and other scripture, that we are small and God is great.
Parents can help their child experience genuflection and bowing through their own actions. Think about your actions as you enter the church or enter the pew in which you will sit or cross in front of the altar. Do your actions express your acknowledgement that you are in a holy place and that God is great and you are small? Parents have the excellent opportunity to help their children experience these realities. As further reflection, parents may think about two of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit which are reflected in these gestures:
Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe): This gift induces a deep respect for God's majesty and eminence. God is perfection: perfect love, perfect goodness, perfect knowledge, and perfect power. The result of this gift is that our deepest desire is to remain connected to God.
Piety (Reverence): A person with reverence acknowledges his or her complete dependence on God and comes before God with love, trust, and humility. Through this gift, we love and respect God as our Father, and thus we can love and respect all people as our brothers and sisters since we share the same Father.
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| Preparing for Holy Week |
We each continue our Lenten journeys, and we hope families have found ways to journey together. So much of our faith revolves around community, and the family is most often the first and strongest community in which we can practice building the Kingdom of God.
It is not too soon now to start planning your activities for Holy Week. Always remember that it is very important for parents to nourish their own spiritual lives because children learn and grow even just by "osmosis," soaking in the goodness that you take in for yourself. You can see the dates and times of Holy Week activities on the first page of St. Teresa's web site. Plan ahead so each member of your family can participate in those celebrations which bring them closer to God. Also, please remember that St. Teresa has both a Women's Spiritual Reflection Group (upcoming meetings on March 30th and April 27th, 7:30 PM) and a Men's Spirituality Enrichment gathering (next meeting March 9th, 6:15 AM). Lastly, read the bulletin for other faith formation and Bible study opportunities.
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Feel free to comment on this information to Lina Hilko, LHilko@aol.com, the editor and/or Sarah Coles, SEColes@gmail.com, St. Teresa's Director of Religious Education. Thanks! |
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