The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level III
March 16, 2010 - Level 3, Issue 12 |
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| Dear CGS Level III Parent, |
The Level III children will celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation this week (on Tuesday or Thursday), concluding our "three-part series" on Reconciliation meditations. The liturgical timing is fitting because all during Lent we've been hearing scripture accounts related to the healing, life-giving, and converting moments that occur when we receive God's loving mercy and forgiveness. This Sunday's Gospel reading of the parable of the Forgiving Father (i.e., Prodigal Son) was a perfect fit for the upcoming week of Atrium. Consider talking with your child about this parable. What did they hear? What did they think of it?
If your Level III child cannot attend Atrium on their designated day this week, your child is encouraged to come to the other day (either Tuesday or Thursday) 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.
The Level III children have spent this Lent thinking about God's Word and His love, faithfulness and forgiveness. We won't meet again in Atrium until after Easter (next sessions are April 6/8). Please support the continuation of your child's Lenten journey through Palm Sunday and Holy Week observances. If you ever want to access mass readings (perhaps because of travel), usccb.org is an excellent source.
Peace and joy,
The Level III catechist team:
Sarah Coles and Michael Sanem on Tuesdays
Lina Hilko and Bernadette Diaz on Thursdays
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| Sacrament of Reconciliation |
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We will begin our Atrium time sharing our experiences practicing a particular Maxim during the past two weeks. What were our successes? What were our challenges? Did we stumble or fail?
We will then read and reflect on the parable of the Forgiving Father (Luke 15: 11-32). We will make connections between our Reconciliation card material (four key moments of the sacrament, see bullets below) and the parable.
God offers infinite love and mercy in the gift of forgiveness and healing as mediated by the church through the sacrament of Reconciliation. The four moments that comprise the sacrament are:
� 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)
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| Continued Conversations |
Parents who like opportunities to engage in conversations about liturgy or catechesis with their children have an excellent opportunity to talk with their children about the parable of the Forgiving Father. The beauty of parables is that they are never exhausted - kind of like kaleidoscopes, same objects inside, but ever-changing beauty. They speak to you differently at different points in your life. Who do the characters represent? The answer changes as you ponder. There are many interpretations, and the nourishment is in being open to the questions and the thinking. What if...? I wonder...?
With this parable, perhaps the natural piece is to think about the youngest son. It seems fairly clear-cut that he did something wrong, came to his senses, and sought to return to a loving and healthy life but in a transformed and humble (penitent) manner. But what about the father? Who does this character represent? Is he a perfect father, representing God our Father? Or is he a human father with challenges and sins? What about the oldest son? How has the story unfolded for him?
What if you discuss the story from a totally new angle? Talk about the untold stories. For example, I wonder how things went the next day? What other untold stories exist?
Ultimately, we ask ourselves, what does Jesus want to teach me about the Kingdom of God through this parable at this point in my life? |
| Questions? |
Even though we will have devoted three Atrium sessions to Reconciliation meditations, the truth is that this is a drop in the bucket. Parents are the first and best teachers of the faith to their children for many reasons, certainly if for no other reason than sheer exposure. If you have questions or concerns about the sacrament of Reconciliation (as with anything in catechesis), please reach out to Sarah Coles, Lina Hilko, or Fr. Frank. It's our pleasure and privilege to support parents. As one of our Maxims states: Ask, and you will receive. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7
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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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