The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level I January 18, 2011 - Level 1, Issue 04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Dear CGS Level I Parent, | 
Welcome to the New Year and to ordinary time in the Catholic church (the numbered, or ordered, Sundays). The term "ordinary" may seem mundane, but that is definitely not the intent. The children learn that this liturgical time uses the color green for "growing." And growth is very much the intent. Ordinary time is a time to grow in relationship with God and to grow in knowledge of our faith.
Over the next four weeks, the Level I children will learn about the liturgical colors and will see and think about some important actions we do at mass. These presentations can help children become more connected with the mass. Parents are key to supporting this growth because parents are there physically with their child at mass. Parents can help point things out gently from time to time so that the actions and articles introduced in the Atrium are noticed and become real in their actual environments: the church and the mass. Parents can ask, just from time to time, how is this used? Why do you think we do this? The "right" or "wrong" of the answer isn't as important as the thinking, the wondering. This is a very important role that only the parent can play.
If you haven't marked your new 2011 calendar, see the final article for remaining dates this year. Thanks!
Peace,
The Level I catechist team:
Betsy Peterson, Martha Garcia Barragan, and Mairead
Reidy on Tuesdays
Liza Bloomer and Anne Edwards on Thursdays
Kathy Murdock, Shannon Blaha, and Marilyn Slavi
on Sundays
and Lina Hilko (editor)
|
|
|
|
|
Chasubles
| |
The chasuble is the long, sleeveless outer vestment worn by the priest at mass. Through this presentation, we introduce the children to the liturgical colors and their relationship to the liturgical seasons. It can be a very long time before a child can actually name seasons correctly, such as distinguishing Advent and Lent. That exact detail isn't nearly as important as simply noticing the changes in season, the cyclical patterns year after year. Over time (lots of time), this simple noticing grows into an understanding that we live our liturgical life according to the life of Jesus.
The presentation of the chasubles is one of several that help the child connect with the liturgical seasons. Each presentation and the child's subsequent work in Atrium and experiences outside Atrium "layer on" learning. The liturgical colors emphasized in the Atrium are white, purple, red, and green.
- White is for celebration. The priest uses white when we celebrate our two great feasts: Easter and Christmas.
- Purple is for preparation. Before each of our great feasts, there is a time during which we prepare for these important celebrations. Lent is the period of preparation before Easter. Advent is the period of preparation before Christmas.
- Red is used at Pentecost, which happens at the end of the Easter season. Pentecost celebrates the gifts of the Holy Spirit and is the birthday of the church. (Red is used at other very solemn masses, but this is a detail we do not emphasize with the children in order to stay focused on the essential. In fact, each color is used at some other times, but again, we keep focused on the essential.)
- Green is for growing. The weeks of the year that aren't devoted to the specific times of preparation, celebration, and solemnity are special times for growing in relationship with Jesus and in knowledge.
Chasubles will be presented in the final week of January. Before that, the children will receive a presentation on the vestments worn by the priest. Such presentations help the child become more connected with the mass but also nourish the young child's interest in vocabulary (the "what's this?" questions).
|
Preparation of the Cruets
| |
The cruets are the small pitchers that hold wine and water which are used during the preparation of the gifts at mass. One important Level I presentation and work is on the mingling of the water and the wine. In this action, we contemplate our union with Jesus who united himself to us, a sentiment expressed by the words of the priest: "By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled himself to share in our humanity."
We precede the Level I presentation on the mingling of water and wine with the preparation of the cruets (to be presented the first week of February). The child learns and practices how to carefully pour wine into the wine cruet and water into the water cruet. Just imagine the concentration and care that such an action requires of the small child. As adults we forget the amount of self-control needed. Certainly, when it is time to pour just the smallest drop of water into the chalice of wine, that action will require even more perfection of pouring skills
|
Sign of Peace
| |
The sign of peace (to be presented 2nd week in February) is one of the gestures of the mass which helps us, through our actions, meditate on God's Plan for a cosmic communion of love. The Plan of God will be fulfilled when God is all in all. In Level III, children consider two types of "bridges" that are necessary to build the Kingdom: horizontal bridges connecting people to people, inventions to inventions, events to events; and vertical bridges connecting God and humanity through the relationship called covenant.
Horizontal and vertical bridges are words too advanced for a three-year-old. But through presentations on the gestures of the mass, the youngest children already start to experience these concepts through motion. Last year the Level I children received presentations on some vertical gestures. During the "epiclesis" the priest lowers his hands, palms down, over the bread and wine, thus gesturing for the Holy Spirit to come down on these gifts. At the end of the Eucharistic Prayer, the priest raises up the Body and Blood of Christ in the gesture of offering, offering back to God all the gifts we have received from God.
The gesture of the sign of peace introduces the human-to-human bridges that form a necessary component of fulfilling God's plan. One of the gifts of St. Teresa parish is the vibrancy, enthusiasm, and love that is naturally conveyed through our sharing of peace. This community really embraces this gesture!
|
Feed My Sheep
| |
As was mentioned in the opening letter, parents can help gently layer on the learning about the articles and gestures of the mass by simply taking notice of the environment and the actions in their real-life use.
When you enter church with your child, notice the pitcher of wine on the table at the back of the procession aisle. Ask your child how it will be used. Or notice when it is brought forward during mass. Or better yet, arrange to bring up the gifts one Sunday.
When you enter church upon a new liturgical season, ask your child what they notice has changed since last Sunday. Can you go early to peek in and say hello to Father Frank before mass in the sacristy? Maybe you'll catch him putting on his chasuble. Do you have an older sibling or a friend who is an altar server? Could your child watch while that person puts on their special robe?
The sign of peace may not be a gesture that you really have to point out to your child. The enthusiasm is already quite noticeable. But other gestures of the mass that you read about in this newsletter can use a little help from parents to be noticed from time to time. First, as a parent, you may want to notice whether your child can see what happens at the altar. Sometimes it's useful to lower your head to their level and get a sense of how the world looks to them. That's always a good first step.
Lastly, it may seem quite unrelated, but are there any times your child can practice pouring at home? This type of activity is called "practical life works" in the Atrium. Children practice spooning beans or rice from one container to another, and then pouring dry goods, in order to prepare for preparation of the cruets and preparation of the chalice with liquids later. Maybe your child can help pour a liquid into a measuring cup for a recipe at home or pour oil and vinegar to make homemade salad dressing. You don't need to tie these actions to the Atrium. They can just be activities to build skills, patience, precision, and body control.
|
Here I Am, Lord
| | As you probably have read or heard, Sarah Coles, our Director of Religious Education, will be leaving us to return home to New Orleans after this catechetical year. There is much to prepare to ensure the best transition to a new DRE. One thing is to begin the process of inviting new catechists which will be needed at all levels. There will be more appeals coming up, but please know that you are welcome to quietly observe in the Atrium if that would help you better understand this service opportunity. If you are interested in observing, please talk to Sarah Coles in advance so the experience is positive for you and the Atrium. We welcome all who want to learn more about this special environment and catechetical method. |
Remaining Schedule
| |
The meeting dates (Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday) for the rest of the 2010/2011 year are:
Session 10: Jan 18/20/23
Session 11: Jan 25/27/30
Session 12: Feb 1/3/6
Session 13: Feb 8/10/13
Session 14: Feb 22/24/27
Session 15: Mar 1/3/6
Session 16: Mar 15/17/20
Session 17: Mar 22/24/27
Session 18: Apr 5/7/10
Session 19: Apr 12/14/17
Session 20: Apr 26/28, May 1
Session 21: May 3/5/8
Session 22: May 10/12 (no Sunday due to First Communion; welcome to Tues or Thurs)
Session 23: May 17/19/22
|
|
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! |
|
|
|
|
