The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level II January 25, 2011 - Level 2, Issue 04 |
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| Dear CGS Level II Parent | 
Each of the levels is working in January in some way to deepen their connection to the mass. This seems appropriate as we are in ordinary time in the Catholic church (the numbered, or ordered, Sundays). The liturgical color for ordinary time is green for "growing." This is a time to grow in our faith.
It is fitting that Level II began ordinary time in the Atrium last week by reflecting on the Parable of the Sower. In this parable, the sower broadcasts seed on the path, on rocky ground, and among thorns, and the seed was lost. But some seed fell on good ground and grew, yielding thirty, sixty, and a hundred fold.
Parents play such an important role in teaching their children faith. We hope you find these newsletters helpful so you can connect better with your child's Atrium experience and support it in all the "teachable" moments in which only you are present. How can you make more opportunities for seed to fall on good ground?
If you haven't marked your new 2011 calendar, see the final article for remaining dates this year. Thanks!
Peace,The Level II catechist team:
Myrna Gomez and Audrey Cusack on Tuesdays
Barb McHugh and Erin Walsh on Thursdays
Jane Ott, Aimee Jaszczor, and Byrd Matejka on Sundays
and Lina Hilko (editor)
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Gestures of the Mass
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Level I and Level II children receive various presentations on gestures of the mass. The children learn that a "gesture" is a motion that has meaning, such as requesting silence by pressing your index finger to your lips. Even very young children are very good at understanding gestures. Perhaps this shouldn't surprise us because for humans, before we developed spoken language, we communicated through gestures. Children are able to understand the deep meaning of gestures even if they cannot yet verbalize their understanding. So, introducing them to the gestures of the mass helps them to connect with the mass, and indeed with the deepest mysteries of our faith.
Last year, Level II children received presentations on two "vertical" gestures of the mass, the epiclesis and the offering, which both occur in the Eucharistic Prayer. The epiclesis is performed by the priest bringing his hands, palms facing downward, from a high position, down to a position hovering just above the gifts of bread and wine. Although human beings can make bread and wine, humans cannot transform these gifts into the Body and Blood of Christ. God, through the Holy Spirit, can. The gesture of epiclesis is the gesture through which we ask for this transformation. At the end of the Eucharistic prayer, the priest raises the Body and Blood high in the gesture of offering. The combination of these two "vertical" gestures represent the special relationship we hold with God, called covenant.
Over the next couple weeks, Level II will consider some other gestures of the mass.
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Lavabo
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This week Level II will experience and think about the meaning of the gesture called "lavabo." The lavabo occurs toward the end of the Preparation of the Gifts (the part of the mass just before the Eucharistic Prayer). More commonly, we think of it as washing hands. But is this really a cleansing of the priest's hands? Did he come to mass with particularly dirty hands? No, this must have a deeper meaning.
The words that the priest says during the gesture are, "Lord, wash away my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin." In many parts of the mass, we are preparing ourselves to receive the gift of Jesus' Body and Blood. How do we prepare for this most special encounter with Jesus? Certainly, we are asked to reconcile our sins so that we are ready to receive Christ.
For those in Level II who are preparing for First Communion this year, and who celebrated their First Reconciliation just a couple months ago, it is good to become more aware of the ways in which our mass offers various opportunities for reconciliation. Try one day taking special notice of the times in the mass where we ask for God's forgiveness, mercy, and grace. Were you already aware of these times? Did any surprise you in some new way?
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Sign of Peace
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The sign of peace, which will be presented next week, 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.
The gestures of the mass introduce these horizontal and vertical bridges without actually using such strange words. For example, this is why the article above refers to the epiclesis and offering as "vertical" gestures, because they convey the relationship between God and humans.
The gesture of the sign of peace introduces the human-to-human bridges (horizontal 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!
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Breaking of the Bread
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After the sign of peace, we can see another gesture, the breaking of the bread. You and your child may not have taken special notice of this gesture. Often, we're a bit distracted because we are saying or singing a prayer while the gesture occurs. We say:
Lamb of God, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, grant us peace.
Perhaps a few weeks from now you can help your child notice the actions of the priest while we are singing this prayer. (And you can also take notice that this is one of those opportunities for reconciliation, asking for God's mercy and healing.)
What can this gesture mean? Maybe you and your child can wonder about it.
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Hear I Am, Lord
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As you have probably 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 possibility. If you are interested in observing, please talk to Sarah Coles in advance so the experience is positive for you and the Atrium. Keep in mind that you may choose to observe a Level other than your child's Level. You may feel better suited for, or just be curious about, a different age group. That's great. We welcome all who want to learn more about this special environment and catechetical method.
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Remaining Schedule
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The remaining dates (Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday) for the 2010/2011 catechetical year are:
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 session due to First Communion; welcome to Tues or Thurs)
Session 23: May 17/19/22
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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. |
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