The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level II 
April 12, 2011 - Level 2, Issue 07
In This Issue
Passion and Resurrection
Walk the Talk
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Dear CGS Level II Parent 
The Good Shepherd

I've fallen behind in newsletter writing but at least want to summarize the three April presentations for Level II.  Last week, the children received a presentation on the Origin of the Eucharist.  This is a reflection on Jesus' Last Supper celebrated with his disciples.  The final image of the materials connects to our celebration of Eucharist at every mass.

 

This week, Level II children are reading and reflecting on Passion narratives.  The final week of April, the week immediately following the first Sunday of Easter, the children will read and reflect on Resurrection narratives.

 

We know that parents are the first and best teachers of our faith to their children, and Holy Week and Easter are a time in which parents can particularly support their child's catechetical experience.  Please read the article "Walk the Talk" (that's the title we use when suggesting  Level II parental connections and support ideas) for ways you can help connect the work of Atrium with the celebration of liturgy.

 

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)
Passion and Resurrection

In Atrium, we talk about the events of Jesus' death in conjunction with the events of Jesus' Rising.  It is crucial not to separate the two.  Sophia Cavalletti explains in Religious Potential of the Child:

 

"Death is a common event; many men have had the courage to face death for love of their brothers.  What is absolutely new is that, in Jesus, death is followed by renewed and eternal life.... "

 

The children will be shown a listing of Scripture passages providing accounts of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus.  Children will be encouraged to read some of the events on their own.  As a child matures in Level II, the child is more able to make connections between various presentations.  For example, many Level II children have worked with a model of the city of Jerusalem.  They can connect certain portions of the Passion narratives to buildings in the city model.  Just last week, Level II considered Jesus' Last Supper as the origin of our Eucharist.  Perhaps this week one of the Passion narratives they will read is of the Last Supper.

Walk the Talk

We encourage families to plan now for how they will celebrate Holy Week and Easter.  Holy Thursday mass is so beautiful and important to nourishing your child's Level II experiences, especially for children preparing for First Communion.  This mass specially commemorates the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist.  It is interesting to note that the Atrium readings from the Bible about the Last Supper focus on the institution of the Eucharist, whereas the Gospel at Holy Thursday mass focuses on the washing of feet.  This may be something to talk about or wonder about with your Level II child.  I don't think the washing of the feet is specifically covered in Atrium presentations, so this mass offers a way to learn about this important account.

 

Also, Holy Thursday is the day each church receives its new blessed oil for the coming year for the celebration of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Anointing of the Sick.  At St. Teresa's in year's past the new oil is brought ceremoniously forward.  Since liturgy and sacraments are central to Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, it is beautiful to attend this mass and notice these sacramental oils.

 

St. Teresa also annually hosts a living Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.  Children are welcome (actually encouraged) as solemn actors to form "living statues" in the various scenes.  This helps them "walk" with Jesus from Holy Thursday to his death on the cross.  This is a very hands-on way for children to reflect on these important events and connect in a new or different way with the model of the city of Jerusalem in Atrium and to the Passion narratives.
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.