The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level II October 11, 2011 - Level 2, Issue 02 |
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| Dear CGS Level II Parent | 
This week in Level II the children will listen to and think about both the familiar and some new aspects of the parable of the Good Shepherd by expanding the scripture passages from their Level I experiences.
Next week, Level II will think deeply about the many, many gifts of Creation. You may recall reading in last week's newsletter that the 6-9 year old child intellectually has a better understanding of time. Level I children live, for the most part, in the now, or today. But Level II children are very interested in great periods of time. They also like to understand rules and figure out where they fit in. All these interests are fed through the presentation on the History of Gifts. (Read more below.)
We are happy and grateful to say that all our catechist and assistant spots have been filled in the three CGS levels. (We are looking for temporary but experienced help in Level II on Tuesdays to get some new children "caught up.") Thank you to all who give generously of their time and thanks to our newest assistants for responding to God's call and their patience in discovering their role in the Atrium.
Consistent attendance is very important to the flow of this program. Catechists have carefully planned the year's presentations. Many build upon each other in series. We also hope to create an environment where children can work on more meaningful or longer-term projects. Parents help to convey the prioritization of building a relationship with God through their support of consistent attendance. If you ever have a conflict with your assigned day, please check with Kate Lynch to see if you can come a different day that week. You can e-mail Kate at kolynchdre@gmail.com.
It is important to notify Kate Lynch in advance if your child will be absent. This is one necessary practice to ensure a safe program and is a courtesy to your catechist for their day's planning (they can get started without waiting for stragglers who may actually not be coming). Peace, The Level II catechist team: Liza Bloomer, Jennifer Corbett, and Lukia Artimakis on Tuesday Barb McHugh and Erin Walsh on Thursday Jane Ott, Susan McColgan, Anne Edwards,
Lisa Donofrio, and Julie Moran on Sunday and Lina Hilko (editor)
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Cosmic Education
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Level II receives several presentations, spread over the whole three-year cycle, that offer up the awesome History of the Kingdom of God, inspiring awe and wonder in its vastness and unity.
Maria Montessori conceived of the idea of cosmic education, and it is this approach which places the child in the greatness of God's plan. Cosmic education enables the child's gradual understanding that everything on earth is connected - past, present, and future - and that everything has evolved and continues to evolve according to a plan. Human beings are here to help evolve the cosmos, and each of us has a purpose.
Through cosmic education, the child becomes able to see all Creation, and this provides the framework for integrating future knowledge. Learning individual facts could be compared to having a bunch of individual beads. What do you do with them all? They are each pretty, perhaps, but what do they do? Cosmic education can be compared to first giving the child a beautiful thread on which he can then place beads as he receives them, constructing an ever more beautiful necklace.
The goal of cosmic education is not for the child to learn facts about Creation, but rather to spark awe and deep interest in understanding and embracing our role in this great, unified history. Specifically, the presentation called the History of the Gifts invites an awareness of the amazing gifts of Creation: rocks, seashells, metals and minerals, plants and animals ... the list goes on and on. We are invited to ask ourselves, not just during the presentation but every day, "Who prepared this for me?" Gift and response is one of the central themes in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Our mature and joyful response to God's gifts begins first with recognizing the gifts and being awed and grateful.
Maria Montessori believed that world peace could be attained through the cosmic education of children. We, too, offer up the belief that if all people could understand and value and revere the interconnectedness and beauty of Creation, then we, through the life of Jesus Christ in us, could build Parousia, the time when God will be all in all.
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Walk the Talk
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One way parents can help support their child's catechetical experience is by renewing efforts to notice gifts and respond. Consider actively asking on a regular basis, "Who prepared this for me?" There are so many things that make life special and are prepared by someone, often in secret, given freely, with no expectation of recompense. Do you and your child notice these secret gifts? And in what ways do you respond? One obvious response is to say, "Thank you." But sometimes our response is through actions, not words. Sometimes our response isn't even given to the original giver, especially if the original giver is hidden. Such responses may not seem like "thank you" to your child, but you can help your child see that there are many different ways to express gratitude for abundant gifts.
"Who has done all this for me?" I wonder.
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Schedules
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Parents should have received a magnet with the year's schedule on it. If you didn't get a magnet, ask Kate Lynch for one. Also, the schedule is now on St. Teresa's web site.
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Please provide comments about this newsletter to Lina Hilko, the editor, at LHilko@aol.com and/or Kate Lynch, St. Teresa's Director of Religious Education, at kolynchdre@gmail.com.
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