The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, All Levels
October 18, 2011 - Levels 1,2,&3, Issue 03 |
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| Dear CGS Parent, | 
This week's newsletter is combined for all three levels and covers topics for upcoming sessions through much of November. Note that we will not publish a newsletter every week that catechesis meets. Please use your magnet schedules (ask for one if you didn't get one yet) or the St. Teresa web site to remember session dates.
All three levels will spend some time now becoming more connected to the liturgy, or mass. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a program rich in education around liturgy and the Bible. Children are introduced, particularly in Levels I and II, to liturgy through lessons in nomenclature (the simple, straight-forward answer to "What's this?") and through opportunities to understand the mysteries of liturgy through the language of gestures (movements which have meaning). Level III children delve deeper into liturgy by reading and considering the meaning of individual prayers that make up the one prayer we call the Mass. This focus on specific prayers is most meaningful when solidly grounded in the child's earlier work with gestures of the mass.
One of the most important ways we grow in relationship with God is through the celebration of mass. So, once or twice a year, we seek to organize opportunities for CGS families (children together with parents) to come together to celebrate mass. We invite CGS families to join as a small, intimate community for mass on Tuesday, November 15th starting at 5:15PM in the church. Mass will be followed by a community dinner and Advent wreath-making. Community-building events will be held for Thursday and Sunday Atria that week, as well. Please read more on this below.
Also, we invite families to come to 9AM mass this Sunday, October 23rd to celebrate parish mission Sunday. CGS children will participate more fully in the mass that day through readings, intentions, bringing up the gifts, and singing. Lastly, please consider coming to St. Teresa's Halloween Party on this Sunday, not for mass, but definitely for community-building. Drop-in any time 4-9PM.
Peace,
Kate Lynch (Director of Religious Education)
Lina Hilko (editor)
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What's This?
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Some Level I and II presentations have the straight-forward goal of providing the child with appropriate vocabulary for the articles of the mass. By seeing the article up close, learning its purpose and name, and working with it hands-on, the child can feel more connected to the things that occur at mass, even if they occur relatively far away from the child. Parents can help remind their child of these Atrium experiences by coming just a bit early to mass and seeing some of the articles at the back of the church (the cruet that holds the wine and the paten that holds the bread) and on the "credence table," the table behind the priest's chair (chalices for wine and the bowl, cruet holding water, and towel for the gesture called "lavabo," or washing of hands). Consider how you can work in some of your own small lessons in nomenclature from time to time.
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Gestures
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Gestures are motions which convey meaning, such as waving hello, blowing a kiss good-bye, or holding an index finger to one's lips to ask for silence. The earliest humans likely communicated far more through gestures than through spoken words. Have you ever traveled to a foreign country and made yourself understood largely through motions because you didn't speak the language? It really works.
With children who have not yet perfected speech so as to discuss the deep mysteries of our faith, the gestures of the mass offer a language far more powerful at this stage than words. A gesture that children have already been practicing is to bow before entering the Atrium. What do you think this gesture conveys? This is a gesture that parents can help carry over into the church. Level I children in November will consider the gesture of the sign of the cross. Parents, too, can take time to slow down this gesture for themselves. By being more deliberate in marking yourself with the cross, do you find it becomes more prayerful?
We will write more about important gestures as those presentations come up during the year.
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On Tour!
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In our fifth session, November 8, 10, and 13, Level I and II will take a tour of the church and see first-hand the articles with which they work in Atrium. This is something the kids really enjoy doing. Consider marking this date as special so your child does not miss out through absence.
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Celebrate Together
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We strive every year to celebrate one small, intimate mass with CGS children and parents. This year, we have a mass scheduled for Tuesday, November 15th, starting at 5:15PM in the church. We are still trying to find a priest in the hopes of offering mass on Thursday, November 17th, as well. If that does not work out, we will invite all CGS families who are available to join us on Tuesday. We will write with final details soon. In the meantime, please mark that week of Atrium as special and keep an eye open for further announcements.
We plan to follow Atrium sessions that week (November 15, 17, and 20) with a community meal and Advent wreath-making (starting at 6PM on Tuesday and Thursday and noon on Sunday) for children and parents together. The greatest goal of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is to provide the time and space for the child to come into relationship with Jesus the Good Shepherd. One of the best ways that children learn how to be in good relationships is through the examples around them. That is one reason we invite CGS families to gather together for worship, for meals, and for fun.
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Children Volunteers Needed
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This Sunday, October 23rd, is parish mission Sunday. As a reminder that we are all called to be missionaries to spread the Word - regardless of our age - we want some children to participate more directly in the mass this weekend. Children will serve as lectors and will bring up the gifts. Sunday CGS children will sing a song that they have been learning with Rita on Sunday mornings. Please e-mail Kate Lynch (kolynchdre@gmail.com) ASAP if your child would like to read an intention or would like to process with the gifts.
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