The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level II January 17, 2012 - Level 2, Issue 08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Dear CGS Level II Parent | 
Level II children this week and in the next two sessions will revisit Level I presentations of parables and gestures of the mass. They will listen now with "older ears" and with different needs and abilities. This week they will listen to and consider a parable about the Kingdom of God entitled the Precious Pearl. In the two sessions that follow this week, they will ponder two very important gestures of the mass. These are particularly important gestures for children preparing to receive First Communion, so this group should make every effort toward good and prompt attendance at the beginning of February. (Always keep in mind that you can work with Kate Lynch to switch the day your child attends in a given week if your regular day has a conflict.)
Please remember 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. Peace, Lina Hilko (editor)
|
|
|
|
|
Parable of the Precious Pearl
|
One time, Jesus described God's Kingdom like this:
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it." (Matthew 13:45-46)
The youngest children tend to focus on the abundant joy of finding something so very precious. In addition to the pearl's rarity and value, Level II children will begin to consider the action within this parable. We might begin this part of the conversation asking, "Who or what is the pearl? Who or what is the merchant?" We then reread that the merchant "sells all that he has." Thinking about whomever the children said the merchant was, how does or did this person "sell all?" What does it mean to "sell all?" How does this apply to us?
Level I is often about shear enjoyment and love. Young children are in a sensitive period for relationship and have a very deep capacity to love. As children mature, there is an increasing call for personal action. This transition just begins in Level II, almost like the tip of a crocus peeking through barren dirt in the spring.
Level III children (ages 9-12) often reflect on a timeline called the Plan of God which emphasizes human collaboration in Salvation History. In Level III, two key messages should become clearer and clearer:
- A plan has always existed in the mind of God to bring all people, all things, all of creation into the full enjoyment of God in a cosmic communion of love.
- The history of the Kingdom of God has been, and continues to be, written by people all over the world, of all types and all ages. We are each called to contribute to this history.
Can you see any connection(s) between these two bulleted statements and the parable of the Precious Pearl?
|
Epiclesis and Offering
|
The gestures of Epiclesis and Offering are first introduced in Level I and are explored more profoundly in the coming years. The combination of these two gestures reflect the continuance of a main theme throughout our Judeo-Christian history and one that is represented in Mass during the Eucharist. The theme is one of covenant between God and His People. God is gifted to us through Christ and in turn we are thankful and respond to this gift by offering something in return to God.
The Epiclesis and Offering are seen during every Liturgy of the Eucharist. At a particular point toward the beginning of the Eucharistic Prayer, the priest brings his hands, palms facing downward, from above his head down to a position hovering just above the gifts of bread and wine. We call this gesture the "Epiclesis." The words (new translation from the 3rd edition of the Roman Missal) that accompany the gesture are:
Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore you:
by the same spirit
graciouly make holy these gifts
we brought to you for consecration,
that they may become
the Body and Blood of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ.
Another gesture, called the "Offering," occurs as the final step of the Eucharistic Prayer. The priest raises the Body and Blood of Christ upward and says the words of the Doxology:
Through him, and with him, and in him,
O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours,
forever and ever.
We all respond with a resounding, "Amen."
The children will be encouraged to practice these gestures and words at a table with a paten, paper host, and chalice. We will discuss the direction of the movement during the Epiclesis and the Offering and the meaning of the priest's words. In the Epiclesis, we are calling God from above to bless the gifts of bread and wine and transform them to the Body and Blood of Christ. In the Offering, we explore that the motion and words reflect a "giving back," or offering up to God. The children and catechists will contemplate what it means to offer ourselves through Christ? What does it mean to you?
|
Walk the Talk
|
The presentation of the Epiclesis and Offering underscores a theme that occurs repeatedly throughout CGS presentations at all levels: God's gifts and our response. Through the consistent focus and reflection on gift and response, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd strives to support the development of the mature Christian whose whole moral and spiritual life is a response, freely and spontaneously provided out of joy and love, to God's gifts. This ideal can be contrasted to moral conduct driven largely by a sense of responsibility, duty, or obligation. A joyful response borne of a deep, mutual, and loving relationship is far more beautiful, joyful, and lasting.
Parents have the unique opportunity to strengthen the message of gift and response through their own moral and spiritual life. Children learn so much simply by watching your actions. That is why the parent connection articles for Level II are called "Walk the Talk" - to underscore faith in action, the Word (gift) lived out (response).
There are many ways we each live out the Word of God. I wanted to share a few ideas, the first of which is an actual need in our parish right now.
One very special gift St. Teresa gives its children is Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) at the 9AM mass. The children can listen to the Word of God and reflect on it in ways that are more directly meaningful to them. Please consider responding to the gift of CLOW by being a leader for Children's Liturgy of the Word. You can sign up to lead once every two to three months. You will receive a guide book. One benefit is that the preparation before your leadership Sunday provides a natural way to definitely make time to read scripture and really listen, to be open to the Spirit's guidance and the Spirit's plans for St. Teresa's children. Maybe this gives you a chance to talk about the words with your Level II child. (Sometimes it's easier to talk about scripture as part of an "assignment.") Is there an opportunity for your child to help you in your CLOW leadership day? Children learn how to be leaders through these early experiences of "safe" shared leadership. Contact Laura Anderson (laura.g.anderson@gmail.com) to learn more.
When talking about gift and response, I think it is sometimes easier to generate "response" actions: get involved, do something. If the goal is truly free, spontaneous response out of joy and love, then it's really important to open yourself to receiving those abundant gifts first. St. Teresa offers various ways to receive the gift of God's Word and love. Consider giving a fresh look at a few:
- Bible study led by Tom Kosnik in the Rectory at 10:15-11:45AM on many Sundays (next few are 1/22; 2/5; 2/19). No sign-up. No preparation. Pick-and-choose your dates. Contact Kate Garwood (katiemgarwood@gmail.com) for information or just show up.
- Women's Spiritual Reflection is a group of women of all ages and life circumstances who meet monthly during the school year to deepen faith through prayer and reflection. The group's next meeting is January 31st at 7:30PM in Avila Place (1930 N. Kenmore). Go to St. Teresa's web site for more information.
- Men's Spirituality Group has a reflection article in the bulletin each week and meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:15AM in the Parish Center. The next meeting is January 24th. Contact Dan Anderson (dananderson@ameritech.net) for more information.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
