The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level I October 5, 2012 - Level 1, Issue 01
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| Dear CGS Level I Parent, |  Welcome to the first week of children's catechesis. St. Teresa's catechists were so grateful to all the parents who came with interest and enthusiasm to last week's parent sessions to kick off the year. We hope you will find the e-newsletters one good support for your role as first and best teachers of the faith to your children. We welcome your comments and suggestions on how we can continue to support you in living your baptismal commitments. Please remember to e-mail Kate Lynch and your primary catechist if your child will be absent. The final article provides e-mail addresses for Level I catechists. Also, your child is welcome at another session in your same week in order to receive the full richness of the presentations.
Peace,
Lina Hilko (editor)
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Become Like Children
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The Gospel this week (October 7th) concludes (in its long form, though a parish may choose to abridge) with one of the times Jesus talked to his disciples about the importance of being like children (Mark 10:13-16). Jesus instructs his disciples to "...accept the kingdom of God like a child...." And in fact, in the Gospel two weeks ago (September 23rd), Jesus also held up children as spiritual role models.
Sofia Cavalletti, the founder of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, took very seriously Jesus' indication that we should allow children to guide us. The following is an excerpt from the Foreword (pg. 13), written by Rebekah Rojcewicz, of the book The Religious Potential of the Child by Sofia Cavalletti.
In Matthew 18:1-4, the disciples ask of Jesus, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Jesus answers first by calling a little child to him and placing the child before them, then by saying, "Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." What strikes me first is what Jesus did not say. He did not use this opportunity to tell us that we must protect the children (which, of course, we must). Even more pointedly, he did not seize upon the opportunity to commission us to be religious educators! As always, so it seems to me, Jesus carefully chose the moment and the words, and he taught us the most important thing to know in our relationship with the children: that we are to change and become like them.
What is it about us that must change? What does it mean to become like little children? What are little children like?
In our parent meetings the past week, we talked a lot about the role of parents as the first and best teachers of the faith to their children. So, perhaps it is disorienting for us, as parents, to now be encouraged - just one short week later - to become like children. But the Word of God is very often filled with contrasts, and perhaps it is the contrasts that keep us questioning, thinking and working, striving and growing.
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What Are Little Children Like?
| In the book Mustard Seed Preaching by Ann M. Garrido, Chapter 3 is entitled "The Child as Theologian." Garrido writes, "When we speak about children's theological reflections, there are nine characteristics common to early childhood that catechists of the Good Shepherd have observed most influence the way in which children hear and interpret the Gospel. This doesn't mean these traits belong exclusively to young children. Rather, they are human traits that are in some way true of each one of us no matter how old we are, but they are traits that are particularly dominant during early childhood." Garrido goes on to describe the nine traits.
Children are small. This one seems obvious. But there is perhaps no characteristic more influential to the child. They are very small people living in a big-person world. So, they hear scripture through a perspective of smallness and weakness. They identify with God's use of the small and with God's transformation of the small into the big.
Children are drawn toward what is most essential. Have you ever found yourself lecturing your child, explaining something to them in multiple ways in the hope that something will stick... only to find out that they tuned you out completely after your first sentence? Children seek the greatest truth in the least amount of words possible.
Children want to be oriented to reality. Children spend a huge amount of play time trying to figure out how the world works. This enables them to survive, to make sense out of life, and to figure out how they fit in. They are drawn to the real.
Children are filled with awe and wonder. Just take a moment to reflect on any time that your child exhibited extreme fascination with a crawling bug or a trickling stream or a dripping icicle. Children have an incredible ability to be drawn in by things that adults take for granted. Experiencing things anew with such passion is one of the greatest gifts a child gives their parent. Children's earliest prayers are of gratitude, and only later petition. Those prayers of gratitude are born of their sense of awe and wonder.
Children are attracted to the beautiful. Children are drawn to beauty in nature and in their environment, but also in words and music.
Children are filled with joy. Garrido writes, "When children encounter what is beautiful, awesome, and essential, they express unreserved joy. [Sofia] Cavalletti [CGS founder] notes that just as increased height and weight are signs that the child's physical needs have been met, joy is the sign that a child's spiritual needs are being met."
Children have a deep desire and capacity to be in loving relationship. Garrido writes, "[Relationship] is their deepest need and, when it is met, it is their greatest joy." Also, "only in God, does the child's need and capacity fully meet its match."
Children possess absorbent minds. Before developing reasoning skills, children learn through a process similar to osmosis. This is the way they learn about the natural world, their culture, and their language. They literally soak in their environment and all that is around them.
Children learn best through the repetitive work of their hands. To touch and work with is far more powerful than simply to hear or see. And children repeat a work time and again until they master that work.
These characteristics have been carefully considered and honored in every presentation and every work of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Every presentation and every material has been carefully chosen and perfected to meet the core needs of the child. Parents, too, can consider these characteristics and how they relate to the spiritual journey on which the child and parent collaborate.
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Feed My Sheep
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The purpose of these newsletters is to help parents connect with and support their child's catechetical experience. Parents might think that "connecting" is synonymous with "talking about." Conversations are a good way to be connected with older children but not necessarily the most meaningful way for the 3-6 year old child.
Level I isn't actually very conversational. A lot of the work in Level I is manipulative. Materials exist to provide the 3-6 child, who often cannot yet read or write, the means to continue reflecting on the presentations. But it's quite likely that, if asked, the child won't have the ability to convey in words something approaching the depth of their work. Their prayer most often takes the form of silence or of actions, with perhaps just simple words being used from time to time.
So, how does a parent support and connect with Level I catechesis? First, it's good for parents to understand the "underlying principles" of the catechesis. We hope the newsletters can help with that. And then, the parent can look for natural opportunities to support underlying principles.
For example, an important component of our mass is the sharing of a meal in community. We use many actions and words to prepare for this very special meal. Perhaps you, too, at home make it a priority to eat a special meal together as a family. There are many practical life works that your child can contribute toward making family dinner a special meal within a special community. Children can set the table, including choices: which table cloth, what napkins, flowers or candles or both as decorations. Children can choose a prayer for before or after the meal. Catechesis materials frequently incorporate choice. When we show respect for a child's ability to choose and for the choices he makes, we are preparing the way for a capable and joyful adult who, ultimately, chooses to collaborate with God in building God's Kingdom.
This is just one example of home connection. Regardless, activities are best done in a comfortable, natural, and collaborative manner. Remember that one goal of CGS is to facilitate a joyful response flowing from a loving relationship and a genuine gratitude toward God's gifts.
So, the "stay connected" articles for this Level will be called "Feed My Sheep" in order to underscore action over conversation. It's what Jesus commissioned Peter to do. Jesus asked, "Peter, do you love me?" "Yes, Lord, you know I love you," answered Peter. And Jesus said, "Then, feed my sheep."
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Catechists
| Please email Kate Lynch (kolynchdre@gmail.com) and your primary catechist in advance of any catechesis session your child will miss. This is both for the safety of all our children and out of respect for your catechist's time and presentation planning. Thank you!
Sunday: Myrna Gomez (myrna.gomez@sbcglobal.net) and Gina Raffin
Tuesday: Betsy Peterson (domess7@yahoo.com) and Grace Lynch
Thursday: Carol Cade (carolcade@gmail.com) and Cathy Heaney
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Feel free to comment on this information to Lina Hilko, LHilko@aol.com, the editor and/or Kate Lynch, kolynchdre@gmail.com, St. Teresa's Director of Religious Education. Thanks!
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