The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level I January 30, 2013 - Level 1, Issue 10
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| Dear CGS Level I Parent, |  This week Level I will consider a parable about the Kingdom of Heaven. One of the important guidelines for all presentations in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is to focus on the essential. Are you familiar with that adult voice (the teacher's voice) in the Charlie Brown TV specials? Kind of sounds like, "ma mwa, ma mwa, ma mwa mwa." Maybe one way to interpret "focus on the essential" is as the opposite of that teacher's voice. The Kingdom parables shared by Jesus are excellent at focusing on the essential. Parables use the simple to convey the deep. They use the ordinary to give a glimpse of the extraordinary. The Kingdom parables in Level I may only be one or two sentences long and use concrete, observable objects. Yet, their hidden meaning is rich, complex, and inexhaustible. CGS children will receive certain parables again and again, and they will discover deeper and new meaning each time. The catechist proclaims the Word of God and helps the child reflect on its meaning. But the catechist does not explain the parable. It is the joy of the child to discover what meaning is speaking to them each time they hear the story.
Peace,
Lina Hilko (editor)
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Parable of the Leaven
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The parable of the Leaven is found in Matthew 13:33:
"The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened."
In the Atrium, children will observe what happens when the yeast, flour, and water are mixed and then given warmth and time. How is this like the Kingdom of Heaven?
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Feed My Sheep
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Maybe you would like to try the meditative work of the parable of the leaven at home. Most of us tend not to bake bread at home these days. Have you ever wondered what yeast does? Does it really work? It might be interesting to work this with your child. Let them show you how it is done. After all, teaching is one of the best ways to learn.
Be sure to talk it out first so you can gather whatever supplies you'll need. Maybe your child would even like to show you the materials in the Atrium. Like a good science experiment, you need your list of materials in advance of starting. And your materials should include the words of the parable. Those can be read in a prayerful manner as the opening for this work.
Maybe it seems appropriate to follow up such a work with a question, "To what else can you compare the Kingdom of God? What else is the Kingdom like?" Whatever the response, let it be. For instance, don't ask follow-ups like "Why?" or "How so?" If your child really wants to share their rationale, they certainly will - all by themselves. But possibly their idea was a gut response. It can be really hard to explain or back-up a gut response. But your gut can often be very much on-target.
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Is It I, Lord?
| You may have heard announcements recently at mass or in the bulletin about some ministries in need of new leaders. Please don't assume the messages are meant for someone else. Take time to ask, "Is it I, Lord?"
Two ministries in particular that need new members right now are:
- Children's Liturgy of the Word during the 9:00 am Mass
- Infant Baptism Preparation after the 9:00 am Mass on the second Sunday of the month
These are both very joyful ministries that welcome families to St. Teresa. Because of rotation of ministers, you may choose to serve every few months -- just four times a year. It's easy to hesitate. What qualifies me to do that?! I'd venture to guess that each minister in these areas may have thought that. Talk to one of them about their original hesitations and their subsequent experiences. I bet you'll find a lot of common ground, and if you get involved, I bet you'll find untold rewards. Training will be provided for both ministries. If you want to learn more, please contact Kate Lynch at the parish office at (773) 528-6650, ext. 232 or email kolynchdre@gmail.com.
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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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