The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level II 
March 19, 2013 - Level 2, Issue 13
In This Issue
City of Jerusalem
Listening to God
Easter Traditions Workshop
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Dear CGS Level II Parent 
The Good Shepherd

This week, Level II children will receive a presentation on the city of Jerusalem, using a three-dimensional model of the city. Like other geography presentations, this model helps a child connect with Jesus as an actual person who lived in an actual time and place. Of particular importance to this time in the liturgical year, this model also helps the child connect with the events of Holy Week, of which we will hear readings in masses from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday. The key moments we emphasize are Jesus' Last Supper, Passion, and Resurrection.

 

You are welcome to stop into the Atrium some time (could be now or after Easter) and ask your child to show you the model. Let them give you a tour of Jerusalem. See what they remembered particularly.

 

You may have read the article below before since we repeat this topic frequently at Lent. This presentation is given during many of the years in Level I and II because the child's ability to connect to the events of Holy Week is always growing. Like a mustard seed, something great likely starts out quite tiny.
 

Peace,

  Lina Hilko (editor)

 

City of Jerusalem

The study of the city of Jerusalem begins by remembering other geography materials and presentations received throughout Levels I and II. Then, the catechist brings the children's focus to Jesus' adult life and to a city that was very important to Jesus, the city of Jerusalem.

 

The catechist begins by pointing out the basics of Jerusalem. It's hilly. There are stairs to get to different levels of the city. There are pools of water in various locations because people didn't have running water in their homes at the time that Jesus lived. Jesus walked in Jerusalem a long time ago. There were homes and other buildings. Also, there were walls around the city for protection. All these details help the child feel that Jerusalem was a real city even though at a different time. We don't have city walls. We have running water. Things change.

 

After the general orientation, the catechist will show more details based on the children's age and attention. Minimally, the children will meditate on four key places and moments:

  • The Cenacle, or Upper Room: Jesus came to Jerusalem to share a special meal, the Passover Feast, with his disciples. This was a special meal with special words. Jesus took bread, blessed it, and broke it. Giving it to his disciples, he said, "Take it; this is my body." Then, he gave them the cup and said, "This is my blood."
  • The Garden: After the special meal with special words, Jesus and his friends went out to the Mount of Olives. It's also called the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus prayed there. That night, people came and arrested Jesus and took him away from the garden. Jesus was sentenced to death.
  • The Cross: Jesus was crucified on a cross in Golgotha. It's also called Calvary. After he died, his friends placed his body in a tomb made from a cave. They rolled a big rock in front of the tomb.
  • The Empty Tomb: On the third day, women came to care for Jesus' body according to their customs. They brought oils and spices and cloths. But the rock had been rolled away from the tomb, and Jesus' body was not in the tomb. Jesus was risen. We light a candle next to the tomb. This light reminds us of Jesus' light which is stronger than death.

Based on children's age and attention span, the catechist may show other places that play a role in Jesus' Passion, such as the House of Caiaphas, the chief priest; the Tower of Antonia where Pontius Pilate questioned Jesus; and the Palace of the Hasmoneans where Herod questioned Jesus. The Atrium material includes scripture references for each of the key locations. There are many ways a child can work with this model further.

 

Listening to God

The celebrations of mass on Palm Sunday and Holy Thursday connect well to Level I and Level II presentations on the City of Jerusalem and on the Cenacle, or Last Supper. However, it can be hard for young children to listen to readings at mass. Consider reading a story or stories about the events we remember during Holy Week before Easter. Choose an age-appropriate book which includes four key places and moments: Last Supper, Prayer in Gethsemane, Death on the Cross, Resurrection. To connect with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, seek a book that treats Jesus' life with respect and employs scripture-based fact. Note that not all books treat the Last Supper in the same way because different Christian denominations have different beliefs around Eucharist. When selecting a book, review the institution of the Eucharist to ensure it represents your beliefs.

 

(Or if you also have a Level III child in your family, this year you may particularly consider reading about the Jewish Feast of Passover since Level III celebrates a Passover Seder this week. At a family meal, consider asking your Level III child to talk about the Seder experience so younger siblings can hear about it.)
 
Easter Traditions Workshop
This coming Saturday, March 23rd, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, Kate Lynch will lead a fun hands-on workshop for adults and children to make various items associated with Easter, such as palm-weaving, Easter baskets, Ukrainian dyed Easter eggs, and lamb cake and cookie decorating. To join in the fun, simply RSVP to Kate Lynch (email [email protected]) by this Thursday. This ensures planning for appropriate numbers of supplies. Bring the whole family!

 

Please provide comments about this newsletter to Lina Hilko, the editor, at [email protected], and/or Kate Lynch, St. Teresa's Director of Religious Education, at [email protected].