The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level II October 2, 2014 - Level 2 |
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| Dear CGS Level II Parent | 
In sessions at the beginning of this week, Level II children meditated on the History of the Kingdom of God. Some worked with a timeline material called the Fettuccia which consists of over 50 meters of grosgrain ribbon wound on a spool. Some older Level II children worked on a smaller version of this timeline which focuses on the many gifts of creation, from rocks and minerals to plants and animals to human beings. Through these materials, children begin to ponder both the vastness and the unity of salvation history. They also build awareness of the abundant gifts of Creation. Such meditations help children answer their deep questions: "Who am I?" "Where did I come from?" "Why am I here?" "Where am I going?"
Please remember to e-mail Kate Lynch if your child will be absent. Your child is welcome at and encouraged to attend another session in your same week in order to receive the full richness of the presentations. Peace, Lina Hilko (editor)
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Fettuccia
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The History of the Kingdom of God begins, "In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth." This awesome story unfolds, revealing the vastness and complexity of the History. For example, plants and animals were on Earth long, long before human beings. In fact, humans haven't actually been long at all. And despite all the myriad moments of this history, there is one unifying factor--God is actively present in all moments.
In presenting the Fettuccia (the word for "ribbon" in Italian), the catechist very slowly unwinds an enormous length of grosgrain ribbon, the kind with noticeable ridges tightly packed together. On the Fettuccia, each rib of the ribbon represents about 1,000 years. Imagine the impact of "feeling" such length of time.
Children are introduced to three particular "moments" in this great history: Creation, Redemption (the time beginning with Jesus' life, death and resurrection, and the time in which we now live), and Parousia (the time when God will be All in All). This history is great, and it is not yet finished. We continue to write this story with God until the day that God will be all in all.
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Cosmic Education
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Maria Montessori conceived of the idea of "cosmic education," and it is this approach which places the child within the greatness of God's plan. Cosmic education is centered in the belief that "everything in the universe is interrelated and interdependent, no matter whether it is the tiniest molecule or the largest organism," and that everything, including the individual child, "has a part to play, a contribution to make to the maintenance of harmony in the whole." (Maria Montessori)
Sofia Cavalletti, founder of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and follower of Maria Montessori, also believed deeply in the value of cosmic education. This is reflected in her approach to presenting the History of the Kingdom of God, as we can read in the following excerpt from Cavalletti's book The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Years Old (pages 23-25):
One of the most formative aspects of this approach to history, both for the children and for the catechist, pertains to the contrast between the immensity of history and our own smallness within it. As we experience this contrast, conflicting emotions are stirred within us. We feel, at the same time, both very small and very great. The vastness of the reality we've entered in our moment in history makes us aware of our smallness. Yet, at the same time, our "lowliness" is exalted in the realization that we are part of such a great reality. "How does this story make us feel?" a catechist asked a group of children, following her introductory narration for the Fettuccia. Several of the children answered, "small," but then Marina piped in, "great!"
... it is necessary to keep our focus on the dual points of reference: on both the smallness and the greatness, on God as Creator and ourself as God's creature. In the disparity or contrast between these poles, wonder is born; and wonder is essential to spiritual life.
These considerations involve us in a continuous interchange between the small and the great. They help to form in us a right attitude toward reality; they help educate us to wonder and true humility. A strange paradox results: The smaller we feel, the greater our joy. Our smallness somehow becomes the "yardstick" with which we can measure the enormity of God's love. Far from being a debilitating notion, the awareness of our smallness as human creatures can give wings to our spirit, lifting us up to God in wonder and gratitude, in a hymn of joy and praise:
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant ...
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and Holy is his name. (Luke 1:46ff)
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Walk the Talk
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One way a parent can support their child's continued presence within "cosmic education" is through a visit to the Chicago Field Museum's exhibit entitled "Evolving Planet," where you can "journey through 4 billion years of life on earth!" No need to state to your child that you're visiting this exhibit to connect with catechesis. Simply go and enjoy one-on-one time together learning about our fascinating earth and the amazing way in which life has evolved on earth. Experience the wonder and awe together. It's an excellent exhibit (and it's a regular exhibit included in your membership or base entrance fee).
Does a science exhibit at the Field conflict with religious education? The catechesis emphasizes that there is one history, God's history. In Level III particularly, much of the work and materials break barriers between "secular" and "sacred," because such barriers don't support our progress toward parousia, the time when God will be all in all. In addition, Level II children do not study Genesis. Old Testament studies begin in Level III. And when we study Genesis in Level III, we are careful to first discuss what we can and can't learn from the accounts of Creation in Genesis. The Bible is not a science text book, but the Bible can help us learn a lot about who we are, who God is, and what our relationship is.
So, if you have a day off school in which you can sneak away for a few hours with your Level II child, make a date of it. Spend some quality time being amazed about life.
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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.
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