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| Dear CGS Level III Parent, |  This week, Level III began investigating the miracles of Jesus. The presentation of miracles was selected now because the Gospel readings for the past few Sundays have recounted miracles. The method of presenting miracle stories in Level III helps children to get a glimpse of what the Kingdom of God is like. Jesus' actions are not some sort of PR gimmick to attract more followers or some lofty assertion of power. Jesus' actions are one way he teaches about the Kingdom of God. A few weeks back (Jan 25th), we heard at mass how Jesus began his public ministry, saying, "This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." We pray all the time, "Our Father ... Thy Kingdom come!" What is this Kingdom that is at hand and that, at the same time, is to come? Since we are praying for it, it's worth having a glimpse of what it is so we recognize it.
Peace, Lina Hilko, Editor |
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The Miracles
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Level III children will work with materials to help them learn about and reflect on certain miracles performed by Jesus. Miracles are not presented generally to children until Level III because the risk exists for younger children to receive such accounts as magic. The presentation in Level III is very rich and multi-faceted because Level III children are ready to penetrate more deeply into the mystery of the Kingdom of God.
When Jesus lived on Earth - when he walked and talked and breathed just like you and me - people often asked him about the Kingdom of God. What is it like? Jesus spoke to people about the Kingdom of God using parables. And children in all Levels have heard this introduction time and again and have listened to and meditated on various parables. CGS children are intimately familiar with the miniscule mustard seed and the ever-so-precious pearl, with the wise and foolish bridesmaids, with wedding banquets and wheat growing in fields. In Level III, we introduce a new way to wonder what the Kingdom is like.
Jesus performed certain acts which allowed people then, and allow us today, to see what the kingdom is like and will be like at the Parousia, the time when God will be all in all. We call these acts "miracles." The method of presenting miracles to Level III children places these acts firmly within the entire Plan of God. Not only does the child read the act from Scripture and contemplate the act performed by Jesus in that time and that setting, but the work then helps the child:
- connect back to how the miracle relates to the words of prophets when they described the fulfillment of God's plan;
- contemplate how the miracle still works in and around us today through liturgy and the sacraments; and
- envision qualities of Parousia as glimpsed through the work of the miracle.
Before my formal CGS Level III training, it never occurred to me, and no one ever suggested to me, to think of the miracles as providing a glimpse of Parousia, the fulfillment of God's plan. The Atrium material has truly changed how I perceive and think about the miracles. Perhaps you might try this perspective going forward as well.
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Continued Conversations
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If the method of presenting miracles in the Atrium sounds rather confusing or foreign, invite your child to enlighten you. Consider finding an opportune moment to say something like, "I was reading in the catechesis newsletter about how you studied miracles. I've never thought about miracles that way. Which miracle did you study? What was Jesus trying to teach?"
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Helping Hands
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A few weeks ago, we emailed an appeal for help with a variety of upcoming family events. The response was great! Thanks to those who inquired, considered, and as possible, signed up.
And we still have SIX spots to fill (bulleted below). Please click on the VolunteerSpot link http://vols.pt/22hRhG to browse needs. If you have questions on what a job entails, please email Lina Hilko at LHilko@aol.com.
- ONE family to host the March 27th Lenten Friday meal for our Family Game Night series.
- TWO adult assistants for the First Communion retreat on Saturday, April 25, 11AM-2PM. This is very important, behind-the-scenes help, such as cleaning, washing dishes, and setting up and cleaning up lunch.
- THREE adult assistants for Easter Traditions crafts on Saturday, March 28th, 2-5PM.
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Transition Masses into Renovated Church
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After nine months of anticipation, we plan to transition back into our renovated church on the weekend of March 7th/8th. Each mass will experience a special transition and blessing. Please join us as we open the doors to the next 125 years as a community in this beautiful worship space. Note that there will be an official re-dedication of the altar by a Bishop at some later date (could be May but could be as late as next September). So, the celebrations will continue.
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Important Upcoming Events
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One way children learn about being in relationship with God is by experiencing strong, positive human relationships. We're fortunate to have many community-building opportunities this Lent. Often people give something up for Lent, but many "take something on" instead (or as well). Consider embracing opportunities to build or strengthen friendships within the St. Teresa community this Lent. The friendship seeds you plant and till today for your children can help them through the rough waters of adolescence, when having good, faith-sharing friends could be a life-giving gift.
Please note and mark in your calendars the following:
- Ash Wednesday, February 18 - Evening mass at St. Teresa's is at 7PM
- Lenten Friday Family Game Nights - Join us in the Religious Ed Center from 5:30 to 7:30PM for a meatless meal, games, and conversation on five Lenten Fridays: Feb 20, Feb 27, Mar 13, Mar 20, and Mar 27.
- Children's Participation Mass, March 1, 9AM - Celebrate mass as a community and with the greater community. Consider how your children will help - greeters, basket ushers, gift bearers.
- Parish Fish Fry, March 6, 5PM - Parishioners will join with our regular Loaves & Fishes dinner to celebrate a traditional Lenten Fish Fry. Stay tuned in bulletin for more details.
- Lenten Communal Reconciliation Service, March 11, 6:30PM - Level III families are particularly invited to this service as the children will have spent three sessions meditating on God's gift of forgiveness and the sacrament of Reconciliation.
- Cuisine du Coeur, March 22, 12-3PM - Enjoy this special Cuisine with a Spanish flair in celebration of the 500th birthday of St. Teresa of Avila. Hosted by our French community.
- Easter Traditions, March 28, 2-5PM - Join Fr. Frank and Kate Lynch as a family in trying your hand at a variety of Easter crafts, such as lamb cake decorating, palm weaving, Easter basket decorating, and egg dying.
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Please feel free to contact Kate Lynch, St. Teresa's Director of Religious Education ( kolynchdre@gmail.com), or Lina Hilko, newsletter editor ( LHilko@aol.com), if you have questions or comments about this information.
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