The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level III 
March 26, 2015 - Level 3
In This Issue
The Big Picture
Living Stations of the Cross
Upcoming Events
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Dear CGS Level III Parent,  
The Good Shepherd

This past week Level III began a "final push" for the year in a study we began in January. If you recall, in January we studied two accounts of Creation from chapters 1 and 2 of Genesis. Note that our Sunday presentations and weekday presentations are going to run a bit out of sync for the remainder of the year due to scheduling differences. However, all will continue the Creation studies with a study of the next chapter of Genesis, often thought of as the story of sin or "the fall." The article below provides a "big picture" description of the overall context within which we study chapters 1-3 of Genesis. By reading the "big picture," parents are in a better position to relate to the potentially complex thoughts and discussions of their children. Also, it gives parents insight into the unified curriculum we have planned and the value of consistent attendance. For example, if a child misses the study of Genesis 3, then later work on synthesis amongst Creation, discord, and Parousia is difficult.

 

All families are invited to our last Lenten Friday Family Game Night (March 27th, 5:30-7:30PM in the REC) and to the family Easter Traditions Workshop on Saturday, March 28th, 2-5PM in the Parish Center. Also, we are very much seeking performers for the Living Stations of the Cross that will be held on Good Friday, April 3rd, 3PM in the church. This is an excellent way for older children to enter the story of the Passion of Christ. Read articles below giving details.

Peace,

   Lina Hilko, Editor

The Big Picture

Level III just studied (Sun, Mar 22) or is soon to study (Mon/Tues, Apr 13/14) Chapter 3 of Genesis. This is the story of humanity's disobedience of God's command and the consequences of disobedience - in a nutshell, a study of sin.

 

It is helpful to understand the big picture of our curriculum over the past couple months. Because we aren't studying sin just for sin's sake, nor to "feel bad" or "feel guilty." In fact, the intent of the overall curriculum is to educate toward hope: we wait in joyful hope for the coming of the Kingdom of God!

 

We began January with a two-part study of the two Creation accounts preserved in the Bible (Genesis chapters 1 and 2). We have repeatedly stated that these are not science texts. People from the beginning of their intelligent consciousness, from all cultures and parts of the Earth, have looked around and wondered, "How did all this come to be? Who has done all this for us?" The Creation accounts in the Bible are a response: crafted long, long ago; handed down by word of mouth for hundreds of years; and finally written down by the Hebrew people into the book called Genesis. The people who wrote it lived (and live now) in a special relationship with God called covenant, and so the accounts reflect the abundant gifts from God to humanity. We meet our supremely powerful God (transcendent) who is so very close to humanity (immanent). 

 

We followed the two Creation studies with studies of the miracles of Jesus. When Jesus lived on this earth - when he walked and talked and breathed just like us - many people asked him about the Kingdom of God, what is it like. Jesus responded through his words (the parables) and his actions (the miracles) so people could see glimpses of the Kingdom. Words and actions have shown us glimpses of the Kingdom throughout history: certainly through the parables and miracles of Jesus; but even before that through the words and actions of the prophets; and even today through Jesus' words and actions planted within our hearts through listening to God's Word, celebrating liturgy, and receiving the sacraments.

 

As a result of our miracle studies and extensive studies of parables throughout the year, we can list some things that the Kingdom of God is, such as no more death; resurrection; complete forgiveness; no pain, suffering, disease, or disability; equal distribution of resources leading to satisfaction, and even abundance, for all; etc. And through the studies, we can see what the Kingdom is not, such as death; suffering; exclusions; inequality; hunger; disease; etc.

 

As we consider what the Kingdom of God is and is not, we begin to question, as people throughout history have also questioned: Why is Creation, which began so perfectly and beautifully through God's goodness, power, and gift, so imperfect, so "messed up" at times? Why do bad things happen?

 

This brings us to our current study. Genesis Chapter 3 provides a response, spoken for a long time and then written down by the Hebrew people, which is not an eyewitness account, nor a science text, but rather uses metaphors to help us envision the disobedience by humanity of God's command and the consequences of that disobedience.

 

The consequences are broad and deep. They affect the serpent, woman, and man, certainly, but they also affect the very earth, which changes from

 

Out of the ground the LORD God made to grow every tree that was delightful to look at and good for food .... (Gen 2:9)

 

to

Cursed is the ground because of you! ... Thorns and thistles it shall bear for you ....  

(Gen 3:17-18)

 

Ultimately, the consequence is discord amongst all elements of Creation and distance between God and humans, whose relationship in the beginning was so very close, immanent.

 

Now, this would be a rather depressing ending to a lengthy study unless we ask a further question: Is that the end of the story? Does God discard Creation as a failed project at the end of Genesis Chapter 3? Our faith answers a resounding, "No!"

 

So, our entire study in the second half of this catechetical year begins by providing two rails, as for a train:

  • Creation: a beautiful time of harmony and love in which God creates humans as privileged creatures and puts before them all the wonderful gifts He has created; and
  • Parousia, the time when God will be all in all: a time marking the fulfillment of God's plan to bring all people, all things, all of creation into the full enjoyment of God in a cosmic communion of love.

Though we can readily see that the world does not embody perfect love, we live in hope as we travel a faithful journey guided by these two strong rails of Creation and Parousia.

 

Living Stations of the Cross

You are invited to participate in St. Teresa's Living Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, April 3rd at 3PM in the church.


We invite older children (and adults, too) to help as performers. Performers attend two rehearsals: Wed, April 1 at 7PM and mandatory dress rehearsal Fri, April 3 at 1PM (right before the 3PM event). The 'Living Stations of the Cross' involves adults and older children (wearing costumes) standing in still-set positions by the altar, and changing these positions for each station while the narrator meditates on each station. In the past, the children, teens and adults who participated have enjoyed this very much. It is an excellent way for all to reflect on or understand more deeply Christ's Passion.


Contact Carrie Mondschean at [email protected] if you are interested in participating.

 

Upcoming Events

Please note and mark in your calendars the following:

  • Lenten Friday Family Game Nights - Join us this Friday, March 27th in the Religious Ed Center from 5:30 to 7:30PM for a meatless meal, games, and conversation -- the last of our Lenten Family Fridays!
  • Easter Traditions, Saturday, March 28, 2-5PM - Families are invited to try out a variety of Easter crafts, such as lamb cake decorating, palm weaving, Easter basket decorating, and egg dying. Please RSVP to Kate Lynch at [email protected] if possible to help us plan supplies, but also know you are welcome as a drop-in that day.

Please feel free to contact Kate Lynch, St. Teresa's Director of Religious Education ([email protected]), or Lina Hilko, newsletter editor ([email protected]), if you have questions or comments about this information.