Level I (Children's House): The Cenacle or Last Supper Mark 14:22-24 "While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, 'Take it; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, 'This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.'" What do you remember about this work in the Atrium? Did you hear the new words that Jesus said? Maybe you would like to draw what this moment looked like then or what it looks like today. | Level II/III (Elementary): The City of Jerusalem Level II (1st-2nd) What do you remember about this material? Where did Jesus go? What did He do and say? Perhaps you would like to draw the City of Jerusalem and label the Cenacle, the Garden of Olives, Mount Calvary, the Tomb, and any other places you remember. You could also write out what happened in the City of Jerusalem. Level III (3rd-6th): Matthew 26:14-27:66 Look up this Gospel passage, the reading for next Sunday, in your Bible. After reading this Scripture, take some time in silence to ponder what Jesus might have been thinking about during these events. Choose one moment in this passage, and write about what you would want to say to Jesus. What Maxim do you notice Him living? How could you live that Maxim today? |
As we near the end of the liturgical season of Lent, let's take a moment to go back to the heart of why the Church gives us this season of preparation. At Easter, we will celebrate that Jesus died and He is risen. In the last week of His life on earth, knowing He would lay down His life like the Good Shepherd lays down His life for His sheep, Jesus gave us a most particular way by which He would remain with us. Nine months before Christmas we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. The angel came to Mary and invited her to play a leading role in the salvation of mankind. As she had done every moment of every day prior to this, Mary said, "Yes." Her "yes" had been practiced over and over again so that when this invitation was given she had no reason to hesitate. From the age of three, the children in the Atrium know how Mary answered. As the children grow they begin to ponder how they have answered, how they are answering, and how they will answer. What "yes" is He inviting of you today?
The Psalm for the 4th Sunday of Lent this year is Psalm 23. In the Atrium, we ponder this prayer of David each Lent as an example of how we, too, can pray. This week, I invite you to take some time to read again this Scriptural prayer and ponder the prayer of your own heart. Perhaps you would like to write a prayer in your own words or maybe you would like to copy Psalm 23, or a verse of it, and illustrate it.
Elementary Parent Child Night was just as well attended and filled with joy as the one for Children's House. The children's presentations to their parents and families on our faith has a beautiful evangelistic quality! Parent Child Night is considered one of the favorite events of the year at The Way of the Shepherd. On this night children bring their parents as well as other family members to their learning environments where they show them some of the work that they do each week. It is always beautiful to see which materials the children will choose to show and to witness the parents learning with and from their children!
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten Season of the Liturgical Year. At The Way of the Shepherd it also marks an intensified period of preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist for our 2nd year children. After Communion during our Ash Wednesday Mass, these children each carried up a wooden cross and received a special blessing. These crosses will hang above the prayer table in the Atrium from now until the 2nd Year Retreat during the Octave of Easter when the children will decorate their crosses with images and words that express what has helped them prepare for this great moment of being invited to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus at the Wedding Feast for the first time. Between now and their Retreat the children will gather for an additional time of prayer in the Atrium each week where they will meditate on Scripture passages which intended to help them continue to prepare their hearts for this beautiful new way they will be united with Jesus in the Eucharist in the Easter season.
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Carolyn Kohlhaas
CGS Catechist and Formation Leader (Levels I, II, and III) Categories
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May 2024
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