Within the Atrium materials are often returned to in a variety of ways. One example of this "spiral method" is the sheepfold. As a 3yo this material is used alongside the Parable of the Good Shepherd, focusing on how the Good Shepherd (Jesus) knows His sheep by name, calls them, and they follow Him. He lays down His life for His sheep, giving them all of His love, His time, His care, and His attention. The following year, as a 4yo, the exact same material is used as the Parable of the Found Sheep is read. In this Scripture we are invited to ponder how much love the Good Shepherd (Jesus) has for each of HIs sheep, searching for one that is lost, lifting that sheep on His shoulders and carrying it home with His own strength, and, overflowing with joy, inviting others to celebrate with Him. There is so much love and rejoicing!! At some point around the age of 5, the sheepfold is presented again to the child, with some additional materials. There is a second circle, also the sheepfold, which is called the church. The Good Shepherd calls His sheep to the church and they follow. Here He feeds them with the very best food and drink, giving them all of Himself to them. After enjoying the great gift of the Good Shepherd present under the signs of bread and wine on the altar at the church there is a question asked. This question is the same one that has ended every previous presentation. "Who is the Good Shepherd? Who said, 'I am the Good Shepherd?' Jesus, right?" "But who are these sheep that are known by name and are loved and cared for in such a beautiful way?" It is only when the child can answer this question that the second moment of this new way of using the sheepfold is shown. After coming to the realization that we are the sheep of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and having enjoyed the sheep around the altar table with the little Good Shepherd statue in between the signs of bread and wine, we introduce a box containing people with which we replace the sheep around the altar. The final sheep is held back as this sheep has a special role and if this sheep is not present then the Good Shepherd will not be with His sheep in this particular way, hidden under the signs of bread and wine. It is this sheep who has been given the gift and the role of saying the same words Jesus said at the Last Supper, "This is my Body. This is my Blood." It is the priest who is one of us, the sheep, and yet has such an important role within the sheepfold. What a gift that there are men who have said "yes" to bringing us such a great gift as the Good Shepherd, present under the signs of bread and wine in the midst of His sheep!
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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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