After presenting the Gesture of Offering to two four-year-old children, they each drew a set of four pictures which they made into booklets about the Mass. The last two Monday evenings have been busy at The Way of the Shepherd! Last week we hosted a Children's House Parent Child Night and this past Monday was our Elementary Parent Child Night. The children invited their parents or grandparents or other important adults in their life to come and see what they do at The Way of the Shepherd, both in the academic environments and in the Atrium. This year the 5th and 6th years are studying Abraham by reading passages from Genesis about his life. Recently, the children gave their own thoughts on what "faith" is and why we might call Abraham "our father in faith."
Faith - being loyal, trustworthy - believing in God - like turtledoves flying in the sky - it's what we are - to believe in something that you can't see - believing and trusting in God when all odds are against you - like a mustard seed, faith starts small and as you learn more it grows Abraham, our Father in Faith - Abraham believed in God and in God's promises - God promised and Abraham believed it would happen - Abraham believed in God even without proof - the promises were fulfilled in a way that could be coincidence - Abraham was a father/leader and led people to a new land - Abraham's the "father" of God's people - Abraham was the grandfather of the Israelites, chosen by God to know and trust Him During this season of Ordinary Time, the children in Level I (Children's House) have time to focus in on the parables Jesus told about The Kingdom of God. This past week several extended day children had time to ponder the parable of the Mustard Seed in small groups. This is the third year in a row they have specifically pondered this parable. During their pondering they shared several insights... 1st Child: "The Mustard Seed needs the light to grow just like we need Jesus, the Light." Adult: "What is in the Mustard Seed telling it how and when and what to grow into?" 2nd Child: "The Great Light." At the end of the presentation the children were describing the Kingdom of God and were invited to draw what they were picturing. Working near each other, two kindergarten girls drew similar drawings of the Mustard Seed and the Kingdom of God. - "The Great Shepherd." (3 year old referring to the Good Shepherd work.)
- "I have a song to sing. It's called, 'My Shepherd takes care of His sheep.'" (4 year old.) - "You can't have 'Alleluia' without Mary." (4 year old, drawing Mary on an Alleluia prayer card.) - "I have a gift I can give to Jesus. My heart. My holy heart." (4 year old at prayer.) - "His light will never be extinguished. Even in heaven His Risen Light won't go out." (4 year old, after the candles at the Cenacle / Last Supper had been lit.) - "Thank you, Jesus, for the beautiful light." (3 year old enjoying the Easter Candle and Baptism candle lit at the Baptism area.) |
Carolyn Kohlhaas
CGS Catechist and Formation Leader (Levels I, II, and III) Categories
All
Archives
April 2024
|