Those Alleluias that were buried just before Lent began? Here are a few!!
As we enter the final week of Lent, the children and staff at The Way of the Shepherd have been extra busy pondering the events of Jesus' life commemorated on Holy Thursday and Good Friday as we move closer, with the whole Church, to Easter Sunday. Because of a very special celebration, The Penitential Rite (Scrutiny), which we were privileged to participate in, both our annual Seder Meal and Stations of the Cross occurred on the same day, making for a very full experience! Two boys in our upper elementary classroom (Level III Atrium) will be brought into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil as they receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. This amazing event has guided our Level III Atrium "theme" this year as we have all prepared, with them, for the various Rites they have celebrated. This week their pastor gave us a great gift in asking if he could celebrate The Penitential Rite with all of The Way of the Shepherd children and staff on our final day of school before the Triduum. We were able to join these boys, their parents, sponsors, and catechists in praying for God's mercy and goodness and to watch as they were anointed with the Oil of Catechumens. What a great gift to be a part of their journey and their joy! Upper Elementary (E2) Seder Meal: Lower Elementary (E1) and Extended Day (Kindergarten) Stations: One of the beautiful practices we have re-committed to as a school during this second half of the year is offering all of our children a monthly opportunity for adoration. Because we are split between two campuses this year it took a bit of time to work out the logistics for this liturgical opportunity, but it is so beautiful to finally be able to be able to open it up to the children! One Wednesday morning each month, following the Level I, Children's House Atrium session, Mrs. Fran Erling leads the North Campus 4th-6th grade and Children's House children, in small groups, in a 15-20 minute time of adoration. On South Campus, during one Friday morning each month, Ms. Marilyn Smith leads small groups of 1st-3rd grade children, followed by small groups of three year olds through kindergarteners, in ten to fifteen minute visits to Jesus, truly present in the Eucharist, displayed within the monstrance. Both adults have commented on how beautiful this practice is for the children (and themselves!) and how fifteen minutes leaves the children longing for even more time with Jesus as their time is filled with Scripture, song, words of adoration and thanks, and periods of silence. How beautiful it is to have the opportunity to adore our good and loving God.
In the Level I (Children's House) Atrium, The Sign of Peace is the final gesture of the Mass when all are prayed in order. The children, as the priest does at Mass, prepare the cruets and the chalice, wash their hands through the Lavabo, pray the Epiclesis and Offering, and then, remembering that at this moment of the Mass Jesus is truly present in our midst, they exchange the Sign of Peace. What is peace? How is Jesus' peace unique? Do we experience peace? How do we live peace? How do we share peace? How do we receive His peace and how do we express it? So much to ponder...but the children have thoughts!
What is Jesus’ peace like? - "Having love." - "Heaven." - "The Cross." - "It's like the Kingdom of God, like the little seed that grows and grows into the big tree." The elementary children return to the Gestures, again pondering what is signified through these movements. In reflecting on the fraction rite, the breaking of a small piece from the Host and placing it into the chalice, and the distribution of the Eucharist to the people gathered to receive, shown by breaking the one Host into pieces, a 2nd grader commented... - "It's like the Sign of Peace. We share it and it makes us one. Here it's the same - we share His peace but this time we eat it!" The gesture of the Lavabo or the Washing of the Hands is one of the final gestures presented in the Level I Atrium. Why wait so long when this gesture follows the Preparation of the Chalice in the celebration of the Eucharist? We present this one gesture out of sequential order because the children have shown us they need to be closer to the second plane of development (ages 6-12) and the ability to abstract which comes with this new stage. The priest doesn't come to Mass with dirty hands each day. He is using this gesture to pray for a much deeper cleansing. The children, once they connect this gesture to Baptism, are quick to announce that in this gesture the priest is asking God to wash the deepest part of himself, his soul. And what gesture does he do next? A gesture where his hands are used to ask for the greatest of gifts? Watch with your children this Sunday when you are at Mass!!
The fifth grade children have completed a lengthy study of Abraham which they began at the end of September. Through their reading of Scripture they have traced the family tree of Abraham from Terah to the Twelve Tribes of Israel. They have also pondered the importance of Abraham as our "Father in Faith" and the covenant God established with Abraham and his descendants. The following is a compilation of their personal thoughts (shared collectively) on the parallels between Isaac and Jesus particularly as related to the Genesis 22, 'The Sacrifice of Isaac."
Parallels between Isaac and Jesus Isaac Jesus Abraham God Sacrifices offered by Abraham Jesus died for us / Jesus sacrificed himself for us God God Altar Table at Last Supper / Altar at Church Thorny bushes Crown of Thorns Servants left Abraham and Isaac Apostles left Jesus Angel Angel at the Tomb Abraham saddles his donkey Jesus rode a donkey Wood carried by Isaac Cross carried by Jesus Knife for killing Isaac Spear that went into Jesus' side Fire to begin sacrifice Whip used on Jesus "On the third day" they saw Mt. Moriah Jesus rose on the third day Place where servants waited Upper Room where Apostles waited One of the heights / Mt. Moriah Mt. Calvary Ram Jesus / Simon |
Carolyn Kohlhaas
CGS Catechist and Formation Leader (Levels I, II, and III) Categories
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