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The Paschal Mystery

3/31/2021

One of the greatest truths of our faith is our belief in God's great love for us, a love which is never-ending and incomprehensible in magnitude. In the Paschal Mystery this love is "enfleshed" in the actions of the Good Shepherd who literally lays down His life for His sheep. During Holy Week each year we take time to deeply ponder this mysterious truth through our living out of Palm Sunday and the Triduum, one liturgy lived out through the services of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. While the Lenten season is a time of focusing on the Paschal Mystery in the Atrium as well, this great truth is always available to return to through the materials present in this space. In fact, in looking at the Atrium materials there are hardly any which do not include this great mystery. What a gift to be able to hear the truth of God's love consistently and in so many different ways.

Tracing the City of Jerusalem.

Reading the Paschal Narratives.

Pondering the Last Supper.

"At Home Review" - Holy Week

3/28/2021

As we enter into Holy Week, we remember that this most sacred week is an opportunity for extra attentiveness to the voice of the Good Shepherd who so willingly laid down His life for His sheep. In order to listen, however, we need to take time to do so. One way to enter more fully into this week is to recall Jesus' words and actions. Last year we were unable to celebrate this week as a parish and universal community in our churches. How can you enter into this week anew this year, rejoicing in all the gifts we receive in being able to worship God this year as a community, even if still socially distanced. Take time to prepare to celebrate the Triduum as a family, parish, and world community this week.

Holy Thursday:
(White Prayer Cloth
in the evening)

"This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
(1 Corinthians 11:24)

Good Friday:
(Red Prayer Cloth)

"He said, 'It is finished.' And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit."
(John 19:30)

Holy Saturday:
(White Prayer Cloth
in the evening)

"Do not be amazed!"
"He has been raised;
he is not here!"
(Mark 16:6)

The Structure of the Mass

3/24/2021

The Holy Mass is one great prayer made up of many prayers. In the Atrium we speak about it as a pearl necklace composed of many beautiful, precious pearls. This year the 5th year students were introduced to The Structure of the Mass, a chart which shows all of the prayers laid out as an overview and then they went on to begin working with the Colored Base material which allows them to order and ponder each prayer of the Mass. From there the children have moved into duplicating each prayer and beginning their own personal copy of a Complete Missal of the prayers of the Holy Mass.

The Structure of the Mass

The Liturgy of the Word and the Rite of Communion.

The Eucharistic Prayer

"At Home Review" - 5th Week of Lent

3/21/2021

Scripture: Mark 11:1-10
This week we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord and recall the moment in Nazareth when the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the Mother of God. Nine months from this Thursday we will celebrate the Birth of Jesus at Christmas. The Solemnity of the Annunciation is so important that we pause from our Lenten quiet and listening to rejoice at the great gift of Jesus, true God and true man, as well as at Mary's "yes" to all God asked of her. Find a way to rejoice as a family this Thursday!

It seems so fitting to celebrate a bit this week as next Sunday we will begin Mass with an extra Gospel which recalls the celebrations of the people when Jesus entered the City of Jerusalem on the Sunday before His death and resurrection. Read Mark 11:1-10. Did you hear what the people were crying out? What do you think “Hosanna” means? Who or what are they saying is “Blessed?” Make a list of objects or places or people which are blessed. I bet you could make a very long list!

Level II (1st-2nd):
The Cenacle (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 III (3rd-6th):
The City of Jerusalem

What do you remember about this material? During this last week of his life on earth, where did Jesus go? What did He do and say? Perhaps you would like to draw the City of Jerusalem, labeling the Cenacle, the Garden of Olives, the House of Caiaphas, the Praetorium, Herod's Palace, Mount Calvary, the Tomb, and any other places you remember. You could also write what happened in each of these sites in the City of Jerusalem. If it is helpful, read Mark 14:1-15:47 to hear what will be proclaimed next Sunday at Mass.

Typology in the Atrium

3/17/2021

Typology is a way of looking at God's plan as it has been revealed throughout history by comparing what we know of the past, particularly through the events of the Old Testament, to the life of Christ, our current lived reality in the Church, and then by taking time to ponder what the patterns we find reveal about the future. God's plan, revealed in the Bible and lived in the liturgy, is one plan. Thus, after reading a passage from the Old Testament we look to see parallels, echoes, or "types" in the moments of Redemption and Parousia. Augustine spoke of this reality of God's Plan as a "Golden Thread" that unites all of history.

In the Level III Atrium this year the children have engaged in a number of typology studies, some of which will continue into the Easter season.

Drawing the events of the seven "days" of Creation, reading about each from Genesis 1.

Creating a booklet of the essentials of the account of the Flood.

Several groups of children work to copy the Creation typology chart which shows how particular components of Genesis 1 & 2 (Adam, the Garden of Eden, the Holy Spirit hovering over the water, and the four rivers) are "types" of significant aspects in the moment of Redemption in which we currently live (Jesus, the Church, Baptism, and the four Gospels).

Choosing a verse and illustrating that moment of Genesis 6-9.

One child completes a Creation typology chart as another makes a set of cards from the felt base.

Copying the account of the Flood straight from the Bible.

Working with card materials related to the time of Abraham.

Writing a response to an event in one's own life paralleling Miriam's response of praise to the crossing of the Red Sea.

Creating a family tree for Abraham.

Pre-reading a passage related to Moses from the book of Exodus.

Listing parallels between the sacrifice of Isaac and that of Jesus.

Working with a card material which looks at the culture surrounding the Israelites during their time in Egypt.

"At Home Review" - 4th Week of Lent

3/14/2021

Scripture: John 12:20-33
The Gospel passage for next Sunday includes a verse we have often pondered in the Atrium: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” What do you hear in this parable? Have you ever planted a seed and watched it grow? For new life, more life, abundant life to come, what had to happen to the seed? Jesus is sharing this parable just after he enters the City of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. What do you think He might be saying about Himself in this verse? Write the verse and draw what you hear.

Level II (1st-2nd)
The Good Shepherd (John 10:1-16)

Read the Parable of the Good Shepherd. Enjoy this beautiful story that we have heard again and again through our years in the Atrium. Now look closely at verse 11. Look again at the verse we read from the Gospel for next Sunday above. Go back to your drawing and add to it, showing how the parable of the Good Shepherd speaks about the same truth as the verse about the grain of wheat.

Level III (3rd-6th)
The Mystery of Life and Death

Go back to next Sunday’s Gospel and read the whole passage (John 12:20-33). Look closely at what Jesus says just after verse 24. He is speaking again about eternal life. What is He telling us about life and death and eternal life? Sit with this passage. Read it again. What does it mean to be alive and how is it the same or different from eternal life? What could you add to the page you worked on above?

The Armor of Light

3/10/2021

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light..." (Ephesians 5:8).

Through our Baptism we have received the Risen Life and Light of Jesus Christ. But how do we live as children of light? How do we ensure that that light is being protected and cared for and shining forth as gift to others? During Lent the Level III (3rd - 6th grade) children have been taking time each week to ponder their individual branches on the True Vine, using the moral parables and maxims to assist in this examination, and praying for God's help and strength in living well in the Kingdom of God. The great gift of Reconciliation is an incredible aid to us along this journey, and part of our time has been spent pondering anew this beautiful Sacrament by which we can come to ask for forgiveness and healing, protection and strength. God is so very good.

"At Home Review" - 3rd Week of Lent

3/7/2021

Scripture: John 4:14-21
One of the most well known verses in the New Testament will be proclaimed in next Sunday’s Gospel: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” We keep hearing about eternal life in the Gospels of Lent. Why would God desire this for us? What does this say about who He is and who we are? What do you see when you picture eternal life? Write this verse from John 3:16 and illustrate the Scripture by drawing "eternal life."

Level II (1st-2nd)
The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37)

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan we are given an example of how to love our neighbor, which is the second part of the Greatest Commandment. Read this parable. What is Jesus saying about our neighbor? Who might we be in this parable? Which figure might stand for Jesus? Is there a Maxim that would fit with this parable? Show your work through writing and illustrating.

Level III (3rd-6th)
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)

To be justified is to be in right relationship with God. What does it mean, in this parable, that the tax collector went home justified? Why didn't the Pharisee go home justified? How does this help us? How can we be in right relationship with God? Copy the prayer of the tax collector and find time each day of this week to examine your branch on the True Vine and then pray these or your own words to God.

Jesus Died and He is Risen

3/3/2021

As we approach the middle of Lent we continue to listen deeply to the ways Jesus prepared His apostles and us for the great mystery of His death and resurrection. These truths cannot be separated; Jesus died and He is risen.

The Last Supper.

The City of Jerusalem.

The Passion Narratives.

The Paschal Mystery

"At Home Review" - Holy Week

The Structure of the Mass

"At Home Review" - 5th Week of Lent

Typology in the Atrium

"At Home Review" - 4th Week of Lent

The Armor of Light

"At Home Review" - 3rd Week of Lent

Jesus Died and He is Risen

Carolyn Kohlhaas

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