The Sacraments are introduced in the Atrium as the children are ready to ponder them. Thus, in Level I (3-6 year olds) Eucharist and Baptism have many materials which allow for sensorial experiences of the elements of these Sacraments. In Level II (6-9 year olds) Reconciliation is introduced as the children begin to prepare to receive this Sacrament. In Level III (9-12 year olds) a broader encounter with the Sacraments is provided through the material called "The Holy Bible and the Sacraments." The seven Sacraments are introduced as a whole, starting with the way in which they are placed on the Plan of God timeline around the star and cross that mark when Jesus lived on the earth. Since His death and resurrection, the Holy Bible and the Sacraments are the means through which we continue to encounter Him and experience His presence. After introducing the Sacraments in this way the Level III children take time to discuss each Sacrament and ask questions and conduct research to provide definitions for each. Sharing our findings provides a place for further questions and answers about each of these beautiful ways in through we continue to encounter the Risen Christ today. The 2018 Liturgical Year has come to an end and the new year has begun with the season of Advent. This past week in the Atrium we pondered Jesus the King. How Dr. Montessori and Sofia Cavalletti must be enjoying this "cosmic" feast!
Level I: Catechist: "What is the Kingdom?" 4-year-old: "It's a little like church." Catechist: "Why?" 4-year-old: "Because church is a little like heaven." Catechist: "Tell me more." 4-year-old: "Heaven is the Kingdom and at church we get a little of heaven." Level II: Catechist: "What is the Kingdom?" 2nd Grader: "It's us." Catechist: "Tell me more." 2nd Grader: "Well, on Sunday I heard that Jesus told Pontus Pilate that his kingdom wasn't of this world." Catechist: "So, aren't we of this world?" 2nd Grader: "But our souls aren't." Level II: Catechist: "What is the Kingdom?" - "Parousia." - "Heaven." - "Church, because Jesus lives there." - "Our hearts, because Jesus lives there!" - "The stars and the planets and everything He made!" - "It's like a Mustard Seed, a treasure buried in a field, a pearl." Level III: "What is Jesus the king of? Well...the universe. But we are talking about God's kingdom - Heaven. He is also the king of the world. He created it. He is the Good Shepherd. To earn a title like that, you would have to be the king, well, of the world. Our Lord, the King of the World, YHWH." "Jesus is King of all things. He is the one true God. His kingdom is perfect. It shall have no end. In his kingdom, there is no crying, sadness, bullying, fighting, or dying. Jesus Christ, creator of heaven and earth, come be with us!" "Jesus is the king of heaven. He came down to earth to save us so we can go to heaven. In heaven, there are no tears. There is no fighting and no unhappiness, just like Jesus as a child. "God is King of Heaven and his kingdom is in Parousia. He loves everyone. I love him." After the candles were lit at the Model Altar, a 3-year-old said...
- “I want to go to the Church.” After restoring her work, she immediately re-set the Altar. Again, when the candles were lit, she said... - "I want to go to the Church." The following week the same response followed the lighting of candles at the Model Altar. - "I want to go to the Church." Six weeks later, the child set the altar and once the candles were lit, said... - "I want to go to the Church. I want to come to the feast." Another 3-year-old came down to the Atrium in tears and struggled to separate from his guide. Eventually he entered the environment and allowed the catechist to read a book with him. After about ten minutes his tears were gone and he spent much of the Atrium time observing children or sitting near an adult. At the end of the Atrium session he sat next to the catechist at the Prayer Table. Turning, he whispered and smiled... - "It's really quiet and peaceful here. I like it!" While looking at the Land of Israel on the Globe, a 3.5-year-old was amazed at how little Israel was. The catechist asked if there were other little things that God loves. The boy responded... - "Sheep." When asked if there was anything else, he said... - "Babies." When asked again he shook his head. A 5-year-old at the Model Altar... - "Thank you, God, for cheese sticks." - "Thank you, God, for food so we can eat." - "Thank you for the Church so we can see you, Jesus." - "Thank you for family that takes us to Church." - "Thank you for this holy place to be with you." A 9-year-old child, encountering the Maxims for the first time, read, "Be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt 5:48). She said... - "That means knowing that God created you special and just like He wanted, and you need to be that person." Children busy at work... Earlier this year I posted on the Liturgical Calendar. I shared how the 1st-3rd grade children learn to label each prism of the calendar as one of the Sundays of the liturgical year, learning that each Sunday has a unique name. Then, in 4th-6th grade they might also look at the Feasts and Solemnities of the Church that are tied to a specific date. This year one very persistent third grader spent multiple Atrium sessions attempting to "get to the other tickets" and one day he made it all the way! The white tickets, shown in the picture of his work, are those which correspond with each Sunday. The yellow tickets add the Holy Days of Obligation (excepting the Ascension which, in our Diocese, is celebrated on the Seventh Sunday of Easter). To determine where these tickets fit, we looked at a published calendar for the current year and fit the tickets between the appropriate Sundays. Finally, this child was able to reach the tan tickets - something I've never had an E1 child interested in before! - and he labeled all additional feasts and solemnities of the year. While these extra tickets will not be found in every Atrium, their presence as an extension to the Liturgical Calendar were much appreciated and well used this year in our Atrium! |
Carolyn Kohlhaas
CGS Catechist and Formation Leader (Levels I, II, and III) Categories
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April 2024
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