The Virtues are "love in action." They allow us to live life to the full and bear beautiful fruit as we remain on the True Vine. Last year a number of 3rd graders (Level III) spent time memorizing the names and definitions of the four Cardinal Virtues (Justice, Prudence, Fortitude, and Temperance) and becoming familiar with the Sister Virtues which flow from them (Prudence includes Diligence, Docility, and Foresight). This year some of these same children began analyzing Scripture passages according to the use of or lack of particular Sister Virtues. As one of the only Atrium presentations not directly linked to Scripture or the Liturgy it was interesting to see how the children made connections between this work and the Maxims as well as Confession and the Eucharist. Their work with this material lasted for weeks last year and it seems the same type of longevity is likely this year! The Level III children have the opportunity to encounter and work with the Cardinal and Sister Virtues. The first step is to memorize the definitions for the Cardinal Virtues. Second, they begin working on defining the Sister Virtues and categorizing them under the appropriate Cardinal Virtue. Once they have an understanding of and facility with the meaning of these virtues they begin to use them in analyzing Scripture passages. The included pictures all come from 3rd graders. One made a booklet of the Cardinal and Sister virtues in order to continue writing them on her heart. Others began using the virtues to analyze the Parable of the Good Shepherd and the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids. Enjoy!! This past school year has been one of many gifts and many challenges. As we approach the summer with the knowledge that we have hired a new Head of School and as we look forward to introducing her to our school and parent communities, it seems like the perfect moment to look back at this past year. In the Level I (3-6 year old) Atrium we speak often about the many gifts that God has given to us. We "open and enjoy" them, lifting them up and marveling at God's goodness. His plan for fullness of life was foretold by the prophets, witnessed to by angels and shepherds, Jews and Gentiles, learned men and even an unborn baby. As Jesus grew, He spoke about the Kingdom of God, revealing that it is like a Mustard Seed, a Precious Pearl, a Hidden Treasure and Leaven. He knows us by name and lays down His life only to take it up again and share with each of us a life stronger than death, a light stronger than darkness. What great love! The Level II (6-9 year old) children, while still encountering and recognizing His many gifts, also begin to ask how they might respond to the one who has filled the earth so that it resembles a banquet table lavishly heaped with all that we need. His great love demands a response in kind! As we ponder the Parable of the True Vine we realize that we don't want to just bear fruit; we want to bear the most beautiful fruit that will bring the greatest glory to God! The Level III (9-12 year old) children were recently pondering the four Cardinal Virtues of Justice, Fortitude, Prudence, and Temperance. In our conversation on Fortitude they began speaking about the many saints who had been martyred for their faith: Blessed Miguel Pro, St. Joan of Arc, St. Sebastian, St. Lawrence, and others. One child said that St. Mother Teresa had also lived with fortitude because she was willing to die when she worked with those who had sicknesses that could kill her. This led to a dialogue about living with fortitude and, eventually, to a discussion about white martyrdom or pouring oneself out in the way one lives daily life. What other option is there? How else can we live if we follow the one who has given all for us in laying down His life for His sheep? During every Mass we remember and experience again this essential interaction between God and man of gift and response. God gives all to us through sending the Holy Spirit in the Epiclesis who transforms our gifts of bread and wine (representative of the little work we do in elevating His gifts of wheat and grapes) into the very Body and Blood of Jesus. Having received such an incomprehensible gift, how can we respond? The only "gift" we can give in response is the gift we have just received...Jesus, Himself. When the priest lifts up Jesus and offers Him back to God in the Doxology we, too, offer our thoughts, words, and actions, all of the ways we have imitated the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep, pouring ourselves out for the one who has given all for us.
This year I have witnessed on a regular basis several individuals pouring themselves out for the children, families, and staff of our school. Thank you to those who have truly given all that they have. Your gift of self is seen and it is so appreciated. The beautiful, amazing fruit on your branch of the True Vine is bringing great, great glory to Our Heavenly Father, the Vinegrower. Thank you for opening and enjoying His gifts and for your whole-hearted "yes," like Mary, in response. May God reward you as only He can! 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." The creativity of the children in their follow-up work is a beautiful gift to witness and experience. Enjoy the following "gifts" they have shared this year! The Shepherd (A song recently composed by a 5th year) God I know you're with me every day, But sometimes from your flock I stray, And lock myself away from your grace and mercy. But every hour of the day, I know that help is on the way 'Cause your life down you laid for me. You won't abandon your sheep, Lord. You will not sleep until they are safe, Lord. You protect us with your life 'cause you are our Shepherd, Lord. Your Body and Blood to us you gave, Then you amazed us by rising from the grave. Oh, you truly are the Good Shepherd! The Parables are a very popular work in the Atrium, both with the Children's House / Level I child and with the Elementary child. As the children enter Level II and III they continue pondering Parables about the Kingdom of God but also move into a meditation on the Moral Parables as is fitting to their new developmental stage. In the following series you see one child's work choice: a booklet of parable Scriptures complete with illustrations. Another aid to the moral development of the children in the Atrium is the introduction of "Maxims" to the Elementary children. These Scriptures are often first copied and recited in conversations and at the prayer table. A full list of the Maxims used in the Atrium may be found here. The following is a recap of the 4th-6th graders' explanation of what Maxims are...
- "Maxims aren't rules but they are something you can grow in." - "They are like a quote from God." - "Maxims are something God instructs you to do. They are not rules but more like priorities." - "They are things that can make your life easier and are advice to help you get to heaven." - "A maxim is like the word 'maximum' which means 'the most' because they help you to be the best you can be." The following is a work choice made by a 3rd grader. He read and pondered several Parables, using the materials to aid his meditation. Then he made a list of all of the Maxims being lived in that parable. During the season of Ordinary Time between Christmas and Lent, many of the children in the Atrium spend time pondering the parables of the Kingdom of God. Listed below are responses of the children over the past month in the Atrium.
- "It is the light of heaven." (3 year old, responding to the Parable of the Precious Pearl) - "I heard about the Kingdom of God at church. Father said the Kingdom of God will never end." (Kindergartner, when reviewing the parables of the Kingdom of God.) - "The wheat is buried and dies and the more life is the treasure." (5 year old, when hearing the Parable of the Hidden Treasure for the first time.) - "It's like the most beautiful pearl story!" "The treasure is Jesus." "Yes - he was buried again in the tomb and He brings joy!" (Three 5 year olds, hearing the Parable of the Hidden Treasure for the first time.) - After pondering the Parable of the Hidden Treasure, a 5 year old girl said, "The Kingdom is all the people in heaven." She was asked, "How is that like a treasure?" The child responded, "Because heaven is filled with the Great Light." - After reading "Thy Kingdom come" from the Scripture card on the prayer table, the children were asked why we might pray these words. There was a time of silence and then a 3 year old boy said, "The Kingdom of God brings peace and love." This was followed by a 6 year old boy, saying, "It's like when the Light comes! When the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light!" The children were then asked, "What would it be like if God's Kingdom was here? A 5 year old girl responded, "It would be filled with Light! If you were hungry and needed a snack before dinner the Light would show you where to go! You wouldn't ever be hungry!" - Three 1st grade children were pondering the Parable of the Found Coin. In thinking about the parable, one child the parable reminded him of the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price. He said the coins were like the Kingdom of God. He was asked if we can lose just part of the Kingdom and he responded, "Yes." Another child added, "That's what happens when we sin. We lose a coin." They continued, "So we are the woman and the lamp we light to help find the coin is Jesus. He is the light." They were asked, then, about the broom that helps the woman sweep to find the lost coin. One of the children said, "The broom the woman sweeps with is the Holy Spirit." Many of our 2nd year elementary children are beginning to prepare for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion at their home parishes. In the Atrium, we hope to complement these preparations through the work the children have already been exposed to and through the new presentations they are experiencing this year. The 2nd years have begun their "Missals" which they will work on throughout the year as they continue to be grounded in the most essential moments of the beautiful prayer of the Mass. In addition, the children have already begun to prepare for Reconciliation through a focus on the Maxims of Jesus and on many of his moral parables. This past week in the Atrium we spoke about the 10 Commandments (often emphasized in parish Faith Formation programs) and their relationship with Jesus’ Maxims and “Great Commandment” or, as we speak of it in the Atrium, “The Summary of the Law.” We looked the Summary of the Law (“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind… You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”) and then introduced the Ten Commandments, briefly, as the gift of the law God gave to the people before Jesus to help them live well. Reading through the Commandments we looked at how the first three relate to the Great Commandment of loving God and the last seven relate to the Second of loving your neighbor. The Summary of the Law and the Maxims of Jesus (short sayings, mainly from the Sermon on the Mount, which tell us how to live well) give us not only what NOT to do but what TO do! And what’s even better? Jesus gives us the strength to do them! He would never give us a “command” without also helping us to be able to do it. Please check out the Maxims we use in the Atrium which provide an excellent tool for examining our conscience – both for the children and for us as well!!
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Carolyn Kohlhaas
CGS Catechist and Formation Leader (Levels I, II, and III) Categories
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April 2024
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