The Atrium is a place of prayer, where all that we do has the potential and intent to lead us deeper into relationship with Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Because prayer is not just about speaking with God but, rather, rests on our growing ability to listen to Him, the Atrium assists the children in their ability to listen for God. The beauty and order of the Atrium space and the "settling" activities of Practical Life which allow for growth in focus and concentration provide indirect aids to listening for the voice of the Good Shepherd. When these tools are in place the children can receive the proclamation of God's Word from the Bible and His action in the gestures of the liturgy in a deeper, fuller way.
When I was in Israel several years ago, our last stop was in the Elah Valley where David fought Goliath. Jeff Cavins, our guide, invited us to pick up five stones and asked us to ponder what five weapons God had given us to fight the enemy this year.
Last winter, after hearing this same reading about David and Goliath during Benediction with the children, I asked the Level III children (3rd-4th graders) what stones or weapons had been given to them by God to help them fight for Him, to live well, to love well. They responded... - The Sign of the Cross because it's like a shield and it makes the devil go away. It reminds us Jesus is with us, protecting us. - The Bible. - The Sacraments, especially Confession. - The Armor of God. - Our hands to work with. Planning Communal Prayer is a process which builds many skills. The Level 3 children have experienced communal prayer for many years. In Level 1 they gathered to ponder a single word ("Alleluia!") or single verse of Scripture. They sang and offered thanks to God. In Level 2 the children began a more formal structure of prayer as they helped to lead different elements of our communal gatherings and even moved into assisting in writing petitions or choosing the songs that fit the Gospel being proclaimed. In Level 3 the children begin to take on a leadership role in planning communal prayer. After selecting a Gospel they work together to decide what message Jesus is communicating in that passage. Then, articulating this as the theme of their prayer, they use a concordance to find a psalm and a passage from the Old Testament which speak to this theme. Prayers of petition and songs as well as opening and closing prayers come next. Finally, the children assign roles and practice leading each portion of their planned prayer before inviting the community to join them in the communal celebration. This past week, working in small groups, the Level 3 children reviewed this process as each group chose a Gospel and theme then moved into the additional components of their prayer.
"Come and Worship" - "We come and talk to God and worship and tell Him we love Him because He loves us so much. We come so He can tell us how to love Him." (4 year old) "Taste and see that the Lord is good." - "God gives us good food." (4 year old) - "Like at the Last Supper." (5 year old) - "Like the blessed wine and bread." (5 year old) - "Thank you for the Good Shepherd." (4 year old) Level I (Children's House) at the Prayer Table: “What could we ‘Praise the Lord’ for today?”
Level II (1st and 2nd grade) at the Prayer Table: "What could we thank God for today?"
What does it mean to rejoice? What brings us joy? Take a moment and ponder. What would you say?
In speaking with the Level I, 3-6 year old child, there was a great variety in response, and a great depth of truth. What does 'Rejoice!' mean? - "Happiness." - "A hug from Jesus." - "Peace." - "Your heart is happy." - "The Shepherd takes care of the sheep." - "God loves you." What brings us joy? - "The world." - "Our houses." - "A soft bumblebee." - "Our families." - "Mom and Dad taking care of children." - "Loving God." And, in the words of a six-year-old, "Joy is when your heart is so full that your eyes have tears." This week in the Atrium the Level I (Children's House) children were asked which materials helped them to listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd. They responded...
- The Baptism Area - Gathering Crosses and Crucifixes - The Gestures Altar - The Model Altar - The Good Shepherd - The Prayer Table |
Carolyn Kohlhaas
CGS Catechist and Formation Leader (Levels I, II, and III) Categories
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April 2024
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