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. Last Friday the 2nd Year children spent a day "away" in the Atrium. Time to ponder the great gifts of Reconciliation and Eucharist, time to be in silence, and time to rejoice with each other over a beautiful Agape meal were all part of this long-awaited day. Much of the morning was spent decorating the wooden crosses the children received on Ash Wednesday and working with materials that have helped them to grow in their relationship with Jesus this year. After a delicious meal, during which each child was served by his 3rd Year prayer partner who had been praying specifically for him throughout Lent and into the Easter season, the children took time to weave a bookmark in silence, "digesting" both the physical and spiritual food of the day. What a beautiful gift to spend the day with Jesus! Thank you to all who helped make this day possible!
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. The second grade children at The Way of the Shepherd this year hail from three local Catholic parishes and attend their home parish for all sacramental preparation formation. In the Atrium they are also moving forward on their journey toward receiving Reconciliation and Eucharist, and spend much of their year getting ready for these great gifts! In December three second graders received their First Reconciliation, this past Saturday five second graders (as well as two older children who are entering the Catholic Church through RCIA at Easter!) celebrated this sacrament for the first time, and this coming weekend the final five second graders will have their Baptismal garment washed clean in the sacrament of Reconciliation.
Part of preparing for Reconciliation includes looking more closely at the Sacrament of Baptism and the great gift of being welcomed into the sheepfold of Christ through receiving His light! From the beginning of the year the second graders have been working with the Rite of Baptism material (an extension of the Baptism work they have been doing since the age of three in the Atrium). They lay out the pictures of the nine most essential moments of the Rite and then match these to cards describing the gestures of the priest and the words that he prays. After setting them all out they are invited to pray through the Rite of Baptism with a friend. The Rite of Reconciliation work is similar in that it includes picture, text, label, and gesture cards that are ordered by the children. While this is not the only way the children prepare for Reconciliation in the Atrium, it is one of the last and most immediate steps preceding their reception of this great sacrament! Before sharing some recent pictures of the children at work, I want to share an experience I had this past week that spoke volumes to me about the families at our school and the formation they give their children, supported through the Atrium and the academic learning environments at The Way of the Shepherd. Several years ago a decision was made to attempt to offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation to our school children at least once during Advent and once during Lent. This decision came after a good deal of conversation and discernment because all involved felt that this Sacrament was best received surrounded by family at one's local parish. However, knowing that this opportunity might provide access to the Sacrament of Reconciliation for a few children who might not otherwise be able to receive it, the decision was made. Last Thursday was our scheduled Lenten Reconciliation opportunity. During our Atrium sessions I mentioned that Father was going to come early for Mass so that anyone who would not have the opportunity to go with their family between now and Easter could receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Several times I emphasized that if they could go with their families, that would really be the best choice. Then, on Wednesday afternoon, I took time to approach each child in 2nd - 6th grade to ask if they would like their name to be put on the "list" of children desiring to go to Confession the following day. EVERY CHILD who could receive the sacrament, excepting five children who were going to Confession during their Faith Formation classes that very evening and a few I encouraged to check with their families, asked to have their names put on the list. I even had several children who were not Catholic ask if they could go in and speak with Father when he came, althrough they knew they could not receive the full Sacrament. The following day, several children, after speaking with their parents and discovering they would be able to go to Reconciliation as a family in the near future, asked to take their names off the list. Even so, we started Mass more than fifteen minutes late because of all of the children desiring to live more fully in the Light of Christ. How often do you try to discourage children from going to Confession because you have too many desiring this beautiful Sacrament?! Thank you, families, for all you do to share the joy of this Sacrament with your children. How beautiful to experience their desire for and understanding of this incomprehensible gift of mercy, forgiveness, and love from our Good Shepherd who lifts us up and carries us home, rejoicing!
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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