As a trained catechist in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd I receive a newsletter from The United States Association of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. As I was reading the posting for today, I started to feel what Luke 24:32 says, "Were not our hearts burning within us?"
Why, you may wonder? What was in that article?!
Whether you are Catholic, a Christian or identify with something entirely different, as humans we all need a place where we can go to enjoy some quiet time and experience a peace that can fill us. We need a place to see others in a new light when we are frustrated or overwhelmed. We need a place to simply reset us with the joy of life and remind ourselves about what really matters.
At St. John's we not only have a place for children to go to experience this, we have trained catechists to support the students as they ponder the questions of life! What a gift we have!!
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| Working with the Good Shepherd |
For the youngest ones, the Atrium serves as a place where they can go to simply be with the Good Shepherd, experiencing a greater than human love. For lower elementary students, the Atrium not only serves as a place to experience a greater love, but adds the element of the merciful forgiving love of the Father. For those choosing to receive the sacraments of the Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation, the Atrium is also a place where preparation can be enhanced. For the upper elem/MS students, the Atrium is a place where the child can truly see how everything from the past is interconnected with the present and ultimately to the future. This child ponders where their place is and what is the 'gift' they can leave for future generations all the while also experiencing a greater love.
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| An opportunity to enter into personal prayer. |
This truly is a one of a kind gift.
How do we bring this gift into the home? An earlier blog posting shared the Domestic Church...today, I would like to expand on it.
During this time of our stay-at-home order and watching the Celebration of the Eucharist on a screen, we have an opportunity to look more closely at what may not be seen as well while sitting in a pew.
The Celebration has two main parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
During the Liturgy of the Word, the Word of God is proclaimed, responded to, explained, and accepted. It is God’s word spoken to us. He speaks to us personally and is fully present to us.
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| Learning the Books of the Bible |
During the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the priest who represents Jesus, takes the bread, blesses it, and breaks it. Although the Risen Lord is hidden, He remains present to us and gently invites us to encounter him in the mystery of this passion, death and resurrection just as the disciplines did "in the breaking of the bread."
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| The Sign of Peace |
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| Preparation of the Cruets |
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| Setting up the Altar |
During this at-home times, we have an opportunity to observe more closely the gestures of the Eucharist. These gestures speak to us, telling us what is really happening in the celebration. Your children have experienced and 'practiced' these gestures...perhaps they could tell you about them!
As an additional resource, I am attaching a link to The Good Shepherd and the Child Podcast here.
I certainly am looking forward to the moments our students are able to be together in the Atrium again. In the meantime, enjoy a few pictures for the Atrium days this year.
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| Gestures of Baptism |
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| Dressing "Father" for Mass |
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| Liturgical colors |
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| Presentation of Jesus in the Temple |
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| Gift Strip: Creation, Redemption and Parousia |
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| The Cenacle: The Last Supper |
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| Puzzle Map of the Land of Israel |
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| Hands-on experience with the Liturgical calendar. |
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