Prophecies: Small but Important

During Advent in the atrium at all three levels we delve into what the prophets had to say about the coming of the Messiah.  It's fascinating.

When discussing Micah 5:1 the catechist posed the question Why do think it was important that the Messiah be born in a such a small town?

A child's response, it's God telling us that even if you may be small you are still very important in the eyes of God. 

The Annunciation

Artwork - Reflecting the Sacred: 2

Note: In this quiet zone Jesus is present. See the "T"

Artwork - Reflecting the Sacred: 1

Father Abraham

The Lord brought Abraham outside and said, ‘Look towards heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’

~Genesis 15:5 

In level III (ages 9-12) we read the story of Abraham. When asked the question, what does this story mean for us today as we look toward Parousia (Jesus' Second Coming)?  A child responded:

At the end, at Parousia, it will be all of Abraham's descendants that are there.

* * *

When the Lord finally gave Isaac to Abraham he asked for the ultimate sacrifice. 

Spontaneous Prayer

This Kindergartner set up the altar and answered the call to stillness in prayer that the Good Shepherd was calling her to.

The Pharisee & The Tax Collector

In level II (ages 6-9) we have spent the week discussing the parable of The Pharisee and the Tax Collector. A child brings her painting of parable to the drying table. When asked why she chose to include a rainbow in her picture she responded adamantly:

I put the rainbow over both the Pharisee and Tax Collector - even though the Pharisee has a bragging heart he is still one of the Good Shepherd's sheep.

...and the sea was no more...

Tonight during atrium, level 3 (ages 9-12), some questions about Parousia came up. So, as our closing reflection we read Revelation 21: 1-5. We read through it and each child shared what word or phrase touched them.

One child's response: and the sea was no more.

This started a lively conversation. When Jesus returns, and God is all in all, why will it matter that there is no sea? 

Sharks are in the sea. They are bad. You can drown in the sea. But what about Baptism? Water is good.

Then one child spoke up: If God is going to walk with humanity, there will be no seas because the seas cause distance between lands and people. 

Then another person chimed in:  the land will be such that everything and everyone is close together since God will be with everyone.


Parousia - that time when Jesus returns and God will be all in all - and the sea will be no more - so as to ensure no division and no unreachable distances.

A Very Special Container

After the presentation on the articles of the altar, a 6 year old girl decided to trace the ciborium. When asked about her drawing - what is this a picture of?  "This is the cup that holds Jesus in the Tabernacle. This cup holds Love"

Introducing Your Catechists

Back in August, all of your St. Dennis Catechists and Assistants got together for a day of reflection. During our time together we spent some time working in the atrium, just like the children. Also, during this time we talked about how much we love the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and how it affects our lives. Here are some of our reflections. 

Sundays

Shana Cavanaugh explores the
Parable of the 10 Bridesmaids.

Level I, Head Catechist: Shana Cavanaugh

I absolutely relish in watching the young child's joy, exploration and discovery of their new relationship with God.

Level I, Catechist Assistant: Kim Mayer

I love Catechesis of the Good Shepherd because the young child finds numerous means to articulate his/her relationship with God. As an adult I learn so much more about my faith through them and this program.

Kim Mayer reads The Plan of God.

Anita Kube works on the Bible Cabinet.

Level II, Head Catechist: Anita Kube

I have been a Catechist since 2005. The Atrium is special to me because the children grow in their relationship with God. there is a beautiful, peaceful presence in the Atrium. Each child is a gift. I love whenthe children learn that God is love and Love is everything. 

Level II, Catechsts Assistants: Mike Kube, Alexis Kube, Karyn O'Connor

I love working with the children in this peaceful environment and learning about God with them. 

~ Karyn O'Connor 

Level III, Head Catechist: Susan Bussey

What I love most about the atrium is that I am growing and evolving spiritually along with the children.

Level III, Catechist Assistant: Donna Donohue

Donna Donohue explores
The Last Supper

What I love most about the atrium is seeing the children grow spiritually and become closer to God. Personally, I myself being part of the atrium, I feel a sense of closeness to God and the Church, more so than I've ever felt in the past. 

Tina Davidson reflects on
the Adoration of the Shepherds

Monday

Level I, Head Catechists: Tina & Mike Davidson

I love the way the children in the atrium develop their own personal understanding of a their relationship with the Good Shepherd.

Level I, Catechist Assistant: Donna Massey

I love the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd because it is a hands-on program for kids. 

Level II, Head Catechist: Sr. Peggy Wessel, CSJ

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is essential for my life - with God, in relationships, in community, with children...

Sr. Peggy is also the Head Catechist for St. Dennis School, 3rd Grade. 

Level II, Catechist Assistants: MarcieJo Kirby & Carmel Hoak

Mike Davidson explores the Plan of God.

Level III, Head Catechist: Venus Wozniak

I love journeying with the children through study of the liturgy and scripture. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is the perfect way to do this. 

Level III, Catechist Assistants: Ginny Bollinger, Carly Davidson 

I have been involved with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd as a Catechist for 10 years. I love how the Good Shepherd has brought me closer to God through the eyes of children. My time in the atrium is truly a blessing in which I am very thankful.

~ Ginny Bollinger

Wednesday

Level I, Head Catechist: Venus Wozniak

Level I, Catechist Assistant: Kate Vallentine, Allie Boyer

When looking into religious education programs for my daughter so she can prepare for her first communion, I came across CGS at St. Dennis.  The Montessori approach to teaching and that younger children were encouraged to participate in the education programs was what interested me the most, along with the fact that St. Dennis seemed like a much more active church than the one we had belonged.   This year will be a growing and learning process for all us and I am very much looking forward to helping the beautiful children in my atrium grow in God’s love.

~Kate Vallentine 

Level II, Head Catechist: Jackie Sulich

Level II, Catechist Assistant: Jenny DiGiovanni, Sabrina Plebanek

Lisa Boyer calligraphs a Maxim.

Level III, Head Catechist: Lisa Boyer

I have been a Catechist in the Good Shepherd in Levels I, II, III for the past 12 years. The Good Shepherd has been and continues to be the answer to a prayer. The parable of the Good Shepherd is my favorite work that weaves through all three levels. We begin as very young children learning that God loves us unconditionally, knowing us each by name. He cares for us. As we grow we come to understand our role in God's Kingdom and how the Shepherd continues caring for us as we work and pray.

Level III, Catechist Assistants: Sue DiAmore, Jackie Bedore

In addition to being a wife, a mom of three (ages 17 through 12,) and Director of Campus ministry at Benet Academy, I have been a member of the CGS community for 14 years as a trained catechist in all three levels and as a level I national trainer for the Catechesis. The thing I love most about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is seeing the children spend time in quiet with God and knowing that his Word is at the heart of what we do.  What a precious gift we--no matter the age-- have been given!  

~ Jackie Bedore

I have bee helping with CGS for one year - last year with Lisa Boyer on Wednsday.   I love being around the kids.  Some have such a hunger for God and have taught me to see God on a different level than I would normally.  They have such a clear and uncluttered vision of Him.

~ Sue D'Amore

School Catechists

Amisu Estrada and Donna Massey
reflect on the Infancy Narratives
of Jesus' Life.

Level I, Head Catechists: MaryAnn Salek, Michele Pall, Lisa Boyer

Level I, Catechist Assistants: Midge Malinger, Jean Summins, Amisu Estrada, Kari Kinnard

My family is new to St. Dennis. I love the hands-on experience of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and the emphasis on how much the Good Shepherd loves His children. 

~ Amisu Estrada

Sr. Peggy engages in the
practical life work of flower arranging.

Level II, Head Catechists: Sr. Peggy Wessel, Michele Pall, Lisa Boyer, Venus Wozniak

Level II, Cateachist Assistants: Kari Aiello

I am in love with the Good Shepherd. 

~ Michele Pall

Level III, Head Catechists: Lisa Boyer, Michele Pall, Venus Wozniak

Passing on the Heritage of Faith

The Slide Show

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Advent, Prophecies and Prophets

In Catechesis of the Good Shepherd during Advent we spend our time with the prophets. It is quite fascinating as a Catechist to explore what the prophets said about the Messiah  before he came. The children also find it quite exhilarating. These prophecies lend themselves to some great artwork.

The work below is from CGS level III children of St. Dennis Parish and School

Isaiah 9:6

from Numbers 24

In Level III we also spend sometime learning about the prophets who left us these prophecies. Who were these people? Why did God choose them? How did God choose them? What was special about them?

The drawing below is one child's depiction of the Call of Isaiah. 

You can read the account here