Pastor’s Corner — April 7th, 2024
The Relational Power of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for Children
Here at St. Patrick, our primary form of religious education of children in grades PK-4 (outside of our elementary school) is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. I think it’s critically important for parents and grandparents to know the vision of this outstanding program we offer at St Pat’s. Below is a note from Michelle Rooney, our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Coordinator:
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religious formation of children ages 3-12. It is based on the conviction that God and the child are already in relationship. All people, including children have a vital need to satisfy the yearning for “relationship”, because relationship is a fundamental foundation for the wholesome development of the human person; and the most important relationship to encounter is the relationship to God. Thus, children have a deep need to experience and a special capability to enjoy the presence of God. An encounter with God at an early age is a means of establishing a deep and lasting foundation. It is a good foundation for the formation of a whole and happy person.
The main topics in this curriculum are offered in such a way as to develop the precious religious potential in every child: the capacity to love and to be loved. Love is the vital foundation to build a relationship with God. It is essential to fall in love with God before trying to learn to do moral actions. Doing actions without first “being” in love results in empty or weak morality.
The 3-6 year old child is particularly capable of receiving and enjoying the most essential elements of our faith—the announcement of God’s love especially experienced through Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who died and is risen. Materials on the life of Jesus Christ and his teachings help to make the mystery of God concrete for the child. The heart of the catechesis for children under six revolves around the teaching that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who calls each one by name. The sheep listen to the voice of the Shepherd and follow him. Learning the words, vessels, and gestures used during Mass, these kids learn the Mass well. They also learn more deeply the parables of Jesus in which they grow in their relationship with Jesus and reflect on how to live morally in response to God’s love for them.
The elementary age child is captured by the image of the True Vine. “I am the vine, you are the branches, whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” The proclamation responds to the deep need of these children to better know his or her relationship with God, family, friends, and the larger community.
Moral parables offer a model for comparing their behavior with that of the Pharisee, the Tax Collector, or the Good Samaritan. The elementary children see the parts of the Mass—the Liturgy of the Word, the Preparation of the Gifts, the Eucharistic Prayer, and the Communion—as one unified prayer made of many smaller prayers. Children prepare for the celebrations of First Communion through a series of communion meditations focusing on the relationship with Jesus. (Source CGSUSA.org)
An interpersonal relationship is always a mystery, all the more so when the relationship is between God and the child. We believe there is a deep bond between God and the child which produces in the child the desire to draw near to God. In Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, the catechist listens with the child and together they ask, “God, who are you? How do you love us?” The “Atrium” where the catechesis is held is more like a church than a traditional classroom: less a place of instruction than a holy ground where Christ is encountered in word and action.
On April 21st, Good Shepherd Sunday, I am inviting the parish to learn more about and explore the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd with an open house in the Atriums across the street in the Parish Life Center, rooms 1, 2 and 4, after the 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Masses.
We are in need of Level I and Level II Catechists for CGS. For more information about the program, how to become a catechist, or to help with CGS as a Catechist or an assistant, please contact Michelle Rooney, the Coordinator for CGS at St. Patrick’s at cgs@stpatchurch.org.
DSA Participation Number
As of now writing we officially have about 609 gifts given to the DSA! Thanks for all who have given so far. If you haven’t yet, I hoping this is not too annoying of a reminder to give even if it is as small as $1.00. :) We’re hoping to hit 1000 gifts this year. Thanks again!
Knights of Columbus Membership Drive This Weekend
I’m proud to be the pastor of a parish with a strong Knights of Columbus council. The Knight of Columbus is the largest Catholic Fraternal Men’s Association in the world with about 2 million members and 16,000 councils around the world. The Knights serve our parish and local community in many ways.
One of the chief ways it serves is they work to secure funds to give to worthy charities. Perhaps the most well-known way the Knights serve is through all of the service activities for the parish and our community from the tootsie roll drive to helping run our parish festival to the pancake breakfasts during Lent. When a Knight joins, he is free to choose one or more events or service opportunity in which to participate. Some Knights are more active than others, but everyone’s help matters.
Our Knights are very active and effective in serving our parish and community. The Knights is where men serve alongside each other, live their faith and make a difference. I’d like to invite parish men to consider joining the Knights. Joining the knights is easy – you can join online today for free or see one of our Knights in the gathering space who can answer your questions and register you in person.
Your servant in the Lord,
Fr. Mathias