CGS Topics Jan. 15 & 18

Level I (3-6 years)
Presentations:
 - Cruets (mixing of the water and wine)
* The Sunday session was rather difficult this week because a few children refused to follow directions.  We only had one trained catechist, which makes it difficult to give lessons to over 20 children.


Level II (7-9 years)
Presenations:
 - Books of the Bible
 - Mass parts (Julie tells me this was an especially good presentation)
 - Liturgical gestures


*On Sundays our focus right now is the Bible works, consisting of several lessons on the origin of the Bible and it's books, as well as Bible study.  We also attempt to highlight the Kingdom Parables (at Level II we explore them on a deeper level than Level I).  We always leave room for individual choices and many of the children like to explore the works that speak to them.  Some of them have produced their own booklets and stories and take a lot of pride in presenting what they have done to the group when we gather at the end of class.  Last week, a group wrote and illustrated about the crucifixion and going to church. Our focus will shift toward the maxims and moral parables as we get closer to Lent.


Level III (10-12 years)
Presentations:
 - The Voatcion of the Prophets, specifically Isaiah


*The presentations on the prophets will continue in Level III for at least two more weeks, covering multiple prophets incluing Amos, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel.

A New Year in St. Peter's CGS

What better way to start the new year than in gratitude?  Over the past few days I've been talking with parents of students in our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program to find out their feelings of the program - both what they like and what could use improvement.  I am so grateful for the honest and genuine responses of the families who have shared insights into the blessings and challenges of catechesis at St. Peter.  Your feedback helps us to improve the program, often in ways we would not have imagined otherwise.

This blog is a product of those conversations.  Parents said they'd love to know more about what their children are learning each week, so this blog is an attempt to communicate which lessons and songs are used in each level every week.  Presentations are given multiple times over the course of two or three weeks so that every children (in attendance) will receive each one.

Here's an example for the last week in December:

Level I (3-6 years)
Presentations:
  - The Annunciation
  - The Nativity
  - The Visitation

Songs:
   -"Light One Candle"
   -"Bright Morning Star"
   -"Come, Lord Jesus"

Level II (7-9 years)....

Each level's presentations and activities will be outlined like this.  If I can find them online, I'll link song lyrics to the blog as well.

I hope this helps you connect with what your children are learning every Sunday and Wednesday.

+ Peace - Mark