The
Good Shepherd is based on the parables and the life of Jesus. These two years
were on the three to six year old level. There was a set of two manuals,
"Joyful Journey" and "Religious Potential." This led me to a
new appreciation of the mass, the life of Christ, Christ's words, His parables,
the sacraments, gestures of the sacraments, and mass. There were so many things
that touched my heart. It is only by reading and studying that we are able to
reach a new level of understanding Jesus and His teaching.
Those who took the training were taught the way these presentations were to be
made. This is called an "Album Page." There is one of these on all the subjects
covered. There were given notebooks in which these pages are kept. These pages
contain the following information.
Everything
in this teaching is taken directly from the Bible. The child is to learn
that they can find this all there. Words are not added or left out.
There is an Atrium in the Fourth Street School. One of the things about this
course is it is not a question and answer session. It is a time to present and
then watch the child work with the materials that go with the presentation. It
is an entering into the person of the child on their level. Let them tell you
what they have learned. They can draw what they have learned, trace the pictures
or words, or perhaps set up the altar if that would happen to be the
presentation. Not all children learn the same, but when they come together and
share, they will learn more.
There
will be celebrations of the: *
Liturgy of Light *
Pentecost *
Paraliturgies
There
are also times when the children will be taught practical life: dusting, how to
carry a chair, pouring water and take care of the Atrium. They will also sing and
pray.