Pentecost

It is our hope that this blog, Listening to the Child with the Center for Children and Theology, will become a place to discuss what the child is teaching us about God's love. That discussion happens in the comment area at the end of each post. Below, in last week's post--The Gate is Open--you'll see a great comment for discussion. At the end of each post, you'll see an underlined area telling you how many people have left comments. Click on the link to read what others are contemplating about the post. Feel free to leave your own comments, anonymously or with your name.

This child had created a book with her drawings from several years of work in the Atrium. The book was lost, and so in her great distress, the child began to meticulously recreate every drawing from the book. To the left is the original drawing of Pentecost done when the child was 3 years 9 months. To the right is the same drawing recreated at age 5 years 9 months.

The Gate is open

At the First communion Mass Fr. Joe asked the children what it means to receive/eat the bread and wine. Kenneth, age 7, answered, "It means the gate is open."

Alleluia! Alleluia!

The 3-6 year-old child's relationship with God is marked by deep affection and joy. The following is a story of a 4-year-old girl, reflecting this great love:

Francesca prepared the model altar, asked the catechist to light the candles, and then stood at the lecturn singing to her own tune the following words for about five minutes:

Alleluia (repeated many times).
You make me so happy (repeated many times).
Alleluia (repeated many times).

Jesus is with us (sung once as a proclamation).
Alleluia (repeated many times).