These are pictures of God!

A very active 4 year old had walked into the atrium the first day announcing over and over again, "God's not here!" As the year went on he had difficulty focusing on his work but would often give a glimmer of light as to what he was taking in. To help him focus on and choose a work I used a camera and had him take pictures of his favorite works. Once the photos had been developed I brought them in for him to see. His eyes grew wide when he saw them and announced, "These are pictures of God!"

Itty bitty fishies in Her Hands

Nate, 3, wanted to pray for his sister's fish who died. The catechist said some words at the altar with him. Then Nate wanted to do work at the Prayer Table and pray for the fish. They set the Prayer Table and Nate was invited to pray. He burst out in song, "She's got the itty bitty fishies in Her hand."

Seven-year-old skeptic

A catechist had been concerned about her son’s increasing questioning of religious teachings, and shared this: Tonight, just a few minutes ago, he came down worried about a nightmare, and I suggested that he ask his guardian angel to help him be brave. Half asleep, he mumbled "Not real ... you know that, mommy." But then, as he walked back upstairs, he stopped at the TV cabinet. On top of it were a few broken sheep from our atrium that I'd recently brought home to repair. And he picked one up and said, "Well, I guess I could bring this one to bed with me to remind me of the Good Shepherd.” So, there is something for my catechist's heart to ponder: Guardian Angel -- "not real." God -- "How can God exist?" But the Good Shepherd -- well, there's someone even a seven year old skeptic could make his peace with.

God writes with invisible ink

Kyle, a third-grader, was pondering the Blank Page and said, "God writes on the Blank Page with invisible ink, and we help write the page in real ink, and we have to figure out what he has written."

Lead all your flocks to peace

Prayer by a group of 10-11-year-olds:
Shine your light on us, oh Lord,
So that we may worship you in happiness.
Oh Lord, our Shepherd, lead all your flocks to peace.
Guide us through our journeys with love and life,
So we may serve you wholeheartedly,
Until one day when there is one flock and one sheepfold. Amen.

Make me strong...

Natalie, 9, wrote this prayer:
Dear Lord,
Heal those who hurt,
Comfort those who are sad,
And make me strong so I can help.

We are all together in the chalice

While reflecting on the parables, an 8-year-old commented. "The mustard seed is like when the priest adds a drop of water to the wine and it all grows, because we are all together in the chalice to celebrate the Last Supper."

Thank you for the treasure

Danielle, 5, and another child were receiving the presentation on the Parable of the Hidden Treasure. Following the reading and meditation questions, I invited the girls to pray. Charlotte's prayer was, " Thank you God for the treasure you buried . . . (pause) . . . when Jesus died."

He made a bad symbol into a good symbol!

A group of children preparing for Reconciliation were discussing the Gifts and various crosses collected from around the Atrium.
DH: It looks like he's holding up all the gifts while he's on the cross.
OC: He's holding them up to heaven!
DJ: Why is he wearing a robe on that cross?
Catechist: Because he's risen.
DJ: Why is it a risen Christ on that cross? (Pause.) Oh, I get it! He made a bad symbol into a good symbol!
(An excited silence filled the room.)