Listening to the Child with the Center for Children and Theology

Holy Spirit?

2012-01-29T10:42:00.000-05:00

We were meditating on the Presentation in the Temple, and particularly on Simeon's response to the Holy Spirit's prompting to go to the temple, and his response to holding the Christ child. Kelly, age 8, asked, “How do we know if the Holy Spirit is really speaking to us?” She deeply considered this question, wondering, “Is it in a dream, or while we are awake? And how do we know for sure that it is the Holy Spirit, and not just our own mind?” This is a profound question.

How Did They Know Him?

2012-01-25T03:41:00.002-05:00

To my question of how Simeon and Anna could have known who Jesus was, out of all the people in the Temple, Nyere, 4, responded, "Maybe when he was in Heaven before coming into his mommy's tummy, he talked to them and told them how he loved them."

Did He Know?

2012-01-22T03:38:00.000-05:00

During a meditation on the Presentation in the Temple, the overarching theme of all the Infancy Narratives (“Who is this child?”) really surfaced for Ellie (age 8). She asked, “Did Jesus when He was a baby know that He was God?” As a catechist, I responded, “Well, we know that Jesus was a real baby, and as a person He saw the world as a baby does. We also know that Jesus was truly God, who is all-knowing.” The interchange was followed by a period of silence, but it was the full sort of silence that is truly a response to a mystery.

This Little Star of Mine

2012-01-18T03:36:00.000-05:00

After the reading of the Adoration of the Wise Men, Ben asked to sing, "This Little Light of Mine," and he did so holding the star from the work. For the verse where we sing, "Hide it under a bushel? No!" he hid the star behind his back.

Quite a Gift

2012-01-15T03:23:00.003-05:00

This was a card, with the "gift wrap" on the outside and the drawing of moon and stars on the inside.

Gratitude at Epiphany

2012-01-11T03:32:00.000-05:00

Responses to an Epiphany meditation on gifts:
Thank you for all my many many gifts you give to me such as some of my favorite ones- my family, you, for you dying for us and some more!
I am greatful for these gifts of God! Our life, the animals, the world, and aspessialy lots of food (yum!) and water.
Thank you for all the gifts you have given me like life, my family, my house and much much more! I love all of them! I can't even name all of them!

Geography of the East

2012-01-08T03:29:00.002-05:00

During the three kings presentation 6-year-old Luke asked: "Where in the East did the Kings come from?" I told him I didn't really know. He said, "I think they came from that part of Russia that's all the way over close to Alaska." At the end of the presentation he commented again: "I think they came from India.”

Epiphany Praise

2012-01-04T03:32:00.000-05:00

We did an Epiphany Celebration with our Level 2 children. On the surface, it was not going according to my plan - our time got cut short unexpectedly, it felt too rushed, etc. But the Lord was at work anyway! I gave cards to the children, and asked them to write (if they wished) a response to the great gift we have been given. They then had a chance to place those in a "treasure chest" box on the prayer table. Some of the responses were:
--I will praise your name Lord for the rest of my life.
--Lord, I praise your holy name. (With a picture of a dove in front of a cross).
--Immanuel, how can I thank you for the wonderful beauty?
--Lord, I am your daughter and you are my father.
--I love the Lord like a rose on a sunny day.

It was wonderful!

Seasonal Joy

2012-01-01T03:30:00.000-05:00

During the Christmas season, Lily, 4 1/2, ran by me into the bathroom. She went in, sat down, sang "Gloria in Excelsis Deo" several times, flushed the toilet and ran out.

Out of All the Sheep in the Sheepfold

2011-12-28T03:36:00.000-05:00

Frances planned our first prayer service, focusing on the Annunciation. After the reading, she invited everyone to bring to the prayer table something that spoke to her/him about Mary or angels. (She has been into angels for years.) I had planned to just watch quietly, but felt moved to get a sheep. Bekah chose the Annunciation Scripture booklet, Teresa the "Luke" book from the Bible material, and Danny the world and cross from the Gifts, because, "Christ came for the salvation of the world and forgiveness of sins." (Danny's family is involved in charismatic circles.) Keith chose the empty sheepfold, and explained, "Out of all the people in the world, God could have chosen anyone, but chose Mary as the one choice." And I had the sheep!

The Cross in the Manger

2011-12-25T03:11:00.001-05:00

The cross is rising out of the manger. The love from the cross chases away the darkness.

In Order of Importance

2011-12-21T03:29:00.001-05:00

Rex (age 9) was working with the figures from the Nativity and the Adoration of the Shepherds. He asked me to look at their arrangement: the Child Jesus was towards the front of the table, on the green felt representing the fields where the shepherds lived. The other figures were also on the green felt, in rows behind Jesus: first, Mary and Joseph; then, the angel and two shepherds; in the back row, the sheep and another shepherd. Rex said they were lined up in order of importance.
The catechist remarked, “It looks as though they are following him.” Rex lifted up the Christ Child to indicate that he could not yet move on his own and remarked, “He would be floating.” [The catechist was struck by this image of the nations following a child who was completely unable to move himself.] The catechist recalled, “It reminds me of the sheep following the Good Shepherd. Do you think this Child is the same Good Shepherd?” Rex said, “Yes.”
After a period of silence he said, “I have always wondered if God, who had no hands or arms or legs but who made the whole world, knew what he would look like when he came to earth.”

Look, Look, Look!

2011-12-18T03:27:00.000-05:00

Miriam, 3, stood up from working on the Adoration of the Wise Men exclaiming, "Look, look, look!" She held out the gold, frankincense and myrrh and announced, "I brought birthday presents for Jesus!"

Yes to a Birth, Yes to a Cross

2011-12-14T03:07:00.000-05:00

This is the front and back of the same page. The words are on the front, images on the back. The image at the lower right is Mary holding Jesus.

What Made Her So Special?

2011-12-11T03:25:00.000-05:00

During a lesson on praying the rosary, Beth, 11 asked, "Why pick Mary of all women? What made her so special? Do you suppose the same thing (the Annunciation) happened in another place where no one knew?"

Advent - For the Birds?

2011-12-07T03:21:00.000-05:00

A six-year old boy remarked, “Advent...it's like we're birds preparing our nests.”

Her Love is Bigger and Bigger

2011-12-04T03:19:00.000-05:00

During the reflection on the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth:
Q: What does Mary mean? (My soul magnifies the Lord...)
Becky, 6: Soul means love. Lord means Jesus. She means her love is bigger and bigger for Jesus.

True God to True God

2011-11-30T03:44:00.001-05:00

Prayers of Thanksgiving

2011-11-27T03:16:00.000-05:00

Some prayers of thanksgiving from a Level III atrium:

Thanks for all kinds of life and privileges to you-know-who. (me!)

I would like to thank you for giving me life, family, friends, shelter and food. Without them I would be nothing! I Love U!

Dear God and Jesus, Thank you for all of the love and all the luck that has happened and that we are healthy. (signed, Your Creation)

Thank you for the trees and flowers. Thank you for the beauty of the Earth. Thank you for making me alive.

Thank you for all the talents I have. I also thank you for my parents.

Thanks be to God!

2011-11-23T03:12:00.002-05:00

Maria set the Prayer Table. We then lit the candle and I asked her if there was anything she'd like to thank God for. She responded:
For kitty cats - Thanks be to God! (raising arms in air)
For the whole wide world - Thanks be to God!
For 160 years - Thanks be to God!
For 60 years - Thanks be to God!
For my whole world - Thanks be to God!
For the Holy Spirit in heaven - Thanks be to God!

A New Creation

2011-11-20T02:22:00.000-05:00

A lengthy discussion of the Kingdom of God took place mainly between two boys of the second grade. This was the outcome:
Nate, 8: It's like each one of us has a part of God in us - like a piece of puzzle. When we put ourselves together, we see God.
Benjamin, 8: Yeah! It's like Legos; you have all these separate Legos and no directions. But when you start getting them TOGETHER, you get a new creation.

2011-11-16T09:47:00.000-05:00

The third grade class created pictures and wrote scripture verses to make placemats for Kairos, a prison ministry:
With several different musical instruments dotting her page, Kaitlyn wrote, "God makes music with a prayer."
Quinn depicted God as a bearded man on the left side of his paper. On the right side was a man (the prisoner) wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with a peace symbol. Between God and the man was a large heart. Quinn's message read, "You are not alone. God is with you."

We're inside Jesus

2011-11-10T17:55:00.001-05:00

During the lesson on preparing the chalice, the catechist said: "The wine represents Jesus. (Pour a full wine cruet into chalice.) The water represents you and me. (Pour one drop of water into the wine.) Now, what could this mean for us?" Silence descended as they stared at what had just happened. Then they burst out: "We're inside Jesus...We disappear; we're gone...Yes...No, we're still us...We become Jesus...No one can take us out of Jesus!"

I am listening SOOO carefully

2011-11-02T09:13:00.000-05:00

Catechist asked: How do we know when the Gospel is read in church?
Kelvin answered: Because I am listening sooo carefully to hear what Jesus wants me to do.
(Catechist later commented, “All I was looking for was, 'because the big gold book gets carried into the aisle’!”)

2011-10-30T09:44:00.000-05:00

The two drawings are the year by year comparison of the same artwork done by the same girl in different years

The first done at age three.
The second, with written labels, done at age 6.

So Beautiful...I can hardly stand it.

2011-10-26T09:10:00.000-05:00

Kyle, age 4, had never seen the atrium before. On his first visit, he walked to the center of the room, quietly gazing at the liturgy shelf, altar/sacristy, prayer table, baptism, etc., then took a deep sigh and said, "Oh, this is so beautiful - I can hardly stand it."

Bad Guys

2011-10-23T09:42:00.000-05:00

Eric, age six said, "The people are happy to see God's light, even the bad guys." The two on the right without smiles are the bad guys.

God is a gift to us

2011-10-19T09:15:00.000-05:00

Robbie, 6, during a conversation about epiclesis and offering and the meaning of the priest’s hands going up and down: “God is a gift to us; we are a gift to God.”

2011-10-16T09:36:00.000-05:00

The child said of his drawing, "The sheep is full of light--Jesus' light. It sparkles as it walks." He made a sparkle gesture with his hands.

He knew them by Heart

2011-10-12T09:12:00.000-05:00

Catechist asked, "How can the Good Shepherd tell all the sheep apart?"
Child answered, "He knew them by heart."

Afraid of the Dark

2011-10-09T09:34:00.000-05:00

Jenae told her catechist she was afraid of the dark.

Wash the Dark Clouds

2011-10-06T09:08:00.000-05:00

During the Baptism presentation Nick, age 5, said, "Water helps wash the dark clouds inside of you away."

A little more wind to spread the seeds

2011-09-14T16:08:00.000-05:00

Kevin, 5, was meditating on the Mystery of Life and Death. He drew the process of seed to fruit, then drew the seed again. He explained, "I made the wheat going through metamorphosis. Then the process starts all over again. It's the same with animals." He added sun, rain and lightning to the drawing and titled it, "A seed is a piece of cake." When I wondered if he had finished, he replied, "I just need [to draw] a little more wind to spread the seeds."

Triple Thumbs up!

2011-09-11T16:07:00.000-05:00

Caleb, 5, had meditated at the City of Jerusalem. When asked about his meditation he explained, "God traveled up to my brain to give me more suggestions." When I wondered how that felt, Caleb replied, "A triple thumbs up!"

The Good Shepherd is keeping his eye on him

2011-09-07T16:05:00.000-05:00

I was presenting the Good Shepherd Parable to Otto, who had missed the presentation with the larger group. Whenever possible I like to work with a child one on one with his material. We reread the Scripture, with Otto moving the figures. At the end, he chose not to move the sheep back to the sheepfold. He kept the group of sheep with the Good Shepherd, off to one side. Then he took one sheep from the group and moved it away from the others, and then into the sheepfold, alone. I asked him, "...this sheep is not with the others?" He said, "The sheep doesn't want to be with the others right now." He thought a moment and added, " But the Good Shepherd is keeping his eye on him anyway."

I love you

2011-09-04T16:04:00.000-05:00

Ursula and I did the Good Shepherd on Friday. After reading the line "the sheep know his voice," I mused, "I wonder what that voice sounded like. I wonder what it was like." Then I heard Ursula whisper, "I love you."

These are pictures of God!

2011-08-31T16:02:00.000-05:00

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

2011-08-28T15:59:00.001-05:00

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

2011-08-24T15:57:00.000-05:00

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

2011-08-21T15:54:00.000-05:00

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

2011-08-17T15:52:00.001-05:00

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...

2011-08-14T15:43:00.000-05:00

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

2011-08-10T15:48:00.000-05:00

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

2011-08-07T16:34:00.000-05:00

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!

2011-08-03T15:37:00.001-05:00

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.)

2011-07-31T16:33:00.000-05:00

Kelly, 5, made a booklet during the atrium session based on the Hidden Treasure. Each page was illustrated with a person at the bottom except the page on which he wrote, "He sold all he had and then joy came to him." This page had a happy sheep drawn on the bottom.

My treasure is God

2011-07-27T16:31:00.000-05:00

After presenting the Hidden Treasure to a small group of children I asked them what would be their treasure? They told me jewels, gold, bracelets, and rings. One child, Javier, rose up and walked a little distance then turned and told me, "Don't you know what my treasure is? It's in the clouds." I asked him what could that be. He answered, "Don't you know that my treasure is God?"

Every molecule is the Kingdom of God

2011-07-24T16:30:00.000-05:00

Kurt, 6, was receiving the presentation of the Pearl of Great Price, after receiving the presentation of the Leaven the week before. When I wondered how the Pearl could be like the Kingdom, he spoke of the Leaven and said, "Its power is rising." Then he spoke of pearls under the sea and concluded, "Every molecule is the Kingdom of God."

2011-07-20T16:29:00.000-05:00

Lighting a baptismal candle after working with the Leaven, Will said, "Look, the flame rose, just like the leaven!"

So happy he cried

2011-07-17T16:28:00.000-05:00

When I wondered with Ben, 4, how the merchant felt when he bought the Pearl of Great price, Ben replied, "Happy, so happy that he cried."

...Heaven has Everything...

2011-07-13T16:27:00.000-05:00

"He (the Merchant) sold everything, even his table, to buy the pearl, but the pearl is heaven and heaven has everything...."

He'll get everything he needs from God

2011-07-10T16:26:00.000-05:00

While discussing the Pearl of Great Price a child asked: What will the merchant do NOW for food and light? Since he sold EVERYTHING.
Chris: He'll get everything he needs from God.

The Power for God

2011-07-06T16:24:00.000-05:00

During the reflection on the mustard seed, Willow said, "The power of God makes the seed grow."

2011-07-03T16:23:00.001-05:00

After reading the Mustard Seed scripture booklet together, David, 4, said, "I want to take a seed home and tell my mom we're going to plant it." When I wondered how that seed would grow, he said, "Sun and water." When I wondered, "If we gave a rock sun and water, would it grow?" he said, "No!" Then we wondered more about how seeds grow and what the seed tells us about the Kingdom of God.

The Mustard Seed

2011-06-28T16:21:00.001-05:00

Sam, 5, said, "You know that little mustard seed? Well, I've been in an airplane and EVERYTHING looks little. But it's not as little as it looks. It's REALLY big. I think this is like that."

2011-05-08T15:12:00.001-05:00

During Holy Week Simone, just turned 4, "Poured" the crucifix into the chalice and "drank" it.

2011-05-05T15:21:00.000-05:00

At the Baptism area, Nigel (age 9) re-told the story of Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection, and the spreading of His light, while lighting, extinguishing and re-lighting the paschal candle, and then lighting a small individual candle. He then told the catechist: “I came here one day by myself and prayed. I thanked God for creation because that’s the greatest gift of all.” Then, recalling the recent Advent prophecies, he added, “And for the little place too (Bethlehem).”

It doesn't matter how big the darkness is...

2011-05-01T15:31:00.001-05:00

This is a conversation between two young boys, about the power of the Resurrection.

Xavier, 6: See that candle? (the Paschal Candle) It's Jesus and God. There's at least 50,000 darkness out here and only one light. And that light challenged the darkness and won.

Scott, 5: When Jesus was killed on the cross, his light got snuffed. But when he rose, it was like his light lit up a pile of firewood--and the light was MUCH stronger. Everyone was amazed!

Xavier: It doesn't matter how big the darkness is, it can't put out the light. But even one little candle can light up this dark room.

I'd throw a party

2011-04-27T16:39:00.001-05:00

At the end of the Cenacle work when I announce that we know that Jesus rose three days after he died, Marina, age 4, said, "If Jesus rose, I'd throw a party."

Risen!

2011-04-24T15:37:00.000-05:00

A ten-year-old who had been in the atrium for years, painted this reflection on Resurrection. He chose to cover the cross in the true vine.

Risen!

2011-04-24T15:36:00.001-05:00

A ten-year-old who had been in the atrium for years, painted this reflection on Resurrection. He chose to cover the cross in the true vine.

2011-04-20T17:01:00.000-05:00

At the end of the scripture reading for the Cenacle work, as we talked about how Jesus was arrested that night and died the next day, Tillie, age 3, placed the model of the crucifix on top of the model of the cup (which Jesus said held his blood). After I wondered if Jesus knew he would be arrested, she replied, "yes."

2011-04-17T14:58:00.000-05:00

Dalia, age 3, has been fascinated with the Last Supper (Cenacle) presentation and asked for it on perhaps six successive weeks. When it was presented to her each time, the figures of Jesus and the twelve were taken one by one from their box as they were brought into the upper room and put around the table. Dalia, however, when working alone with the material always carefully lined the figures up behind Jesus and moved them in and out of the room in this way. I finally realized that she was connecting them with the Good Shepherd story and later noticed her move the figures both in the Good Shepherd parable and Cenacle the same way. She had discovered a great theological truth!

2011-04-13T05:05:00.001-05:00

Jayna, age 4, and Talia, age 3, were working with the Women at the Tomb. They were in animated conversation. I overheard Jayna ask, “Where is the king?” while moving a figure to look into the tomb. Talia responded, “I saw baby Jesus in the manager.” While others were singing “Mary had a Baby,” they raised up the figures of the women called Mary. Jayna then asked to sing, “Angel came to Mary” and raised up the figure of the angel.

2011-04-10T16:26:00.000-05:00

Natalie, age 3, joined a group of us to sing "Jesus" at the model of the altar. As we sang "He rose," she exclaimed, "He rose means Jesus came back!" Later on she was working with the model of the Cenacle on her own. I noticed that she had placed the velvet lining from the box on top of the lid from the box and one figure on top of the lining. When I asked her why she chose to do so, she said, "He is on a blanket on a bed. He is baby Jesus wrapped in...what do you call it?" I asked her if she meant swaddling and she said yes and rolled the velvet lining around the figure.

He never died again

2011-04-06T15:14:00.000-05:00

After the presentation of Jerusalem, a group of 5-year-olds were invited to sing. At first the children chose a song, but then they decided to write one. These are their lyrics:
Jesus is great.
Jesus died.
He rose from the dead.
He came back alive.
He's the only one who came back alive.
He never died again.

We were just a few....

2011-04-03T15:05:00.001-05:00

During the presentation of the Cenacle, wooden figures of the apostles and Jesus are gathered around a table as the catechist reads the story of the Last Supper. As the catechist lit the candle to read the Scripture, Edwin said, looking at the disciples around the table with Jesus, "We were just a few and now we are so many."

2011-03-30T17:32:00.000-05:00

During a review of Good Shepherd presentation at the beginning of the new school year:
Q: "What do you already know about the Good Shepherd?"
Krista, age 6: A long time before Jesus was on the earth, the Jewish people were slaves in Egypt. God and Moses did plagues on Pharoah and the Egyptians, and the worst one was the Death Angel. The Death Angel flew over the houses that had the blood of the lamb on the doorpost, but all the first born sons of the Egyptians died. Even Pharoah's own son. But when Jesus came to earth and lived out love, and died on the cross and rose up on Easter, the Death Angel lost his power forever."

2011-03-27T17:22:00.000-05:00

Hank, age 4, was having a lesson on the Found Sheep. He explained that he wanted to pray “The sheep had greatness,” and then he began to sing:
“The sheep had greatness. The shepherd found the sheep. The sheep was happy. And the shepherd called all his friends and neighbors. He called out, ‘Sing joy with me. Sing joy!’ And believe in my sheep and all of the sheep is in God’s heart.”

Found Sheep

2011-03-23T16:55:00.000-05:00

Natalia, age 4, was receiving the presentation on the Found Sheep for the first time. When I wondered what the Good Shepherd would do when he realized that one sheep was missing, Natalia replied, "Run out!" She picked up the figure of the Good Shepherd and took it quickly to the figure of the missing sheep, then explained, "Pick up the sheep and put it back in the sheepfold."

2011-03-20T16:53:00.001-05:00

At the beginning of the Good Shepherd presentation, Natalia, age 4, said that the shepherd cares for his sheep by "naming, loving, and leading them." After we read the scripture booklet, she said that the Good Shepherd is Jesus and that one of the sheep is named "Mister."

2011-03-16T16:43:00.000-05:00

Lenora, age 5, had just received the presentation on the Found Sheep. She asked to sing the Good Shepherd song (a song that I've been working on writing and had shared a bit with her). We sang together and then she suggested that the song needed more verses. She suggested, "I love the sheep, and the sheep love me" and we sang this. She then began to meditate on the Good Shepherd. For the next hour she meditated and periodically come to me to offer another "verse" for the song. These were the verses:
* "Everybody's a family.
* Everybody in the green tree is a family.
* All the birds that sing are in the family.
* Everybody that are animals are in the family.
* Everything that sings is part of me.
* All the trees I see is a part of me.
* And I love green beans.
* And I love all the twinkles in the trees.
* And I love green beans.
* And I love all the monkeys in the trees."
Upon finishing her meditation, she gave me her "book" with a freehand drawing of "God" and two tracings each of the Good Shepherd and the sheep.
The next day, Lenora chose to work with the Good Shepherd again. While meditating, she again offered me more verses: "I love smelling flowers. I love taking showers (that rhymes)" and later, "God has lots of power." She gave me her meditation tracing of a sheep with many lines and circles all around it. Lenora explained that it is "The Protected Sheep" with "like a bubble around it."

"He calls them happy"

2011-03-13T16:47:00.000-05:00

Mariana, age 5, was working with the Good Shepherd. When I wondered how Jesus had responded when asked "Who are you?" Mariana explained that Jesus said, "I am the Good Shepherd." When I wondered what shepherds do, she explained, "Take care of the sheep. Give them food and give them water." When I wondered how the Good Shepherd calls the sheep, she replied, "he calls them happy" and added while pointing to the sheep, "these are all the family of sheep." When I wondered later what the Good Shepherd's voice sounds like, she replied, "Jesus' voice. Mary and Joseph wanted to have a baby." She then meditated on the Good Shepherd.

Shalom

2011-03-09T16:51:00.001-05:00

Nia, age 3, was working with the Good Shepherd. As she moved the figure of the Good Shepherd, she sang "shalom, shalom, shalom..." to herself. She seemed content.

"We have to get our hearts ready."

2011-03-06T17:07:00.000-05:00

When another student was receiving a presentation on The Wedding Banquet (Matthew 22:1-13), Eli, age 7, said about the clothes, "Oh, Jesus was talking about getting ready for God's kingdom and we have to get our hearts ready."

Daughter of God

2011-03-02T17:13:00.000-05:00

Natalia, age 6, was working with the Maxim, "Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit". She explained, "This [maxim] makes me feel like the Daughter of God."

Open the door

2011-03-02T17:10:00.000-05:00

Reflecting on the parable of the Ten Bridesmaids, I wondered what the work is that we're preparing to do. Joseph, age 8, said, "Opening up the door to everyone."

2011-02-27T17:27:00.000-05:00

I was giving the presentation of The Wedding Banquet. I told them to listen carefully so they could tell me what Jesus was trying to tell us about the Kingdom of Heaven. They listened intently. So intently, that one 8-year-old said when I had finished, that he needed to hear it again. He also asked me exactly what "binding hand and foot" really meant. So we went through the whole presentation again. Then we thought about it, and they children were very good at thinking through what Jesus meant. However, the little fellow still looked very concerned. Finally, he asked me if we could add another figure to the story--The figure of a queen. Intrigued by his thought pattern, I asked why. He was very clear. "Well, you see, if there had been a queen, she'd have given the fellow who showed up without a wedding robe a second chance."

2011-02-23T17:35:00.001-05:00

During a discussion about the True Vine, suddenly Nathan, age 6, began talking about the sheepfold and he said this:
"The sheepfold, you know, it's just a holding place. We don't belong here. We belong with God and we're going back to God. This is just where God sends us to learn."

2011-02-20T17:16:00.000-05:00

Reflecting on the Hidden Treasure, I asked, "What is treasure?" Children mentioned favorite toys or stuffed animals. Alexa, age 7, responded, "God's love."

Heaven grows inside of us

2011-02-16T17:04:00.000-05:00

When doing The Leaven and a clay extension work for meditation Darla, age 6, commented, "When we want to go to Parousia, the leaven will take us." She also connected that heaven grows inside of us like the flour and the yeast. And she said, "And heaven has someone new - my Uncle." She said it with a feeling of relief.

2011-02-14T16:58:00.000-05:00

While receiving the presentation on the Kingdom of God and the Mustard Seed, Nellie, age 3, exclaimed, "and you water it! And it grows into trees, flowers, carrots and tomatoes!" and then she shot her hands above her head. She carefully held the mustard seed in her hand, and wide-eyed talked of the "big tree" that would grow. We prayed the song "This Tiny Seed" together, and then Nellie gave thanks for "flowers."

The MOST

2011-01-30T05:17:00.000-05:00

On the Pearl of Great Price:
Taylor was reflecting on the parable of The Kingdom of Heaven and the Pearl of Great Price, and how the merchant gave all he had for one precious pearl. Taylor said, "It SEEMS like he went for the least. But he went for the MOST."

2011-01-26T05:13:00.000-05:00

During the presentation on the Kingdom of God and the Mustard Seed, while looking at the mustard seed, Sam, age 2, spoke of babies and of having been a baby. Later he prayed, “thank you, thank you, thank you God for the mustard seed.” He then chose to take a seed home with him.

"Heaven has everything"

2011-01-23T05:25:00.000-05:00

Paul, age 4 said, "He (the Merchant) sold everything even his table to buy the pearl, but the pearl is heaven and heaven has everything...."

2011-01-19T05:02:00.000-05:00

When doing The Leaven with another child, Jenna, age 7, said, ”The Leaven rose like Jesus going to the Kingdom of Heaven.” After doing The Leaven work again later, she enjoyed a new meditation work using clay and formed a table with the bread on it. She said “The leaven grows and the Kingdom of Heaven grows and my bones grow.” She also wondered about heaven, “If it had towns for all the people and each town had a grain of leaven, it would use the hair and skin of God and everything would grow and be made of God.”

2011-01-16T05:00:00.000-05:00

Reflecting on the Hidden Treasure, I asked, “What is treasure?” Children mentioned favorite toys or stuffed animals. Kyle, age 6, explained that treasure is something to share with everyone else.

Pour Goodness into Herod

2011-01-12T04:29:00.000-05:00

Flora, age 7, was working with the Leaven. She had prepared two bowls of flour and water--one with yeast and one without--in order to meditate on how the Kingdom of Heaven is like the leaven. Her catechist wondered how the dough with the leaven in it could be like the Kingdom of God. Pointing back and forth between the two bowls, she said:

(bowl with leaven)“Power, (bowl without leaven)No Power;
(bowl with leaven)Love (bowl without leaven)Less love;
(bowl with leaven)A big heart, a big family;
(bowl with leaven)“Bright, like God;(bowl without leaven)Dark, like Herod” (earlier in the day, she had had the presentation on the Flight into Egypt)
(bowl with leaven)Big world;(bowl without leaven)Tiny, tiny world
(bowl with leaven)Bread and wine;(bowl without leaven)Water and candy, cause candy’s not good for you.”
The following week, she asked about Herod, “Why would he kill a baby?” Flora was again working with the Leaven. She said, “I wish I could pour this in [the leavened dough into the unleavened]…pour goodness into Herod.”

He would need his power now...

2011-01-09T05:00:00.000-05:00

During a "review" of Good Shepherd presentation at the beginning of the new school year:
Q: What do you already know about the Good Shepherd?"
Barney, age 6: "The Good Shepherd was Jesus. When Jesus decided to leave heaven and come down to earth, the angels held his power for him. And on the day when he went down under the water to get baptized, those angels brought him down his power and sprinkled it all through him like glitter, because they knew he would need his power now."

"Because He's God"

2011-01-05T04:16:00.000-05:00

When I wondered why the Wise Men brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, to a baby, Krysta, age 5, answered, “because he’s God.”

He told them how he loved

2011-01-02T04:21:00.000-05:00

To my question of the Simeon and Anna could have known who Jesus was among all the people in the Temple when Jesus was presented there as a child, Nadia, age 4, responded, Maybe when he was in heaven before coming into his mommy’s tummy, he talked to them and told them how he loved.”

2010-12-29T04:19:00.000-05:00

After reading the Adoration of the Wise Men scripture booklet with Nadia, age 4, I wondered why this baby was so special. She responded, “because he’ll bring peace to the world.” She asked to sing, “This Little Light.” When I wondered what the light was that we sang about, she responded, “God.”

"...goodwill to all"

2010-12-29T04:02:00.000-05:00

The catechist had just read, "...good will to all men" when Theo's eyes got large with awe and he turned from the figures to the child next to him named Will and said, "You were there when baby Jesus was born?"

This is Jesus and this is his Light

2010-12-25T06:24:00.000-05:00

This is Jesus and this is his light. And this is Mary and she's very happy. And this is Joseph and the shepherd with his stick. And this is the angel." by Olivia, age 5

"Everything is so humble!"

2010-12-22T04:07:00.000-05:00

We were meditating on the Nativity and the visit of the shepherds in the elementary atrium. Suddenly, Isabela (age 6) blurts out, “It's all so humble! The baby, Mary, the manger, the shepherds … everything is so humble!” This was said in a most heartfelt way.

2010-12-15T06:17:00.001-05:00

During a group presentation on the Nativity, Uri age 5 was reluctant to join the presentation, but drew this picture nearby.

Nativity by Nieva, age 5

2010-12-12T06:10:00.000-05:00

Say a joyful Noise

2010-12-08T06:08:00.000-05:00

Kieran, 5, made a prayer book during the atrium session to bring to bed with him every night.
p. 1 "This is Jesus.
My prayer is that Jesus is with us."
(Picture of Jesus in the stable at Bethlehem.)

p. 2 "This is Mary and Jesus.
Say a joyful noise."
(Picture of Mary and Jesus in the stable.)

p. 3 "This is Joseph.
Thank you for Jesus."
(no picture)

"Let every little heart prepare our room"

2010-12-05T06:03:00.000-05:00

From Talia's mother:
We sang a lot at home and Talia loved singing Christmas carols the year she was three. 'Joy to the World" was such a favorite that for a couple weeks we added it to her bedtime lullabies. However she insisted on a word change as follows: instead of "Let every heart prepare him room", she (and we) would sing, "Let every little heart prepare our room." I thought perhaps it was sung this way in her atrium at school, but apparently not. It says a lot to me about her feeling at "home" and claiming space (collectively) at school..."little" hearts are important, and "our" room is special.

"The People who Walked in Darkness"

2010-12-02T17:59:00.002-05:00

After giving a lesson on the Nativity, I asked the children, "What do you think the shepherds said when they saw Jesus?" Elijah, age 3, answered, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light." Natalie, age 3, said that if she was a shepherd who came to see Jesus, she would sing a song to Him.