The Road to Emmaus

At the age of 13, the first year after Lizzy completed CGS, she was asked to share a reflection on the reading of the journey to Emmaus for the liturgy at her Confirmation retreat:

Good evening.
We share a similar journey as the disciples journey to Emmaus. We have been told of Jesus' death and resurrection, yet we try to understand its meaning. Sometimes we are confused by it, much like Jesus'disciples. We have read the Bible and learned about Jesus'teachings yet we remain blind. And although each of us has experienced the Lord's presence in our own life, have we learned to truly recognize Jesus?

The spiritual journeys we take as Christians are indeed journeys from blindness to sight. And we must rely upon the gift of discernment to aid us as we walk towards God.

There is a contrast between the women at the tomb and the disciples' response to Jesus' resurrection. The women did not see Jesus, but understood that the angel was sent by god and had accurately proclaimed that Jesus had risen. However, the disciples were chided for their disbelief and confronted with the scriptures by Jesus himself. Yet they could not understand the truth. Finally when Jesus shared a meal with them, their eyes were opened and they understood. Then Jesus left the disciples to marvel at the events of that day.

Let us come together as we prepare for our confirmation and share in the Paschal Mystery.

Meditation with the Sand Labyrinth

From a catechist: "I decided to present the sand labyrinth to my Level 2 children. They each took a turn "walking" through the labyrinth and then later, I asked about their experience with it. One child said it felt weird but good.

"Another seven-year-old said it reminded her of Jesus. I asked in what way. She said, 'Well, going in made me think of Jesus as He carried his cross through Jerusalem. In the center was like where He was crucified with those two other guys. Coming out made me think of His time in the tomb and when I finally got out, it was like Jesus' coming to life again.'"

The Nails Do Not Hold Him

A simple cross was drawn with nails in it, but no Jesus. I asked where Jesus was and seven-year-old Kurt replied, "The Nails did not hold Him," followed by silence.

First Communion Meditation Drawing

For his first communion preparation, 8-year-old Gabriel drew this as a meditation.

The Table Where Everyone Can Eat

During children's chapel, which takes place in the Level One atrium, we read the story of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31). After our discussion a six-year-old child went to get the Last Supper material and told us all "This is a table where everyone can eat. (The child had seen the last Supper material the previous spring.)

Lenten Booklet

Seven-year-old Derrick created these pictures as a three page lenten book. His words say, "God is good to me and evrey bodey." Then , "God made me speshel."

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?"
Katherine: 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."