Title: Catechetical Process with Richard Grebenc SESSION 4
1Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 Topics
- Appreciate the spiritual capacity of children
- Define family and methods of family catechesis
2Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 1. Appreciate the
spiritual capacity of children
- CHAPTER 1 THE QUESTIONS OF THE CHILD
- Children have many questions, especially about
the mystery of life, death, and the voice that
calls us to life - Hunger for God that is filled by the gospel
(especially the parables) and the liturgy - Covenant relationship (which is personal) between
God and child stressed - Questions are serious liturgy and Bible, in
content and form, match their intellectual
capacities and deepest needs
The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12
Years Old pp. 1-12
3Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 1. Appreciate the
spiritual capacity of children
- CHAPTER 2 TIME AND THE BIBLE
- God is the constant in time and history
- Succession of events bound together by a 'golden
thread' which is God's plan - In order to find oneself at home in reality, a
person must be oriented in time/history. The
biblical message, so solidly rooted in history,
has shown itself to be a perfectly suited 'tool'
for this need. Therefore, it does not surprise
us that the child reaches for this 'tool' with
such total involvement. In the magnificence and
wholeness of its development, biblical history
has proven to correspond exactly to the spiritual
and psychological needs of the child. Thus, it
serves as a fit instrument for liberating the
child's interior energies.
The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12
Years Old pp. 13-19
4Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 1. Appreciate the
spiritual capacity of children
- CHAPTER 3 THE GLOBALITY OF BIBLICAL HISTORY
- Bible narrates one long history, one which we
have entered - God gives history its unitary character
- One of the most formative aspects of this
approach to history, both for the children and
the catechists, pertains to the contrast between
the immensity of history and our own smallness
within it. As we experience this contrast,
conflicting emotions are stirred within us. We
feel, at the same time, both very small and very
great. The vastness of the reality we've entered
in our moment in history makes us aware of our
smallness. Yet, at the same time, our
'lowliness' is exalted in the realization that we
are part of such a great reality.
The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12
Years Old pp. 20-26
5Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 1. Appreciate the
spiritual capacity of children
- CHAPTER 4 A HISTORY OF THE COVENANT (PART I)
- Because God's covenant gift is meant to
establish a relationship, it is of uppermost
importance that we pause to ponder the gift. In
so doing, we allow ourselves to be drawn to the
giver in an attitude of wonder and amazement.
Our eyes and hearts are opened, and, with
unexpected delight, we are able to see the gift
for what it is. This wonder and amazement is the
recipient's first response toward the gift. It
simultaneously opens the recipient to the
initiative of the giver, as well as to the
enjoyment of the gift. This response involves
the whole person in a deeply satisfying encounter
of the other. Furthermore, this very experience
of delight and wonder establishes the
relationship and will have the greatest impact on
the subsequent behavior of the recipient in
response to the giver.
The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12
Years Old pp. 27-32
6Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 1. Appreciate the
spiritual capacity of children
- CHAPTER 4 A HISTORY OF THE COVENANT (PART I)
(cont.) - Important to be positive so as not to deprive
life of meaning and hope - Thus, we give the children time to linger over
the 'good in the world' so they will have what
they need for dealing with the evil that is also
there, without becoming overwhelmed by it.
The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12
Years Old pp. 27-32
7Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 1. Appreciate the
spiritual capacity of children
- CHAPTER 5 A HISTORY OF THE COVENANT (PART II)
- Older children 6-12 years old respond with
wonder and complete absorption when pondering
theological interpretations of time and history.
Our observations of their responses have led us
to firmly believe that the 'food' they require in
their search to find their place in reality is
theological in nature. Montessori's comment
regarding the child's thirst for knowledge was
that 'there is even some doubt that the universe
itself is enough.' Indeed, it it not enough,
because the world as we know it is not all there
is. The thirst of the older child, like that of
the younger child, is a theological thirst. The
thirst of the human being is a theological
thirst.
The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12
Years Old pp. 33-41
8Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 1. Appreciate the
spiritual capacity of children
- CHAPTER 6 HISTORICAL EVENTS AND THE TYPOLOGICAL
READING OF SCRIPTURE - The Bible is a powerful instrument for opening
the mind, but it must be given to the children as
it is actually written. Children's Bibles seek
to make the Bible's contents more understandable,
but the work of reducing and rewording the
scriptural text succeeds only in impoverishing it
and robbing it of its power to engage the
listener. - Big picture first, then focus on individual
events - Focus should be taken from 'the lectionary
which gives preference to the great moments in
the history of salvation.'
The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12
Years Old pp. 42-52
9Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 1. Appreciate the
spiritual capacity of children
- CHAPTER 6 HISTORICAL EVENTS AND THE TYPOLOGICAL
READING OF SCRIPTURE (CONT.) - For the children, the distance in time between
biblical events and the present is not
problematic. They readily establish links
between past and present events because of the
similarities of those events. Thus, we witness a
form of typological exegesis being formulated in
the minds of the children. - The events that have preceded us in the history
of salvation must be understood in their
historical reality and in light of the faith
experience of God's people past, present, and
future. - History of salvation unfolding three great
moments the past (Old Testament), the present
(redemption in Christ continuing to this day),
and future (parousia when Christ will come again)
The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12
Years Old pp. 42-52
10Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 1. Appreciate the
spiritual capacity of children
- CHAPTER 7 THE COVENANT IN THE PARABLES
- Parable of the True Vine (John 15), for example,
brings out intense, profound insights - Children's responses can amaze us, but must
remember that relationship with God is not a
luxury for the privileged...it is a privilege
granted to every man, woman, and child. - It is a privilege that the child lives with full
spontaneity and naturalness - Often will combine parables in amazing and
insightful ways (e.g., interspersing of vines and
sheep)
The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12
Years Old pp. 53-57
11Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 1. Appreciate the
spiritual capacity of children
- CHAPTER 8 WHY LITURGY?
- Children need to be initiated into liturgy so
that the biblical message it celebrates might
retain all its richness and concreteness. - Liturgy shows us all how the word has been
lived throughout time. - Children often easily interpret parables from a
liturgical perspective (e.g., parable of hidden
treasure vs. tabernacle, pearl of great value vs.
the cross, God who gives gifts vs. the Eucharist)
The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12
Years Old pp. 58-63
12Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 1. Appreciate the
spiritual capacity of children
- CHAPTER 9 OUR LIVING OF HISTORY (PART
I LITURGY THE MYSTERY OF FAITH) - The 'mystery of faith' (Christ has died, Christ
is risen, Christ will come again) is the heart of
the Christian life, and we must transmit it to
every Christian child as the most precious
treasure we can offer -- Christ is stronger than
death - Meditation on Eucharistic presence (concrete
theology) - liturgical sign bread wine words of Mystery
of Faith - biblical narrative of events
- seek to discover meaning of biblical texts
- ponder liturgical element in light of discoveries
in 2 3
The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12
Years Old pp. 64-72
13Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 1. Appreciate the
spiritual capacity of children
- CHAPTER 10 OUR LIVING OF HISTORY
- (PART II LITURGY SACRAMENT OF COSMIC UNITY)
- 'Synthesis of the Mass' allows the children to
see how the individual moments fit together and
form a unified celebration - Missal gradually built with prayers
corresponding to moments - Great realities should be expressed with
simplicity -- allow liturgical signs to do most
of the talking
The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12
Years Old pp. 73-83
14Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 1. Appreciate the
spiritual capacity of children
- CHAPTER 11 OUR LIVING HISTORY (PART
III THE MORAL LIFE) - Our pathway must be in sync with the history
that has preceded us and the future we await.
And we need help to stay on this pathway in our
daily lives. We have to know the rules that
build the community and sustain it on its
journey. - Children of six years and older have a
remarkable interest in rules. Theirs is not a
superficial or merely intellectual interest
rather it is rooted in a deep psychological and
existential need. If I do not know the rules
that govern my world, I cannot live in it, or at
least I will live poorly in it. If, for example,
I do not know the laws of gravity and jump out
the window, I will probably kill myself. In
their search for ways to live outside the laws of
gravity, astronauts must understand the new rules
of the new spaces they explore. Moral order does
not exist in a vacuum all of life is governed by
laws that reflect an underlying order.
The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12
Years Old pp. 84-96
15Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 1. Appreciate the
spiritual capacity of children
- CHAPTER 11 OUR LIVING HISTORY
- (PART III THE MORAL LIFE) (cont.)
- To provide children with moral norms is not to
burden them with a collection of arbitrary rules
rather, it is to help them enter deeply into
realityhelping the child means helping him find
his own place in the cosmic order -- God is
reality, love - Norms are like pathways that help us on our
journey in the world. These pathways must be
presented in such a way that we are invited and
inspired to always go farther. - Parables are instruments of moral education
show what God would do (e.g., prodigal son) or
how God thinks (e.g., prayer of the Pharisee vs.
the prayer of the tax collector) - Relate to commitment to the moral life in our
daily lives - Work with parables never finished over the
years we return to parables again again, and
the children continue to discover new meanings in
them that correspond to their growing needs.
The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12
Years Old pp. 84-96
16Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 1. Appreciate the
spiritual capacity of children
- CHAPTER 12 MORAL LIFE AND LITURGY (PART
I SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION) - God's fidelity and the constancy of His love
stand out most when children hear parables of
mercy (e.g., forgive 70 x 7 times) - Preparation for first confession should be
intertwined with first Eucharist, with a number
of meditations and retreats stressed as an
important preparation (including daily Mass) if
possible - Start with meditating on the True Vine (John
151-10) and then lower sights to our own
sinfulness - God loves us always do we return that love?
- What holes must we acknowledge in order for
God to fill them - Parables read, pondered, discussed focus on
God's mercy - Begin with the positive -- help them look at the
light within and around them, to see how
beautiful the light would be if it were allowed
to fully shine.
The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12
Years Old pp. 97-112
17Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 1. Appreciate the
spiritual capacity of children
- CHAPTER 13 MORAL LIFE LITURGY (PART II
EUCHARIST) - Focus on Eucharist as gift
- Bible and liturgy are not two separate entities.
Rather they are two distinct moments of one,
lived reality. - Liturgy is a moment of particular intensity in
history and in the whole of reality - God is in the little and weak like the Host
- Our Amen opens us to this reality, and many more
The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12
Years Old pp. 113-122
18Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 1. Appreciate the
spiritual capacity of children
- CHAPTER 14 THE CONTINUUM OF CATECHESIS
- The spirit of ecumenism must permeate the whole
of catechesis. - Covenant between God and man contains within it
an urgent solicitation to unity - Particular emphasis should be placed on
relationship of Christians and Jews (our elder
brother) - We both are awaiting the coming of the Messiah
The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12
Years Old pp. 123-130
19Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 1. Appreciate the
spiritual capacity of children
- CONCLUSION
- Seek to make known 'what can be known about
God' through - Recounting the history of God's universal plan
know God's kingdom - Familiarization with the liturgy -- encounter
with and knowledge of God - Open their eyes to the most basic elements of
reality -- stir curiosity - Establish...progressive and personal dialog
between God and God's creature - The word we proclaim does not in any way
belong to us. Jesus' words educate catechists to
live their mission in the joy of having a gift
placed in their empty hands.
The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12
Years Old pp. 131-132
20Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 1. Appreciate the
spiritual capacity of children
- QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION
- Review the last slide How have you made known to
your students what can be known about God?
What has Cavalletti taught you that you might be
able to use in the future? -- for small group
discussion and then share with the rest of the
class
21Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 2. Define family
and methods of family catechesis
- THE FAMILY IN GODS PLAN THE FAMILY AND SOCIETY
- Also see Appendix D Good Catechesis Starts at
Home - Family
- Man and woman united in marriage, together with
children - Instituted by God
- Domestic church community of faith, hope, and
charity - Privileged community eager cooperation of
spouses in children's upbringing - Family life is an initiation into society
- The family must be helped and defended by
appropriate social measures - Let's read para. 2210 of particular relevance
in these times
Catechism of the Catholic Church paras. 2201-2213
22Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 2. Define family
and methods of family catechesis
- THE DUTIES OF PARENTS
- The right and the duty of parents to educate
their children are primordial and inalienable. - They educate their children to fulfill God's
law - Parents have the first responsibility for the
education of their children - The home is well suited for education in the
virtues - Parents have a grave responsibility to give good
example to their children - Parents receive the responsibility and
privilege of evangelizing their children - Family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and
enriches other forms of instruction in the faith - Parents should welcome and respond with joy and
thanksgiving the Lord's call to one of their
children and follow him in virginity for the sake
of the Kingdom in the consecrated life or in
priestly ministry.
Catechism of the Catholic Church paras. 2221-2233
23Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 2. Define family
and methods of family catechesis
- FAMILY AND HOME IN THE UNITED STATES
- The impact of parents is primary among the
human factors which influence catechetical
process. - Church (especially parish) should provide
intensified support system for family life - Changes in families (fragmentation, isolation,
structural chgs) - Divorce many children not living with both
natural parents - One parent families divorce, desertion, births
outside marriage - Unwed mothers
- Families where both parents work -- latchkey
children - Family size dramatic decline in child-bearing
- Delay of marriage marrying later, staying
single, living together - All above underline the fact that the members of
many families need extensive support if they are
to grow in faith and live according to the
example of Christ and the teaching of His Church
Sharing the Light of Faith pp. 13-15
24Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 2. Define family
and methods of family catechesis
- FAMILY AND HOME IN THE UNITED STATES (cont.)
- Two points need to be borne in mind
- first, because catechesis occurs in a cultural
and social context, the catechist must take the
negative as well as the positive aspects of the
situation into account - second, God's kingdom has already been
established, and Christ's followers are called to
manifest and work for the ever fuller realization
of that kingdom in all areas of life.
Sharing the Light of Faith pp. 13-15
25Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 2. Define family
and methods of family catechesis
- FAMILY MINISTRY
- Christian family has mission to evangelize the
wider community - Lived Gospel values causes family to become
evangelizer of many other families - Family is Church in miniature -- evangelization,
worship, catechesis, and Christian service are
vitally present - Family-centered catechetical programs are
intended to bring families together...and help
them carry out their responsibilities in and to
the Church's catechetical mission. - Spouses should catechize each other, and
children, directly or through parish catechetical
programs - Service Family seeks to minister to the
spiritual, psychological, physical needs of the
whole human family.
Sharing the Light of Faith pp. 139-140
26Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 2. Define family
and methods of family catechesis
- FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO
- Familiaris Consortio is a magnificent call to
live the blessings of family life and confront
those forces which work to weaken marriage and
the family - Live Gospel and Tradition through the witness of
marriage and family life - Invitation to form family in the likeness of the
Holy Family
A Guide for the Study of Familiaris Consortio pp.
7-8
27Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 2. Define family
and methods of family catechesis
- FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO (cont.)
- Familiaris Consortio expands on what is in the
CCC - Four general tasks for the family
- Forming a Community of Persons principle,
power, goal love - Serving Life
- The Transmission of Life -- transmitting by
procreation the divine image - Education helping children effectively to live
fully human life - Participating in the Development of Society
family is its foundation and nourishes it
continually thru its role of service to life - Sharing in the Life and Mission of the Church
- The Christian Family as a Believing and
Evangelizing Community - The Christian Family as a Community in dialogue
with God through sacraments, liturgy, and
prayer - The Christian Family the new commandment of
love expressed thru service within family and to
all in the human family
Familiaris Consortio (The Role of the Christian
Family in the Modern World) paras. 17, 18, 28,
36, 42, 51, 55, 63,, 64
28Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 2. Define family
and methods of family catechesis
- FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO (cont.)
- The family is the first school of those social
virtues which every society needs - The family is the first and fundamental school
of social living -- the family is a community of
love - Parent responsibility before God Building up
the Church in their children - Educational aims Knowledge of mystery of
salvation and the gift of faith adore God
especially through liturgy conduct life in
righteousness and holiness give witness to the
hope that is in them - The right of parents to choose an education in
conformity with their religious faith must be
absolutely guaranteed...but corresponding to
their right, parents have a serious duty to
commit themselves totally to a cordial and active
relationship with the teachers and the school
authorities.
Familiaris Consortio (The Role of the Christian
Family in the Modern World) paras. 36-41
29Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 2. Define family
and methods of family catechesis
- FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO (cont.)
- Christian families, recognizing with faith all
human beings as children of the same heavenly
Father, will respond generously to the children
of other families, giving them support and love
not as outsiders but as members of the one family
of God's children.
Familiaris Consortio (The Role of the Christian
Family in the Modern World) paras. 36-41
30Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 2. Define family
and methods of family catechesis
- PARENTS ARE TEACHERS
- Parents meet the child's needs for security,
love, acceptance, belonging, and impress on him
their emotions, attitudes, convictions and
value-judgments. Every moment parent and child
spend together is a moment of teaching and
learning. During the preschool years it is from
his parents that the child learns or should
to respect the rights of others, to share, to
exercise the beginnings of self-control, to obey,
and to have some respect for the material things
of God's creation. At first the child does as
the parents direct because he loves them and
wants to please them. During childhood proper
this attitude should change to doing what is
right because it is right and because he loves
God. The change is gradual there are signs of
it in the preschool years. During these
preschool years too his religious education and
his prayer life should begin.
Teaching Religion the Adaptive Way pp. 67-72
31Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 2. Define family
and methods of family catechesis
- PARENTS ARE TEACHERS (cont.)
- The guidance given should be firm, consistent,
devoted, and understanding. Only gradually does
the child learn to exercise control of impulse
and instinct, to make the supernatural values
presented to him his own. He can, however, know
when he has done wrong and he can learn to do
better.
Teaching Religion the Adaptive Way pp. 67-72
32Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 2. Define family
and methods of family catechesis
- QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION
- Recall a 'religious ritual' of your family from
your earliest childhood years. How did it
nurture you in faith? What do you learn from it
for your ministry today? -- for class discussion
Religious Education at a Crossroads pp. 111-138
33Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 2. Define family
and methods of family catechesis
- HELPING PARENTS BE SPIRITUAL GUIDES
- Disposition/attitudes needed of parents
- Awareness to foster contemplative being has
to be part of own experience - Faith conviction in the spirit He is at work
in the child's heart and life - True respect for child's spiritual potential
respect for knowing, experiencing, and expressing - Rediscovering God's presence and Reign through
the child simplicity, freshness, and genuine
joy - Sow the seeds the Spirit will reap the harvest
over time
Religious Education at a Crossroads pp. 111-138
34Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 2. Define family
and methods of family catechesis
- ESSENTIAL SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT TASKS OF PARENTS
- A joyful concelebration of the gift of life
exploration of themselves, their world, and their
love - A gentle evangelization
- Naming God special, mysterious, respected, and
loved - Awakening prayer inspire by Bible and liturgy
the teaching of our Christan mother-tongue - Sharing the Word of God Bible stories and
parables awaken basic Christian attitudes
through identification with the actors and
stimulate religious imagination - Creating family rituals
- Daily rituals morning, meal, and bedtime prayer
- Convivial rituals -- celebrate the gift of one
another - Seasonal rituals linked to liturgical year
mini-celebrations and a prayer corner
Religious Education at a Crossroads pp. 111-138
35Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 2. Define family
and methods of family catechesis
- ESSENTIAL SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT TASKS OF PARENTS
- A gentle initiation into the Christian way of
life - Avoiding the use of God as a means in moral
formation -- never use God as a means to get the
child to obey or threaten the child with God's
displeasure - Encouraging the discovery of different qualities
of joy special talents and qualities, prayers,
overcoming difficulties or fears, loving (i.e.,
giving joy to others) - Using conversations about our life to foster
moral development taking time to communicate with
(not to or at) the child, listening, sharing,
asking and answering questions
Religious Education at a Crossroads pp. 111-138
36Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 2. Define family
and methods of family catechesis
- INVOLVING PARENTS IN CATECHESIS
- Parents should be viewed as partners in parish
catechesis, and should function as such - How to get parents more involved
- Communicate before class sessions start letter
with info about yourself and overview of
objectives and class format - Meet the teachers event
- Make time to speak informally with parents before
and after class to keep them informed and to let
you know of needs - Parent newsletter periodically contains class
concepts and upcoming events solicit feedback as
well - Family experiences in and out of the classroom
(e.g., making rosaries, Mass, Parents Night) - Open classroom policy parents welcome to visit
any time to 'check in' on what their children are
learning - Invite parents to be classroom assistants from
time to time
Seven Secrets of Successful Catechists pp. 30-33
37Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 2. Define family
and methods of family catechesis
- IN THE FAMILY
- Family catechesis therefore precedes,
accompanies and enriches all other forms of
catechesis. Furthermore, in places where
anti-religious legislation endeavours even to
prevent education in the faith, and in places
where widespread unbelief or invasive secularism
makes real religious growth practically
impossible, 'the Church of the home' remains the
one place where children and young people can
receive an authentic catechesis. Thus there
cannot be too great an effort on the part of
Christian parents to prepare for this ministry of
being their own children's catechists and to
carry it out with tireless zeal. Encouragement
must also be given to the individuals and
institutions that, through person-to-person
contacts, through meetings, and through all kinds
of pedagogical means, help parents to perform
their task the service they are doing to
catechesis is beyond price.
Catechesi Tradendae (On Catechesis in Our Time)
para. 68
38Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 2. Define family
and methods of family catechesis
- PARENTS AS EDUCATORS
- Continuing education will help parents
understand approach, content and methods of
contemporary religious education. At the same
time, however, parents must not only be helped to
understand the aims and methods of catechesis
they must also be involved in planning and
evaluating the catechetical programs provided for
their children. (General Catechetical Directory,
79) And in order that this evaluation may be
realistic and informed, parents and other members
of the Christian community have a right to expect
at least that the content of these programs will
be expressed in doctrinally adequate formulae as
an assurance that the programs are indeed capable
of transmitting authentic Christian message.
To Teach as Jesus Did para. 55
39Catechetical ProcessSESSION 4 Wrap-up
Questions or comments?