End of the Year Celebration in the Atria

Our last session of the year was spent meditating on Pentecost and the gifts of the Holy Spirit - it is always a joy to watch the children as they ponder which gift they should ask for at the present moment. In the level 2 atrium, knowledge and wisdom were very popular - 6 to 9 year olds are intent on figuring out all they can about this wonderful word God has created for us.

CCC 1831 The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.

I've noticed that the younger children often tend to focus on awe (fear of the Lord) and fortitude. Perhaps they still recognize their littleness and long for strength.

Later in the week, I'll try to post some photos of the May crowing. Thanks to the Helping Hands for providing roses this year! The children were excited to carry these beautiful flowers to honor Our Lady.

May the peace of Christ fill your family with joy and hope this summer ~ Beate

Update: Here are the May crowning pictures - a big thank to all who participated!

Wow - The End of the Year is Already Here!

We've had a lovely year spending time together in celebration and prayer and thank God for the gift of one another. I'm already planning for the fall and know I will miss our classes this summer!

Our last class is this coming Sunday, May 5th, and will culminate with the May crowning at the beginning of the 11:00 Mass. Once the children process in to honor Mary, they will proceed around to the back of the church where they can meet their parents.

On May 4th, the altar servers and their parents are invited to join Father Alberic, Deacon Paul and Mrs. Chris for Altar Server Vocation Day at Holy Family Parish Hall, 245 Hidalgo St. in New Braunfels  from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Please call 830-609-5320 to RSVP.

May 19th we will hold an altar server training after the 8:30 Mass and encourage anyone who is interested to attend. Any person who has received First Holy Communion is eligible to serve and those receiving training will have ample opportunity during the summer months to participate in this important ministry.

****UPDATE***** The altar server training has been moved to May 12 after the 8:30 Mass.

Following the training, the altar servers and other liturgical ministers will be recognized at the 11:00 Mass. There will be pizza afterwards!

June 3 - 7 children aged 4 through 10 are invited to join us for vacation bible school.  If you're older than that, volunteering is a lot of fun and a great way to get some service hours. Call Chris Hanly at 830-237-2172 or Beate Buescher at 210-889-9869 for more information.

I'm looking forward to seeing all the children during Mass this summer ~

Beate

Celebrating the Liturgy of Light with 3 to 12 year olds

CGS has taken over our lives ;-)

What is the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd? 

I first became interested in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd more than 10 years ago when I read The Religious Potential of the Child by Sofia Cavalletti. Parenting my own children, I had an acute awareness of their deep capacity for prayer and meditation so Sofia's words truly spoke to my heart.

I hope to share some of our atrium moments here as time permits. In the meantime, links and photos will have to suffice ;-)

~ Beate

The Faith Formation of Children, Are We Asking the Right Questions? an article by Chris Aridas

The National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 

"Catechesis of the Good Shepherd," an article by Robert Gaestel