Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Training Syllabus for Level II St. John s Church, Portsmouth July 2014 April 2015

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Elisabeth Mason
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1 Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Training Syllabus for Level II St. John s Church, Portsmouth July 2014 April 2015 Course Dates: 2 evenings in July; 6 evenings in August; 2 evenings in September, October, January, March & April or 5 Saturdays, one in September, October, January, March & April Evenings 6pm to 10pm or Saturdays 9-1pm & 2pm-6pm (lunch from 1-2pm) Lectures will be in Chisholm Hall Childcare will be provided with advanced notice Presentations will be given in the True Vine Atrium on the 2 nd floor Course Description: The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori-based religious formation program for children, beginning at the age of three. It seeks to create and facilitate a sacred, hands-on space for children called an atrium, in which both the children and the catechists can hear, ponder, and celebrate the most essential mysteries of the Christian faith as revealed in Scripture and the Liturgy. Originally developed in Rome by Dr. Sofia Cavelletti and Gianna Gobbi over 50 years ago, the Catechesis continues to spread world-wide and is used with adaptation in various Christian traditions. This Level II course will ground the participants in the theory and praxis of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd while also concretely preparing him/her to be present to the children for the full three-year cycle of the 6-9 year old atrium. At the completion of this course, the participant will be certified as a Level II catechist by the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Course participants are expected to have already completed a Level I formation course. Course Objectives: To explore with participants the general developmental characteristics and religious characteristics of the 6-9 year old child. To facilitate meditation on the biblical and liturgical themes of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd formation process. To offer guidelines and assistance to catechists in the process of preparing an album, making materials and setting up an atrium for 6-9 year olds. To deepen participants ability to observe and learn from children, while also exploring avenues for deepening parental and congregational ability to observe and learn from children.

2 Procedures: Each session will begin with prayer. The remainder of the evening will alternate between lectures, meditations, presentations and album page points. Video or audio taping is not permitted. Taking photos of the atrium and the materials is encouraged. Use of a personal laptop is allowed for note taking. Participants are expected to order the required readings themselves. These books are available through the National Association website at or through Amazon. The certificate fee is being covered by the church; membership in the national Association, however, is not. Participants are highly encouraged to join the national Association (if you are not already a member) when you purchase your course texts. Evaluation: Participants are expected to attend all classes and read assigned texts. Each participant will be asked to write an album page of two presentations given during the course. One is due in January 2015 and one in April A written evaluation will be distributed at the end of the course; these must be completed and mailed when the instructor sends the final list to receive the certificates. Certification: At the completion of the course next April (2015), participants will be eligible to be certified as a Level Two Catechist by the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. If you are a member of St. John s Episcopal Church, Portsmouth, a certificate fee of $35 will be paid by the church; if you are not a member, then this fee will be paid by the participant. In order to receive the Level Two certificate, participants are expected to attend all course sessions and read assigned texts. Participants are also asked to spend time observing in both Montessori and atrium environments. On the certificate, there is a separate line that will be signed when the participant has completed his/her personal album. While it is not required that the participant complete a personal album before the end of the course, all participants are highly encouraged to work on personal album pages throughout the course. Required Texts: Cavalletti, Sofia. Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 years old; Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2007 (RPC II) Cavalletti, Sofia. The History of the Kingdom of God, part 2: Liturgy and the Building of the Kingdom; Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2013 (LL) Optional Texts: Cavalletti, Sofia. The History of the Kingdom of God, part 1: From Creation to Parousia Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2012 (GT)

3 Additional Reading: In addition to required readings, selected articles/handouts will be given out. Course Outline: Wednesday, 30 July 2014 (#1) History of Montessori s Elementary Program Discussion: Who is the 6-9 Child? Silent Walk through the Atrium Discussion: The 6-9 Atrium Environment The Catechist s Album and the 6-9 Album Pages Discussion: The Dignity of the Child and Work Thursday, 31 July 2014 (#2) Discussion of the Transition between Level I and Level II Discussion: Prayer in the 6-9 Atrium Presentation: The Bible in the Prayer Corner Practical Life, Care of the 6-9 Environment Introduction to further Altar works (tracing cards & pasting collage) Friday, 1 August 2014 (#3) Presentation: The Holy Bible & the Books that Comprise It Discussion: History of the Bible Extended Work for the Books of the Bible Books of the Bible Charts Discussion: Two moments of Learning Sunday, 3 August 2014 (#4) Presentation: Gesture of Epiclesis, with words of the Last Supper & Offering Presentation: Gesture of Lavabo with prayer Presentation: Sign of Peace & the Breaking of the Bread Discussion: Eucharist as Sacrament of Unity Monday, 4 August 2014 (#5) Discussion: Cosmic Education Presentation: The History of the Kingdom of God (La Fettuccia) Presentation: The Unity Strip (Blue Strip & Mute Strip) Discussion: The History of Salvation

4 Tuesday, 5 August 2014 (#6) Presentation: Pin Map of Israel; Extended Work for Geography Land & Cities of Israel booklets Discussion: Incarnation and the 6-9 Child Presentation: The Flight into Egypt Wednesday, 6 August 2014 (#7) Presentation: The Synthesis of the 3-6 Prophecies Meditation on each of the five 3-6 narratives Foundational Lecture: How to Observe Thursday, 7 August 2014 (#8) Discussion: Synthesis as Work of the Elementary Child Presentation: Synthesis of the Infancy Narratives Presentations: The Mustard Seed & the Precious Pearl (further moments for the 6-9 child) Presentation: The Synthesis of the Kingdom Parables Thursday, 11 September 2014 OR Saturday AM, 13 September 2014 (#9A) Presentation: The Insistent Friend Presentation: Ten Bridesmaids Presentation: The Sower Framework for Communal Prayer Friday, 12 September 2014 OR Saturday PM, 13 September 2014 (#9B) Presentation: The Cenacle Presentation: City of Jerusalem with the 6-9 child Expanded Works Flags for Labeling Card Packet Discussion of Meditations on Paschal Narratives

5 21 October 2014 OR Saturday AM, 25 October 2014 (#10A) Presentation: The Good Shepherd with Wolf & Hireling Presentation: Psalm 23:1-6 Presentation: The Wedding Feast Presentation: Synthesis of the Eucharist & First Prayer Book Extensions of the Holy Bible Work How to Look up a Scriptural Citation How to use the Scripture Charts 22 October 2014 OR Saturday PM, 25 October 2014 (#10B) Presentation: Mystery of Life and Death Presentation: The Empty Tomb Discussion of Meditations on the Post-Resurrection narratives Presentation: Liturgical Calendar II 20 January 2015 OR Saturday AM, 24 January 2015 (#11A) Discussion: Progression of Theme and Planning a Cycle in Level II Atrium Discussion: Reflection on the Infancy Narratives & the 6-9 Child: Further Questions for Meditations Discussion: Sacrament of Reconciliation Pastoral Issues, History & Current practices Presentation: Rite of Reconciliation Chart Presentation: Corporate Confession Chart 21 January 2015 OR Saturday PM, 24 January 2015 (#11B) Discussion: Sacramental Preparation (RCIA) Presentation: First Communion Meditation True Vine I Presentation: Second Communion Meditation True Vine II Presentation: Third Communion Meditation Found Sheep & Found Coin Presentation: Fourth Communion Meditation Forgiving Father Presentation: Fifth Communion Meditation Healing of the Centurion s Servant

6 24 March 2015 OR Saturday AM, 28 March 2015 (#12A) Discussion: Unity of Bible & Liturgy Presentation: The Eucharistic Presence of the Good Shepherd with International figures Presentation: The Origin of the Eucharist Discussion: Liturgy as Memorial Presentation: The Mystery of Faith 27 March 2015 OR Saturday PM, 28 March 2015 (#12B) Discussion: The History of Baptism Presentation: Synthesis of the Signs and gestures of Baptism Presentation: Rite of Baptism key moments and prayers Presentation: The Lord s Prayer Discussion: First Communion 21 April 2015 OR Saturday AM, 25 April 2015 (#13A) Discussion: Moral Formation Presentation: The Summary of the Law and the Maxims Presentation: The Good Samaritan Presentation: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector Presentation: The History of the Kingdom of God: The Gifts Discussion: Cosmic Function of Liturgy 22 April 2015 OR Saturday PM, 25 April 2015 (#13B) Presentation: Moral Prophecy Isaiah 40:3-5 Valleys and Mountains Presentation: Messianic Prophecy Isaiah 11:1-3a The Shoot of Jesse Presentation: Moral Prophecy Isaiah 11:6-9 The Peaceable Kingdom Presentation: The Magnificat Discussion of Celebrations: Christmas/Epiphany; The Last Supper re-enactment; Liturgy of the Light; Pentecost Discussion: 32 Characteristics of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Training Syllabus for Level I St. John s Church, Portsmouth July 2014 May 2015

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Training Syllabus for Level I St. John s Church, Portsmouth July 2014 May 2015 Class Meetings: 4 evenings in July; 2 evenings in September, October, January, March & April