Born of the Spirit Year Three CCCB Catechetical Resource

The Levels in the Series Division One Created in the image of God Invited by Jesus to belong to God the Father Called by Jesus to break bread together Gathered in unity to be the people of God

The Levels in the Series Division 2 Knowing Jesus through those closest to him Being one with the Lord, who lives on in the Church Witnessing to God’s Spirit in the world.

The Levels in the Series Division 3 Believe in Me: We believe in God, We believe in Jesus Christ Stand By Me: We believe in the Holy Spirit, We believe in the holy Catholic Church Be With Me: We are called to live in loving relationship with God, others and ourselves.

Theological Orientation Year one and two focus on the child’s experience of belonging to God through friendship with Jesus, especially the Eucharist. In year three the overall aim is to deepen the experience of belonging to God through the community of the followers of Jesus gathered in the Spirit.

The Spirit Working to reveal the Word to us and to open us to receive the Word.

The Spirit Working through the Church Scriptures Tradition Church’s teaching (magisterium) Liturgy Prayer Gifts and ministries Apostolic and missionary life Witness of the saints

Catechetical Orientation The Holy Spirit as the bond linking us to God We are privileged to invite the children more deeply into the world of the Holy Spirit. We hear the spirit speak through the words and actions of others. We hear the spirit in our own heart and conscience.

General Aim To deepen the experience of belonging to God through the community of the followers of Jesus gathered in the Spirit.

Content: The Holy Spirit Unit 1 welcomes and gathers us Unit 2 gathers and feeds us at the Eucharist Unit 3 calls and anoints us in Baptism and Confirmation Unit 4 comes upon Advent people Unit 5 dwells in Jesus

Content: The Holy Spirit Unit 6 dwells in the followers of Jesus Unit 7 fills the earth Unit 8 reconciles people Unit 9 gives new life Unit 10 is alive

The Process Through the proclamation of God’s word Remembering Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist Celebration of sacred times Wonderment toward creation In symbol, song, prayer In reconciliation

The Process The words and actions of many holy people The words and deeds of Jesus Christ The community of God’s people, the Church

Immersion in Symbol Symbol and liturgical initiation Ritual celebrations and prayer Mime and drama Music and gesture Art and dance Creative use of the environment “This stage of development is best served by activities that inspire awe and wonder and a sense of belonging to the mystery of life.”

Immersion in Symbol Engage our senses We gather with friends and family We tell stories and sing songs We eat drink and celebrate “From the moment we welcome the children into the warm, caring environment of the classroom, we have already begun to immerse them in the basic symbols of our faith-people, the book of God’s word, water, light, oil, cross, table and bread.”

Immersion in Symbol All these actions are imbued with a religious dimension We are encouraged to experience the mystery of God in the ordinary and familiar

Scripture God’s word living and active Primary source of program Basis of most themes Movements flow in and out of scripture stories Children are invited into the stories With our ears we listen Ring around a story Big Book of Gathering

Catechism of the Catholic Church Foundation for “In the Spirit we Belong” Program interprets teachings of the Catechism about the Holy Spirit, especially Article 8 of the section “The Profession of the Christian Faith” (# ) Article 8 “The Sacramental Economy” (# )The Sacramental Economy “The Sacrament of Eucharist” (# )The Sacrament of Eucharist Rooted in Church tradition

Celebration The Church expresses its faith in celebration. Planning and enjoyment of celebrations is an important aspect of catechesis. Three aspects responding to human need Stop and remember an event We tell the story of the event Express our sense of wonder and thanks in ritual gesture or symbol Children should engage in planning as well as celebrating.

Music Integral to Year 3 process The purpose of music is: Transform the children’s experiences into song To enable the children to give praise and thanks To help the children name God and marvel at God’s presence Use music frequently so life may become a celebration before God.

The Tent Meeting The tent is the central symbol of the year. The experience of the circle of friends gathered is deepened by the tent which reminds the children of Jesus who pitches his tent among us. The tent “becomes the special meeting place of the year where the children gather to remember and be with God. This is where they proclaim, listen to and are nourished by the word of God.”

Storytelling Story telling plays a central role in the bible. Stories provide a space in which we meet people like ourselves. Stories give us a way to identify and express our feelings.

Prayer Silent Moments “The door through which one experiences being absorbed in God.” Woven through the rituals in the program Contemplative Provided through guided imagery, mime, quiet music and movement, ritual and gesture, story, silence and art. “We cannot really teach prayer. We can only provide experiences that lead others to pray or intimacy with God.”

Prayer Moments of Praise and thanks The entire year becomes one of praise and thanksgiving as they celebrate their belonging to the Church. “Gratitude for the gifts of creation, for faith, for life itself, becomes a fundamental attitude of the Christian who is able to rejoice in the presence of a loving God.”

Art Art allows children to become confident in their own ideas, succeed regardless of level of development and grow in self esteem. “In the Spirit we belong is rich in possibilities that allow the child to work with a variety of art mediums that are stimulating and open-ended. “The purpose of the art activity is to allow the children to express their feelings and intuitions and share them with others through their favourite art selections”

Articulating the faith Key ways children express themselves are: Play Art Story Drama Music and song Gesture and dance Celebration and ritual

Integration of Components

Introduction to Catechist’s Manual Outlines units and themes Provides theological, pedagogical and catechetical orientations Scope and sequence outlines program, its approach and content Highlights the general aim of the program

Catechist’s Manual Key resource for sharing faith with children Consists of 10 units with 30 sequential themes Each theme is about one week Coincides with the liturgical seasons Includes liturgical chart to guide the year

Child’s Book Highlights material from the manual and gives suggestions Builds upon catechetical themes Includes a “Remember” for each theme Deepens the catechetical message Includes children’s art and photographs from across Canada Helps make learning fun

Bible New Revised Standard Version (adult) is recommended. Bible should be given a place of honor in the tent Provides a visible essential link with our faith tradition: the word of God as the primary symbol

Cross Introduced in Theme 3 Constructed out of wood or sticks by the class Used as processional cross in specific celebrations Should be given a special place in the tent of meeting

Table of God’s Word Introduced in Theme 2 Focal point in the tent of meeting Table where the Bible is given reverence Visually changes to reflect the children’s work and liturgical seasons. Could also include constants like bible cushion, candle, basket of plenty, etc.

Tablecloths Colours reflect the liturgical season Green- Ordinary Time Royal Purple- Advent Deep Purple- Lent White- Christmas, Epiphany, Easter Used to cover the table of God’s word or to be spread on the floor of the tent if a table is not used

Individual Gathering Books Introduced in Theme 2 One per child Provides a personal medium for each child to express feelings and experiences Provides a strong sharing link with the home Used most often in conjunction with the Big Book of Gathering

Big Book of Gathering Introduced in Theme 3 Is a medium of expression for children’s art Provides a way of gathering children’s images and impressions of stories and experiences they have shared Adds a communal dimension providing an opportunity for children to work together Fosters growth of friendship Provides a way to remember special events and experiences Should be given a special place in the tent

Tent of Meeting Constructed in Theme 2 Special gathering place throughout the year to remember and be with God Symbol of Jesus who pitches his tent among us Special reminder that we are nourished at the table of God’s word Integral to the program

Basket of Plenty Introduced in Theme 6 Sign of the bountifulness of God Evokes memories of shared lives together as a class Special basket container for the year Acts as a symbol of the leftover baskets that Jesus’ disciples filled Integral to the program

Music Cassette/CD 23 songs with original lyrics to accompany themes Instrumental tracks for some songs Gospel and Eucharistic acclamations Allows child to freely express feelings Key prayer form for praise and thanksgiving Songs are to be used with specific themes and may be used randomly throughout the year. Words for songs are printed on the inside of the cassette jacket Music and gestures for songs are provided at the back of the manual Music is an integral part of the program

Children’s Literature Relevant books are listed at the beginning of each theme Books complement theme activities Stories should be reviewed before they are presented and integrated

Engaging the Family Located at the back of the manual Consists of family letters Provides a continual link with the home: information sharing, invitations to celebrations, outings and other class events, requests for needed material

Engaging the Parish Located at the back of the manual Consists of parish letters Provides a continual link with the parish: information sharing, invitations to celebrations and other class events, requests for needed materials

Book lists Located at the back of the manual Included a bibliography of books for adults (background for the catechist) and a bibliography of children’s literature

Blackline Masters Located at the back of the manual Valuable component for lesson development For use during class and/or for family involvement at home

Anatomy of a Theme

Aims Shape the activities and express what should happen in the child as the theme develops Provide a touchstone for the catechist’s supplementary material-is it achieving the aim?

Note to the Catechist For catechists, not children States rationale for development of the theme Ties together Scripture and/or doctrine with the aim, content and methodology

Movement of the theme Each explores the theme from a different perspective Spells out a particular method or learning strategy Indicates rhythm and pace of teaching and learning Not necessarily a lesson division; varies in length depending on nature of topic

Reflecting Provides background and inspiration for catechists, not children Biblical passages referred to in this section should be read by the catechist

Resources and Planning Lists music, children’s literature and other resources to support the teaching process

Looking Ahead Provides catechists with sufficient notice to plan for upcoming events in future themes

Development of the Theme Step-by-step development of each movement Movements may contain options to suit particular situations Options provide opportunities to enrich the learning process

Activity Icons Help to locate specific activities that develop the theme Indicate the unique features of each activity-e.g., storytime, home link, music, visitors

Ritual Celebrations Gather in God’s graciousness Proclaim God’s word Celebrate God’s presence through symbolic action Pivotal moments of celebration when we:

Pages from the child’s Book Included for quick reference to key pages in the child’s book

Remember For the child Provides guide to core content of the theme

Catechism of the Catholic Church For the Catechist Roots content and activities of the theme in Church tradition