The Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Nativity Narratives with maps

On these shelves are the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  We begin by showing how the cruets are prepared with the water and wine.  I tell my Level II children that this prepares them if they want to be altar servers.  They are eligible once they have received their First Communion.  They learn all the gestures of the priest such as the "washing of hands," the "Doxology," and the "Epiclesis."  The 7 to 9 year olds can read and are expected to read the words of the priest as they imitate the gestures.  In the "washing of hands" they can work together with one child being the priest and the other acting as the altar server.

Finally, they learn how to do the "Preparation of the Chalice."  And again, the words must be read.  I love hearing their voices across the room reading softly these words.  They take it very seriously, as they should.

Later, we do the entire Liturgy of the Eucharist with a presentation called the Synthesis of the Mass which I will describe at a later time.

 

This bookshelf holds all the Nativity Narratives.  There is a Scripture booklet for each material.  This is so the children can read the Bible Story as they work with the material.  In Level II the children often can be seen reading to each other the Scripture passage while one moves the materials, the other reads.

These are the Tracing packets that go with each of the Nativity Narratives.  The children like to trace and make their own booklets and color them.  The large packets are for the  younger children in Level I and the small packets are for the older children.  However, they sometimes use either.


There is also a geography area in the atrium.  There are small wooden puzzle maps of Israel in Jesus time.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is also a Topographical map (left) which helps the children learn where the angel appeared to Mary in Nazareth; where Jesus was born in Bethlehem and where He died in Jerusalem.

The Atrium at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Sierra Vista, Arizona

The Atrium at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church

 This is a replica of our altar at St. Andrews.  The little white cabinet contains all the materials that the priest uses at Mass in miniature.  They are labeled with pictures and words so that even the three year olds can put them away when they are finished.  The children learn how to dress the altar and learn the names of the materials used in the Mass.  Children are like little sponges and they remember even the most complicated words like tabernacle, ciborium, crucifix, etc.  It's pretty amazing what they are capable of at such a young age. 

Below the plastic cabinet contains the vestments of the priest that he wears in the Mass.  On display is a chasuble in red which he wears for Pentecost.  The children learn what the colors signify and are able to name the vestments. We use songs which help them remember the feasts and colors in the Church Liturgical Calendar.

In the shelving on the right is art work for tracing and pasting that the children love to do making the vestments and tracing the symbols for the mass and the sacrament of Baptism.  As some of the children who come to this program have not yet been baptized,  it is important that they understand the sacrament they will be receiving and it's significance.

  With all the symbols of baptism along with the oils, we also show the children how to baptize each other using their fists to represent the small head of a baby, which they enjoy doing.  They take turns doing this and are very serious about it.  There are two presentations in the Level I (ages 3-6) and another more detailed presentation for the Level II (ages 7-9).

There is a candle ceremony during the Baptism presentation where each child receives the light of Christ after being blessed with each oil, the Oil of Catechumen (for goodness) and the Oil of Chrism (for courage).  We use the Paschal candle to light their candle as the Paschal candle is used next to the Baptismal Font in the church.  At Easter they learn the meaning of the symbols on the Paschal Candle and there is another candlelight ceremony during Easter as well.  The photo shows art work for the Paschal Candle as well as for Baptism.

The photo on the right is our prayer table.  There is a procession celebration to change the colors for the Liturgical year which the children love to do in Level I.  They sing a psalm while they process outside and come back to the room to redress the prayer table.  

In Level II, the children are introduced to the Bible in its entirety.  At left you see the outside of the cabinet which houses all the books of the Bible.  I usually do a short synopsis of each book and the book's purpose for the Jewish people in the Old Testament.  I might include a short story from different books to make it more interesting until I finish the New Testament.

There are large floor puzzles that the children use to name each book of the Bible and we use songs as well.  The floor puzzle is kept under the prayer table and you can see in the photo a basket under the Holy Bible cabinet where another smaller version is kept.  Each puzzle has a control chart with all the answers.  I usually give a prize if they complete this work.  It takes most of the hour to do.  The religious medals, 

 pins, key rings and holy cards are donated by  parishioners.  I asked one of the office staff if they could help me with this, and I am pleasantly surprised every year and always have enough to last the year.

Each book of the Bible is numbered and the name of the book is on the front.  After asking the children if they notice any differences in the books, they always notice first the sizes.  I tell them that the tall books mean that these are longer stories and the smaller books are shorter.

 This cabinet (left) represents the Cenacle (or Upper Room as it is more commonly known).  It has door on the left side and there is a drawer under it containing the twelve apostles and Jesus made from Sculpy clay.   I make all our figures from Sculpy.  I've seen a figure bounce twice on the hard floor and never break.  It's a tough material after being baked.


My husband has made all the cabinetry for the atrium as well as the little houses for the Nativity narratives, while I do the small sculptures, wood finishing and painting.
You might have noticed that the backdrop of the Cenacle is the Jewish Candelabra for Passover, called the Menorah, I believe.  That can be turned around and on the other side there is the same altar background that we have in our church and on the little model altar.  This is used when we do the "Origin of the Eucharist" to explain the history of when priests and bishops began their work in the Catholic Church and mass until today.   There are ancient papers as far back as 100 A.D. describing the mass in great detail just as it is today.

In Level II, we prepare the children for Reconciliation (Confession) and Holy Eucharist (their First Holy Communion).   Although we read the Ten Commandments in the Bible together and discuss them at their level, our Level II program uses the Maxims (Jesus' own words in the Bible) to discuss sin and what it is.  For example, "Do to others as you would have them do to you."  That leads into a lot of discussion with 7-9 year olds.  They have amazing questions and input which always surprises me.  The white cabinet above contains twelve of the Maxims and the Greatest of all Commandments is on the left, "Love your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, with all your strength and love your neighbor as yourself."  By the time we are finished discussing all these wonderful Maxims, they are ready for the Sacrament and understand what Reconciliation is all about.

Reenactment of the Last Supper I (2018)

Another favorite of the children is reenacting the Last Supper.  This year I lengthened the play to include the Garden of Gethsemane as the children do not want the play to end.  In the past they have  asked to wear their costumes until the end of class.  I also added Scenes 1-6 to the play so there would be action as well.  I use a Raspberry Lemonade for the wine and Peta bread for the unleavened bread.

I didn't have many good readers as they are mostly 2nd graders.  There are a few who have English as their second language, so I simplified the vocabulary in the script.  The person who plays Jesus has to be the best reader as there is so much for that child to read.  This year Jesus just happened to be a girl.

I look forward to the Easter season.  By this time they have heard the Last Supper and the Tomb presentations before we do this little play.   We have also been through the entire liturgy of the Eucharist and the children have a pretty good grasp of what the mass is all about.  So this is the culmination of all that work.

 The costumes aren't elaborate as you can see - just some earth and sky tone materials with white cording to hold the scarves on their heads that I bought at Walmart.  I have 16 script parts to include the Blessed Mother and Mary Magdalene, if everyone is present that day.  Each have one or two narrator parts to read.  It is by far their favorite day in the atrium when I ask them.

I keep all the materials I use for Easter Season in this old desk I bought at our church bazaar.  That includes the Scripts, costumes, and apostle name cards on ribbons for the Reenactment of the Last Supper along with the Meditation of the Passion Booklets.  I also keep the True Vine and the grapes I use on the prayer table which decorate a large cross.  I've decided that next year I'm going to let the children wear the costumes for the Meditations as it will allow them to feel a part of the Passion and they love wearing them.  There is also a Crucifix, two candles and a silver plated plate used for the Peta bread kept here. 

The Leaven and the Kingdom of God Parables

At the end of the school year I save one of the children's favorite materials to work with in the Parable of the Leaven usually around Pentecost.

After reading the parable I do a little experiment making the recipe of 3 Tbsp of flour, 1 tsp yeast and 2 Tbsp of warm water in one glass bowl.  You stir the mixture until it clumps and all liquid is gone, then you make a ball out of it.  The wooden cutting board is so you can knead the dough.

In the other small glass bowl I do the recipe again but without the yeast.  I pass each one around to see if the children notice the difference in smell.  Then I cover the two bowls with a white cloth and say to them that we will check on them at the end of class to see if the yeast helps it to rise.  As you can see in the photo below, there is a significant difference.

Notice it triples in size.  Of course, the Scripture message is that we can't see our faith growing inside us but it does as we grow in grace through prayer, receiving the sacraments, and growing in love with God and serving others with love.

 A thermos filled with hot water is necessary for this work.  I used the kitchen electric pot, cooled it down, and poured it into the small metal pitcher for the children to handle.  I let two children work on this at the same time and so each had a plastic tablespoon, plastic teaspoon and a small spatula for stirring.   I usually have 15 children in each class and this makes it go more quickly.  It takes the entire class, for them to finish.  Our classes are 1-1/2 hrs. long.  Usually the presentations take 20-30 minutes and then they have the remainder of the class to do their work.  Often two children like to sit and watch the others while they wait their turn.  Every child wants to do this work.

I used clear plastic cups for the children to keep their dough to take home and bake.  I usually go through nine packets of yeast for each class and keep them refrigerated.  I generally buy the fast-acting yeast.  I also bring in an extra canister of whole wheat flour (as shown above in the materials) as we easily go through two of those small glass canisters for each class.  I haven't tried to bake one of these but the children do and some have been successful they tell me.  I think this year I'll experiment baking it so I can give them instructions for success.  They love to taste their yeast and are so proud and excited to try it.

(left photo) The Kingdom of God Parables are kept on two bookcases.  Here you see "The Mustard Seed" on the top shelf.  The seeds from Israel are kept in the wooden box.  The second shelf has "The Pearl of Great Price" and the bottom shelf is where "The Leaven" is kept.

In the above photo "The Kingdom of God and the Seed" is on the first shelf.  There are tracing packets for all the Bible stories of the Kingdom shared by both Levels.  "The Sower" is the second shelf and on the bottom is "The Mystery of Life and Death" or "The Grain of Wheat".  These Bible stories are very deep and thought provoking and bring out all sorts of interesting discussions.  They force me to study a lot before presenting them, especially "The Mystery of Life and Death."   When you only do the presentations once a year, you do forget things and really need to study your album page and make notes on changes.  None of my album pages are the same as they were when I started this work 15 years ago.  It is also with this work that we plant seeds with the children for the last three or four days at the end of the year.  They love this work and I cover the floor with clear plastic trash bags (shown above).

  I always save "The Grain of Wheat"  and "The Leaven" at the end of the year for the last three or four classes in case some were absent and, of course, everyone wants to do them that day.  It's a nice way to end the year.

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

 The Pharisee and the Tax Collector, a Level II material.  The wooden doors represent the Temple of Jerusalem and I painted the doors golden as they were the doors leading to the Holy of Holies, the Arc of the Covenant.  No one but the priests could enter this sacred place and so the Pharisee stands and prays close to the door while the humble Tax Collector stays far away.
It is an interesting scripture on humility and how we should pray and think of ourselves.

If I haven't already mentioned it, Level I in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is for 3 to 6 years olds.  Level II is for 6 to 9 year olds.  Sophia Cavelletti is the founder of this beautiful program.  She passed away in her eighties last year.  She studied Maria Montessori, who was a doctor and gave up that profession to study how children learn and at what ages and stages they understand and have knowledge.  Sophia Cavelletti was a Biblical Scholar and a scientist who studied children for twenty years as to how they learned the Bible based on Montessori's studies.  She found that three year olds, for example, loved the Good Shepherd because they wanted to feel safe.  She was also a writer for Vatican II.  So I am always confident when presenting these Bible Stories that the children will have understanding of what Jesus was saying and will really enjoy them.  In fact, they are so attentive and can hardly wait to get to work on their own with these materials.

It is wonderful to see one child reading the Scripture while another child works with the materials.  They get it.

The Good Samaritan (The Sacrament Retreat)

The Good Samaritan, a moral parable in Level II, is one of the children's favorites.  It really creates a lot of discussion and thought for them.  The small box with the door represents the Inn.  My husband made the Inn and road.  I did the painting and decorated it with the rocks.  I would suggest getting the lightest weight wood you can use.  This is heavy.  I keep it on the bottom shelf but usually help the child put in on a rug or desk. The figures were purchased and I painted them.  

One of my favorite parts of doing these materials is finding the right box to keep them in.  I know
the children enjoy looking inside them and getting out the figures.  I usually find them in Thrift Shops or second hand stores.  That was a favorite pastime when I first started.  I usually cover the inside of the box with material.  Often the boxes are in pretty used condition and so I sometimes have to sand and stain them.  This one had a lovely old painting on the top.  I can't help but wonder where these old boxes have been.

The Sacrament Retreat (The Good Samaritan Presentation)

Two thousand years ago it was normal for people to walk miles to get to their destination.  They didn't have money for horses.  Soldiers had horses but ordinary people might have a donkey to ride or carry things for them.  People in Egypt and other parts of the world rode camels like the three Magi, but for the most part people were very poor and had little.  It was not unusual for them to walk during the night and knock on someone's door asking for food and lodging.  Even Jesus and his apostles did this.  Jesus told his Apostles that if someone invites you into their home, accept their hospitality.  That's how they traveled.  Now this is a model of the road from Jerusalem down to Jericho that was commonly traveled.  It was a desert road and a mountainous area with many big rocks that robbers could hide behind.  It was well known to be very dangerous where robbers left people for dead.  It was on this dark road that a man was robbed and left wounded on the side of the road.  (I show the man on the road and the robbers).

(Then I remove the robbers and talk about the Jewish priest who was walking down that road.)  He passes the injured man and doesn't help him.  Next, a Levite, (who I explain is like a Deacon) passes the injured man also, and he doesn't help him either.  I tell the children how the Jewish people were in slavery by the Egyptians for hundreds of years and when they were freed they had to make up all these laws and rules to live by as they'd never been free before.  Some of their rules weren't easy and some were difficult.  One was that you couldn't do anything on the Sabbath, even if it meant helping someone.  In fact, that is one of the reasons Jesus died on the cross.  He broke their Sabbath law and performed miracles.  (Now I move the priest and Levite off the road to the bottom of the road).

Next, the Samaritan and his Donkey come down that road but see the man and he is moved with compassion.  I then tell the children how the Jews had no respect for Samaritans as they were part Jew but did not worship their God of Abraham and those that did practiced their faith differently.
They would never speak to them.  (Now I light the candle and read the Scripture.)

Afterward I ask them what they heard.  "Do you think the Samaritan would have helped the Levite and the Priest?"  Then I give out the Maxim plaques, one to each child and ask them to tell me if their Maxim applies to this story.  Happily most times they are absolutely right.  They get it.  But even if they aren't it gives me a chance to go over that Maxim and explain how it doesn't apply and what it means.  I do this after each Parable and in that way we are reviewing the Maxims as well as the Parables.  All of the Maxims address behavior toward others and how to pray.

Now go to the "Insistent Friend" link for that presentation explained.

Flight into Egypt

 The Flight into Egypt is challenging but a lot of fun to make.  This is my daughter's work which she made for an atrium in Georgia while  staying with me.  She is an artist unlike myself.  It never ceases to amaze me how everyone's sculptures look so much different.  Also every sculpture an individual creates looks exactly the same.  It's like a person's signature.  Try as I will, I can't make my figures look any different, perhaps a little improved, but that's the best I can do.

Flight into Egypt is a Level II (6 to 9 year old) work.  The work also includes 3 panels with pictures showing Jerusalem, journey through the desert, and Egypt along with sign showing both directions.

    

 

 

 

 

Below are the materials that my husband and I made.  He did the three panels and the wooden sign.  I did the staining and painting, the figures and Scripture booklets.  I downloaded the photos and enjoyed choosing from all the images and reading about these places.  You really enter into the Scripture while doing these materials.