All Levels: Nearly every presentation in the atrium has an element of prayer. Either we are solemnly reading scripture, or isolating a part of the mass, or proclaiming some truth of the Faith, but it is always a call to think more deeply, to respond with joy, and with that joy and pondering to be drawn further into relationship with God. I wanted this post to be a picture of what "group prayer" looks like in the different levels.
Level I: In the first level the group prayer is led by the catechist. Since the children are largely pre-readers, the prayer will usually consist of reading a prayer card that was chosen (like "Hail Mary" or "Glory to God") and reflecting on those words in silence for a few moments. The candle is always lit, and the children always marvel as we talk about Jesus as the Light! These children also pray for their families, friends, pets, neighbors, and they also say thank you to God a LOT. They also love to sing simple songs at prayer.
Level II (1st-3rd grades or 6-9 years): Prayer becomes more child-led in this Level. A few examples of prayer from the past two weeks that were pretty amazing: Two girls, a first grader and a third grader, were using a template to prepare prayer and they were trying to choose a scripture. They began to walk around the atrium and found the Kingdom of God parables. The older girl took the lead and they made a booklet with ALL of these parables. They even drew pictures. It was beautiful! The other example was of a boy who loves to make timelines for his prayer. He made a timeline of Jesus' life. The catechist tried to get him to limit his "props" from around the atrium to four or so, but the young 3rd grader complained, "But I want to inspire people!" He ended up pulling the shell from the baptism work over for the moment Jesus was baptized, and he chose the scripture from the Flight into Egypt for his reading. The final moment on the timeline was (of course) the Leaven. He asked the other children what the meaning of the Leaven was, and after they shared their ideas, he told them that it was like heaven because it rises so big and so fast, and that is the Parousia--what we're waiting for! It was a profound reflection and synthesis for all who shared in this prayer.
Level III (4th-6th grades or 9-12 years): Prayer here can either be much simpler than the Level II kids, or can be much more involved, depending on the time these big kids have to put into it. A few examples from the last couple of weeks: In one atrium, there are three girls who love to sing. Their scripture readings were chosen around the songs they wished to sing. And they sang in parts. And the other children in the atrium joined in. It was like a choir broke out in the atrium. Beautiful! Another group was of younger children, and they broke up their scripture reading into a choral reading piece, with each having their own part, and sometimes reading all together. The very first day of Level III, a few older children decided that they had to read from the Creation story in Genesis because it tied in so well with the works they had done that day. They read the whole first chapter, and though this can be a long reading, the other children were perfectly attentive and reflective. This age child will also bring in intentions to prayer and some of the intentions these bigger kids bring can be hard and heavy. They also like silence. For several years we would have silent moments in the atrium and the children would all comment on how LOUD the clocks were. We just built three new atria and I had an excuse to buy new clocks for every room. Digital clocks. I can't wait to make silence with them!
Level II (1st-3rd grades or 6-9 years): Prayer becomes more child-led in this Level. A few examples of prayer from the past two weeks that were pretty amazing: Two girls, a first grader and a third grader, were using a template to prepare prayer and they were trying to choose a scripture. They began to walk around the atrium and found the Kingdom of God parables. The older girl took the lead and they made a booklet with ALL of these parables. They even drew pictures. It was beautiful! The other example was of a boy who loves to make timelines for his prayer. He made a timeline of Jesus' life. The catechist tried to get him to limit his "props" from around the atrium to four or so, but the young 3rd grader complained, "But I want to inspire people!" He ended up pulling the shell from the baptism work over for the moment Jesus was baptized, and he chose the scripture from the Flight into Egypt for his reading. The final moment on the timeline was (of course) the Leaven. He asked the other children what the meaning of the Leaven was, and after they shared their ideas, he told them that it was like heaven because it rises so big and so fast, and that is the Parousia--what we're waiting for! It was a profound reflection and synthesis for all who shared in this prayer.
Level III (4th-6th grades or 9-12 years): Prayer here can either be much simpler than the Level II kids, or can be much more involved, depending on the time these big kids have to put into it. A few examples from the last couple of weeks: In one atrium, there are three girls who love to sing. Their scripture readings were chosen around the songs they wished to sing. And they sang in parts. And the other children in the atrium joined in. It was like a choir broke out in the atrium. Beautiful! Another group was of younger children, and they broke up their scripture reading into a choral reading piece, with each having their own part, and sometimes reading all together. The very first day of Level III, a few older children decided that they had to read from the Creation story in Genesis because it tied in so well with the works they had done that day. They read the whole first chapter, and though this can be a long reading, the other children were perfectly attentive and reflective. This age child will also bring in intentions to prayer and some of the intentions these bigger kids bring can be hard and heavy. They also like silence. For several years we would have silent moments in the atrium and the children would all comment on how LOUD the clocks were. We just built three new atria and I had an excuse to buy new clocks for every room. Digital clocks. I can't wait to make silence with them!
