2018 - Page 4 of 4 - Catechist's Aide

We hear the term Paschal Mystery all the time, but what exactly does it mean? How do we explain the Paschal Mystery to our children and middle school students? The Lenten season is a perfect time to have this discussion. We have many mysteries in our faith. These are beliefs that we accept as truth on faith alone because they have been revealed to us by God. These mysteries are central to our faith, but not always the easiest to explain to our children and students. When we talk about the Paschal Mystery we are referring to God’s plan of salvation which was ultimately fulfilled through four events in Christ’s life. Those four events are His Passion (his suffering and crucifixion), death, Resurrection, and Ascension.

Let’s take a step back for a minute and look at the word Paschal. It comes from the Hebrew word PASACH which means to PASS OVER. This refers, of course, to the first Passover when the Lord passed over the homes of the Israelites while striking down the firstborn of Egypt. In that case, the Israelites smeared the blood of a lamb on their doorposts to signify their belief in the one true God. The sacrificing of an innocent lamb became the means of their salvation and their deliverance from captivity in Egypt. In the same way, God sent His Son to be our paschal lamb. The essence of our faith is this: that Jesus came to die for us, to free us from sin, and so that we might have a new and eternal life.

This was God’s plan from the start

We can go back to the Garden of Eden just after the original sin of Adam and Eve, to the protoevangelium. This is where God gives us the first glimpse of His salvific plan, saying to the serpent, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; They will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel.” (Genesis 3: 15) And, we can look back at each of the covenants of the Old Testament, to see where God continued to reach out to humanity, again and again, in an effort to restore us into loving relationship with Him.

At every Mass, which itself is a celebration of the Paschal Mystery, we remember and proclaim “the mystery of faith,” when we respond:

Save us, Savior of the world,

For by your Cross and Resurrection

You have set us free.

Living the Paschal Mystery

When we speak these words at Mass, we affirm our belief in the Paschal Mystery and more. We don’t say “Save me, Savior of the world …” but save us. The Paschal Mystery tells us that we are not to be concerned only with our own personal salvation, but the salvation of all.

What is my role, then, in God’s saving plan? How can I join in the Paschal Mystery? We need only look at the instruction that Jesus gave to his apostles just before he ascended into heaven. He told them, “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28: 19-20) What does this mean for us? When we answer the call to holiness, when we live our lives according to the Beatitudes, when we receive the Sacraments, we are living as Jesus commanded. In a spiritual sense, whenever we personally die to sin, to our personal desires and to ourselves, and rise to a life centered on Christ, we are living the Paschal Mystery.

Try out this activity designed to help middle school students better understand the events of Christ’s Paschal Sacrifice. It is free to download just click here.

New parents quickly realize that babies need established routines, and as our children grow, the need for consistency and routine does not go away. Setting naptimes, bath time, bedtimes, meal times, as well as time to study or do homework, brings a predictable element to their day and helps to develop a sense of security and stability in a child. Maintaining a predictable routine has been found to be instrumental in limiting behavioral problems for children, and can greatly reduce stress for parents as well.

In the classroom, the need for establishing and maintaining routine is also critical. As a Catechist, I have found that routine in the classroom provides significant benefits making the 1 hour and 15 minutes of class time we spend together each week much more productive, and frankly more enjoyable.

3 Benefits of Establishing a Routine in the Classroom

Makes Lesson Planning Easier

For the Catechist, knowing the routine helps when it comes to lesson planning. The routine virtually leads me step by step through the process. It serves as my outline, and I can fill in the blanks with material, activities, bible study, prayers, etc. I have always loved being a Catechist, but to be completely honest, much of my initial experience had been frustrating because of my own disorganization and inability to control the classroom. The first time I was able to plan a lesson and then have it play out in the classroom as planned was exhilarating, and a big boost to my confidence.

Fewer Distractions and Saves Time

A good routine helps to limit student movement in the classroom, or at least direct it where you want it to go. When your students know what they are supposed to be doing at any given time, there will naturally be less distractions, resulting in less time wasted explaining and re-explaining things to them. When someone comes in late they are easily able to jump right in without distracting the rest of the class. When someone needs to leave early, there should be a routine for that as well so as to minimize disruption.

Students are Focused and Engaged

A predictable routine will allow students to quickly become well-versed in the flow of the class, and what comes next. This creates an environment where it’s easier for them to focus and be engaged in the lesson, making it easier for them to learn.

One word of caution – change can happen when you least expect it. A few weeks ago my class was assigned a different room to meet in because our regular classroom was not available. This one little divergence from our established routine was enough to cause considerable chaos. The chairs were set up differently so, no one was sure where to sit, I generally use an overhead projector which has cues for the students, and I didn’t have access to that kind of technology in the new room. I had underestimated and was unprepared for how a change in our physical setting could throw our class into disorder and confusion. The resulting class was not the best experience, but it taught me the importance of having a backup plan!

What Every Catholic Should Know about the Paschal Mystery

This was God’s plan from the start

Living the Paschal Mystery

Benefits of Establishing a Classroom Routine

Archives for 2018

This was God’s plan from the start

Living the Paschal Mystery