Intermediate St. Francis of Assisi Parish

Intermediate

The Intermediate atrium serves children in grades 4 through 6 and marks the end of the formal “Good Shepherd Catechesis” program. The main emphasis in this atrium is to explore the Judeo-Christian tradition.

The older elementary child now has a firm understanding of time and can successfully explore the Old Testament, seeing how the patriarchs and prophets link to Jesus and the New Testament. The children and catechists take part in a process called, “Typology,” which seeks to analyze Scripture and see the relationship between the Old and New Testaments. Studies of Abraham, Moses, The Prophets, Creation, the Fall, and the Flood are undertaken over the two year cycle.

This Scripture study is also coupled with a study of Jewish life, both in Old Testament times, the time of Jesus, and today.

This helps the elementary child to understand the Christian roots in Judaism and celebrate both our similarities and differences. The children are free to explore many books about Jewish Culture and look through an “artifact” basket, filled with authentic items such as: a yarmulke, a menorah, a dreidel, a mezuzah, a shofar, and much more. A time-line of Jewish history traces the movement of the Jewish people throughout time, their development of worship, and their steadfast commitment to remembering the One True God. There is also a model of the Ark of the Covenant, the ancient chest which contained the Tablets of the Ten Commandments. A model of the synagogue helps to see the connection between Jewish worship and Christian worship. A model Seder Meal and a trip to a synagogue help to make these lessons come to life.

The History of the Kingdom of God continues to be explored through time-lines and “great stories.” A special time-line entitled “The Plan of God” is now introduced, which looks at God’s special connection to human beings throughout all time and the work of humans as co-creators, working in collaboration with God to bring about cosmic communion. The Hebrew people are highlighted as establishing the covenant with God and bringing monotheism into practice. The “blank page” emphasizing our own contribution to the Plan of God is highlighted again, with the children making their own time-line, illustrating “My Place in the Kingdom of God.” Historical and current events are discussed as “for” or “against” the Plan of God.

The Intermediate atrium continues to focus on the Maxims as models of behavior. They are now compared with the Ten Commandments and other moral teachings of the church, such as the Beatitudes and Works of Mercy.

Children continue to explore the Mass and other Sacraments of the church. The Rites of Baptism, Confirmation and Anointing of the Sick are explored with prayers and rituals.