I visited a Catholic school kindergarten class a while ago, and the experience was so odd that it hasn’t left my mind. I envisioned their sweetly bowed heads as they reverently recited the rosary, or perhaps a decade of it, before a crucifix and a statue of Our Lady. I was in for a shock.
Several years ago, the pastor at my former RC parish asked me to teach one of the Confirmation classes. I was truly humbled by this request and committed myself 100%, by showing up for each and every preparatory meeting. Finally, the Catechist's Guides were distributed and I anxiously sat down hungry to prepare for the first night's class. Turning to Chapter 1, I reviewed the list of items to bring the first night of class. Here it is and in the book's order:
* one or more dice
* newsprint and markers
* stones of similar size and texture, one for each student
* 3 narrow strips of dense fabric to serve as blindfolds
* candidates's handbooks
* pens, one for each candidate
* a large rock to serve as a symbol of Jesus
* two pillar candles and matches
* a Bible
* a tape player or CD player and songs on the themes of loneliness and friendship.
(NB - for those with children preparing for Confirmation, this is the Thomas Zansig, 'Confirmed In A Faithful Community' series from Saint Mary's Press, Christian Brothers Publications, Winona Minnesota).
Like the author of this article, I was shocked! On the first night of class, I brought along the Bible, a Rosary and the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. We progressed from there - without rocks, stones, pillar candles and mood music.
When it came time to selecting a Confirmation name, anticipating that these kids wanted to pick something different or unusual, I pointed them to a web site that lists ALL the catholic saints back to the 1st century. Not only did they appreciate the link, they enjoyed reading up on some of these forgotten saints, especially the martyrs. All of my students chose saint's names whereas many kids in the other classes chose unusual contemporary, even invented names. Ironically, the pastor's nephew was in one of the other classes. He chose some funky name to rile his priest uncle and to express his ability to be different. Even more ironical, the name he chose just happened to be that of some 2nd century saint which eased the qualms of the pastor who never let on to his nephew :-).
To all of you with small children enrolled in Catholic School or Religious Instruction, check and double check the teaching materials being used. If possible, work to have the unseemly materials replaced with more orthodox ones and always fill in the blanks with your children. Be the oasis in the desert!
It sounds like you did a wonderful job.