SHARING FAITH AS A FAMILY. Bethlehem Stage of the Calasanz Movement
Pedro Martinez Roig. Escolapios Betania Pastoral Team
In the framework of the Calasanz Movement process proposed by the Bethlehem Province, the Bethlehem Stage has been one of the most beautiful experiences since the launching of the Arjé Pastoral Project.
This stage, which gathers students (and their families) from 3 to 7 years old, proposes a first approach to the Calasanz Movement of the whole family nucleus, starting a baptismal and first proclamation itinerary.
Its objectives are:
- To involve families in the process of evangelization of themselves and their children.
- To make a First/Second proclamation of the Gospel.
- To initiate and accompany the religious awakening.
The methodology followed is based on group meetings once a month. At each meeting, parents and their children share (usually) a first moment of presentation followed by dynamics specific to the topic being discussed, which can be either together or separately. At the end of the meeting, the families gathered what they experienced during the session.
The different meetings respond to the following contents directed to the general objectives:
Invitation to discover the Piarist Christian community as a place for families to live their faith.
- Discovery of the Church as the People of God.
- Introduction to prayer and liturgical life.
- Work on our images of God and the one that Jesus Christ shows us.
- Application of the baptismal itinerary.
- Baptism is an invitation to a way of life.
- Knowledge of the dialogue between faith and culture.
- Proposal of the Gospel as a way of life.
- Introduction to the Christian perspective of life.
- Basic rudiments of the experience of God.
- Introduction of corporal, musical, and plastic expression in the personal process of faith.
- Linking the religious experience to the affective experience.
For the success of this proposal, the involvement of the tutors of the infant and primary stages has been (and continues to be) key in convening and explaining the proposal and accompanying the different groups of families.
TESTIMONIALS
Participating in the Bethlehem meetings and accompanying the families is really a gift. Each meeting is prepared with special care and attention so that both the children and their parents or grandparents can enjoy the shared time.
Accompanying them on the journey of discovering Jesus with their families is an adventure. The little ones meet a friend, Jesus, who helps them to take care of themselves, love, and value themselves as a family. The “grown-ups” have the opportunity to reread their own family history while being offered spaces to value and discern what they are living in the present moment together with their sons and daughters.
Each moment of Bethlehem makes us witnesses, those we accompany, of an encounter with Jesus. Jesus is present in the affection, the reflections, the handicrafts, the care, the laughter, the looks, the caresses, the hugs, the smiles… that arise between the little ones and their families.
Elena López Cuchillo (Early Childhood teacher and accompanist of Bethlehem in Aluche school).
The Bethlehem stage’s Catechesis is an opportunity to learn and grow together, parents and children. It is fortunate to participate with our children, with the masterful direction of the catechists who manage to reach and interest the little ones and enrich the parents’ experience. You take away simple and, at the same time, essential contributions that are very practical in the experience of the Christian faith and teachings for family life. It requires the effort of the catechists to combine teaching children and parents, as well as the effort of the parents to make room for you. Our daughters enjoy it because they are fortunate to share the activity with us. Just as you care that your children receive other extracurricular training, the catechesis of the Bethlehem stage is a precious experience and a learning experience for children and parents.
Parents of the Bethlehem Stage of the school of Salamanca
