The Wonderful Paper Me

While on our field trip to Ithaca College last weekend, Iacobus and I found a lovely informational pamphlet prepared by the Diocese of Rochester and written by a "contemplative nun": Talking with your 6-8 year old about HIV/AIDS. Why the Chaplaincy at Ithaca College offers this particular pamphlet, I have no idea - but Iacobus and I were both horrified.

Apparently, the State of New York mandates an HIV/AIDS "education" for each grade. The pamphlet explains: "In grades K-3, a public school AIDS/HIV curriculum would not differ greatly from a Catholic perspective. Emphasis is on developing attitudes, knowledge and behavior that contribute to self-worth, respect for the body and good decision-making skills." That's wonderful.

The pamphlet also has suggestions of "activities/strategies for the home". My favorite is the first:

Using wrapping paper, trace the outline of your child's body to create "The Wonderful Paper Me." Invite your child to label various parts of the body and what they can do with that part. Display the "Wonderful Paper Me" as a reminder that God has given us our bodies to enjoy life by using our gifts and giving our love to help others.

Rarely does the Diocese of Rochester fail to impress me. We also found there a prayer card for the Ithaca College Catholic Community, with some modernist image of a sun and dove on it, which begins thus: "O Divine Gift-giver, I stand beneath the endless waterfall of your abundant gifts to me. . . ." Doubtless, they looked long and hard for one with the gift of poetry to write that line.


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