Children and Youth Ministries

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
(scroll down for photos)

The Catechesis of the Good
Shepherd is an approach to the
religious formation of children.
It is rooted in the Bible, the
liturgy of the church, and the
educational principles of Maria
Montessori. Children gather in
an "atrium," a room prepared
for them, which contains
simple yet beautiful materials
that they use.

You may be wondering how these materials help the religious life of children? If an adult
hears a beautiful passage from the Bible, the adult might take a Bible, find the passage, and read it slowly again and again. He or she may think deeply about the words and perhaps speak to God in a thankful or hopeful prayer. But a little child, too young to read, needs another way. In an atrium the child can ponder a biblical passage or a prayer from the liturgym by taking the material for that text and working with it - placing wood figures of sheep in a sheepfold of the Good Shepherd, setting sculpted apostles around a Last Supper table, or preparing a small altar with the furnishings used for the Eucharist. Older children who do read often copy parables from the Bible, lay in order written prayers from the rite of baptism, or label a long time line showing the history of the kingdom of God.
(Taken from the national website of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, here)

We presently have two Atriums (Atria?); one for Level I children, aged 3 to 6, and Level II
children aged 6 to 9. The other Atrium is for older children aged 9 and up. At the beginning
of the new church year (Advent I) the older children will transition to a program designed
specifically for their age group. Some of the children now in the Level I Atrium will move up to the Level II.

The whole church community can become involved in the Catechesis program. Teachers and helpers are needed, of course, but people can help by painting the figures, cutting out shapes for pasting, and other preparation of the materials. If you are interested in assisting in theAtrium in any capacity, please contact Monica Walker here.

Atrium Pictures

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