Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

“…unless you turn and become like

children, you will never enter the

Kingdom of heaven …” Matthew 18:3 RSV

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is based on building a personal relationship with God through prayer, the Bible, and Liturgy. We believe that there is a deep bond between God and the child which produces in the child the desire to draw near to God. The catechists’ role is to prepare the environment and to make presentations that “call forth” the child’s response rather than “pour in” information. They listen with the child and together ask, “God, who are you? How do you love us?” The adult is a co‐wonderer with the child as they together enjoy meditating on the questions generated by the Scriptures with the prepared environment as a developmental aid.

The atrium is one of the elements that helps the relationship between God and the child flourish. After a theme has been presented, the child is free to choose an activity that will make possible the inner dialogue with the “Interior Teacher” Holy Spirit. The atrium helps to nourish this relationship in several ways: the atrium can be compared to a retreat house facilitating recollection and silence; the atrium is a place for religious life, for community and worship—not a classroom for instruction; the atrium is a place of work which becomes a conversation with God

The shelves include maps of Israel and miniature environments representing the elements of the parables and historical events from Scripture that have been shown to satisfy the spiritual needs of the child. The arrangement of the altar and its related furnishings conveys the centrality of the Eucharist. The Baptismal font and other liturgical items initiate the child into the liturgical life of the Church.

What will your child learn at each Atrium level?