Settling in...

We are nearing Advent, and the children have settled into Atrium life. A catechist greets them at the door, asking what work they are being called to that day. It is beautiful to watch them walk in find their chosen work with confidence. They are now adept at cleaning spills, being mindful of others, and waiting if the work they've chosen is being used by someone else.

If you happen to come by, you'll probably be struck by the silence. You may see a child contemplating the gifts of Baptism with a catechist, another quietly asking an adult to light the candles at the altar, or someone meditating with the Good Shepherd materials. Other children are engaged in practical life activities - caring for a plant, washing cloths, polishing, or mixing colors.
A child may ask a question and the common response you would hear would be, "I wonder," or "What do you think?"

Not answering questions is a hard discipline, but allows for contemplation and wonder. Often the child's eventual response is so much more profound than the simple answer that was on the tip of my tongue. Sofia Cavalletti reminds us that a definition is the pin that immobilizes the butterfly :-)

If you'd like to observe, we ask that you come in quietly and sit in one of the chairs provided. Catechists are mindful that this space is a place of prayer and generally don't talk to one another during the atrium session. We're happy to chat with you outside or after the session is over.

New Beginnings!

The Holy Spirit definitely keeps me on my toes! The past year has been filled with both sorrow and joy, as one door closed and another opened. The upstairs floor of the RE building at a nearby parish was my home away from home for 11 years. My younger children roamed those hallways and made cherished friends. At one point, I saw myself as an old person, still sitting on the floor upstairs, unpacking scripture with young theologians.  The Good Shepherd has been whispering my name, calling me to trust and head forth. First to say yes to the role of formation leader, and then to then to walk away from someone else's vision of catechesis. I felt a bit like a storm tossed traveler when I briefly greeted the new pastor at my home parish. "Have you heard of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?" "No." "It's a Montessori based catechesis for children aged 3 to 12 and I'd like you to come and and see." He said "Yes," followed by "When can we start?"

There were space constraints, there were time constraints, there are beautiful programs already in place... "Trust," nudged the Holy Spirit. So here we are, starting again. I love making materials! Sofia was right when she urged catechists to work with their hands. It's a meditative, contemplative time that draws one ever deeper into scripture. I also love meeting young moms, who love their children beyond measure. People have brought me to tears with their generosity. People from 3 parishes have helped build furniture! I'm humbled by the love I've been shown.

So here we are, just a few short weeks from our very first session! Rick Zapf solved both the time and space constraints with his generous offer of the former youth room. It makes an absolutely perfect atrium. We will start slowly - Sarah and I as lead catechists with beautiful children all new to the atrium. Thank you, Holy Spirit, thank you Good Shepherd, and thank you God the Father for loving us so abundantly!

 "...the atrium is not only a place for announcement and celebration, it is also a place for work. It is a particular environment in which work easily becomes meditation and prayer." ~ Gianna Gobbi

Liturgy of Light:

The reverence and deep contemplation of the children takes my breath away!

Prayer in the atrium..

"Oh God our Savior, help us to learn, love, share and forgive." H. and K.

The Child and the Adult

From The Religious Potential of the Child pages 52-53:

“There is a deep bond uniting God to the child, the Creator to His creature…a bond with which no person should dare to interfere.

“The help the adult can give the child is only preliminary and peripheral, and one that halts – that must halt – on the threshold of the ‘place’ where God speaks with His creature.

“The incandescent moment of the meeting with God occurs in secret between the Lord and His creature, and into this secret the adult may not and should not enter.”

I read the above again recently and it touched me deeply, so I thought I’d share.

The world rewards the quick answer, the fast solution. We are trained to respond at the earliest age, garnering praise for coming up with the correct response with alacrity. The atrium allows the adult, as well as the child, to ponder the great mysteries of God without the pressure of an expected response. This is a beautiful gift, one that often takes my breath away  :-)

~ Beate