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