What is an Atrium?
The atrium
was the place in the early church where the catechumens
were prepared for baptism and life in the Christian community.
It is the
name that describes our classroom. For the child, the
atrium is also a place
of preparation for involvement in the larger worshiping
community.
The atrium
is one of the supporting elements that helps the
relationship between God and the child to flourish. Everything
is child
sized in this sacred space and we enter into it and work
within it as we do
in the church sanctuary: peacefully, reverently, with
wonder, hope, and joy.
Shelves around the room are filled with materials designed
to facilitate the
child's spiritual development. Lessons include maps of
Israel, parables
Jesus told, historical events from Scripture, liturgical
colors and
calendars, vestments of the priest, objects from Holy
Eucharist and the Rite
of Baptism. Art supplies and musical instruments allow
the childen to
express themselves through writing, art, and song. Very
young children are
given the opportunity to practice practical life activities
to aid their
concentration for future lessons. Children learn to care
for their
environment. Presentations are given at appropriate times
so children
prepare for the great feasts and then celebrate them
in the atrium. From the
earliest years our children are gaining heart knowledge
of God's Word and
the liturgy of the church.
Who or What is a Catechist?
Each atrium has at least one teacher who has received
leadership training in
the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd method. This teacher
is called a
catechist. Also in each atrium are other adults who have
received assistant
training. The catechist's and assistant's role is to
prepare the environment
and make lesson presentation that "call forth" the child's
desire to draw
nearer to God. To strike the child's imagination and
ask questions that
might lead the child to ever widening horizons. They
listen with the child
and together with the child ask, "God, who are you? How
do you love us? What
is the Kingdom of God like? What is our place in it?
How do I remain close
to you? What is my part in all of this?" The adult wonders
with the child.
Together they enjoy thinking about hte questions generated
by the Scriptures
using the prepared environment as a developmental aid.
The adults learn from
the children and lessons as well.
What Materials are Used?
Materials in the atrium are attractively and carefully
displayed. Most items
have been lovingly hand made by our parishoners. The
most important
characteristic of the materials is their close link to
the biblical and
liturgical sources.
"The material consists of concrete "signs" of a transcendent
reality (and)
is a way of letting the child prolong, alone with the
inner teacher, the
meditation begun together with the adult."--Sofia Cavalletti
The children explore the materials at their own pace.
This freedom allows
the children's understandinig to develop and deepen.
Why do children spend three years in one atrium?
Each level of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd contains
three years of
material. Even though children may remain in the same
classroom they are
receiving new lessons each year. A benefit of remaining
in the same
classroom is that a child may revisit a previous lesson
with new
perspectives or questions.
"The themes (presented to the younges children) serve
as a bud; they unfold
as the children grow, according to their developmental
needs."--Catherine
Maresca
Some of our atria serve children in a two or three year
age span. This gives
everyone the opportunity to be the younger child who
watches and learns from
the older children and to be the older child who is a
role model for the
others.
Are Adults Allowed in the Atrium?
Any parishoner is welcome to schedule a time when they
can come and observe
an atrium, come for presentations for themselves, or
simply come to explore
the space. In addition, there will be an "Open Atrium"
one Sunday during the
year when the children can bring their parents into the
atrium and give them
their favorite presentations or show them their favorite
work. During the
Sunday School Hour our attentions are focused on the
children. Please call
Ana Martin at 678-560-9177 to make an appointment. Make
the journey. It's
worth the trip.
How can I Become Involved?
We are always looking for folks to assist and to become
trained catechists.
We need materials made. We have a list of items that
can be purchased and
gifted to the atria. There is reading if you're interested.
You can come for
presentations by making an appointment with a catechist.
Please make
yourself known to us if you hear that quiet little voice
calling you to the
Catechesis in any way. It is our joy and pleasure to
talk with you about
your involvement in Catechesis.