Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium Handbook

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1 Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium Handbook 1

2 Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a program for the faith and spiritual forma on of the child. The focus of this program is to deepen the child s exis ng rela onship with God; to encourage the forma on of a personal prayer life; to par cipate fully in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church and to develop a deeper understanding of Catholic iden ty and tradi on. This is accomplished through the use of materials, prayer, song, listening to the Word of God, and giving the child me to work with the materials provided. All lessons are presented using Montessori methods that encourage the child to work with a variety of easily accessible materials., which are: 1. the prepared environment; 2. child-directed ac vity; 3. adult as servant and observer. Level One encourages the children ages 4-kindergarten to develop their innate poten al for a faith-filled rela- onship with God. They encounter Jesus, the Good Shepherd who loves them, cares for them, and calls them by name. Catechesis includes Scripture, Mass gestures, prayers, artwork, and music. Level One is for ages 4- kindergarten. In order to determine if your child is ready to join the other children in the Atrium (room) the following ques- ons will assist you. Can/Does your child follow simple direc ons? Can/Does your child communicate in simple sentences? Can/Does your child transi on from one ac vity to another with ease? Can/Does your child interact with other children? Does your child separate from you easily? Is your child completely po y trained? Is your child able to care for his or her bathroom needs without assistance? Can/Does your child sit, listen, and par cipate for up to twenty minutes as new materials are presented? Na onal Associa on for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, with some revisions 2

3 MASS Parents and children are encouraged to a end regular Sunday and Holy Day Mass, as the children need to experience the Liturgy in order to make the connec on between what they hear in the Atrium and Mass. Parents and children are encouraged to sit near the altar in order for the children to witness what they have been learning. CALENDAR The Atrium follows the liturgical seasons of the Catholic Church from the end of August through the first Monday of May. Please read monthly newsle er for updates and schedule changes. On the days when Faith Fes vals are held, there will be NO Atrium sessions. You and your child are expected to a end Faith Fes val together. DRESS CODE Dress children in comfortable clothing that allows ease of movement, as they will be working on mats on the floor, while keeping in mind the respec ul a tude due to this special place. No blinking shoes, costumes, or ballerina tutus please. Please keep in mind that we cul vate a reverent atmosphere in the Atrium, similar to that in the cathedral. ILLNESS & ABSENCES Please keep children who are sick at home un l they recover. ATRIUM BEHAVIOR Following the discre on of the catechists or assistants, if a child hurts another person in the Atrium (by hi ng, bi ng, punching, kicking, pinching, scratching, etc ) then we will ask them to skip the next week of Atrium. This is to cul vate an atmosphere of respect in the Atrium. If it happens a second me, the child will be asked to wait un l the next semester before returning. ARRIVAL Before arriving at the Atrium, please be sure children have eaten a snack and have used the restroom. Since the Atrium is a reverent environment, like the cathedral, please encourage your children to use their Atrium voice and Atrium walk when entering. 3

4 DISMISSAL At the end of Atrium, the children gather around the prayer table to listen to the Word of God, pray and sing. When Atrium is over, children are called by name to line up for dismissal. Children will only be released to designated persons authorized by parents or legal guardians. If you arrive late, your child will wait for you on the pew by Door 1. In the best interest of your children and the catechists, please be prompt in collec ng your children. ENVIRONMENT The Atrium is a special place for prayer and enjoyment of God, where children listen to the Good Shepherd s voice during cateche cal presenta ons and can meditate on God s Word while working. In order to cul vate a prayerful environment, we teach children to use the slow Atrium walk and quiet Atrium voice. Please model a quiet manner of speaking and walking to help your children become accustomed to using their Atrium voice and Atrium walk. CHILD S PAPERWORK Each child will have a folder in which to keep their papers (coloring, gluing, etc ). At the end of the year, we will send the work home. We ask parents not to expect paperwork a er each session, since one of the key Montessori principles is that young children work for the process not the end product. ALLERGIES In addi on to the RE registra on form, please also note IN WRITING any allergies that your children have that the catechists need to know and understand (food, environmental, medicine, etc). This may include an allergy plan. Catechists will review and ask ques ons of parents to ensure appropriate ac ons are taken should signs of reac on occur. CANDLES Candles (ba ery operated) are lit in the Atrium when Scripture is read and during sacred moments. PLANTS We have plants and cut flowers in the Atrium, if your child has allergies to any flora and fauna please let us know in detail. VISITORS 4 Please make arrangements with the catechists before visi ng the Atrium. Parents have the opportunity to meet and greet the catechists at the Back to RE event.

and tradi on. It is rooted in the educa- onal principles of Maria Montessori, Dr. Sofia Cavele, and Gianna Gobbi. Sofia Cavale Born: August 21, 1917 Died: August 23, 2011 Dr.

5 The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to faith forma on of children ages 3 to 12. The focus of the program is to deepen the child s prayer life, enhance liturgical par cipa on, deepen their par cipa on in the sacraments, and to develop a deeper understanding of Catholic iden ty and tradi on. It is rooted in the educa- onal principles of Maria Montessori, Dr. Sofia Cavele, and Gianna Gobbi. Sofia Cavale Born: August 21, 1917 Died: August 23, 2011 Dr. Sofia Cavale was a Hebrew and Scripture scholar and member of the Va can Commission for Jewish Chris an Rela ons. Dr. Cavale as asked by a mother to give her son religious instruc on in prepara on for Eucharist. At first she refused (not having much to do with children in her academic world) but eventually she consented. This experience with the 7-year-old boy changed her whole life and began what we now know as the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Dr. Cavale saw in that child, a way of being in the presence of God that is unique to the child and a gi to the adult who stops long enough to no ce. Sofia s background in scripture made it possible for her to present God to the child in a way that opened a plethora of ideas and images that the child could grasp and comprehend. Gianna Gobbi Born: December 15, 1919 Died: January 29, 2002 Gianna was one of the primary people, along with Cavale, who worked at applying the principles of the Montessori method of religious educa on now embodied in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Prior to her contribu ons to Catechesis of the good Shepherd, Gianna worked for 15 years in Montessori schools. Professor Gianna Gobbi and Dr. Sofia Cavele began the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in

If we want to help the child draw nearer to God, we should with pa ence and courage seek to go always closer to the vital nucleus of

- Sofia Cavale Maria Montessori Born: 1870 Died : 1952 Maria Montessori became the first woman medical doctor in Italy, and early in her

Her training as a scien st allowed her to observe children with an eye to recognizing their intrinsic needs.

6 If we want to help the child draw nearer to God, we should with pa ence and courage seek to go always closer to the vital nucleus of things. This requires study and prayer. The children will be our teachers if we know how to observe them. - Sofia Cavale Maria Montessori Born: 1870 Died : 1952 Maria Montessori became the first woman medical doctor in Italy, and early in her career started working with children in the slums of Rome. Her training as a scien st allowed her to observe children with an eye to recognizing their intrinsic needs. Montessori accumulated a series of materials that are s ll used in Montessori schools around the world. As well as the materials, her observa- ons led her to theories on how children learn best. Many of her discoveries are well accepted in early childhood educa on today. 6

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Date Time Topic Location 9/21/13 Saturday

Date Time Topic Location 9/21/13 Saturday 1811 Pueblo Vista Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89128 Helen Silva Faith Formation and CGS: 702-804-8351 ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Program of Parental Catechesis in Support of the Faith Formation of their Children Date