The Atrium is a place of prayer, where all that we do has the potential and intent to lead us deeper into relationship with Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Because prayer is not just about speaking with God but, rather, rests on our growing ability to listen to Him, the Atrium assists the children in their ability to listen for God. The beauty and order of the Atrium space and the "settling" activities of Practical Life which allow for growth in focus and concentration provide indirect aids to listening for the voice of the Good Shepherd. When these tools are in place the children can receive the proclamation of God's Word from the Bible and His action in the gestures of the liturgy in a deeper, fuller way. After several lengthy discussions regarding the Sacraments, some of the Level 3 children drew a picture including all seven Sacraments. Each child chose to put them in an order which followed a pattern only they knew. When we gathered back together we tried to figure out the pattern each had chosen. As the example, I had grouped the sacraments by the number of times we receive them. On the first row I had Baptism and Confirmation (only once). The second row had Holy Orders (once but with three "layers:" deacon, priest, bishop) and Matrimony (once or until the spouse has died). The final row had those we are invited to receive more than once including Eucharist, Confession, and Anointing of the Sick. Here are some of the drawings done by the children. Can you tell why they chose to draw them as they did??
The E1 children (Level 2) were invited to choose an Infancy Narrative and look for how that Scripture fit with the prophecy from Isaiah 9:1, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light." Here are some of their thoughts... |
Carolyn Kohlhaas
CGS Catechist and Formation Leader (Levels I, II, and III) Categories
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April 2024
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