Catechesis of the Good Shepherd / Atrium

For the 2017-2018 academic year, Michael West will be the atrium coordinator. For more information, please contact him at atrium.st.marys@gmail.com.

See the 2017-2018 Calendar below. For general information, keep scrolling down. 
Training Opportunities:
  • The Archdiocese of Hartford will hold a catechist training for level 1 of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, beginning May 19th, 2018. More information is available here, or by emailing atrium.st.marys@gmail.com.
  • In addition, a catechist training for the first half of Level I of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd will be held at St. Mary's Church from June 25-29, 2018. More information is available here, or by emailing Caroline Townsend at chtownsend@gmail.com."

Overview

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a highly acclaimed approach to the religious formation of children, rooted in the Bible, the liturgy of the Church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori. Children gather in an “atrium,” a room specially prepared for them which contains simple yet beautiful materials that they use to ponder the story of Christ and the life of the Church. Elements of the Mass, a topographical map of the Land of Israel and a timeline for the History of the Kingdom of God are just a few of the experiences the children encounter in atriums that serve children aged 3 to 6 (Level I), 6 to 9 (Level II), and 9 to 12 (Level III). For more information, please find the contact information at the top of the page.

Enroll

To enroll in St. Mary's Catechesis of the Good Shepherd / Atrium Religious Education program, please find the contact information at the top of the page.

First Confession & First Holy Communion

Children in the Level II atrium may prepare to make their first Confession and first Holy Communion.  However, children are to be enrolled in religious education classes the year prior to the year of sacramental reception as a norm (either in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program or the traditional religious education program). For more information, please find the contact information at the top of the page.

Catechists & Assistants

All atrium catechists are required to attend 100 hours of formation in each level before leading an atrium. The 100 hours provide the foundation for their continuing study of Scripture and the liturgy, learning how to observe the child, and personal prayer.

In addition to the catechist, each atrium also has one or more assistants, who play an invaluable role in enabling the atrium to function smoothly and in assuring that each child flourishes. No special training is required to become an atrium assistant; each catechist provides brief training to his or her assistant(s). Any parent, grandparent, high school student, or other parishioner who is interested in assisting in an atrium is invited to please find the contact information at the top of the page.

Resources

For more information about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, including books that can be excellent resources for anyone whose child is enrolled in an atrium, as well as listings of formation classes for those interested in becoming catechists, visit the national Catechesis of the Good Shepherd web site.