| CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD
SHEPHERD Wednesday
Nights "Let the little children
come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to
such as these that the kingdom
of heaven belongs."
Matthew 19:14  Church
of the Holy Communion is pleased to be in its tenth year offering this unique
approach to the religious formation of children called the Catechesis of the Good
Shepherd (CGS). Rooted in Scripture, liturgy, and the educational philosophy of
Maria Montessori the CGS method recognizes the developmental needs and spiritual
capacities of the child. CHC is truly part of an international movement as the
work of CGS currently serves children of diverse cultures, economies, and backgrounds
in 23 countries. Approximately half of all atria in the United States are in Episcopal
parishes. The other half are established in Catholic, Methodist, and Lutheran
parishes.
he
CGS atria at CHC serve children between the ages of 2 and 9. The Little Lambs
atrium is a preparation class for our youngest parishioners age 2 by June 1st
of the current year through age 3. The Level I atrium is for the child between
the ages of 3-6. The Level II atrium is for children ages 6-9.
"If we
want to help the child draw nearer to God, we should with patience and courage…seek
to go always closer to the vital nucleus of things. This requires study and prayer.
The child himself will be our teacher if we know how to observe him."
Sofia Cavalletti HISTORY CGS
began in Rome in 1954 with Hebrew and biblical scholar Sofia Cavalletti and her
collaborator, Gianna Gobbi, a Montessori educator. Early in the twentieth century
Maria Montessori uncovered and studied the spiritual capacities of children that
were not commonly known, like the capacity for concentration, love of order, desire
for work, and a love of silence which are outlined in her book The Child In
The Church. In the years that followed several Montessori educators continued
the study of the spiritual life of the child. But it was in 1954 that this seed
of an idea to blend Montessori education and religious education would blossom
fully when a friend and Montessori teacher of Cavalletti's asked her to give a
few Bible lessons to several young children. Sofia refused at first believing
she knew nothing about children. Eventually consenting she began a work that would
become her life's study and a way for many thousands of adults and children all
over the world to be in the presence of God together. Today, at age 89, Sofia
still has her weekly atrium sessions at Centro di Catechesi studying and observing
children as she has for the past 50 years.
"The atrium is a place where the child
comes to know the great realities of life as a Christian, but also and above all,
a place where the child begins to live these realities in meditation and prayer.
There is nothing of the academic classroom about the atrium; it is not a place
for religious instruction but for religious life. The atrium is a place of work,
where the work however becomes conversation with God." Sofia
Cavalletti
 THE
ATRIUM
The atrium is the prepared environment where the children
and trained adult leaders (catechists) meet. It consists of materials that are
child-sized models of objects used in the Church's worship such as an altar, the
articles of the Eucharist, liturgical colors and an area dedicated to the sacrament
of baptism. There are also materials relating to the proclamation of the faith
such as parables, prophecies, geography of Israel, and the life of Christ. The
children are invited to work with these materials during each session and plenty
of opportunity is given for self-expression through artwork, song, and prayer
in order to internalize and respond to the proclamation. The atrium is a place
that "calls forth" the child's response rather than to "pour in"
information. Sessions end with all gathering for a time of communal prayer.
THE
CATECHIST  Trained
adult leaders and assistants are referred to as catechists and use scripture and
liturgy to give presentations/lessons to the children. The catechist does not
give answers or impart his/her personal views. The catechist simply presents the
reality and asks "wondering questions" in order to meditate on the proclamation
thereby leading the child to their own discovery of the meaning. The motto of
CGS is "Help me fall in love with God by myself."
The
catechist's role is that of a facilitator - preparing materials, maintaining the
atrium environment, sharing in listening to God in song and prayer, reflecting
with children on scripture as well as giving presentations on the liturgy and
life of the church.  VISITS
AND OBSERVATION Parents and parishioners are always
welcome to visit the atrium. Once the children have settled into the atrium and
are well established in their work, visitors are welcome to observe on an individual
basis. Visits are scheduled in advance with the catechist and "guidelines"
for observation will be presented prior to the visit. GOOD
SHEPHERD GUILD The Good Shepherd Guild was established in 2003
to include the wider parish in supporting the work of CGS. Parishioners talents
in painting, calligraphy, woodworking, sewing, or simply giving a little time
in cutting out printed shapes of crosses, candles, chalices, etc. are much needed
and a great way to help out on a one time project. If you would like to offer
your time or talent please contact any catechist or Beth
Russell. THE
GOOD SHEPHERD CENTER In Memphis, the Good Shepherd Center is
located next door to our parish at 105 S. Perkins and is under the direction of
Rebekah Rojcewicz, an internationally recognized catechist and trainer of formation
leaders. She trained for two years in Rome with Sofia Cavalletti and has been
in this work for twenty-six years. The Good Shepherd Center is a premier training
center of local and out of state catechists and hosts international workshops
for formation leaders to train catechists in this method. The center has a weekly
2-hour atrium session for children ages 3 through 12 after school hours on Wednesdays.
For more information about the center contact Rebekah Rojcewicz at 767-9220. THE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION In the U.S., The National Association for
the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, under the direction of Tina Lillig, is located
in Chicago Illinois. The link below will take you directly to their Website, which
gives information about CGS, national workshops and training, publications, and
a complete list of atria in the United States. www.cgsusa.org SUGGESTED
READING All of the books listed below are available to checkout
from our parish library. If you would like your own copy it is available from
several sources including the National Association for the Catechesis of the Good
Shepherd's website or The Good Shepherd Center located next door to our parish
at 105 S. Perkins. The Religious Potential of the Child
Sofia
Cavalletti, Liturgy Training Publications, 1992 The Religious Potential
of the Child II
Sofia Cavalletti, Liturgy Training Publications, 2003 Listening
to God With Children
Gianna Gobbi, Treehaus Communications, 1998 The
Good Shepherd and the Child: A Joyful Journey
Sofia Cavalletti, Patricia
Coulter, Gianna Gobbi, and Silvana Montanaro Liturgy Training Publications, 1996.
The
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in a Parish Setting
Tina Lillig, Liturgy
Training Publications, 1998 Living Liturgy: Elementary Reflections
Sofia Cavaletti, Liturgy Training Publications, 1998 History's Golden
Thread
Sofia Cavalletti, Liturgy Training Publications The Normalized
Child
Montessori Training The Child in the Church
Maria
Montessori, 1929 Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Elementary Reflections
Edited by Tina Lillig 2004 | 
