Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Graceville
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the faith formation of both children and adults. It is based on the belief that God and the child are in relationship. Together, both adult and child develop the ability to listen as they ask “God, Who are you, and how do you love us?”
For the child the Atrium is a place of quiet reflection. It is a place of preparation for involvement in the larger worshipping community. It is a place that facilitates a conversation with God.
For the child the Atrium is a place of quiet reflection. It is a place of preparation for involvement in the larger worshipping community. It is a place that facilitates a conversation with God.
‘During the time that the children are on their own they are absorbing and internalising.
... Their activity is a passage to prayer or prayer itself.’
Sofia Cavaletti, co-founder Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
... Their activity is a passage to prayer or prayer itself.’
Sofia Cavaletti, co-founder Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
The Good Shepherd
The Atrium is based on the parable of the Good Shepherd. Jesus, The Good Shepherd, is the teacher.The catechist facilitates the child’s encounter with Jesus by preparing the sacred space for the children, called 'the atrium', where they can respond to this holy relationship, first proclaimed to them through Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
Overview
3 – 6 years: At this level the children are introduced to the atrium with the practical life materials, geography of the land of Israel and the liturgical colours we see at Mass.
The central theme is the Good Shepherd who calls us by name and who loves and cares for us. Other works include the Infancy Narratives, The Kingdom parables, the essential moments of the Eucharist, the Paschal Narratives and the celebration of Baptism.
6 – 12 years: The central theme for this age is the True Vine. The children are invited to enjoy God’s presence and remain on the Vine, letting the sap of the Holy Spirit flow through them, to help them bear fruit. The children are presented with an overview of God’s great plan in Creation, the love of God shown in Redemption and our future hope in Parousia , when God will be all in all. They also study more fully the Mass, the Sacraments, Scriptures, the Maxims and Moral Parables.
The Atrium is based on the parable of the Good Shepherd. Jesus, The Good Shepherd, is the teacher.The catechist facilitates the child’s encounter with Jesus by preparing the sacred space for the children, called 'the atrium', where they can respond to this holy relationship, first proclaimed to them through Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
Overview
3 – 6 years: At this level the children are introduced to the atrium with the practical life materials, geography of the land of Israel and the liturgical colours we see at Mass.
The central theme is the Good Shepherd who calls us by name and who loves and cares for us. Other works include the Infancy Narratives, The Kingdom parables, the essential moments of the Eucharist, the Paschal Narratives and the celebration of Baptism.
6 – 12 years: The central theme for this age is the True Vine. The children are invited to enjoy God’s presence and remain on the Vine, letting the sap of the Holy Spirit flow through them, to help them bear fruit. The children are presented with an overview of God’s great plan in Creation, the love of God shown in Redemption and our future hope in Parousia , when God will be all in all. They also study more fully the Mass, the Sacraments, Scriptures, the Maxims and Moral Parables.
Sofia said the children have always been her teacher.
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History and Vision
The vision for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd formation began in 1954 in Rome, with Dr. Sofia Cavalletti, a Hebrew and Scripture scholar and member of the Vatican Commission for Jewish - Christian Relations, and her colleague, Professor Gianna Gobbi, a Montessori trained educator. Sofia was asked by a mother to give her son some religious instruction. 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 Cavalletti saw in that child, and in numerous other children since, a way of being in the presence of God that is unique to the child and a gift to the adult who stops long enough to notice. Children desire to draw near to God but need the sensitive guidance of the adult as well as the inner guidance of the Holy Spirit to nurture this relationship. |
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The Graceville Atrium
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd came to Australia in 1995. The Graceville Atrium began in 1997 in a spare room under a house in the parish. It quickly expanded and in 1999 moved to Christ the King presbytery in Randolph Street. It is now able to provide the space for the three atria: Level I [3 -6 years], Level II [6 – 9 years], Level III [9 – 12 years] as well as the Sacramental Programme. We are open on Mondays, Tuesday afternoons and Thursday. From a tiny beginning the atrium has grown like the ‘mustard seed’. We now have 17 groups with approximately 180 children attending each week. |
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Director of the Graceville Atrium: Anne Delsorte
To enrol your child: Contact us.
Address: 19 Randolph Street, Graceville. Qld 4075
Phone: (617) 3379 8635 [Mon, Tues, Thurs] or (617) 3379 6267 [AH]
Email: [email protected]
To enrol your child: Contact us.
Address: 19 Randolph Street, Graceville. Qld 4075
Phone: (617) 3379 8635 [Mon, Tues, Thurs] or (617) 3379 6267 [AH]
Email: [email protected]
