Holy Trinity School CGS Newsletter

September 2023

We are blessed to have your child in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium this year! You will be receiving a newsletter every couple of months to give you an idea of how the children are spending their time in the Atrium.

Why Volunteer in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium

We are in need of parents or grandparents to volunteer in the CGS Atrium to share the love of the Good Shepherd with the children!

The Atrium experience lays the foundation for the Child's relationship with the Good Shepherd. They come to know and love the Good Shepherd, who calls them by name and leads them to the best food and water.

The Atrium experience is known to bring volunteers into a renewed love for the Catholic Church and their faith.

The adult is able to experience God through the eyes of a child.

Volunteers are needed 9 to 11 am and 1 to 2 pm on Wednesdays.

Catechist-Assistant volunteers need only a brief training which includes a tour and orientation of the Atrium.

Please contact Danell Rudquist if you are interested in assisting.

715-410-7406

drudquist@holytrinityssp.org

First Weeks in the CGS Atrium

In the first few weeks in the atrium the children become familiar with the quiet, prayerful pace of the atrium through the materials that have been prepared for them to "work" on.

Practical Life and in the Atrium

At the beginning of the year in the CGS Atrium, the children are busy spending time at the Practical Life shelf where they begin to grow in independence and fine motor skills. The Practical Life material helps the child to care for the Atrium through polishing silver, pouring water, arranging flowers and restoring order to the environment.

Preliminary Activities

These activities are simple materials such as small puzzles, lacing activities, sorting items, etc. Each material has a set of steps that the child follows to complete a work cycle. A child learns to select a work, bring it to a work space, return the tray or basket to the shelf to hold its place, and return to the work space to work on the material. Once the child has completed the activity it must be restored to the shelf so it is ready for the next child to use. The practical life and preliminary activities help the child to adjust to life in the Atrium and concentrate as they learn to listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd.

Introduction to the Atrium

The youngest children begin the year with an introduction to the atrium. They are greeted in the hallway and the catechist discusses how the Atrium is different from the other rooms in the school. It is a special place to get to know the Good Shepherd. The children then spend time at the prayer table discussing what each item on the table is. We then “unwrap” a special chime bell that is used in the atrium to get the children's attention when there is an announcement to be made by the catechist. They learn to stop, look and listen when the beautiful, deep sounding chime is rung.

The elementary children begin the Atrium year by reading a verse from the bible, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.'' Psalm 34. They are then sent on a silent journey around the room, looking for things that have changed since last year and to find something that helps them to know that, “God is Good”. Much thought is put into selecting something from the Atrium and the children enjoy sharing why they selected a specific item. The children then had time to work with materials they remembered from previous years.

Enthronement of the Bible

The youngest children have the opportunity to "Enthrone" the Holy Bible by carrying it in a procession with flowers, a processional cross and beautiful singing and then placing the Holy Book in a place of honor on the Prayer Table. We listened to Jesus' words in John 8:12, "I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me does not walk in darkness but will have the light of life." We then spend time reflecting on Jesus, who is our Light.

The Level II children also reflect on the Holy Bible as they held in their hands Bibles written in many languages. We discussed how God's Word is for all people of all time! We will continue our work with the Holy Bible as the year goes on and dive into the Books of the Bible presentation, Scripture Studies and Sacramental Meditations.