How to get involved:
The Good Shepherd Catechesis nurtures the spirituality of the adult
as well as the child.
To find more about being an adult in the atrium - visit an atrium
near you or contact Susan Perna
Email
or Patricia Stenton
Email
Helping in the Atrium
- Many atriums offer opportunities for interested adults to assist with
the children during an atrium session.
- In addition certain atriums require
assistance setting up the area for the children and then following the
session putting everything away.
- All atriums welcome adults who are
willing to give of their time and talents to make materials –
i.e carpentry, sewing, drawing or calligraphy or help out with the administrative
tasks.
- Contact your local atrium director to find out how you can help
and become involved in the Good Shepherd’s work.
- The CGSAC extends
a warm invitation to all adults who are supportive of the the Shepherd
Catechesis to join as members.
Click here for member registration.
CGSAC recommends that each parish ensures that all volunteers have been screened and have undergone
a police records check before being allowed to work with children.
After receiving training in this ministry adults:
- Listen with the children to the Word of God, while respecting the
childs needs and capacities
- Ponder with the child the mysteries of the Kingdom of God
- Wonder with the child about God, who is love
- Enjoy with the child living in communion with the Holy Spirit
- Seek to understand with the older child how we are being called
to be stewards of His Kingdom
- Celebrate with the child the presence of the Risen Christ in our
lives
- Guide the play of children in atriums
Training to be a Catechist
- Training for adults in Canada is available through CGSAC or the Archdiocese
of Toronto. Following the successful completion of a course an adult
is then certified to work in an atrium as a ‘catechist’.
- Training is divided into 3 levels – co-relating with the 3 age
groups within an atrium. Level I formation is the foundation course
and is a pre-requisite for Level II , which is a pre-requisite for Level
III. Each formation level course offers age specific training that includes:
- an opportunity to learn about the spiritual growth and development
of children
- reflections on the key biblical themes presented to the children
- discussions on relevant Christian theology and doctrine
- presentations on the practice of our faith (liturgical signs
and symbols)
- presentations and hands on experience with the materials that
the children use in an atrium
- prayer, praise and celebration in the way of the Good Shepherd
- guidance on setting up and directing the growth of an atrium
- assistance in completing a personal journal (album) for each presentation given to
the children in the specified level
- plans for making the materials used by the children in an atrium
- In-class work consists of lectures, small group learning sessions and individual hands-on opportunities.
- Courses consists of a minimum of 90 hours of in-class work and 30 hours of observation
- Contact Susan Perna for information regarding courses currently being offered in Canada and registration information
Email
- If there isn’t a course near you. Go to CGSUSA
for courses offered in the United States
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Certificate Program
This program is offered jointly by:
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Archdiocese of Toronto and
- Continuing Education, University of St. Michael's College.
If you would like more information about the
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Certificate Program
and the courses currently being offered, please contact
Kathleen Ennis, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Archdiocese of Toronto 416-934-3400 ext. 511 or Email
Web link: Archdiocese of Toronto, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
If you have any questions regarding registration or tuition, please contact Laurel-Ann Finn, Continuing Education, University of St. Michael's College, 416-926-7254 or
Email
Web link: St. Michael's College, Continuing Education
