St. Bede's Programs for Young People

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

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Orientation and sign-up for the 2007 Fall season will be held on September 16th (Homecoming Sunday) for parents of all children.

The kick-off session of the Atrium and classes is on Sunday, September 23rd.

In our Christian formation, we will have a slightly different format this fall. Each Sunday, our young people will gather in Luther Hall for opening music, prayers, and an introduction to a story or theme for that Sunday. They will then split off into smaller groups. Adelaide Vaughn will continue to direct the Atrium for 3-6 year olds (with the assistance of Samira Tamer and Liz Mohler), while the 7-12 year olds will take part in a class led by Jeff Leng and Kathy Hartley. Additionally, Nancy Mills and Akani Fletcher are creating a Young People's Fellowship for our teenaged parishioners. After communion, all of the young people will return to Luther Hall for a closing thanksgiving prayer time. Mother Golie, Amy Cox and Tom Elliott will share the leadership duties for the opening and closing each week, and help in the smaller groups when needed.

It promises to be an exciting year ahead for the younger members of St. Bede's! We are always on the lookout for more teachers, so if you feel called to such ministry, please contact Tom Elliott (Program Committee chair) or Mother Golie."

What is the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a new way of Christian education that presents the most important realities of the Christian faith to the youngest members of the Church. This manner of Christian education assumes that young children have religious potential, that is, God has already made himself present to them in their deepest being, and that they are capable of developing a conscious and intimate relationship with God. They only need guidance and vocabulary to enable them to become aware of their relationship with God and give expression to it.

How does the program work?

It is done by means of two things: 1. a prepared environment, called the Atrium, 2. a trained catechist whose sources are Scripture and Liturgy. The prepared environment contains materials that are models of things used in the Church's worship. The environment also contains materials relating to the proclamation of the faith such as parables, prophecies, geography of Israel, and the life of Christ.

What is the work of the child?

The catechist makes presentations to the child using the child-size materials. These presentations are chosen to convey the essentials of the faith in a manner appropriate to the child's development. The child is then invited to work individually with the materials in a very hands-on manner. The child will then internalize and respond to the presentation and, consequently, have a personal conversation with God. The child, the catechist, and the Atrium assistants find their faith nourished in this process.

How is the Atrium different from a classroom?

The Atrium is more like a church than a traditional classroom; less of a place of instruction than a holy ground where Christ is encountered in word and action, The Atrium is a place that "calls forth" the child's response rather than to "pour in" information. In the Atrium, the child seeks to find out "God, who are you and how do you love us?" The Atrium is a room of wonder. The adults in the Atrium look at and listen to the children and allow them to lead the way to God.

What makes the Atrium successful?

Children from three to six years of age have demonstrated particular sensitivity to the following points: 1. Jesus Christ, as the Good Shepherd, who protects his sheep and calls them by name, 2. Eucharist as the greatest gift of the love of the father and of the response human beings give to God, 3. Jesus Christ as "the light of the world", and 4. Baptism as the act with which this gift is given. Some of the richest responses seen in children in the Atrium come when they listen to those shortest and yet the most powerful parables of the Kingdom of God. The most important thing that happens in the Atrium is that, together with the children, we grow in our knowledge of Jesus, the Christ, the Good Shepherd, and his love for us, and that we grow always more capable of responding to that love.

How can I help?

One of the most urgent need is for trained Catechists and Atrium helpers. Training programs will be offered throughout the year. There is also a great need for people with musical talents, wood working skills, sewing skills and fine art ability. This may be an opportunity for you to participate in our children's spiritual development - these children are our future church.