During the Season of Advent we will be pondering the great Mystery of the Incarnation in the Atrium. Here are a few thoughts from the children to help us in our own wonder over this great gift… Recalling the Prophecy of the Light: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a Great Light.” (Isaiah […]
In the Words of the Children Read More »
The Liturgical Calendar is composed of 52 prisms, inner and arcs and arrows and two outer arcs. These pieces are built with great care, precisely in order, outside the puzzle frame to recreate the cycles of the liturgical year. At each Level of the Atrium the children are invited to work with this material in
The Liturgical Calendar Read More »
The study of the Eucharist begins in the Atrium at the age of three with the presentation on the Model Altar which focuses on the names of the articles used at Mass. The preparation for the reception of Eucharist in 2nd grade forms, in some ways, the highlight of and focus of all work with
The Structure of the Mass Read More »
Each Atrium session ends with a few minutes at the prayer table, as we gather for Communal Prayer. In Children’s House (Level I), this prayer is led by the adult, with many opportunities for the children to suggest songs and contribute their prayers of thanks and praise. In Elementary (Levels II and III), the children
Thanksgiving Prayer Read More »
This year we began an expansion project which included adding a brand new Children’s House environment. While the elementary children at North Campus are transported to the South Campus Atrium each week, we set up a Atrium just for our North Campus Children’s House children so that they can experience time in the Atrium, the
North Campus Atrium Read More »
One of the first presentations for the new three year old in the Atrium is the Model Altar. This small material gives the child access to small representations of the articles that they see being used during Mass and in the church. This is a work that grows with the children. They begin by learning the
The Model Altar through the Years Read More »
This week we have been pondering “Holiness” and what it means to be holy. When the 3-6 year old children were asked to name something that is holy, they responded… – The Tabernacle – The Tomb – The priest – The chalice – Mary – The Holy Family – The Holy Spirit – The Easter Candle
This year the Upper Elementary (4th – 6th grade) children have been tasked with finding, reading, and summarizing the upcoming Sunday’s Gospel each week. I have already heard some interesting discussions amongst the children regarding their thoughts on the “theme” or point Jesus was trying to make in a particular parable or teaching! In addition,
Having received their Bibles, the elementary children have been enjoying looking up specific passages and marking them for later reference. Their enthusiasm led to a second conversation about care for God’s Word…because, in their excitement, the spines of their Holy Bibles were being stretched to accommodate all of their bookmarks! We decided that a maximum
Encountering the Word of God Read More »
As the Upper Elementary children begin their new year in the Atrium, we always take time to start with the Great Lesson of the Plan of God. This “lesson” presents the “big picture” of God’s interaction with humanity from preparing the earth for us to preparing a place for us to desire and long for
The Kingdom of God Read More »
