Our Atrium
what is an atrium?
An atrium is a place of prayer. According to the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Canada’s Website,
“It is a place of spiritual retreat… in which work easily becomes prayer… a place of worship where children and adults celebrate the Word together…An atrium is a sacred space. It is set apart for children so that they may grow in their relationship with God. The environment is specially prepared to nurture young children in the Christian faith.”
The atrium is not a classroom, and it is not babysitting. It is true spiritual formation for the child. It is an entryway into the church, and a place for discipleship. It prepares the children for worship with adults, and gives them a space to encounter Jesus as who they are: children.
In the atrium, everything in the space is for the child. All the furniture is proportional to the child, and all the materials they work with are age appropriate. Children choose the materials they want to work with. Materials are not toys, but aids in the spiritual process. They meet the child’s developmental needs and spiritual needs.
We offer three levels in our atrium. The first is for grades PreK-SK, the second is for grades 1 - 3, and the third is for grades 4 and 5. Each level meets the developmental needs specific to those age groups.
We couldn’t offer any levels if it weren’t for our amazing and wonderful volunteers. Thank you to those who have helped create the space, whether creating materials or joining us on Sundays as Catechists and Catechist Assistants.