Beginning of the Chronicles

Over the years, I have not kept a journal of my experiences in the various atrium settings that have blessed me so much... I have notes here and there, but I look back now and wish I had a true journal of my journey.

Well, I can start this one anyway :)

I have been doing some level 3 presentations in my home for the past 3 years and have assisted in a level 3 atrium at a Catholic Montessori school in Cincinnati, but this year, I begin a new journey: level 3 catechist at our local parish for grades 4, 5, and 6. I have two sessions each week, with different children each time.

I will also be catechist for a combined level 2 and level 3 atrium for homeschool children at said Montessori school. Many of these children are brand new to the atrium, so this combination atrium will be fantastic. I have accepted a small number of kindergarteners who turn 6 early-ish in the year as well. More on this group in another post :)

I look forward to documenting and sharing my experiences in each of these sessions. I will NOT be sharing names or photos of the children's faces. In my posts, I will use their first initial only.


A quick summary of the levels of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd:

Level 1 - ages 2 1/2 - 6: establishing the reality of a current relationship with the Good Shepherd who knows me by name, loves me and will do anything for me that is for my benefit of remaining with Him. This is both enough and far more than enough.
God gave us His life, His Light, His joy in abundance.

Level 2 - ages 6 - 9: The Good Shepherd, the True Vine, asks for a response: Remain in Me. Explore the ways that we Remain in Him: sacraments, actions, choices. Emphasis on REMAIN.
God has given us so many gifts, even those of the earth. We have nothing without Him. Nothing. We want to remain in Him.

Level 2 introduces us to the Blank Page - the present day moment of the History of the Kingdom of God that is being written RIGHT NOW by God together with people, in the same way the Bible itself was written. We truly delve into this History.

Level 3 - ages 9-12 and into adulthood ;) : Now we deepen our exploration of this "response". It is more than a passive remaining now. It is an active seeking. An active response in thanksgiving for the great gifts that God has bestowed upon us, for the reasons He created us and loves us. What will fill my blank page? How will I respond to the gifts of God? God has a Plan - how do I fit in and how can I help it move along towards the final moment of the Parousia?
We explore the History even further: the Jewish People, Typology of Creation, Sin, Flood, Abraham and Moses/Exodus; Parousia when "God will be all in all" (1 Corinthians 15:28).


What a fantastic journey!