Skip to content
The Catholic Leader
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
The Catholic Leader
No Result
View All Result
Home Life Family

Helping children to pray

byEmilie Ng
16 February 2016 - Updated on 1 April 2021
Reading Time: 3 mins read
AA
Centre for children

Training children: Laura Otto, Marie Smrek, Veronica Nejman, Jana Mackie and Lorenza Rinaldi at the opening of The Catholic Parish of Bundaberg’s first Atrium of the Good Shepherd.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Centre for children
Training children: Laura Otto, Marie Smrek, Veronica Nejman, Jana Mackie and Lorenza Rinaldi at the opening of The Catholic Parish of Bundaberg’s first Atrium of the Good Shepherd.

MOTHERS in Bundaberg have welcomed new faces into the community’s first catechesis centre for children.

Known as The Atrium of the Good Shepherd, which uses principles from educator Maria Montessori, the mothers will work together to foster the spiritual and physical needs of children in the parish.

We asked the new catechists at in Bundaberg why they thought it was important for children to experience the beauty of an Atrium.

Veronica Nejman

The Atrium is designed according to Montessori principles, which aim to cater for the physical and spiritual needs of the child at each stage of development.

 These needs differ as the child grows and develops and the skills learnt in the early years are the foundation for a mature life in the Church and world. 

Responsibility, initiative, concentration, consideration for others and a disposition of silence and listening are some of the many aspects of the formation offered through an Atrium. 

The role of the catechists is to provide, maintain and present the space and materials in the Atrium so the needs of the child may be met. 

Through this the gift given at baptism is nurtured and brought to maturity enabling the child to live out their Christian faith and fulfilling the promises made by parents at their marriage and the baptism of the child to bring them up in the Faith.

Marie Smrek

Related Stories

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

Church workers have helped more than 1.2 million Ukrainians during the war, Caritas says

Parishes unite for Logan deanery family festival this Sunday

A child who enters and takes part in the provided activities of an Atrium of the Good Shepherd, works under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the quiet presence of the Catechist. 

The child, when and as he or she is ready, discovers the Truth about God and His relationship with us. 

The response to this growing awareness of an intimate friendship with God, is one of joy in this personal revelation. It would be rare for a child who has found this truth – this pearl of great price – through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, to ever abandon God in his/her adult life.

Jana Mackie

Children are naturally curious.  

The method of learning in the Atrium satisfies the child’s natural thirst to be closer to God.  

The main method of learning is primarily through practical hands-on activities. 

The ‘works’ at the Atrium have been developed for the child’s needs of repetition and exploration in the earlier years and the development of the Plan that God has for humanity as they continue in later years. 

Importantly, children are able to begin a personal journey with the Good Shepherd.  

As they continue they will remember the wonderful significance of why we do things in the signs and gestures of the whole liturgy.  

The Atrium experience is unique as it fosters meditation on the Real Presence of Jesus the Good Shepherd in the Eucharist.

Laura Otto

The art of passing on the faith to future generations is something that needs to be revitalised.

 This is where CGS steps in. 

From very young, children are naturally close to God and CGS sets aside a special time and place to foster this relationship. 

It is an utterly unique way to be able to experience and learn the truths of the Catholic Faith through an encounter with Jesus the Good Shepherd. 

I would consider this more important than any other extra-curricular activity, as it will most impact their life.

ShareTweet
Previous Post

How I survived a brain aneurysm on Valentine’s Day

Next Post

Brisbane missionary helps PNG Catholics head to Poland

Emilie Ng

Emilie Ng is a Brisbane-based journalist for The Catholic Leader.

Related Posts

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies
QLD

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

20 May 2022
Church workers have helped more than 1.2 million Ukrainians during the war, Caritas says
World

Church workers have helped more than 1.2 million Ukrainians during the war, Caritas says

18 May 2022
Parishes unite for Logan deanery family festival this Sunday
QLD

Parishes unite for Logan deanery family festival this Sunday

17 May 2022
Next Post
PNG pilgrims

Brisbane missionary helps PNG Catholics head to Poland

Fr Jason Middleton

Keeping rural parishes alive

Baby Asha

Multi-faith vigil set to storm Heaven with prayers for Baby Asha

Popular News

  • Catholic relationship advisers offer five tips to look after your mental health

    Nationwide rosary event happening for Australia’s patroness this Saturday

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Angel’s Kitchen serves hot meals to the hungry in Southport

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Queensland election: The pro-life political parties committed to abortion law reforms

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Here are the stories of 10 new saints being canonised this Sunday

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Search our job finder
No Result
View All Result

Latest News

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies
QLD

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

by Joe Higgins
20 May 2022
0

BRISBANE grandmother Gwendoline Grant has clocked up 15,000 hours cuddling and caring for sick and premature babies...

Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

20 May 2022
Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

19 May 2022
Catholic relationship advisers offer five tips to look after your mental health

Nationwide rosary event happening for Australia’s patroness this Saturday

19 May 2022
Francis offers advice on politics: Seek unity, don’t get lost in conflict

Francis offers advice on politics: Seek unity, don’t get lost in conflict

19 May 2022

Never miss a story. Sign up to the Weekly Round-Up
eNewsletter now to receive headlines directly in your email.

Sign up to eNews
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Jobs
  • Subscribe

The Catholic Leader is an Australian award-winning Catholic newspaper that has been published by the Archdiocese of Brisbane since 1929. Our journalism seeks to provide a full, accurate and balanced Catholic perspective of local, national and international news while upholding the dignity of the human person.

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader
Accessibility Information | Privacy Policy | Archdiocese of Brisbane

The Catholic Leader acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Peoples of this country and especially acknowledge the traditional owners on whose lands we live and work throughout the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyChoose another Subscription
    Continue Shopping