1026 N. 8th Avenue, Winterset, IA 50273
Office: 515-462-1083 Fax: 515-462-2378
Rev. Chris Hartshorn chartshorn@saintjosephchurch.net Deacon Sam Sullivan stmnsully@l2speed.net
Director of Faith Formation - Teresa Hoffelmeyer
Youth Ministry - Gerene Farrell
Adult Faith Formation Coordinator
2010 - 11 Calendar & Sacramental Calendars
Registration Form for Catechesis 2010 -2011
Off-Site Permission Form for Faith Formation
Catechesis Guidelines, Policies and Expectations
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd began very small much like a mustard seed, in Rome, Italy. The year was 1954. Sofia Cavalletti, a scripture scholar and Gianna Gobbi, a Montessori educator opened their first atrium. Building upon the work and methodology of Maria Montessori, they began to develop an approach to faith formation that not only appealed to the profound religious intuition of children, but which evolved from the children themselves and which continues to evolve even today.
This form of catechesis has now spread throughout the world and, like a mustard seed, has grown into something much larger than could ever have been imagined from such small beginnings. Perhaps no one has been more amazed at the growth of the catechesis than Sofia herself who continues to develop materials and work with children in her atria in Rome. In her humility, she again and again attributes the success of the catechesis to children and listening to God with children.
Beliefs
We believe that:
God and the child have a unique relationship with one another, particularly before the age of six.
The growth of this relationship should be assisted by the adult, but is directed by the Spirit of God within the child.
Children need sacred space to foster the growth of that relationship.
The child's spiritual growth is best served through tangible but indirect means.
The Atrium
In the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, we meet in a prepared environment called an atrium:
The atrium can be compared to a retreat house facilitating recollection and silence.
The atrium is a place for religious life, for community and for worship. It is not a classroom for instruction.
The atrium is a place of work. The child's work becomes a conversation with God.
In the early church, the atrium was where the catechumens were prepared. For the child too, the atrium is a place of preparation for involvement in the larger church community.
In each atrium, there are special materials that help children explore and deepen their understanding of biblical and liturgical presentations.
Characteristics
From an article written by Dr. Sofia Cavalletti, the characteristics of this method of catechesis:
It is experimental in nature, always listening for the most essential needs of the child at every stage of development.
It is not scholastic in nature. Instead, catechists and children listen together to the Word and celebrate that Word communally. The only teacher is God.
It is faithful to Catholic Tradition.
Children are viewed as having their own special religious richness. The catechists' role is to care for and nurture this inner wealth.
The parable method of teaching is used, following Jesus' example. This is a spiral method that evolves from a central nucleus and opens to vast horizons.
Good Shepherd Atrium
The Level I atrium for children 3 years through Kindergarten, is called the Good Shepherd Atrium because of the focus on the joy of being loved by the Good Shepherd who calls each of us by name. Christ as the Good Shepherd and Christ as light are two themes to which all children seem especially drawn.
Presentations at the level include:
Maps of Israel and Jerusalem
The Infancy narratives with miniature environments
Gestures of the mass including preparation of the chalice
Articles of the mass and setting the altar
Liturgical colors and calendar
The Kingdom parables
Baptism
Prayer in the prayer corner
The Good Shepherd and Found Sheep
The Last Supper and Empty Tomb
Seasonal Celebrations such as the Liturgy of Light
True Vine Atrium
The level II atrium, for children in 1st through 3rd grades, is called the True Vine Atrium because of our focus on the parable of the True Vine and Jesus' words that we are to "abide" in him. At this level, each child receives their own Catholic Youth Bible.
Children preparing to celebrate the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist participate in a series of five meditations and a retreat.
Presentations at this level include:
Bible Meditation and Wooden Bible
The History of Salvation and the key moments: Creation, Redemption, Parousia
The Gifts Strip
Pin maps
The Holy Mass Chart
Kingdom Parables, moral parables, and parables of mercy
Maxims (short sayings of Jesus)
The Origin of the Eucharist
Beginning missal making
Covenant Atrium
The Level III atrium, for children in 4th through 6th grades, is called the Covenant Atrium because of the focus on the Old Testament and God's covenant relationship with us.
Presentations at this level include:
The Plan of God time line
The Origin of the Liturgy of the Word
The Structure and Complete Rite of the Mass
The Sacraments
The Prophets and the Old Testaments studies
The History of the Jews
The Miracles of Jesus
The Cardinal Virtues
The theme of covenant is present throughout all the years of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and is fundamental to the moral formation of children. A covenant relationship involves gift and response. Young children may simply respond to God's gifts with deep joy and inner quiet. Older children may respond with some type of action because they understand that they are instrumental to the history of the Kingdom of God. They know that how they live their lives has impact on this history.
Holy Spirit Atrium
The Level IV atrium, which is still evolving in our parish and is technically not an atrium, is for 7th and 8th graders. We call this the Holy Spirit Atrium because of our focus on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the children in the sacrament of Confirmation.
Presentations at this level include:
The Social Justice teachings of the Church
The early church in the New Testament
Jesus' teachings through the parables, I Am statements, maxims, miracles and the Beatitudes.
The prophets are revisited followed by discussion of the prophets of today
Church history time line
Christian art and architecture
Prayer Forms from our Faith Tradition
Lives of the Saints
Old Testament Bible study of David
Apologetics
Sacraments
Children may celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation at the end of 8th grade following a retreat at Conception Abbey.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to...
Involve adults and children in a common religious experience in which the religious values of childhood are predominate.
Form disciples, prophets, and kingdom makers for our time, who will collaborate with God and one another to nurture the growth of the Kingdom of God on Earth.
Therefore we will...
Provide an environment where the child's natural love of God can be nurtured and celebrated.
Use the methodology set forth by Sofia Cavalletti in the Religious Potential of the Child, books I and II.
Draw special attention to the core concepts of Catholic Social teaching.
LIGHT Youth Group
Living In God's Harmony Together is our catechesis program for high school students. They meet on Wednesday nights from 7:00 until 8:15.
The goal of catechesis at the high school level is to draw the parish youth into a role of responsibility in the Catholic Church's life and mission.
LIGHT provides many opportunities for the youth to explore their faith. The group volunteers and allows the teens to become a part of the community. The group also allows the youth to build a lasting faith through prayer, retreats, worship, and faith sharing.
The high school students have the opportunity to participate through:
Volunteer
Yard clean up for the elderly.
Canned food drives for local food pantry.
Feeding the homeless in Des Moines.
Crop Walk which raises money for the hungry.
Roadside clean up for the Knights of Columbus.
Church breakfasts.
Helping with younger children in the parish.
Retreats
Food fasts
Quest - a retreat for freshmen and sophomores
TEC - Teens Encounter Christ is for juniors and seniors
NCYC - National Catholic Youth Conference is held every other year
Youth rallies