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Jenn Sal
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| Posted: June 14 2007 at 11:09am | IP Logged
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My daughter is turnng six soon and my parish doesn't allow for homeschooling to preapare your child for the sacrament of Holy Communion.  They have Faith Formation, which I know a lot about and don't care for it. Then there is Atrium. I know it's hand's on education, but can anyone tell me more or is there a link to see the information? I Googled and got Elizabeth Foss's blog  , but couldn't find where she mentioned it.
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Jennifer, Texas
Wife to Mark, Mom to Cora 13,Kade 10, Sarah in Heaven 12/05, Colette 7, Corin 5, & Kieran 2
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mary theresa
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| Posted: June 14 2007 at 12:21pm | IP Logged
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Jennifer,
I was going to write you this long explanation then I found this thread called What is an Atrium? and I thought it might answer a bunch of your questions.
Hope that helps!
Just to add my own thought -- If I were you I would jump at the chance to have my daughter prepare for Holy Communion in an Atrium! The first communion prep is SO beautiful -- all about the relationship between Jesus and the child as shown especially through certain parables. I worked in a 6-9 year Atrium this past year as an assistant and we prepared 2 or 3 of the children for 1st Communion. If you have any specific questions about that you can feel free to ask and I'll do my best to help. And I'm sure there are many women here that know lots about atriums that are wiser than I. 
God bless!
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Mary Theresa
mother to 3 little girls --March '06, Dec '07 and Jan '10
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mary theresa
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| Posted: June 14 2007 at 12:28pm | IP Logged
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Oh sorry,
I looked at the linked thread more and I realize it is mostly about creating a home atrium, but Elizabeth's first post might give you a good general idea. Search this forum for other topics on the Atrium too.
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Mary Theresa
mother to 3 little girls --March '06, Dec '07 and Jan '10
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Mary Chris
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| Posted: June 14 2007 at 1:51pm | IP Logged
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Jennifer,
We have the same requirement at our parish. So guess who's teaching.......I assisted in my middle sons class.
FHC prep in an Atrium is very beautiful. We have done FHC prep with a book and in the Atrium and even my non catholic husband could tell the Atrium experience is much better.
I know you are so busy with little ones right now, but if you can I highly recommend the CGS training, if they provide it at your parish. Parents at our parish are able to take the training free of charge. I learned so much about our faith in the level 1 training. I am looking forward to all I will learn in the level 2 training.
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Blessings, Mary Chris Beardsley
mom to MacKenzie3/95, Carter 12/97 Ronan 3/00 and wife to Jim since 1/92
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JennGM
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| Posted: June 14 2007 at 6:54pm | IP Logged
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Atrium is the place where they teach the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, or CGS...another search term to find other threads.
To read more info, I highly recommend Listening to God With Children by Gianna Gobbi to get a full sense of what the atrium supplies.
It really is a blessing for the child, for it uses the Liturgy and the Word to bring the child closer to Christ, developing a personal prayer life, and helping them enter more fully into the Mass. It is Mass-centered and quite beautiful and reverent.
The biggest difference is that you're not "filling the bucket" with lots of facts and questions. There are beliefs that are taught, yes, but it's taught in a gentle, contemplative way, providing hands-on material so the child can make these truths come alive to them.
The approach is a bit different, because you're not the teacher, but Catechist, and must have a prayerful and humble attitude that Christ is teaching both you and the child.
I'm right now taking 3-6 training, so that's why I'm filling you with all this...I'm really wowed by all this. 6-9 is the level for First Communicants, and it has more work and presentations that focus on the Reconciliation and the Eucharist.
Cay Gibson also mentions this approach works well alongside her "Catholic Mosaic" and she has some suggested resources.
I would take an atrium approach over the local parish Faith Formation, and of course have books and discussions at home.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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CatholicMommy
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| Posted: June 16 2007 at 8:37am | IP Logged
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I just (yesterday) finished CGS training at Level II. I just thought I'd add an agreement with others above that the FHC prep is SO wonderful, for both the children and the families.
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Jenn Sal
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| Posted: June 16 2007 at 12:47pm | IP Logged
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Thank you everyone for your insights on this. I am hoping that it is still available. It seems there may be an issue with space? I should find out next week.
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Jennifer, Texas
Wife to Mark, Mom to Cora 13,Kade 10, Sarah in Heaven 12/05, Colette 7, Corin 5, & Kieran 2
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Atrium Religious Ed.
