This week in the atrium

by Sam Krumbholz

Shout for joy to God, all the earth!

Psalm 66:2

We gather at the prayer table and listen to this verse.  What do you hear?  Answers range from  "Jesus is talking to us"  to "Shout for joy!"
The catechists then present more practical life works to the children in small groups.  Some of the boys and girls learn how to use a funnel to pour water, and others learn how to sweep, dust, or polish.   Many skills are designed to help take care of the environment.   A small group of children gather at the geography area to learn where Mary learned she would be the mother of Jesus.   A marker with a dove is placed on the topical map of the city of Nazareth.  Next, a marker with a star designates the town where Jesus was born, Bethlehem.  Finally, the city where Jesus lived, died, and rose from the dead, Jerusalem, is marked with a cross.  Children may come back to the geography area after this presentation to work on their own.  They may choose to make a map in the art area.  The rest of the time in the atrium you can see and hear children doing various works.  Some are quiet in concentration while others softly sing or hum.  We gather together at the prayer table at the end of our time together.  We sing "He's got the whole world in his hands".   The last verses include each child's name.  The smiles on the children's faces are extra joyful! 

By Carrie Hulbert

We had another wonderful week in the atrium!  It is so interesting each week to observe the children and see what works they are drawn to.  The practical life activities are still very interesting to the children in our atrium, but they are slowly drawn more and more to other things they have been presented.  Several students worked in the altar area.  A few of the older children received the second Altar presentation.  Another child wanted to see the liturgical colors presentation again.  

During our final time at the prayer table, we again passed around the Good Shepherd statue.  One of the children who is usually silent as the statue is passed around, held onto him for a long time and finally said, "I want to say I love you, Jesus."