Reflections on CGS Training

(Erin, Holly and Kate are attending Level 1 training in Ames this winter/spring and we are so grateful to have them join us in this work. Below is an experience shared by Erin during the latest training session).

“It is the child that makes the man, and no
man exists who was not made by the child he once was.” 
-Maria Montessori

I recently came back to this quote, shared with us on our first day of Level I training in  Ames this year.  Holly, Kate and myself often reflect on our training weekend as we drive home Sunday nights.  This past weekend, we could all agree, was a most moving and impressionable experience.

A great deal of our drive back was spent discussing our “surprise” atrium visitors. It was a pure, authentic, unscripted testimony from a newly married couple. In particular, a young man, who had not been back  in an atrium for 20+ years. This is just a summary of our experience. 

A MAN, MADE BY AN ATRIUM CHILD 

Aaron (Omaha, NE) went to a CGS atrium in the Twin Cities over 20 years ago. He attended between the ages of 5-9 years old, Level 1-3. He visited the St. Cecilia atrium, Ames, IA with his new wife, Rose, (an ISU vet student). Aaron had not been in an atrium for over 20 years.

As Aaron and Rose walked into the atrium together,  you could see peace and joy overcome Aaron. It was physically visible in the expression upon his face and the twinkle in his eyes. It was a beautiful thing to see. Even though this was  not the exact atrium he attended 20+ years ago, he was welcomed home by the familiarity of the surroundings. 

He scanned his surroundings. Immediately he remembered the beautiful Maps Of Jerusalem. He was drawn in, recalling how he touched and manipulated the materials. He told us of the satisfaction he felt learning by doing as a child.

He enjoyed lighting a candle to pray and sometimes getting to use the extinguisher. He was drawn to the light, it held his attention, (not in a distracting way); he remembered being prayerful.

We asked about his experience, family and other details about his religious education and faith formation. His parents enrolled him in the CGS program at their parish. He alway enjoyed coming to the atrium. Until recently, he did not realize what a unique and special CGS was, assuming all young children received religious education this way.  He attended more typical youth formation classes after the age of 10 years. 

Next, as if he were being quizzed for altar server training, he went into nomenclature. Nailed it all!!! 

He recalled the alter lessons gave him confidence and familiarity as he became a alter server. He verbally recited Good Shepherd parables. He remembered rolling up the Alleluias and placing them in a tube. On and on...

The expectations and behaviors he learned to uphold in the atrium also impacted his life. He spoke about how this was a place where there was firmly held expectations for quiet, focus and self discipline. “Some places are different from other places, you behave differently in this space because it is holy and special. There are some places you should carry yourself differently.” 

Because he spent so much time as a child  touching and creating projects with these objects in the atrium, it told him they were important. He had the utmost  respect and gratitude for everything in the atrium. “They were there for a reason, just as everything in the Catholic Faith is for a reason and a very important reason. Even before you know the theology about it, you know it is important and there for a reason.” 

Rose told us that she went to a good Catholic school with high academic achievement, but her religious education didn’t come close to what he got in CGS. She also sees how much joy he gets in serving the church.

She continued “Even today, he has a highly developed sense of order. For example, he is still keenly aware of the seasons of the church year and the liturgical calendar.” 

Suddenly, Aaron remembered a song he used to sing about it. We all joined in and sang it to him again.

“Seeing the way the program formed Aaron, I definitely want our children to be in CGS,” Rose stated.

Hearing this deeply personal testimony from Aaron and Rose was very moving for our entire group. 

We were blessed by experiencing  a beautiful example of a man made by an atrium child, and a woman grateful to be with him.

Erin Clausen

Notes from Level 1 CGS Training    St. Cecilia, Ames IA