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Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Diane Olsen – Part-time Director Jeanne Wichman – Part-time Assistant
Background Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-style Catholic faith formation program for children ages 3-12 years old, began at Holy Trinity Parish over 13 years ago with a single classroom in the basement of the Parish Center with eight children. Today, CGS utilizes the top floor of the Children’s Center – approximately 3,000 sq ft of space and serves over 500 children throughout the day, including weekends. We also serve as a regional training location for CGS to other parishes throughout the Midwest. Due to the high demand for this unique faith formation program, the current facility is unable to keep pace so availability is limited.
General The new QFFC center will provide more than double the square footage of the existing center at 6,500 sq ft. The program space will be located on the east “bump-out” section the building to provide an overall quieter area – a key component of the children’s ability to concentrate and work on their spiritual awakening and connection with God and our faith.
Atria Atria are special “classrooms” which hold age appropriate instruments and materials of our faith. There will be seven dedicated atria. Two atria of age groups (6-9, 9-12 year olds) and three atria of 3-6 year olds to serve approximately 600 children ages 3-12. Each atria room will include 12 kids with two adults (volunteer teachers) The atria rooms will be rectangular to facilitate display of wall murals. Rooms will have adequate areas for a sink and storage for materials / craft items / student work and will accommodate 12-15 kids on the floor for prayer circle as well as at the four special centers. Restrooms will be directly adjacent to atria rooms.
Program Classes are held 1 ½ to 2 hrs once a week as part of the preschool curriculum during the day as well as our 1st and 2nd grade curriculum. A significant portion of the enrollment serves children outside our educational system as well with sessions after school, evenings, and weekends.
Children come into gathering space, take off coats (and shoes w/ younger kids) and sit in a circle – sing / share and get quieted down before entering the atria. Kids sit on the floor in front of the prayer table – then move to individual / small group activities at centers. Group time sitting in a circle on the floor uses open space. Work at centers – one to two kids at a table or a spot on the floor.
Once the Quigley Center and Adoration Chapel are complete, they will be able to take kids to see the Adoration Chapel - “real” space they are studying. In addition, outside learning space would be used, via the “meditative garden” area for first communion retreats.
Director’s Office The office will have access from both the main hallway and directly into atria space. Two work stations with computers and adequate space to lay out materials will be located in this office.
Shared Facilities with Multi-use space · Meeting room for teachers (adult furniture) – once a month get together and make materials · Adult training space for 35 to 40 people one Saturday a month or two Thursday mornings a month with sink/kitchenette to serve coffee / cookies · Kitchen/Café for meals · Workroom with centralized storage
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H O L Y T R I N I T Y C A T H O L I C C H U R C H |