Video by Drawn to the Image
About Us
“The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch, but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ.”
- St. John Paul II in his Apostolic Exhortation On Catechesis in Our Time
Through the use of sensorial materials, the presentations encourage a sense of wonder in the child, a deep love for Jesus as the Good Shepherd, the Scriptures, and the sacramental life of the Church community. Some of these materials include: infancy narrative figures, a raised surface map of the Land of Israel, a model altar and a model baptismal font. This concrete method of presenting the faith is similar to the way the Church teaches us through the sacraments, holy water, incense, and statues. The children also spend time with Practical Life materials like dishwashing, scooping and pouring exercises, and hammering. These exercises help develop small motor skills, concentration, and their love of work. This eventually leads to contemplation. In level II, the focus is on sacrament preparation and the beginning of moral formation. As the children grow older, the lessons deepen as they consider what their role is in the history of the kingdom of God. The children continue to wonder as they go back into Jewish history to see where Jesus came from, and how our Christian faith was developed from the Jewish faith...and all the gifts that Jesus left with us.
After their presentations, the children are given time to work on their own, contemplating what they learned while they work with their hands or enter into prayer. The day ends with a group prayer service.
Our Catechists
*Theresa Bruton, Program Director - Level I, II, and III
*MaryCatherine Williams, Catechist Coordinator - Level I, II, Toddler
Christina Bongiovanni - Level I
Nora Bucy - Level II
*Bernadette Dalgetty - Level I
*Liliana DeCastro - Level II
Melina DeLaHunt - Level I
Linda Glenn - Level I
*Kate McGrath - Level I
Elizabeth Sanchez - Level I
Theresa Schlenz - Level I, II
Megan Silvestri - Level I
Caroline Vale - Level I, II, III, Toddler
Amy Owen - Level I
* indicates Board Member
*MaryCatherine Williams, Catechist Coordinator - Level I, II, Toddler
Christina Bongiovanni - Level I
Nora Bucy - Level II
*Bernadette Dalgetty - Level I
*Liliana DeCastro - Level II
Melina DeLaHunt - Level I
Linda Glenn - Level I
*Kate McGrath - Level I
Elizabeth Sanchez - Level I
Theresa Schlenz - Level I, II
Megan Silvestri - Level I
Caroline Vale - Level I, II, III, Toddler
Amy Owen - Level I
* indicates Board Member
The Joyful Child Atrium Board Members
The Atrium has an Advisory Board. We meet several times throughout the year to discuss the well being of the Atrium. We are a lively group with many perspectives. If you have any concerns, questions, or ideas, please feel free to bring them to a Board member at any time.