St, Charles Students: Atrium/Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Program

May 8, 2024

Catholic education was built upon the Church’s mission to foster students to live and act the gospel of Jesus Christ, evangelize, and to encourage students to live an authentic life that will lead them to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Encouraging students to live an authentic life does not come easy. Here at St. Charles, we are the only school within the Archdioceses of Santa Fe to have an Atrium/Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Program. This hands-on program allows for students to have an intimate relationship with God and Mass and begin defining their purpose for this life. The Atrium allows for a joyful expression of the child’s relationship to God.

Students are able to utilize hands on materials to learn how to become active participants in Mass. Students have hands on materials that allow them to prepare the Altar for Mass, prepare cruets for the offering, practice for sacraments, and so much more. In addition, the Atrium allows students to work on their Biblical senses of naming the books of the Bible, parables that are paired with hand on materials in which students can act them out, and timelines to go through Genesis stories and working towards the kingdom of heaven. While working with a variety of materials, students get to deepen their spirituality by practicing a variety or prayer techniques such as silence, journaling, and talking to God.

We have a greater purpose, this world is temporary, we have a whole eternity to plan for. Here at St. Charles, we strive to give them the tools they need to spend an eternity in heaven with our Father.