Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori-based program that was developed over the course of 50+ years through observing and working with children ages 3 to 12. The presentations that exist today are the ones that the children themselves found most engaging, appealing, and essential. So naturally, presentations in each Level of Atrium correspond to the developmental interests and needs of the children in that Level.

A child's understanding of time and place unfolds slowly, ever deepening. Interestingly, the 3-6 year old children haven't yet developed a good understanding of time. For example, the past is generally captured by the simple concept of "yesterday," and the future by "tomorrow." And even these concepts get confused. So, why would Level I presentations relate to time and place?

One strong reason is to plant a seed that will slowly grow, breaking ground in Level II and blossoming in Level III. In this seed is the knowledge that Jesus is a real person that lived in a real time and in a real place. This is a very important foundation to the child's appreciation of the gift of the Incarnation -- Heaven and Earth united through Jesus Christ, true human and true God.

Additionally, presentations related to liturgical time help to introduce the child to the concept that the mass is structured and, like nature, follows a predictable path containing seasons and events.

In Level I, we begin exploring time through a presentation called The Chasubles (the outermost liturgical vestment worn by clergy for the celebration of the mass). Through this presentation, we introduce the children to the liturgical colors and their relationship to the liturgical seasons.

• White is for celebration. The priest uses white when we celebrate our two great feasts: Easter and Christmas.
• Purple is for preparation. Before each of our great feasts, there is a time during which we prepare for these important celebrations. Lent is the period of preparation before Easter. Advent is the period of preparation before Christmas.
• Red is used at Pentecost, which marks the end of the Easter season. Pentecost celebrates the gifts of the Holy Spirit and is the birthday of the church. (Red is used at other solemn occasions, but these aren't specifically raised up to the children.)
• Green is for growing. The weeks of the year that aren't devoted to the specific times of preparation, celebration, and solemnity are special times for growing in relationship with Jesus and in knowledge.

Older Level I children will be introduced to the Liturgical Calendar, a circular wooden puzzle which coordinates with the liturgical colors introduced through The Chasubles. Through continued working with the Liturgical Calendar, the Level II children begin to understand that life in the Church revolves around life in Christ. Jesus was a real person living in a real place over 2000 years ago. And he is alive and present today in a particular way in our celebration of the Liturgy. 

He was born.