The
Central Deanery
Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
The most important thing that happens in the atrium is that together with the children, we grow in our knowledge of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and in His love for us, and that we grow always more capable of responding to that love.
The Catechesis of
the Good Shepherd is an approach to the faith formation of both children and
adults in which the religious values of childhood predominate. It is based on
the belief that God and the child are in relationship, and that there is a deep
bond between them that produces in the child a desire to draw near to God.
Together, both adult and child develop the ability to listen as they ask “God,
Who are you, and how do you love us?”
In 2005 a proposal to develop an Atrium of the Good Shepherd to serve the parishes of the Brisbane Central Deanery was put to the Deanery Council. When Fr Peter Brannelly kindly made space available, the vision for what is now the Sr Mary Di Ricci atrium was born.
Throughout 2007 the environment was in preparation, and when cleaning out a cupboard, a unique treasure was found – a first edition copy of ‘The Child in the Church’ by Maria Montessori, detailing her first explorations in nurturing the religious life of children in Barcelona in 1916. First published in 1929, Sr Mary had received this copy in 1930. As Catechists of the Good Shepherd, this was exciting for us, as it was partly this work which, in 1954, inspired the founders of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to continue the work that Dr Montessori had begun.
Sr Mary was
always known as an educational innovator, and was renowned for her consideration
of each child as an individual. She was associated with Rosalie
parish and school between 1908 and 1976. Some school buildings had been named
The Sr Mary Di Ricci Learning Centre, but as the school no longer exists, it
seemed fitting, with the permission of the Sisters of Mercy and members of her
family, to dedicate this atrium to her memory.
Sr Mary Di Ricci Atrium
At the end of the 2007 school year the Atrium ran sessions for interested families and six children attended. This was a good trial run. In 2008 the Atrium has two trained catechist helpers who will work with Mary Hare for the Friday sessions, which will run between 10 am–12 noon and 3-5pm. Later in 2008 there are two more trained catechists who have indicated their willingness to help.
For more information, or enrolment enquiries please contact either: Mary Hare 3511 0470 mehare@bigpond.net.au, Mary hood 3300 4190, mary.hood@pacific.net.au.