By Meg Peters
Review Co-Editor
Local artists have made Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church of Orion Township a more inviting and intellectual atmosphere for young scholars.
Director of Religious Education Lisa Brown said their donated handmade pieces are key for the new educational curriculum, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
‘Even my 13-year-old was listening to these scripture stories, and I thought this is really bizarre that I have her attention. It’s because of these visuals,? she said. ‘The kids love the idea that everything is handmade, and that’s where Alan comes in and all of our other artists, because when you say Alan made that piece especially for you to enjoy, the kids find that as a work of love.?
Orion Township resident Alan Raynor, along with Michele Woods of Clarkston, donated five pieces of art in October to the church located on Waldon Rd.
The mixed media works are bright, geometrical in fashion and utilize a reccurring theme of love and fellowship.
‘This is abstract art, but we like to think it conveys a feeling of hope and optimism,? Raynor said.
It’s this feeling that Brown was going for when designing the first atrium for the church’s new curriculum.
Instead of a textbook course, the new program inspires ‘wonder questions.?
‘It’s not factoids about God that we test them on, but rather it’s really intimately connecting them to the divine,? she said.
The goal is to introduce elementary age students and older to a life of prayer. To achieve this, the Elementary Faith Formation Program utilizes three atriums or rooms within the church. Each room is set up a bit differently, but all include stations that introduce students to different parables found in the scriptures.
Each station utilizes handmade artworks to inspire, motivate and teach.
The first atrium is near completion, and the church is still calling for more works to fit the needs of the remaining two atriums.
Unlike many of the activities that keep children buzzing around today, Brown said the atriums offer a completely different form of stimulation.
The focus is inner peace and awarefullness.
?’It’s a place where the kids can be quiet and contemplative which is very rare in our world today,? she said.
First, they enter the atrium with the sign of the cross. Using their ‘little voices? the students are quiet as they move through the stations, posing questions about Jesus? intentions.
‘We’ll ask questions like, ‘what do you think Jesus meant when he said he was the Good Shepherd??? Brown said.
What’s interesting is that the students are their own teachers, all Brown has to do is listen.
‘Even at three and four years’old, they still don’t know we are the sheep in that parable, and’when they have that ‘ah-ha? moment, it’s really kind of cool’It’s encouraging them to wonder.?
Brown underwent about 90 hours of training to be a catechist, or teacher, of the program, but prefers to be known as the students? companion.
‘I just fell in love with the program because I have my own kids, and my kids went bananas when I started putting these things [stations] together.?
Young scholars learn about the different geographical locations of the Bible, the liturgical calendar, practical works, and self-direction.
Students aged three to six years old meet weekly during the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday mass. However the atrium is also used for the broader elementary program of the church.
For more information on registering for the program, or to donate works of art for the second atriums, call?248-391-1621, extension 20.