Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Catholic faith formation program; our curriculum is rooted in the Bible, Catechism of the Catholic Church and our Mass. We utilize Montessori methods to nurture each child's relationship with God while educating them about the pillars of our Church. Children meet in a specially prepared room with beautiful materials to aid their learning experience, this room is know as an atrium. Each week children participate in small group presentations with a trained catechist, freely work with materials and engage in prayer time. Catechists participate in a nationally recognized training program to familiarize themselves with the curriculum and learn more about Montessori principles.

In Catechesis of the Good Shepherd there are three levels of atrium, with different sets of materials and corresponding curriculum for each age group.

• Level One atrium is for children ages 3 to 6 years old, or Preschool through Kindergarten.
• Level Two atrium is for children in 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd grades.
• Level Three atrium is for children 4^th and 5^th grades.

In each atrium there are children from different age groups; as they grow, they begin to work with new materials in the atrium. Also, students may work individually, with a partner or in a small group. Often the older children serve as role models or mentors for the younger ones.

How Can I Be involved?

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Program involves so many people. We are always in need for people to:

• Become a Catechist!
• Become an assistant
• Volunteer to set-up or clean the atrium rooms
• Volunteer to help make materials
• Volunteer to sew some materials

When is CGS offered?

• 4:15 - 5:45pm

• 6:15 - 7:45pm

Can children prepare for First Communion in CGS?

How do I register?

Parishioners are invited to register beginning May 1. Click HERE to register online. Our sessions fill quickly and you're encouraged to register early.

Non-Parishioners are invited to register after September 1. Please contact Michelle in the parish office for more information.

Questions?

You may contact Michelle Todd in our parish office with any questions.

For more information, please visit the National Association Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

History of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Sofia Cavalletti, with the help of Gianna Gobbi, began this work in 1954 in Rome. A known Hebrew scholar/theologian, Sofia discovered that the child received the Word of God from Holy Scripture with joy. She discovered that the children want only the essential things, the big truths, not watered down. Sofia discovered that the child already has an established relationship with God, and what is primary for the child is the relationship with God.

Another important aspect of CGS is the knowledge that the adult cannot replace the work of the Holy Spirit in teaching the child about God. The adult (the catechist) prepares the materials, studies the Scriptures, prays, and then makes a presentation to the children. The work is then put in the hands of the child, trusting that God’s own Holy Spirit is working within the child to nurture the love relationship between God and the child. Therefore, we say that the true teacher is the Holy Spirit, not the adult!

The prepared environment helps the child respond to the child’s vital religious needs, respecting the relationship that already exists between God and each child, meeting the child’s needs both developmentally and spiritually.