FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-6

Contemplation and Enjoyment of God

The St. Mary Parish Family offers Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) to meet the child’s spiritual needs through a Montessori-inspired hand, head, and heart faith formation. This approach seeks to nurture the relationship between each child and God, and through the prepared space allows the child time to enjoy that relationship. The CGS experience takes place in a prepared room called the atrium, which is filled with handcrafted child-sized materials. Here, children are invited into prayer, given individual or group presentations based on Scripture or the liturgy, and allotted time for individual work. The catechist is attentive to each child’s unspoken desire: “help me come closer to God by myself.” Our parish currently offers one CGS session of Level 1 (for children ages 3–6), with hopes of expanding our catechists and session times in the future.

The Atrium at St. Mary

CGS takes place within the permanently prepared space appropriately called the Atrium; an old phrase used to describe the place where religious life was actively lived and developed, just outside the church. We seek to create this same place for our children to live this active religious life with Christ.

Everything is set at the child’s level and was lovingly handmade or donated by our parishioners. Each material follows the national CGS curriculum, which guarantees it 1) is prepared with the children’s intuitive work in mind, 2) is time-tested to effectively engage the child, and 3) communicates the most essential truths of the Catholic faith.

The Aim of CGS

Through Catechesis (faith formation) in the Atrium, in union with parents and the whole parish family, we work to prioritize the relationship that already exists between every child and God and through the prepared environment to enjoy that relationship. This reality is our model. Christ reminds us all through this catechesis “Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). We seek to transform as a parish family to become first and foremost children in a loving relationship with God.

Session Times

We will offer three sessions for CGS:

Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:00 PM   -   class is full

Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 AM   -   class is full

Thursdays from 4:30 - 6:00 PM   -   1 opening available

Sessions will run weekly from October 7, 2025 and follow the school year.

If you have questions concerning CGS or would like to make a donation for the program, please contact Bridget Fleck at bfleck@evdio.org or the parish office.