Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
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 CGS sessions of Level 1 (for children ages 3–6) and Level 2 (for children ages 6-9)
FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-6
Contemplation and Enjoyment of God
The 3-6-year-old child is particularly capable of receiving and enjoying the most essential elements of our faith—the announcement of God’s love especially experienced through Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who died and is risen. Materials on the life of Jesus Christ and his teachings help to make the mystery of God concrete for the child. The heart of the catechesis for children under six revolves around the Parable of the Good Shepherd. Jesus announces that he is the Good Shepherd who calls each one by name. The sheep listen to the voice of the Shepherd and follow him.
The 3-6 year old child enters the mystery of the Eucharist by first learning the names of the articles used on the altar and then through the most important gestures including the preparation of the chalice, the epiclesis and offering, and the sign of peace. Through the experience of seeing these gestures, presented one by one, the Mass emerges as the Sacrament of the Gift. The child becomes acquainted with the historical character of the liturgy through the events of the Last Supper, Christ’s death, and His resurrection.
FOR CHILDREN AGES 6-9
Celebrate the Growth
The elementary age child is captured by the image of the True Vine. “I am the vine, you are the branches, whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” The proclamation responds to the deep need of these children to better know his or her relationship with God, family, friends, and the larger community. Moral parables offer a model for comparing their behavior with that of the Pharisee, the Tax Collector, or the Good Samaritan. The elementary children see the parts of the Mass—the Liturgy of the Word, the Preparation of the Gifts, the Eucharistic Prayer, and the Communion—as one unified prayer made of many smaller prayers. Children prepare for the celebration of First Communion (or Solemn Communion) through a series of communion meditations focusing on the relationship with Jesus. Preparation of personal missals filled with illustrations and prayers is also part of this preparation which helps to deepen their love and understanding of the Eucharist.
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
Sessions for Level 1 CGS:
Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:00 PM
Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11:00 AM
Thursdays from 4:30 - 6:00 PM
Sessions for Level 2 CGS:
Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7:00 PM
Sundays from 8:15 to 9:45 AM
Sessions will be held weekly beginning the second week of September and will conclude at the of April.
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.