Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) – A program for students in preschool through Grade 6 grounded in scripture and liturgy, and framed on the Montessori principles of Education.

The goal of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is to help a child enjoy and be in love with God, first proclaimed to the child as Jesus, the Good Shepherd.  Such a relationship is the strongest possible foundation for life-long spiritual growth and moral living.

The Catechesis, grounded in scriptural and liturgical study, is framed by Maria Montessori's principles of education.  Children hear the Gospel through the use of sensorially rich, but simple materials that focus on key scripture passages or liturgical moments.  After an introduction by the catechist, the materials are available for the children to use on their own.

The atrium, a sacred space prepared for the children by the adult, is central to the Catechesis.  The atrium is a place of beauty.  It is designed for being with and enjoying God, for listening to God's Word and praying.

Since 1954, Dr. Sofia Cavalletti, a Hebrew and Scripture scholar and member of the Vatican Commission for Jewish-Christian Relations, and her colleague, Professor Gianna Gobbi, a Montessori-trained educator, have developed the Catechesis by observing and working with children at the Children's Centre in Rome, Italy.

Implementation of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd requires training of adults who work with children at each level or age group.  Each level of training consists of about 100 hours of lectures, lesson presentations, and assistance in material making and preparation of a catechist's album.

Due to the size of our atrium space, class sizes are limited to 12 students each. All levels offer classes on Sundays 8:30-9:50 and 11:10 -12:30, Tuesdays 4:00-5:30 and Fridays 4:00 -5:30 p.m.

       Level I - children ages 3-6.
       Level II - children ages 6-9
       Level III -  on children ages 9-12.

National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd - www.cgsusa.org   
Center for Children and Theology - www.cctheo.org