St. Mary's Catholic Church

Altoona, WI

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Home > Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Ages 3-4)

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Ages 3-4)

What is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is an approach to the religious formation of children. It is rooted in the Bible, the liturgy of the church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori. Children gather in an atrium, a room prepared for them, which contains simple yet beautiful materials that they use.

If an adult hears a beautiful passage from the Bible, the adult might take a Bible, find the passage, and read it slowly again and again. He or she may think deeply about the words and perhaps speak to God in a thankful or hopeful prayer.

But a little child, too young to read, needs another way.

In an atrium, the child can ponder a biblical passage or a prayer from the liturgy by taking the material for that text and working with it by placing wood figures of sheep in a sheepfold of the Good Shepherd, setting sculpted apostles around a Last Supper table, or preparing a small altar with the furnishings used for the Eucharist. Older children who do read often copy parables from the Bible, lay in order written prayers from the rite of baptism, or label a long timeline showing the history of the kingdom of God.

  • CGS will meet Thursday mornings from September to May at St. Mary’s Parish
  • Parents (and younger siblings) are welcome to stay and socialize
If you are interested in having your child participate, contact Kelly Melcher directly at KMelcher@SMSRCatholic.com

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Mass Times

Regular Weekend Mass Schedule
Saturday Vigil | 4:00pm (Eng)
Sunday | 11:00am (Eng), 1:00pm (Spanish)

Weekday Mass Schedule 
Wednesday | 5:30pm
Friday | 9:00am
Tuesday & Thursday | 8:00am (St. Raymond's)

Confession & Eucharistic Adoration

Confessions: Saturday | 10am to Noon

Eucharistic Adoration: Tuesdays | 5pm to 8pm

Parish Office Hours

Sunday | noon to 3:00pm

Monday | Closed

Tuesday | Closed

Wednesday | 9:00am to Noon

Thursday | 9:00am to Noon

Friday | 9:00am to Noon

Saturday | Closed

St. Mary's Catholic Church

715-855-1294 (Se Habla Espanol!) 1812 Lynn Avenue Altoona, WI, 54720 Find us on Facebook!

Pastor | Fr. Derek Sakowski
715-855-1294 ext. 6502
DSakowski@diolclergy.org

Parochial Vicar | Fr. Levi Schmitt
715-855-1294 ext. 1012
LSchmitt@diolclergy.org

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