St. Mary's Catholic Church

Altoona, WI

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Home > Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Ages 3-6)

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Ages 3-6)

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.

Due to a transition in team members, unfortunately Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is not available for the 2019-2020 year. Stay tuned for 2020-2021 and please pray for those currently in training! If you are interested in interviewing for a volunteer spot on the CGS team, please contact Director of Evangelization and Faith Formation, Jacqueline Van Hemert at 715-855-1294 ext 106.

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Mass Times

Weekend Masses
Saturday Vigil | 4:00pm
Sunday | 12:00pm

Weekday Masses
Wednesday | 8:00am
Friday  | 9:00am

Holy Day Masses
Christmas Eve 4:00pm, 8:00pm (Spanish)
Christmas Day  | 11:00am

 

 

Confession

Saturday | 10:00am to Noon
First Saturday | 7:45-8:45am, 10am to Noon
Friday | before Mass, 8-8:45am in Father's office
Thursday | 7:00-9:00pm (at St. Raymond's)

Parish Office Hours

Sunday* | Noon to 3:00pm
Monday | 9:00am to 4:00pm
Tuesday | 9:00am to 4:00pm
Wednesday | 9:00am to 4:00pm
Thursday | 9:00am to 4:00pm
Friday | Closed
Saturday | Closed

*Secretaria bilingüe disponible

St. Mary's Catholic Church

715-855-1294
(Se Habla Espanol!)
1812 Lynn Avenue
Altoona, WI, 54720
StMaryPar@gmail.com
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Fr. Derek Sakowski, Pastor
715-855-1294 ext. 101
frsakowski@gmail.com

Fr. Daniel Sedlacek, Parochial Vicar
715-855-1294 ext. 140
frdanielsedlacek@gmail.com

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