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 currently not available. Stay tuned for more information and please pray for those currently in training! If you are interested in volunteering on the CGS team, please contact Director of Evangelization and Faith Formation, Jacqueline Van Hemert at 715-855-1294 ext 106.