Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a Montessori-based faith formation program founded on two pillars: Sacred Scripture and Holy Liturgy. Through the use of Scripture and materials, which we call “work,” children are invited to enter into a deeper relationship with God.

“What if you could prepare an environment where the child is able to entrust themselves to the love of God for their entire lives? That would be religious formation for the whole of their life, even through adulthood.”

Access to the registration for all Elementary Faith Formation (English) programs including CGS will open on August 1st both here on this page and in person at the parish office.

Increasing the number of sessions we offer: The amount of children that we can offer CGS to is only limited by the number of volunteers willing to complete the catechist formation and volunteer their time in this beautiful ministry. We offer catechist formation during the summers and the nursery is offered free of charge during the formation and as well as during the CGS sessions. As a way of thanking you for your gift of time to this ministry, CGS Catechists and Atrium Aides receive registration preference for their children, so we invite you to join our ministry and help us to be able to increase the number of children to whom we can offer this beautiful formation. Please contact Kristin Atkinson in the parish office for more information on joining our ministry team!

Registration for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd opens every year on August 1st and is

currently offered for children three years of age through third grade, expanding to offer through 5th grade with in the next few years. Children also receive formation for receiving 1st Communion and Reconciliation with in this program as well.

Contemplating the meaning of the Good Samaritan parable with the 6-9 year old child helps prepare the child for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

“Prayer is initiation to the mystery of God and is, itself, a mystery… our task is that of creating the conditions for silence and reverence which will help the child focus on and listen to God. We do this, first of all, by preparing an environment with a prayerful atmosphere.” Gianna Gobbi, Listening to God with Children

The 3-6 year old child becomes familiar with the colors of the liturgical seasons while working with the chasubles. This helps the child to reflect on the meaning of the colors as, along with the church, we live the seasons of our faith within our Atrium.

Working with the materials for the Last Supper, the children are invited to reflect on the connections between this important event and the words spoken at the Mass.

As a way to foster reverence and a greater participation in the Mass, the Altar work provides material with which the child reflects on who invites us to the Mass as they learn the names and purposes of the articles of the Mass.

Through the work of the hands, the children explore the meaning in the words and gestures of the Mass.

“Though you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, you have revealed them to the childlike.” Matthew 11:25

Looking for another way to get involved? We are also in need of parishioners that can sew, paint or are handy with woodworking to help us in making some of the materials that will be needed in our Atrium.

For more in-depth information about this curriculum, please click here:

(Thank you to www.youngsheep.org for allowing us to use their wonderful video!)