Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
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Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori style program for kids ages 3-6. The program was started at Immaculate Heart of Mary in the fall of 2011.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Program (CGS) is based on the conviction that God and your child are in a relationship. The task of the adult (catechist) is to help your child live fully the encounter with God. CGS is inspired by Montessori principals and is not like traditional teaching styles. It does not use textbooks or desks and it isn’t held in a classroom. CGS takes place in a room, called an atrium. It is a place of simplicity and order, prayer and work and community. The atrium provides an orientation into the life of the whole Church. This room is prepared for the children and contains simple yet beautiful materials they use to help them absorb the most essential proclamations of the faith. Everything in this room is intended to be appropriate for the ages and sizes of the children who gather there.
CGS is based on the sound teaching of the Church’s tradition. Sacred Scripture, the Liturgy, and the Magisterium are all used to reveal the Good News to children.
Who is it for?
Children ages 3 yrs. (already 3 by June 1st) through 6 yrs. old
When is it?
CGS runs from October – May. Two sessions are offered: Wednesdays 4:30-6pm and Thursdays 4-5:30pm. You have the option of one of those days for your child(ren) to attend.
Where will it be held?
The Atrium is located in the upstairs of the Hearts and Hands building (former rectory).
What is a presentation?
The adult (catechist) does not teach in a traditional sense. Rather she shows the child how to use the various objects/materials and then leaves them free to explore and experiment. This act of showing is called a presentation.
To be effective, it must be done slowly and exactly, step by step, and with a minimum of words.
More about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd…
CGS originated in 1954 with the founding of the children’s center or “atrium” in Rome, Italy. Sofia Cavalletti, a
Catholic laywoman who lives and works in Rome, is a Hebrew scholar and Biblical scholar. Gianna Gobbi is a Montessori educator and catechist. CGS is a result of a long period of careful observation of children by Sofia and Gianna.
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd takes its name from one of the most central presentations offered to children, the Parable of the Good Shepherd (John 10:3-5, 11-16). Young children have a particular need to feel protected, to
feel secure, and to feel loved. Through this presentation the child will encounter a sense of security that is rooted in a relationship of love with Christ.
Practically speaking, what does this look like…
The children will gather outside the atrium and walk together into the atrium. Once inside, the children will see presentations. Through the materials used in the presentation, the children will have the opportunity from the
liturgy by taking the material for that text and working with it – placing wood figures of sheep around 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 at Mass.
Here’s a list of some of the presentations:
*Prayer
*The Altar
*Liturgical Colors
*Good Shepherd
*Practical Life
*Advent Celebrations
*Prophecies (the “Light” and the “Child” – Isaiah)
*Parables
and many more….
What about the Catechists?
The catechist is to proclaim the most essential points of the Christian message, to listen to it with the children, and to observe the children in order to know their needs. The catechist is the ‘unworthy servant’ who needs to take the greatest care not to intervene between God and the child so the True Teacher, the Holy Spirit , can operate fully.
Ninety hours of training, as well as completing an album, is required to become a certified CGS catechist. The
album consists of all the presentations given to the children. Unlike a classroom setting, there isn’t a textbook to follow.