Shelly Buchan
Children’s Discipleship Lead
Catechesis Of The Good Shepherd
(For children ages 3-5th grade)
As a parent, you are your child’s first teacher in the Catholic faith. Praying with your children, taking them to Mass regularly and setting an example of what it means to follow Jesus are the most important ways to set them on the path to Meet Know Love and Serve Christ. At St. Charles Parish and School, our desire is to assist you through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, our children’s discipleship program.
Registration Form | Calendar Year
Learn More!
What is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a Montessori-based Catholic faith formation program where children can joyfully fall ever more deeply in love with God through contemplation of Scripture and liturgy. There are three multi-age levels, all of which are based on the child’s developmental stage.
God & the Child
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is based on the belief that God and the child are already in a relationship. This relationship is unique, particularly before the age of six, and is characterized by great joy. The growth of the relationship should be assisted by the adult, first and foremost by the parents, but is primarily directed by the Holy Spirit. Children greatly benefit from having their own space to foster the growth of their relationship with God.
Create Space for God
The atrium, or Catechesis of the Good Shepherd classroom, is a specially prepared space designed to lead the child to prayer. In the atrium, children listen to the voice of God and enjoy His many gifts. Through the child's work with the handmade materials, presentations by catechists, and communal celebrations, he/she deepens his/her understanding of Scripture and liturgy and is led to a fuller participation in the life of the church as well as to a hope born of a sure knowledge of God's plan and their place in His plan. Children gather in the atrium weekly for approximately 90 minutes.
What will we do in the Atrium?
What will we do in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd? We will:
-
Pray and sing
-
Listen to God
-
Hear about Jesus’ life, the Land of Israel, His parables and teachings
-
Learn about the sacraments, particularly the Mass, and the teachings of the Catholic Church
The Atrium - A Prepared Place
Level I (Ages 3-6 or 3K through 5K/Kindergarten)
Level 1 offers the most essential and profound truths of our faith to our very youngest children. The children of this age have a tremendous capacity to love and be loved and, when offered the gentle and specific guidance of the atrium, are able to form a deep and personal relationship with God, who they particularly relate to as Jesus the Good Shepherd (John 10).
Children need to be able to use the bathroom independently, and be three years old by August 30 in order to register.
Level 2 (Ages 6-9 or 1st through 3rd Grade)
Level 2 helps children build on that foundational relationship with Jesus as the basis for sacramental preparation. Jesus as the True Vine (John 15), to Whom we are all connected as branches, becomes a touchstone at this age, matching their developmental needs for social and moral development. During this level, children begin the two-year process of preparing for First Reconciliation and First Communion.
Level 3 (Ages 9-12 or 4th through 5th Grade)
Level 3 draws children more deeply into the big picture of God's work in the universe and gives them space to dive into the details of what that means. They explore in greater depth the History of the Kingdom of God, as well as what their unique place is in the plan of God. They will ponder God’s great generosity and the responsibility that stems from the gifts we receive.