9/25/23 Update: Registration is closed for 2023-24. Registration for 2024-25 will open in late July/early August 2024. 

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 

This approach to addressing the religious life of children began over 100 years ago with Dr. Maria Montessori. It was developed by Sofia Cavaletti and Gianna Gobbi and many other collaborators beginning in the 1950s. It continues to grow today throughout the world. Its basis comes from close observation of children and their religious needs.

The children meet at Sacred Heart of Mary for a two-hour session each week in a carefully prepared room called an “Atrium.” Each Atrium is set up for the unique needs of a specific “phase” of childhood: Level I for children aged 3-6 years, Level II for 6-9 years, and Level III for 9-12 years. Children work with specially-designed materials in an experiential way to learn about Our Lord, His life, Scripture, prayer, the Sacraments, Mass, and much more! The approach encourages a child to fall in love with God and contemplate prayerfully. The children may also work with "practical life" materials to help them develop skills. "Grace and courtesy" practice demonstrates how we are to treat our neighbors in a respectful way.

The children are led by specially-trained people called Catechists. The Catechists strive to be humble instruments of the Holy Spirit, allowing the child to wonder and discover. They present material to children to correspond to their developmental needs. This rewarding role is loved by those who serve. Training is available to those who wish to pursue this work, please get in touch with the CGS director if interested.

CGS is a beautiful way to nourish the seeds of faith in addition to the parents' own catechesis of their family. The family is the foundation of a child's religious life. Growth in life with God is supported by participation in the life of the Church, supplemented with programs like CGS. 

For more information about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, go to www.cgsusa.org, or contact: Rebecca Stadler at cgs@sacredheartofmary.com