St. Thomas Aquinas Church

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a shared religious experience, taking place in a specially prepared environment for the children called the Atrium. This Montessori program recognizes the dignity of the child and their capacity to fall in love with Christ, and how children have a unique relationship with God, particularly before the age of six. Adults are called to nurture this relationship, all while directed by the Holy Spirit.

Parents are critical in this program, as with their child they embrace the awe and wonder, exploring life together with the primary sources of the bible, liturgy, and our Catholic faith.

Ways to serve in this world-respected model include, but are not limited to, trained catechist, assistant, artist, woodworker, calligrapher, and sewer. Called by name to serve in any capacity? Contact Brenda at [email protected]/ 770.842.0253.

Training in The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

In Catechesis of the Good Shepherd adults are given the opportunity to embrace a method of catechesis (or religious education) that will deepen one’s relationship with God.  Catechist formation in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is both instructive as well as experiential. It captivates both the head as well as the heart. It has a holistic approach for the adult, enriching the adult in a background of scripture and liturgy, theology, and prayer, as well as the pedagogy of the young child, helping the adult to see what face of God the young child most needs in order to enter into a relationship with God. Therefore, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd requires the adult to receive training in the method in a way that is “retreat-like,” giving time and space to absorb the richness of what it means to live one’s baptismal covenant and grow in the love and knowledge of God.

• Level I catechist formation is for adults seeking to serve children who are three to six years old. This training is at least 90 hours. This is the foundational training for all succeeding levels of catechist formation. All the key themes and presentations that are essential to this method of catechesis are introduced at this level so it is important for an adult to begin at this level. It is also valuable for the adult in understanding the child’s developmental needs and religious capacities at this level.
  This formation course is being offered in Spanish at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church on July 12-22, 2023. Click here to Register
• Level II catechist formation is for adults seeking to serve children who are six to nine years old (or first through third grade). This training is at least 96 hours and continues the themes first introduced in Level I catechist formation. It expands upon those themes according to the developmental needs and capacities of this age child. New themes are also introduced at this level especially around the History of the Kingdom of God, Moral Parables, and the sacrament of Holy Eucharist. Sacramental preparation is also a key component of this catechist formation.
• Level III catechist formation is for those seeking to serve children who are nine to twelve years old (or fourth through sixth grades). This training is about 110-120 hours and builds upon the previous two levels of training. It continues to broaden the scope of scriptural and liturgical themes according to the child’s ability and developmental needs. In-depth Old Testament scripture studies are introduced at this level along with a broader look at God’s Plan in the History of the Kingdom of God and the Judeo-Christian roots of Christianity.

Contact:

Brenda Sevcik

[email protected]

770-842-0253

Maria Idalia

[email protected]

678-849-2811