Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
for children ages 3-6
Contemplation and Enjoyment of God
Stella Maris Parish Family offers Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) to meet the child’s spiritual needs through a Montessori-inspired hand, head, and heart faith formation. This approach seeks to nurture the relationship between each child and God, and through the prepared space allows the child time to enjoy that relationship. The CGS experience takes place in a prepared room called the atrium, which is filled with handcrafted child-sized materials. Here, children are invited into prayer, given individual or group presentations based on Scripture or the liturgy, and allotted time for individual work. The catechist is attentive to each child’s unspoken desire: “help me come closer to God by myself.” Stella Maris currently offers two CGS sessions of Level 1 (for children ages 3–6), with hopes of expanding our catechists and session times in the future.
The Atrium at Stella Maris
CGS takes place within the permanently prepared space appropriately called the Atrium; an old phrase used to describe the place where religious life was actively lived and developed, just outside the church. We seek to create this same place for our children to live this active religious life with Christ.
Everything is set at the child’s level and was lovingly handmade or donated by our parishioners. Each material follows the national CGS curriculum, which guarantees it 1) is prepared with the children’s intuitive work in mind, 2) is time-tested to effectively engage the child, and 3) communicates the most essential truths of the Catholic faith.
Session Times
This year, Stella Maris is pleased to offer two sessions for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd:
Mondays from 9:30 until 11:30AM
Tuesdays from 3:30 until 5:30PM
Classes will run weekly from the end of September, 2024 through May, 2025.
To deepen a child's communion with god
The Aim of CGS
Through Catechesis (faith formation) in the Atrium, in union with parents and the whole family of parishes, we work to prioritize the relationship that already exists between every child and God and through the prepared environment to enjoy that relationship. This reality is our model. Christ reminds us all through this catechesis “Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). We seek to transform as a whole family of parishes to become first and foremost children in a loving relationship with God.
how can you assist this good work?
Help with the Atrium at Stella Maris
Pray
There will be many invitations to pray, both individually and alongside the children, as in the Liturgy of Light at the end of the year. Email us to be added to the prayer chain.
Teach
Training is a retreat. Our goal: to provide training for you with a two year commitment to teaching/helping in the atrium. This is personally formative and life-giving work.
Create
Give your time to hand-make a CGS material. Use your talents for the church. Many talents are needed to build this Atrium space, both physically and artistically.
Have questions about CGS?
Contact Mary Clare
Mary Clare Smith is our coordinator of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. You can reach her at [email protected].
