What is the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?
For 52 years the Catechesis has been offering children and adults a method of faith formation that focuses on the religious capacities of young children. Children ages 3 to 12 years gather in a prepared environment called the Atrium to pray, to work and to contemplate the most essential themes of our faith. Using Montessori principles of education the Atrium offers children time and space to use catechetical materials developed under the guidance of scripture scholar Sofia Cavelleti and Montessori teacher Gianna Gobbi, in Rome, Italy. Along with many children and catechists from all over the world, Cavellti and Gobbi developed a comprehensive program for children that faithfully serves both the catechetical aims of the Church and the developmental needs of the child.
Adult formation is offered in three consecutive courses that focus on children ages 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12. Everyone begins with theLevel I course (ages 3-6), which is foundational to becoming attuned to the religious life of the child. All courses cover age-appropriate themes for children from the Bible and liturgy, the purpose and use of the handmade materials, an introduction to the atrium, experience in presenting materials, and help in preparing a personal handbook (the catechist "album").
The Catechesis, because of the hands-on approach of the Montessori Method, is a wonderful model of catechesis for parishes with multi-cultural needs. There are over 1000 Atria in Mexico and many others in Central and South American countries. The materials are simple, direct and are easily translated. Adult formation materials are now printed in the United States in Spanish. We are excited to be able to offer this course in Spanish to better serve the need for bi-lingual catechesis in our parish and in our diocese.
Course Format
The courses are offered in Spanish and in English, running simultaneously, with a maxim number of 18 participants in each section. Meetings include 4 weekend sessions (Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday) and 8 Saturday sessions for a total of 90 hours of group formation.
Certification
Participants who complete the courses will receive their Level certificate from the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. This course is credited towards Catechist Certification in our diocese by the Catechetical Institute.
Where to see Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Catechists welcome visitors!!
Immaculate Conception, Durham
Contact: Lynne Worthington 682-3449 x 223, mizlyn@bellsouth.net
St. Joseph, Raleigh
Contact: Marjorie Shaughnessy (919) 212-1626, marjieshaughn@bellsouth.net
St. Mark, Wilmington
Contact: Anne Doyle (910) 398-6511, children@stmarkcc.net
St. Mary Magdalene, Apex
Contact: Shana Zambone / Lead Catechist, Zambone@stmm.net, (919) 657-4800 extension 7307; Celeste Usischon / DRE, Usischon@stmm.net, (919) 657-4800 extension 7280
St. Michael the Archangel, Cary
Program temporarily suspended
St. Raphael, Raleigh
Contact: Sandy Veno (919) 874-0818, skiveno@aol.com
For more information
The National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd web site is: www.cgsusa.org.
The primary publications describing the work can be ordered from the National Association or from LTP under The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd label.
“Seed-planting” workshops. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a “mustard seed work” – it begins very small in hidden ways, sometimes taking a long time to take shape … and this is good. Parishes interested in beginning Catechesis are encouraged to host a seed-planting workshop where a trained catechist/s shares with members of a parish community an overview of the Catechesis and discusses logistics for beginning the work. The workshop can be as short as ninety minutes or as long as a retreat day. Those invited might include members of parish councils, catechists, parents, clergy, teachers and principals and other lay leaders of the parish. Catechists from Immaculate Conception, Durham, welcome the opportunity to provide such workshops, in English and in Spanish, for your community.