Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS)

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd has been described as a meeting place of two mysteries: the mystery of God and the mystery of children. We hope to lay a foundation of faith which will sustain children through adolescence and into adulthood.

This program is highly child-centered and allows children to enter into a relationship with God in their own ways, and in their own time. We meet in the atrium, a quiet, focused place - more like a children’s chapel than a classroom. Everything in the atrium is designed with simplicity, beauty, and dignity, and all items are child sized.

Catechesis holds that children have a deep capacity to receive and experience the most essential elements of our faith, and offers a place where God is met through word and action. The catechist's role is to prepare the environment and to give selected presentations from scripture and liturgy that "call forth" the child's response rather than "pour in" information. The catechist listens with the child and together they ask, "God, who are you? How do you love us?"

Each Sunday, a different presentation is offered in the atrium, for example: the Presentation of the Geography and Land of Israel, where the children find the very place where Jesus was born, or the Presentation of Liturgical Calendar and Colors, which shows the way our church year is structured.

The first three Sundays of each month, we meet in the atrium at 9:45 a.m. During the Peace, we bring your children back to the sanctuary for Communion.

The fourth Sunday of each month, the children are in church; we encourage them to sit in the front pews so that they can see in the church for themselves what they have learned and experienced in the atrium.

All children are welcome to visit our atrium, and anyone can drop in any time.

Guiding Principles

There are five underlying themes that we wish to share.

• God loves you unconditionally and always.
• God is with you at all times.
• God wants you to recognize God in others.
• God blesses you with special gifts and talents.
• God empowers you to use your gifts to further His Kingdom.

How Can I be Involved?

We have a team of dedicated catechists and volunteers from the congregation who guide the children in their journey of faith. We welcome people to become involved, and we especially need people to support the nursery age children.

Registration

Registration forms are available at the church office. For more information contact Laurie Burns, Children's Formation.

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