Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Though the mountains be shaken, and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you. All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.
Isaiah 54: 10,13
The following is from CGSUSA:
Our lives are in a very unique place with th
e Coronavirus pandemic flooding the world. As Christians how do we respond to such a time?
We have an opportunity to respond with hope and prayer. May the child lead us to a response of overwhelming thanksgiving to the abundance of gifts that surround us that maybe we are normally too busy to see. May we silence ourselves enough to be able to hear God whisper our name.
Gianna Gobbi says, “Silence is a necessary means of listening to and responding to God… This is the greatest help to the child in becoming aware of and mastering his or her own actions.” May we embrace this opportunity to walk towards God leading others in our lives towards Him as well.
You will be able to find more information on our website, iTunes, or any app for podcasts. We are happy to be sharing this joyful journey with you!
We have gathered resources for families, catechists and communities in this time of COVD-19 on our website. Here is a taste of what you will find:
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a Montessori-based Catholic faith formation program in which children can grow in their relationship with God through a deep engagement in Scripture and Liturgy.
CGS is based on the belief that God and the child are already in relationship. Our work as adults is to provide a place for the child to grow in that relationship with Jesus, the Good Shepherd. This place is called an atrium and is prepared with materials specifically designed for the children to work with to draw them deeper into the essentials of our faith. At Epiphany we offer CGS to children age 3 – to grade 1 as part of our Faith Formation programing on Wednesday evenings, on Tuesdays mornings, as well as children enrolled in Epiphany Preschool and Epiphany School. We are planning on adding Second Grade to our offering school year 2019 – 2020. Please continue reading for more information.
Click here for a guide to reviewing The City of Jerusalem with your children.
Pool of Siloam
The Pools: There are two pools in the city of Jerusalem, that were places where Jesus performed healings, the Pool of Siloam and the Sheep’s Pool.
Why is it called “Atrium” anyway? When children experience The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd the children enter a specially prepared environment called the ATRIUM. The Atrium is not a classroom, but can be likened to a retreat house for children. The word “atrium” actually means “portico, or porch entrance to a large house.” The Atrium was a term given to this space by Maria Montessori. It was chosen because in the ancient church, the atrium was a gathering space between the Church Proper and the street. It was the place where the catechumens, those preparing for initiation to the Church, would receive instruction. The Atrium has a similar purpose for our children, as it is a place to help them enter into full, conscious and active participation in the liturgical and communal life of the Church. We are busy making materials for our new Atriums or Atria. If you would like to help us by sewing, painting or woodworking contact Mary Minor at mminor@epiphanymn.org
First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion in the Atrium
This year we are helping to prepare the children for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Ever since the children have been in the atrium, they have been preparing. Staring with the Good Shepherd, the Model Altar and the Gifts of Baptism, the children have been meditating on the gifts from God and how much He loves us. As they get older, we move into their response to these gifts.
Below is an overview of Sacrament Preparation in the atrium.
- We look at God’s overall Plan of Salvation and how we fit into it.
- The children reflect on the Maxims – short scripture verses that are the teachings of Jesus showing us how those who love and listen to God are invited to live. All the maxims spring from the Great Law, the “Summary of the Law,” the law of love. We also review the Ten Commandants. For a list of Maxims, click here.
- We explore Moral Parables – the Found Coin and The Found Sheep in Luke 15:1-10. The freely given gift of God’s mercy and forgiveness is an occasion of celebration and rejoicing.
- We review and practice receiving Reconciliation.
- The Loving Father or Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-24. The Father and his prodigal son celebrate with a banquet! What matters most is not the sin but that the son returned.
- “Remain in me and you will bear much fruit.” The True Vine scripture in John 15 is explored in 2 separate presentations. The first with emphasis on the relationship between the Vine grower, the Vine and the branches. And the second using the imagery of the parable, sin is discussed as a “block” to the flow of sap with the vine. The Church provides a particular way to unblock the sap – Reconciliation. The joy of bearing fruit gives glory to the Vine grower.
After working with the Gestures of the Mass, the children are presented a Synthesis of the Mass. A beautiful work putting the pieces of Mass together on a long table.
Practice receiving the Eucharist.
Retreat Experiences
Reconciliation Retreat – The Child and parent experience prayer and reflection as they walk through preparation materials and receive the sacrament.
Eucharist Retreat – Similar format to Reconciliation retreat, with beautiful reflection and reviewing materials. First Holy Communion is received the next week.
First Communion Thanksgiving Retreat – an optional day long retreat giving thanks for the beautiful gifts received.
Information You'll Need to Know
If you have heard of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, you have probably heard the terms “atrium” and “prepared environment”. Here are explanations:
Why is it called “Atrium” anyway? The word “atrium” means “portico, or porch entrance to a large house.” The Atrium was a term given to this space by
Maria Montessori (Acclaimed educator). It was chosen because in the ancient church, the atrium was a gathering space between the Church Proper and the street. It was the place where the catechumens, those preparing for initiation to the Church, would receive instruction. The Atrium has a similar purpose for our children, as it is a place to help them enter into full, conscious and active participation in the liturgical and communal life of the
Church.
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religious formation of children. It is rooted in the Bible, the liturgy of the church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori. Children gather in an “atrium,” a room prepared for them, which contains simple yet beautiful materials that they use.
Click here to learn more about the CGS.
CGSUSA was formed in 1984 in North America with its main aim being that of “involving adults and children in a common religious experience in which the religious values of childhood (contemplation and enjoyment of God) are predominant.” Other aims include building community among catechists in supporting their work with children in aiding the growth of the spirit of this method of catechesis, establishing rapport with the wider ecclesial community, and encouraging, documenting, and spreading the research related to the religious life of the child through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
Click here to visit the National Association Website
Level II, Part I Formation Course (click here)
For catechists working with children ages 6-9
Level I, Part I Formation Course, Rochester (click here)
Level I, Part I Formation Course, St. Michael (click here)
For catechists working with children ages 3-6
Registration
Additional Class Added
Tuesdays 2:45 – 4:15 pm – Ages 3 to Kindergarten
Tuesdays 2:45 – 4:45 pm – Grade 1 – Grade 6
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd experience required for Grades 3-6.
Please write in time on registration form. Contact Mary Minor for questions, mminor@epiphanymn.org
School year 2019-2020 CGS will meet weekly on Wednesdays as part of Family Faith for Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade children. There will also be a Level 1, (ages 3-Kindergarten) and a Level 2, (grades 1-3) and Level 3, (grades 4-6) sessions offered on Tuesday mornings. (Level 3 requires previous Atrium experience) During the Tuesday morning session there is opportunity for small group studies.
Payment: Payment: Registration $120.00, (family maximum $300.00) due at the time of registration by check, cash, or automatic withdrawal. Students will be placed as space permits. Non-members of Epiphany Parish are welcome to join our programs but add $50.00 per family to offset costs.
click here to print out the form and return it to the parish office.
Click here to access the online registration process by selecting the 2019-2020 Faith Formation Registration. There is a $5.00 fee for electronic registration. Please contact Mary Minor for all questions, 763.862.4348 or mminor@epiphanymn.org.
The images will give you a little glimpse into our atrium to see what the children are up to.
Would you like to stop by to observe a class? Contact us to set up a time.