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Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

- “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
  
  Children by their very nature are already close to Jesus, our Good Shepherd. CGS is a Montessori-based faith formation program that nurtures this relationship in a prepared environment called the atrium. Guided by the Holy Spirit, trained Catechists help children encounter God’s love by proclaiming the Good News of the gospel and meditating on its meaning side-by-side with the child. We ponder Jesus‘ life and teachings through Bible readings and thoughtful discussion, joyful song, individual and group prayer, meaningful artwork, and self-directed works that promote sacred silence and contemplation. Nearly everything in the atrium has been handmade (no plastic) to further emphasize the authenticity of this sacred space as a foundation for a lifelong relationship with Jesus. Examples of Atrium works include a model altar, prayer corner, the Good Shepherd and sheepfold, Infancy and Passion narratives, a raised surface map of Israel and the city of Jerusalem, prophesy cards, and parable works including the mustard seed, the precious pearl and other materials. Children learn about gestures and symbols used in Liturgy, as well as the significance of Liturgical celebrations.
  
  MQP is blessed to have three levels of CGS. Each atrium is age-appropriate in stature and presentation based on the CGS guidelines. Level 1 is prepared for children ages 3-6; level 2 is for children ages 6-9; and level 3 is for children ages 9-12. Each level advances in theology and sophistication as the child matures. The theme of God calling us into relationship with Him and His desire to share abundant gifts with us is present in each atrium. The child’s individual response and as a faith community fosters tangible connections to Jesus and the life of the church.
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- History of CGS
  
  Typical of God’s plan, CGS was founded by accident in Rome, Italy in 1954. A Catholic laywoman and theologian named Sofia Cavalletti was asked by a parent to give religious instruction to local children. After initially refusing, she agreed to do it and became curious about the religious potential and development of children based on her experience. A mutual friend introduced Sofia to a Montessori educator, Gianna Gobbi, and the rest is history! Using the self-teaching principles of Maria Montessori and the theological moorings of Hebrew scholarship, Scripture studies, and Roman Catholic liturgy and doctrine, Sofia and Gianna developed an approach that not only appealed to the profound religious intuition of younger and older children, but which evolved from the children themselves. CGS is focused on sound theology and giving children space to absorb scripture, which fosters a truly personal relationship with Jesus. The work of CGS (still active in Rome) has grown and spread to more than 65 countries. The Association for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (www.cgsusa.org) has been in North America since 1984, and MQP has had the program since 2013.
- “If we want to help the child draw nearer to God, we should with patience and courage…seek to go always closer to the vital nucleus of things. This requires study and prayer. The child himself will be our teacher if we know how to observe him.” – Sofia Cavalletti
The Atrium & the Role of the Catechist
- The child is then invited to internalize and ponder the presentation by working with the materials themselves. This promotes an atmosphere of self-discovery and growth at a child’s own pace. Repetition and ample opportunity to work with materials imparts valuable knowledge. The motto of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is "Help me fall in love with God by myself.” As every CGS catechist can attest, it is the children who do the teaching in the atrium.
- Each prepared atrium contains models of materials used in church worship such as an altar, candles, liturgical colors, and other items used during mass. The environment also contains materials relating to the proclamation of the faith such as parables, prophecies, geography of Israel, and the life of Christ. The trained catechist presents the materials to the child in a way that conveys the essentials of the faith in a manner appropriate to the child's development. The catechist presents the reality, contemplates its meaning, and prompts a response.
The Atrium Levels
- In Level 1, ages 3-6, the controlling image is “Christ the Good Shepherd “who loves his sheep and gives everything He is for them. The Good Shepherd knows his sheep and calls them by name. The child comes to discover who the Shepherd is and who the sheep are. What stands behind all this is the first moment of the covenant, the moment of gift. Level 1 stays focused on the moment of gift with the aim of children coming to a deep enjoyment of it. The enjoyment of the gift of God's own self to the child is the foundation of further religious insight and moral development. 
- Level 2, ages 6-9, continues the reflection on the moment of gift and begins to awaken in the child the question of their personal response. The controlling image is Christ the True Vine, and the History of the Kingdom of God. The child begins to discover the vast cosmic history of God's plan of salvation and that they have something to contribute to it. Moral sensitivity/awareness begins here and grows with the presentations of Jesus' Maxims, Moral Parables, and Reconciliation. The child's desire to carry out the requests of the Good Shepherd naturally flow from the relationship of loving trust that was established in the previous level.
- Level 3, ages 9-12, carries the human response further. The controlling image is the Plan of God as worked out in the Bible and human history. The child begins to deal with the advance of the Kingdom and people's opposition to it. The paradigm of Creation-Redemption-Parousia guides a more thorough exploration of Scripture, particularly the Old Testament.
- Fruits of the Atrium
  
  The most beautiful aspect of CGS is witnessing the many blessings or fruits that emerge each year. At MQP, our children have experienced lasting gifts such as:
  Peace in prayer and appreciation for quiet reflection
  A deeper understanding of God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice
  Devotion to the sacramental life of the church
  Seeking baptism if not already baptized
  Belief in the real presence of the Eucharist
  Realization of God’s mercy at First Reconciliation
  Desire to attend mass with their family
  (Some have brought their families back to mass .)
  Desire to serve the parish as altar servers
  Love and appreciation for Eucharistic Adoration
  Improved classroom behaviors
  Outward expressions of faith
- Quotes from our Children
  
  “Jesus is the light and He wants me to share my light.”
  “Going to atrium is my favorite part of the day.”
  “Jesus died so that He could open the gates of Heaven.”
  “The atrium is so peaceful.”
  “God is so good! Thank you Jesus for sharing your light with me.”
  “Jesus is the Good Shepherd and we are His sheep.”
  “Jesus said, this is my body and this is my blood.”
  “Jesus wants me to love people, no matter who they are.”
  “The Pharisee should have focused on I AM (pointing up), instead of ‘I am’ (pointed at himself)
- Atrium Artwork
  
  Children often express their encounter with Jesus through artwork. Art is a prayerful response to atrium works or something children hear during a presentation. Tracing packets, pasting works, and free art assist the child in processing what they have heard.
- Become a Catechist!
  
  The Archdiocese of St. Louis has a strong CGS presence, creating many opportunities for training. Each level has its own training and curriculum requirements, each level building upon itself as catechists pursue training beyond Level 1. Most catechists describe training as having mini retreats that enable you to re-learn the faith through the eyes of a child. Since MQP has three atriums, it is not uncommon for at least part of training to be held here. Working as a catechist is an excellent part-time job with flexibility to accommodate busy schedules. If you feel called by the Holy Spirit, we’d love to talk to you! Click here to submit an interest form and a member of our team will get back to you with more information.