Catechesis 1

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, CGS, is the wonderful program offered for children ages 3-6. The mission of Catechesis of the Good
Shepherd is to provide an environment that allows all children to grow closer to God and feel the unconditional love of Jesus and to
provide the information children need to understand and participate in our faith community here at Christ Church .

CGS is a Montessori style program that began in Rome in 1954 by a woman named Sophia Cavaletti. This unique program takes place in
an Atrium, not a conventional classroom. The Atrium is a place where children can simply work, pray and share in their faith community.
The philosophy behind CGS is that children are born with a complete relationship with God. Gently removing the barriers of the world
around them allows them to further deepen and understand that relationship in their own time.

During their time in the Atrium, the children see a brief presentation based on the life and teaching of Jesus or on the liturgical seasons
or calendar. They have the opportunity to do their “work” which could range from working with one of the presentations, coloring or
tracing, arranging flowers, caring for the altar, exploring the geography of where things happened in the life of Jesus, practicing pouring,
polishing brass, and many other practical living tasks. Their work is their own, quietly exploring the holy place that they are
in. The children sing many songs that help them to connect to the presentations and to transition between activities. They pray
together and enjoy a special snack and fellowship.

When it is time for the passing of the peace they are brought into church where they sit up front so that they can see what is
happening and put into practice what they have become familiar with in CGS.

The atrium is one of the elements that help the relationship between God and the child to flourish. The atrium can be compared to a
retreat house that facilitates recollection and silence. It is a place for religious life, community and worship—not a classroom for
instruction. The atrium is a place of work that becomes a conversation with God. The atrium is a place for preparation for involvement in
the larger worshiping community.