Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
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WHAT IS CGS?
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For the 2024-2025 School Year, St. Michael Parish is excited to announce that we are opening a CGS Level 1 Atrium for children ages 3 - 6.St. Michael Parish is introducing a very special program for children ages 3-6 called Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-based approach to religious formation of children, rooted in Sacred Scripture, Liturgy, and respect for the child’s rich relationship with God.This program began with Dr. Maria Montessori and was then later developed by Sofia Cavaletti and Gianna Gobbi. For over 50 years, these women worked with young children, observing what they were naturally interested in, and using different “works” which included manipulatives like figures of Mary and Elizabeth when learning about the Annunciation or a child sized altar with sacred items when learning about the Mass. This program has been used for over 75 years around the globe and has been lovingly researched along the way. Now we are excited to offer it at our own parish!Catechists and volunteers are working to prepare the Level 1 Atrium to welcome children ages 3-6 this October. The atrium is a thoughtfully prepared place of prayer for the child, where the child comes in contact with the Word of God. Beautifully crafted age-appropriate materials focus the child’s attention on key scripture passages or liturgical moments. After an introduction by the catechist, the children are invited to work with a material on their own to continue their meditation. Because children learn by using their hands, working with materials helps them to enter more deeply into meditation, nurturing their relationship with God.The Level I atrium will consist of several key areas of materials for the children according to the themes introduced to the children. There is an area for Prayer, Introduction to the Life of the Church, Biblical Geography, Messianic Prophecies and Infancy Narratives, the Kingdom Parables, the Paschal Mystery, The Good Shepherd, Baptism, Eucharist, Practical Life, and materials for art expression.The atrium should also have furnishings similar to a church, so whenever possible, the atrium is furnished with child-size wooden tables and chairs, and cabinets and wooden boxes to hold the special works that illustrate stories from the bible, teach about the love of God, and about life in the church. Items are ideally provided by members of the parish, and many must be hand-made by the catechists so that the children can see the love their church family has for them and that they have created a special place just for them.The philosophy that making the materials by hand is an essential way for catechists to enter more deeply into the theme presented to the children—it is also an invaluable opportunity for adults in the parish community to experience the integration of hand, mind and heart as they paint on the unfinished wood figures, build a material needed or refurbish a material.Our Level 1 Atrium will be located on the lower level of Sacred Heart Hall. Sessions will be held on Thursdays from 4:00-5:00 PM and on Sundays from 10:30-Noon.
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How Can I Help?
1. Support our CGS Wish List on CGS Wish List
2. Help Make Materials for the Atrium
Phil Bosse, the Grand Knight of the Abnaki Council Knights of Columbus, has generously donated his time, treasure, and woodworking talent to make a number of items for the atrium, including twelve child-sized wooden benches plus an altar, tabernacle, and sacristy cabinet.The atrium is seeking a few more woodworkers, artists, sewers, and crafters for the following needs:- Artists to paint unfinished wood and resin biblical figures and scenes
- Artists to illuminate Scripture verses
- Crafters to make prayer cards
- Woodworkers to make and refurbish materials, including a kneeler, baptismal font, ambo, prayer table, and more!
For more information, please contact Gina Czerwinski, at 207-623-8823.
