Parish Formation for Children, Youth & Adults

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

***This is DIFFERENT from our nursery program for ages 18 months to 3 years called the Garden of the Good Shepherd!

The “Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” (C.G.S.) is based in the in the educational philosophy of child-led learning made famous by Maria Montessori and which was beautifully and effectively brought to the service of the Catholic faith by Sophia Cavalletti. The Catechesis seeks to help the child’s relationship with God flourish by introducing and pondering with the child core mysteries of the faith in a way that is respectful of both the child at this phase of his or her development and the rich scriptural and liturgical heritage of our sacramental tradition. Exercises in practical life (ordinary activities in the areas of movement, care of the atrium environment, handiwork exercises, and the practice of grace and courtesy) help the child to gain the concentration and stillness that aide a deep listening to God’s Word. They also help strengthen the community life in the atrium by giving the child sense of ownership for the care of the space and tools for interacting with others in a kind and respectful manner. This manner of faith formation may be new to some parents but it is tremendously effective. Feel free to contact our Faith Formation Office to obtain more information.

• We have two choices of Atrium session. Families may choose Sunday mornings from 10:15-11:45 a.m. or Monday afternoons from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.
• Our catechists are certified in the methods of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for ages 3 through 6 and have been trained in presenting the Catechesis through a 90-hour training course.
• Children are encouraged to attend as many of the Atrium sessions as possible.
• Our formal Faith Formation year runs from October through April.
• Our current year calendar for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is available on this page (scroll down).
• Cost: $136 per family ($0 for parent catechists; $68 for parents who serve as other session helpers). The tuition rate is per family and you may choose different programs for the children in your family. For example, one child attends the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium and one attends a Traditional Tuesday class.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd employs an inspiring and effective methodology to encourage children to engage with the Holy Spirit, but to learn the importance of many foundational truths of our faith. We are confident that your child will flourish in our atrium.

“Traditional” Tuesday Faith Formation

“Traditional” in quotes because, while the format is the well-known classroom style, we are expanding our efforts to hand on the Catholic faith using fresh techniques, modern applications, and interesting events.

Our Tuesday sessions are for children and teens in grades K through 8 seeking ongoing formation in the Catholic faith. *Note that if the kindergarten class registers fewer than 5 students for the 2023-2024 year, we may choose forgo the class for the year.

We also hold classes on Tuesdays for children and teens who have not received formal religious education in quite some time and who wish to be prepared for one or more sacraments (baptism, confirmation, holy communion) but who are older than the usual age. The duration of the preparation will be one or two years depending on the situation of the child or teen. These classes are called the Christian Initiation of Children (CIC) and the Christian Initiation of Teens (CIT).

• Classes meet on Tuesday evenings from 5:50 to 7:05 p.m.
• “Being present” is key to successful faith formation, both physically and mentally. Attendance is expected at at least 22 of the 26 weekly sessions. *Please discuss extenuating circumstances which may affect attendance with the Office of Faith Formation.
• Our formal Faith Formation year runs from October through April.
• Our current year calendar is available on this page (scroll down).
• Cost: $136 per family ($0 for parent catechists; $68 for parents who serve as other session helpers). The tuition rate is per family and you may choose different programs for your children in your family. For example, one child attends Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and one attends a Traditional Tuesday class.

Join us for Traditional Tuesdays if these offerings best fit your child’s needs. Whatever your child’s circumstance, we have faith formation options that will meet your needs.

Family Religious Education (FRE)

Our Family Religious Education (FRE) option is a flexible faith formation option which encourages parents in their role as primary catechists of their children. Families engage in faith formation at home using the same primary resources used in our Traditional Tuesday Faith Formation Program. Periodic progress checks ensure families are on track and children and youth are understanding the content. Mentorship and assistance is available to parents whenever they need it.

• In addition to engaging in home catechesis, families participate in one group session per month. This stresses the communal nature of faith formation and our identity as members of the Body of Christ. Attendance is expected at 5 of the 7 monthly group sessions. With the exception of October which is a Fun Family Kickoff, two choices of date are provided each month.
• Our formal Faith Formation year runs from October through April.
• Our current year calendar for orientations and group session options is available on this page (scroll down).
• Cost: $136 per family ($0 for parent catechists; $68 for parents who serve as other session helpers). The tuition rate is per family and you may choose different programs for the children in your family. For example, one child attends F.R.E. and one child attends the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium.

We’d love to see your family in the F.R.E. program and enthusiastically encourage and support parents in their role as primary teachers of their child’s faith.

Sunday Mass is the most important and foundational element in faith formation!

Quite honestly, Catholic faith formation doesn’t make a whole lot of sense without participation in Sunday Mass.

Why Mass? It’s mystical, it’s sometimes difficult to grasp, and yes, sometimes our children – and, let’s admit it: we ourselves – find it boring. Someone once said, “The Mass isn’t meant to entertain us. It is meant to sustain us!” Truer words were never spoken. We are each created by God with an internal need to worship Him (for our sakes not for His) and to be in close relationship with Him (again, for our sakes not for His). The Mass is the central event by which we participate in relationship with Jesus Christ, especially but not only, for those who receive Him in the Eucharist. In the Mass, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is made present to us and we not only do we participate in those saving events, but we thank Him for them (“eucharist” means “thanksgiving”). In thanksgiving, we offer the sacrifice of our lives to the Father in union with Jesus Himself. What our children learn about who Jesus is and what Jesus has done for each one of us is always meant to translate into a response to Him. Mass is a response that bears so much fruit…if we let it. The more our children experience the Lord at Mass – in worship and fellowship with the people gathered, in Jesus Christ acting in and through the person of the priest, in the Word they hear, and (when they are old enough) in the Eucharist they receive – the more they’ll realize what the Lord does for them – without fanfare and even sometimes without our knowledge at the time – during this amazing divine event.

Why Sunday Mass In Particular? Pope St. John Paul II reminded us that “The Lord’s Day is ‘the lord of days’. Those who have received the grace of faith in the Risen Lord cannot fail to grasp the significance of this day of the week with the same deep emotion which led Saint Jerome to say: ‘Sunday is the day of the Resurrection, it is the day of Christians, it is our day’.” Sunday is the day on which we all recall and celebrate the Lord’s death and resurrection which makes so much possible for every one of us. It is the day on which we celebrate one of the most central and most miraculous tenets of the faith we hold! The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes it this way, “Participation in the communal celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to his Church.” In the words of the psalmist, “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad!”

We pray that Sunday will be a day of joyful response and intense gratitude for our families and that each of us will, recalling the gift of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, make it a day with a very different character from every other day.