Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, 3-5
Primary: What is God like? Ages 2-5
Secondary: What does it mean to be in personal relationship with God? Ages 13-18
Description:
From The United States Association of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (https://www.cgsusa.org/):
“CGS is a common religious experience involving children and adults in which the religious values of childhood, primarily those values of contemplation and enjoyment of God, are predominant. This experience is shared in a place particularly prepared for the religious life of children called the Atrium.”
CGS instruction has three levels: Level I (ages 3-6), Level II (ages 6-9) and Level II (ages 9-12). This summary focuses on Level I.
“The 3-6-year-old child is particularly capable of receiving and enjoying the most essential elements of our faith—the announcement of God’s love especially experienced through Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who died and is risen. Materials on the life of Jesus Christ and his teachings help to make the mystery of God concrete for the child. The heart of the catechesis for children under six revolves around the Parable of the Good Shepherd. Jesus announces that he is the Good Shepherd who calls each one by name. The sheep listen to the voice of the Shepherd and follow him.
The 3-6 year old child enters the mystery of the Eucharist by first learning the names of the articles used on the altar and then through the most important gestures including the preparation of the chalice, the epiclesis and offering, and the sign of peace. Through the experience of seeing these gestures, presented one by one, the Mass emerges as the Sacrament of the Gift. The child becomes acquainted with the historical character of the liturgy through the events of the Last Supper, Christ’s death, and His resurrection.” A typical session in the atrium involves a short presentation on an element of faith and ample time for the child to work with Atrium materials to enjoy, internalize, and wonder with the mystery presented.
For more information, visit https://www.cgsusa.org/.
For more information, visit https://www.cgsusa.org/.
Previous successes:
- CGS has Atria located throughout the world, including several hundred in the United States in small rural parishes as well as larger urban ones. Visit CGS’s Find an Atria page for a sense of the scope and breadth of Atria locations.
- In the Diocese of Erie, there are operating Atria at the St. Thomas More House of Prayer in Cranberry, St. Boniface Parish in Kersey, and Sacred Heart and Queen of the World Parishes in St. Marys, PA.
Investment:
- Extensive training mandatory for catechists
- One-time investment in materials
- One-room Atrium (space dedicated to prayer/CGS) highly suggested.