Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

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Catechesis of the
Good Shepherd

Level 1 (Ages 4-6 Years Old)
- We are very blessed to be able to offer Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to our parishioners in the Eastside Family of Parishes.
  
  Currently, the Eastside Family of Parishes offers CGS Level 1 (for children ages 4–6). Starting September 17, 2023, children will meet weekly on Sundays from 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM in our Atrium, located on the second floor of the Seton Center at St. Mary in Hyde Park.
  
  CGS, as it is commonly referred to, is a Montessori-influenced faith formation experience that is threefold:
  
  the child (in a small group),
  
  the adult catechist, and
  
  the prepared environment (called the atrium), which is filled with beautifully handmade child-size materials.
  
  While in the atrium, children are invited into prayer, given a presentation that is based on Scripture or liturgy, and allotted time for personal work. The catechist guides every child's need to “help me come closer to God by myself.”
- History of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
  
  Beginning in the 1950’s, CGS was developed by two Italian Catholic laywomen, Dr. Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi. Sofia was a Hebrew scholar, and Gianna worked as a Montessori classroom educator. Together, Sofia and Gianna observed children for decades, learning the most essential Christian messages that met the spiritual desires for each age group. From this, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd was born.
What do children learn?
- Level 1 (ages 4-6)
  Children in this age range are in the absorbent stage of development and filled with wonder and awe. Our youngest friends joyfully encounter the Good Shepherd and discover his unconditional love and care. They come to know Jesus as the light of the world (and love singing "Christ is light, in him there is no darkness").
  While in the atrium, your child might learn:
  
  The Parable of the Good Shepherd
  
  The Model Altar
  
  Baptism
  
  Infancy Narratives
  
  Kingdom of God parables
  
  Gestures of the Mass
  
  Liturgical Colors
  
  Geography of Israel
  
  Last Supper (Cenacle)
  
  The Land of Jerusalem
  
  The Empty Tomb
  
  Practical Life
- Level 2 (ages 6-9)
  *** Please Note ~ The Eastside Family of Parishes will NOT have a Level 2 atrium for the 2023/2024 year***
  
  Developmentally, 6-9 year old children are ready for a deeper understanding of their relationship with Jesus, their families, and their communities. The parable of the true vine is central to their work as they ponder Jesus' words: "I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing."
  
  While in the atrium, your child might learn:
  
  Salvation History
  
  Moral Parables
  
  Prayers of the Mass
  
  Synthesis of the Mass
  
  Holy Bible
  
  Further Geography Work
  
  Maxims
  
  Sacramental Meditations
  
  Personal Missal Making
  
  Communal Prayer - child led
- Join the waitlist Here!
  
  The maximum number of form submissions has been reached. This form is currently not available.
  
  To register for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, please submit the digital registration form below.
  
  For any questions regarding the registration process, please contact Shannon Holtman at shannonkholtman@gmail.com
  
  Family Information
  
  What parish is your family registered at? REQUIRED St. Mary (Hyde Park) St. Cecilia (Oakley) Other Please fill out this field.
  
  If other, what is your parish? Please enter valid data.
  
  Family Name (last name) REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Home Address REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  City REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  State REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  Zip REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter a zip code.
  
  Parent / Guardian Information
  
  Father
  
  First Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Last Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Phone Number REQUIRED Maximum 20 characters Please fill out this field. Please enter a phone number.
  
  Email REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter an email address.
  
  Mother
  
  First Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Last Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Phone Number REQUIRED Maximum 20 characters Please fill out this field. Please enter a phone number.
  
  Email REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter an email address.
  
  Child(ren) Information: REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  Child 1
  
  First Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Last Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Date of Birth REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter a date.
  
  Name of Preschool or Kindergarten the Child Attends REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Any medical conditions we should know about? Please enter valid data.
  
  Child 2
  
  First Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Last Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Date of Birth REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter a date.
  
  Name of Preschool or Kindergarten the Child Attends REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Any medical conditions we should know about? Please enter valid data.
  
  Child 3
  
  First Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Last Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Date of Birth REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter a date.
  
  Name of Preschool or Kindergarten the Child Attends REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
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  Child 4
  
  First Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
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  Date of Birth REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter a date.
  
  Name of Preschool or Kindergarten the Child Attends REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Any medical conditions we should know about? Please enter valid data.
  
  Child 5
  
  First Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Last Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Date of Birth REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter a date.
  
  Name of Preschool or Kindergarten the Child Attends REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Any medical conditions we should know about? Please enter valid data.
  
  Child 6
  
  First Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Last Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Date of Birth REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter a date.
  
  Name of Preschool or Kindergarten the Child Attends REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Any medical conditions we should know about? Please enter valid data.
  
  Child 7
  
  First Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Last Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Date of Birth REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter a date.
  
  Name of Preschool or Kindergarten the Child Attends REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Any medical conditions we should know about? Please enter valid data.
  
  Child 8
  
  First Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Last Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Date of Birth REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter a date.
  
  Name of Preschool or Kindergarten the Child Attends REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Any medical conditions we should know about? Please enter valid data.
  
  I give permission for my child(ren)'s picture to be taken as part of religious education and for such pictures to be used in any promotional materials, in the parish bulletin, on the parish website, or in newspaper articles in relation to events that happen in the parish.
  
  Permission Given? REQUIRED Yes No Please fill out this field.
  
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- Contact Us
  
  Shannon Holtman
  
  CGS Coordinator & Catechist
  
  shannonkholtmangmail.com
- Session dates
  
  Sundays from 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
  The Atrium (2nd Floor of the Seton Center)
  at St. Mary Church
  September 21, 28
  October 5, 12, 26 (no class on Oct. 19)
  November 9, 16, 23 (no class on Nov 2nd or 30th-Thanksgiving Weekend)
  December 7, 14, 21 (no class on Dec. 28 or Jan. 4)
  January 11, 18, 25
  February 1, 8, 15 (no class on Feb. 22nd or Mar 1st)
  March 8, 15, 22, 29
  April 19(Final Session) No class April 5th and 12th.
- Documents
  
  CGS Calendar 2025-2026