CGS is based on the belief that God and the child are already in relationship. Our work as adults is to provide a place for the child to grow in that relationship with Jesus, the Good Shepherd. This place is called an atrium and is prepared with materials specifically designed for the children to work with to draw them deeper into the essentials of our faith. At Epiphany CGS is offered to children ages Preschool through 5th Grade.
This Season in CGS
The season of Lent is a beautiful prayer filled time for not only the church but the children in the atrium. We start by burying our “Alleluias” The children make Alleluia banners which are ceremoniously buried or put away until we take them out and proclaim at Easter “He is Risen Alleluia! There is much rich scripture and work materials for the students to further their relationship with Jesus. All ages look at the parable of the Good Shepherd, who calls them by name and leads them. Pondering the 23rd Psalm is often a prayer table discussion. The 2nd graders are preparing for 1st Reconciliation, with their specific sacramental materials. Other grades also examine their behaviors with the help of Jesus’ Maxims and moral parables. Closer to Holy Week we look at the Pascal Mystery and walk with Jesus via a model of the City of Jerusalem. A beautiful material called the cenacle shows the Last Supper. Other Passion Narratives are examined with the older children. Please click on the tabs for more information.
Mary Minor
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Coordinator
763.862.4348
[email protected]
Atrium
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religious formation of children, rooted in the Bible, the liturgy of the church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori.Children gather in an “atrium,” a room
prepared for them, which contains simple yet beautiful materials for their use.
The adults in the atrium or catechists present passages of Scripture which call forth the child’s innate desire to draw near to God.
Together they ask questions and wonder: “God who are you? How do you love us? What is the kingdom of God like? What is our place in it?”
PreK & Kindergarten Child
Children in the Level I (ages 3-6) program spend time enjoying and nurturing a relationship with the Good Shepherd. Materials and presentations on the life of Christ and His teaching help make the great mystery of who God is more understandable for the child.
Through geography, the words of the prophets, and infancy narratives, Jesus is established as a real person.
The Paschal narratives are treated similarly, using model cities of Jerusalem, empty tombs, and cenacles for the Last Supper.
Selected parables further the child’s wonder and curiosity about the great mystery of the Kingdom of God.
Children become familiar with the articles of Baptism, and gestures and articles of Eucharist.
A prayer corner located in each atrium reflects the liturgical time of year by with appropriate colors, prayer, songs, artwork, and readings.
Elementary child
For the Elementary child the image and scripture of the True Vine (John 15) is presented. “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.” This responds to the needs of children ages 6-12 as they expand their relationships with God, family, friends and the wider community. Jesus moral parables are examined. The parts of Mass are studied along with First Reconciliation
and First Communion preparation. The concept of time is explored as the children focus on the History of the Kingdom of God; and the moments of Creation, Redemption and Parousia. The older children expand their knowledge of the prophets and study the covenants God made with the Hebrew people.
Praying With Your Children
As parents, we find that we pray often and earnestly for our children. We ask God to keep them safe, to make them well, and to help us as we care for them. But there is another gift of prayer that comes to us: the gift of praying with our children. There is a big difference between the child’s prayer and that of the adult. It is precisely this difference that makes it such a privilege to pray with little children. They lead us to an enjoyment of God that we may have been missing. When allowed to pray naturally, their simple words come straight from the heart.
What is prayer? We have probably been told that prayer is talking to God. But talking is only one of the ways that young children communicate with God. They help us understand a broader and richer notion of prayer: to pray is to listen to God and to respond to God, to receive God’s gifts and to respond.
One way to respond is to pray as a family at Mass. Below are tabs with ideas and resources for praying with your children. You can also go to Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA website for more ideas.