"The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ" -Saint Pope John Paul II

Who we are:

We are a group of Catholic volunteer catechists. We are moms, dads, teachers and young adults all with a common mission to bring young children into a deeper relationship with our Lord and His Catholic Church through the approach to religious formation known as the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. 

What is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd? 

It is without a doubt that children, even young children are hungry for God! Based on deep insight into the needs and capacities of the young child, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a beautiful approach to the religious formation of children that emphasizes quiet contemplation and the enjoyment of God. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, built upon the pillars of Scripture and the Liturgy and based on the educational principles of Dr. Maria Montessori, effectively presents the most essential realities of the Catholic faith to even very young children. It has an incredible way of putting the faith of the Church into the hands and hearts of our children. 


In this approach to Catechesis the children experience a formation that is profoundly biblical,  sacramental and prayerful. They come to know Jesus both with a knowledge that addresses the whole person--heart, soul and mind, as they are given a thoroughly informed formation which has as its primary aim, the leading of the child into an authentic, prayerful relationship with God. 

 In its Guidelines for Catechesis, the Archdiocese of New York endorsed this approach “because of its substantial theological content, and because of its sound principles and proven methodology.”


Why we need your help:

In order to bring this approach to catechesis to parishes in our Diocese, volunteer catechists must be trained through the National Association for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. In the summer of 2018 we were able to host a Level I (ages 3-6) formation course here in the Diocese of Rochester, which resulted in having over 20 Level I trained Catechists, and the opening of multiple Atria at parishes throughout the Diocese! 

Parents with children in these atria have quickly come to see the beauty of this approach, and have inquired about having this program available for older children (ages 6-9). As catechists, we are anxious to heed the requests of these parents and make the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd available to older children. In order to do this, us catechists will be spending two full weeks being trained in Level II of CGS in the summers of 2019 and 2020.

 However, we are in need of your help! The Level II CGS training costs between $15,000 and $20,000 total; a cost that is divided equally among the participants, regardless of the number of attendees. We are incredibly blessed to be able to host this training locally in Rochester (we will be flying the two trainers in from out of state, and lodging them here in the Diocese). This prevents us catechists from having to pay for personal travel and lodging for those two weeks, on top of the cost of tuition. Even so, the cost remains a challenge to many of us catechists who are already volunteering much of our time in the midst of family life and jobs. 

Can you help us?
We have started a GoFundMe to help offset the costs of the Level II Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training for all of its participants. Any donation you can provide (however small) will go directly towards reducing the cost of the training so as to allow the catechists to move forward towards extending this beautiful approach to catechesis to 6-9 year old children! Please share this with anyone who you think could help--every dollar counts!! 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!! 




Want more information? 

Please read more about the Atrium below and check out our home-made promotional video! All the footage found on this video is from the atria, priests and parents in our own Diocese! 

THE ATRIUM: 

The 'Atrium' is the carefully prepared environment for young children where this approach to religious formation takes place. It is filled with hands-on materials on the life of Christ and His teachings that help make the mystery of God concrete for the child. The geography materials establish Jesus as a real person in time and space and Israel as the land through which God realized salvation for all. Infancy narratives announce the Incarnation with the words of Scripture, moving from the Annunciation, to the Birth of Christ, to the Flight into Egypt. The models of Jerusalem and of the empty tomb are the starting points for the Paschal narratives and the child’s celebration of the Easter mystery. The Selected parables serve as keys to unlock the mystery of the kingdom of God and to nurture the child’s natural sense of wonder. The 3-6 year old child enters the mystery of the Mass through the most important gestures including the preparation of the chalice, the epiclesis and offering, and the gesture of peace. From these gestures 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.

Materials that embody the liturgical colors and calendar situate the child in the church year. A prayer corner also reflects the liturgical cycle with appropriate colors, prayers, songs, banners, and readings to enhance the rituals and celebrations of the seasons.

*some information taken from www.gscmontessori.com