The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is an approach to the religious formation of children. Children ages 3-5 will discover and explore both liturgical and scriptural Montessori-based materials specifically designed to help lead the child into a deeper relationship with the Good Shepherd. Children gather in an atrium, a room prepared for them, which contains simple yet beautiful materials that they use.

One characteristic of a child this age is independence, therefore we strive to answer this call for the child with our motto being: "Help me fall in love with God by myself.” Please pray for the children.

If an adult hears a beautiful passage from the Bible, the adult might take a Bible, find the passage, and read it slowly again and again. He or she may think deeply about the words and perhaps speak to God in a thankful or hopeful prayer.

But a little child, too young to read, needs another way.

In an atrium, the child can ponder a biblical passage or a prayer from the liturgy by taking the material for that text and working with it by placing wood figures of sheep in a sheepfold of the Good Shepherd, setting sculpted apostles around a Last Supper table, or preparing a small altar with the furnishings used for the Eucharist. Older children who do read often copy parables from the Bible, lay in order written prayers from the rite of baptism, or label a long timeline showing the history of the kingdom of God.

• CGS will meet Tuesday mornings from September to May at St. Charles Borromeo Primary School

For more information contact Kassandra Klinkhammer by calling the Parish Central Office.