If interested in becoming a catechist, click:
| Catechesis of the Good Shepherd |
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach
to the religious formation of children. It is rooted in the Bible, the liturgy
of the church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori.
This program is offered for children ages 3-6 years, with sessions once
per week, starting at 45 minutes and increasing to 2 hours.
The purpose of this information page is to:
If interested in becoming a catechist, click:
We believe:
1. That God and the child have a unique relationship with one
another, particularly before the age of six. This deep bond
between God and the child produces in the child, the desire to draw near to
God.
2. That the growth of this relationship should be assisted by
the adult, but is directed by the Spirit of God within the child.
The catechist’s role is to prepare the environment and to make presentations
so that together with the child, they enjoy meditating on the questions generated
by the scriptures or the materials prepared. After a theme is presented by
the catechist, the child is free to choose an activity that will make possible
the inner dialogue with God. This dialogue usually comes while they work quietly
with the materials.
3. That children need their own quiet place to foster the growth
of that relationship. Children gather in an "atrium",
a room prepared for them, which contains simple yet beautiful materials that
they use. At Holy Rosary, the atrium is downstairs. It can be compared to
a retreat house, facilitating recollection and silence. It is not a classroom
for instruction. It is a place for religious life, for community and worship.
It is a place of work, which becomes the child’s conversation with God.
And finally, it is a place of preparation for involvement in the larger worshipping
community.
4. That the child’s spiritual
growth is best served through tangible materials.
You may be wondering how these materials help the religious life of 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 . . . 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.
A Catechist’s Experience
This has been a very faith enriching experience for me. The course at
St. Michael’s College opened my eyes to the richness of our faith
in symbols, scripture, song and celebrations. I learned so much that had
never been handed down to me by my parents or in my experience in the
catholic school system. The lessons on early childhood development helped
me to understand the sensitivities and needs of children of this age group.
Since leading the program, I have been continually blessed by the beauty
of sharing with children. The preparations I make for the sessions each
week are prayer for me. As with any volunteer work, the challenge comes
with making the weekly commitment but the experience has been wonderful.
I would encourage any one who loves to work with children, is interested
in the religious formation of children and would like to grow in their
own faith, consider taking the course to become a catechist.
Therese Wright
What are parents saying?
Enrolling your child.
Registration forms for the coming year are available from this web site or from the Good Shepherd mail box on the wall across from the parish office. The cost of the program is $50 per child. If this fee is not possible for you, please speak to Fr. Bernie Carroll. Registrations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. The enrolment is limited to 8-10 children. The completed forms with a cheque may be left at the parish office.
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A
note from Fr. Bernie Carroll S.J.
(pastor) I am ever so grateful to the individuals who responded to the invitation to become involved in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. This is the finest Catechetical program I have ever experienced because the children learn about God through their own prayer, with the help of the resources in the Atrium that enable them to experience stories from the Holy Bible and to understand the symbols and actions that they see at Mass. The children learn not only with their head but also primarily with their heart, which leads to a profound and prayerful relationship with God. Every parent that has had a child in this program has told me that they have come to a deeper understanding and appreciation of their own faith as adults. I encourage you parents to learn
more about the extraordinary benefits of this program and to give
serious thought to taking the training to become a Catechist.
It will help to deepen your own faith knowledge and relationship
with God, and you will experience the deep joy of helping children
to learn and live as beloved brothers and sisters of Jesus and
sons and daughters of God. |
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