Catechesis

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

An Experiential Way to Learn the Gospel and Biblical Principles.

Catechesis Level One Training Course at St. Mary's-on-the-Highlands

“I am the good shepherd: I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 14-15

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a formation experience for children ages 3-12 years old. It is based on the belief that young children can and do experience God. The work of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is done in a specially prepared environment called an atrium. Children use hands-on materials to explore and reflect on scripture, prayer, and liturgical events. Together children and adults reflect on the great mysteries of the Christian faith.

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori approach to religious formation. It was developed under the guidance of Dr. Sofia Cavalletti, a scriptural scholar, and Gianna Gobbi, a Montessori educator, more than 50 years ago when they founded the Good Shepherd Atrium in Rome. Today the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd exists in 22 countries worldwide.

Course Description

Based on the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for children, the Level I course is the foundation for the work in the atrium. Upon completion of the Level I course, participants will have received the entire catechetical work for 3-6 year old children and will receive certification from the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

Course objectives:

To explore the methodology and guiding principles of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
To explore the religious nature and the most vital religious needs of the 3–6 year old
To meditate on the Biblical and Liturgical themes presented in Level I
To experience the lessons of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for one’s own spiritual formation
To offer guidance and assistance in preparing an atrium

Dates & Location

The Level One course will meet on Friday mornings 9:00 until noon. The course is offered in two parts: Part I concluded in May 2024; Part II will meet September 6 through December 13, 2024. The course will meet at St. Mary’s-on-the-Highlands Episcopal Church, 1910 12th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205.

Formation Leader

Beverley Hoyt has been involved in Catechesis since 2002. She is a recognized national formation leader for the United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

Registration and Tuition

Tuition for the course is $600 and is waived for St. Mary’s parishioners. Tuition includes 90 hours of workshop, checking of album pages, consultation and certificate fee. Upon completion of the course, a certificate will be awarded by the United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

Please submit one half of the tuition ($300) on or before January 10 and the remaining balance on or before September 1, 2024. Payment can be made online during registration or a check can be mailed.

Checks should be made payable and mailed to:

St. Mary’s on-the-Highlands

1910 12th Avenue South

Birmingham, AL 35205

Attn: Katie Dewees

You may register by completing the form on this link: https://fs19.formsite.com/cLQnGx/hqxktqed6q/index

CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

We have Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to help develop your child's spiritual understanding of Jesus Christ in age appropriate ways from three years-old thru the highest level of sixth grade. This program has served as a model for so many Episcopal churches across the country. We are committed to strengthening the quality, creativity, and standards of this program for future generations.

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a creative and innovative approach to the religious formation of children. It is rooted in the Bible, the liturgy of the church, and the best practice teaching methods. Children gather in the Atria, located in the Drennen House, in rooms that contain simple yet beautiful materials and resources that they use.

In an atria, children can explore 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. There are many other learning resources and lessons to be explored at this stage of your child's spiritual development.

CATECHESIS LEVELS

LEVEL I (3K-5K)

The Good Shepherd Atrium: Discovering and deepening the child's relationship with Jesus as the Good Shepherd is the primary focus of the Level I atrium. The children will explore how we respond to the call of the Good Shepherd through liturgy and will study the Kingdom of God through scripture selected with the 3-5 year old child in mind.

LEVEL II (1ST-3RD)

The True Vine Atrium: The second level of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is designed to help the child further his relationship with Christ by figuring our his own part of God's plan. The child at this stage of development is very black and white and is developing his sense of right and wrong. The Atrium at this level offers Christ's teachings as a way of exploring the child's moral sense. The child is called to draw on the relationship he has built with Christ and allow it to grow and develop in this new way, leading the child to see his responsibilities in the Kingdom of God.

LEVEL III (4TH-6TH)

The Kingdom Atrium: This third level is designed for the child that is rooted in his relationship with Christ, has explored his responsibility in this relationship and wants to expand his understanding of the call of Christ. The child will continue to explore his place in the world, will look further to peoples of the world and the History of Salvation, and how we all fit in the Plan of God. We will examine stories from the Old Testament and think of what they mean to us today. The child in the Level III atrium will also think about the origins of liturgy and how worship as we experience it today developed.

Need More Information?

Katie Dewees
Director of Children’s Christian Formation
katie@stmarysoth.org
(205) 933-1140 ext. 113