Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Click here to register for 2026/2027!

Grounded in Sacred Scripture and Liturgy, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) invites children into the deepest mysteries of our Catholic faith in a gentle and attractive way.

Inspired by the pedagogy of Maria Montessori, CGS uses tangible materials and Socratic, “wondering” questions to encourage the spontaneous work of the child.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is offered for 3-12-year-olds*

*Due to demand, the offerings for 9-12-year-olds are limited

The 3-6-year-old child is particularly capable of receiving and enjoying the most essential elements of our faith—the announcement of God’s love especially experienced through Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who died and is risen. Materials on the life of Jesus Christ and his teachings help to make the mystery of God concrete for the child. The heart of the catechesis for children under six revolves around the Parable of the Good Shepherd. Jesus announces that he is the Good Shepherd who calls each one by name. The sheep listen to the voice of the Shepherd and follow him.

CGSUSA.org

The 6-9-year-old child

The elementary age child is captured by the image of the True Vine. “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.” The proclamation responds to the deep need of these children to better know his or her relationship with God, family, friends, and the larger community. Moral parables offer a model for comparing their behavior with that of the Pharisee, the Tax Collector, or the Good Samaritan. The elementary children see the parts of the Mass—the Liturgy of the Word, the Preparation of the Gifts, the Eucharistic Prayer, and the Communion—as one unified prayer made of many smaller prayers. Children prepare for the celebration of First Communion (or Solemn Communion) through a series of communion meditations focusing on the relationship with Jesus.

CGSUSA.org

The 9-12-year-old child

The history of salvation focusing on the plan of God as a plan of communion, a plan which links all people together through God’s love delight the older child. The emphasis is on our response to this unfolding generosity of God and recognition of the responsibilities that come with receiving God’s great gifts and seeing oneself as a collaborator with God. “What is the kingdom of God and my place in it?” is a cosmic query which lays the foundations for a life commitment in relationship with God. Materials on the Prophets of the Old Testament, the Gifts of God, the Miracles of Jesus, and expanded presentations on Liturgy and Scripture can also be found in the Level III Atrium.

CGSUSA.org

2026/2027 Session Offerings

Sundays - 12:15 p.m.

Levels I, II, & III (Ages 3-12)

Sundays - 4:00 p.m.

Level I (Ages 3-6)

Tuesdays - 5:15 p.m.

Levels I & II (Ages 3-9)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Atrium?

The Atrium is one of the most important elements of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. This specially prepared environment replaces a traditional classroom. The Atrium is a peaceful, beautiful space where children can choose meaningful “work”. This special place and the freely chosen “work” within it, fosters an inner dialogue between the child and the Internal Teacher, the Holy Spirit.

Is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd the same as PSR or CCD?

If its "family catechesis", do we attend CGS together?

At what age should I put my child in CGS?

What are the principal points of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?

Testimonies of Parents with Children in CGS at St Peter St Joan of Arc

This is the first year for our four-year-old twins to experience the joy of CGS, and I’m so grateful to a friend who shared her experience with me — I might have assumed my girls were too young. Quite the opposite has been true. They learn, explore, and sing in ways that feel personal to them, often teaching us things we didn’t know or had forgotten, and we regularly get requests throughout the week to go back to “church school,” which warms our heart. We are so thankful for the teachers and curriculum for helping our children experience Jesus, His teachings, and the beauty of Mass at such a young age.

This is our first year experiencing CGS and we absolutely love it! Our son has grown so much spiritually and has learned so much in such a short amount of time (I think without him even realizing it). At Mass, he is starting to make connections and observations from his discussions in the atrium. Through his immersive experience in the atrium, our son has really started to get to know God and our faith at an age-appropriate level.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Click here to register for 2026/2027!

Grounded in Sacred Scripture and Liturgy, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) invites children into the deepest mysteries of our Catholic faith in a gentle and attractive way.

Inspired by the pedagogy of Maria Montessori, CGS uses tangible materials and Socratic, “wondering” questions to encourage the spontaneous work of the child.