St. Patrick-St. Anthony hosted approximately 60 adults from across New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the Hartford area this summer to participate in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) Formation courses.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), one of our options for Youth Faith Formation, is a hands-on program that begins with children age three and continues through sixth grade. In CGS, we recognize that even the youngest child already has their own relationship with God. Adults who work with children in this method receive extensive training in how to accompany the child to nurture their relationship with God.
Formation courses are structured in a retreat-like setting, with time for prayer, and time to learn about child development, theology, and the Montessori method, which is the pedagogical approach used with the children. Many adults who participate in the courses say that it is a life-changing experience, transforming them in ways they never expected.
Catechists who work with children in this program have participated in a 90-hour course to work with children ages 3 through Kindergarten (Level 1), an additional 100-hour course to work with with children in first through third grade (Level 2), and an additional 120-hour course to work with children in fourth through sixth grades (Level 3).
Those who lead the formation of adults have years of experience working with children in the atrium, and have participated in extra professional development in theology, child development, and the Montessori method. It takes years to be recognized as a Formation Leader by the National Association of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
St. Patrick-St. Anthony is blessed to have two Formation Leaders on the Faith Formation team. Deb Pelletier is recognized as a Formation Leader for Levels 1, 2, and 3. Sarah Christopher is recognized as a Formation Leader for Level 1, and is in the discernment process to become a Level 2 formation leader.
This summer, Deb and Sarah had the privilege of leading four formation courses, three of them right here at SPSA, and one for the Archdiocese of New York. As Formation Leaders, Deb and Sarah will continue to mentor adults from these courses as they start their own Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atria in their own parishes or schools.
The method of CGS has been developed over the past 60 years initially by Sofia Cavaletti, a scripture scholar, who partnered with Gianna Gobi, a Montessori teacher from Rome. They developed the method based on the most essential aspects of our faith that resonated most deeply with the children. Since that time, this method has gradually spread all over the world, and we are lucky enough to be able to offer this method of faith formation right here at St. Patrick-St. Anthony.
Curious to know more about CGS Formation Courses? Read about one parishioner’s experience taking a Formation Course here.
Interested in learning more about CGS
and adult formation?