St. Patrick – St. Anthony Church has been a center for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Adult Formation since 2005. We welcome adults from our parish and those from around the region interested in pursuing formation training in this method of nurturing the faith of children.
Catechists who work with children in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd have completed at least 100 hours of training in theology, child development, and the Montessori method.
Adults who have completed this training have reflected that it was “life changing,” and enriched their faith beyond measure.
We periodically offer courses to prepare participants to work with children ages 3-6 (Level 1), children in 1st through 3rd grade and First Communion Sacramental Preparation (Level 2), and children in 4th through 6th grade (Level 3).
Check out our current course below:
Current Formation Course
Registration is open now for Level 1 starting summer 2024. Click for the registration form and additional information.
Level I is the foundational course, and it is necessary to begin training with Level 1, even if a participant’s future goal is to work in Level II (6 – 9 year-olds) or Level III (9 -12 year-olds).
Our courses are recognized by the National Association of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and participants have the opportunity to earn a Certificate from the National Association to become a recognized Catechist at each level.
CGS Formation Courses are appropriate for those wishing to be catechists as well as others wishing to have a deeper understanding of the spirituality of children.
Each course is approximately 100 hours, and will prepare the catechist with theology, child development, and Montessori methodology to enable them to work with children in this method.
Each course will prepare catechists to:
- Present the methodology and guiding principles of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
- Explore the general developmental characteristics, religious nature, and the religious needs of children at each stage of development.
- Meditate on Biblical and liturgical themes and presentations presented to the children.
- Offer guidelines and assistance in creating an atrium, preparing the catechist’s album, and materials making.
- Broaden one’s ability to observe and learn from children, to listen with children to Scripture, and to deepen one’s enjoyment of God’s presence.
Throughout the course, there will be opportunities for community building through shared meals, time for learning, and there will always be space for prayer.
Give yourself the gift of time…
to nurture your relationship with God and build your community of faith.
Participants who have entered the training experience for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd have shared that it was like an ongoing retreat, time for them to step out of the busy-ness of their daily lives. Read one of our catechist’s reflection on her experience.
The CGS Formation course was an unexpected gift in my life. When I signed up to take the course, I thought it would help me teach my children, but it ended up also being a retreat for me and drew me closer to God. It has been the most transformative experience of my life, and has been the thing that has deeply nurtured my faith and was the catalyst for my growth in ways I never could have imagined.”
Sarah Christopher, 2012 Level 1 Course Participant
Questions? Contact Deb Pelletier, Formation Leader
and Coordinator of Religious Education at SPSA
See CGS in action…
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a CGS Formation Course for?
Adults from any faith background are invited to take CGS Formation. Usually, they are seeking “something” in their spiritual life – even if they aren’t sure what.
Many times, people choose to pursue this training because they want to learn more about how to talk about God with children in their lives.
Sometimes, people aren’t even sure why they are taking this course, they are just open to listening to what God might be calling them to.
If I take this course, am I required to teach in the atrium?
There is no requirement to teach in our CGS program after taking this course.
However, often, people discover they have gifts they are being called to share, and after taking the course, they look for ways to get involved with CGS or other ministries.
I don’t have any background studying theology, can I still take the course?
Yes! Most people who take the course do not have a background in theology. You will find that what we learn in the course are the most essential truths of our faith.
Those who were raised in the church and those who were not raised with a solid faith tradition all benefit from the knowledge and growth from the formation course.
I was raised in the church, do I need to take this training in order to teach?
CGS Formation training has a deep basis in theology, scripture, the Montessori method, and child development.
Even course participants who were catechized well as a child can grow from the course experience.
Where can I learn more about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?
CGS is an international method of listening to God with children, and nurturing their religious potential from a young age. Catechists all over the world have had their faith ignited and are transformed by their work with this method.
You can learn more about it at the United States Association of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd website at cgsusa.org.
I am only interested in working with children older than 3-6, can I start training with Level 2?
CGS Formation training for Level 2 (1st – 3rd grade) and Level 3 (4th – 6th grade) has its foundation in the Level 1 training for ages 3-6. Future courses for Level 2 and 3 will be offered, but Level 1 training is where CGS training begins due to its foundational nature in all subject areas.
Questions? Contact Deb Pelletier, Formation Leader
and Coordinator of Religious Education at SPSA
Meet your Formation Team
Deb Pelletier
Formation Leader
Deb has been involved with religious education for over twenty five years and is currently coordinator of the religious education team and of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She is a nationally recognized formation leader for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and helped introduce the program to the parish.
Sarah Christopher
Formation Leader
Sarah began her work at SPSA when she joined the Religious Education Team in 2016 and has worked alongside children in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) and in preparing for their sacraments since 2012. Sarah is trained in all three levels of CGS. Sarah also serves as the Elementary CGS catechist at Enfield Montessori School. She is a nationally recognized formation leader for Level 1 CGS.
