Comments on: Comments on Catechesis of the Good Shepherd http://catholicinformation.aquinasandmore.com/2006/06/10/comments-on-catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd/ If it's Catholic we'll talk about it and probably sell it. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:09:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Rita http://catholicinformation.aquinasandmore.com/2006/06/10/comments-on-catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd/comment-page-1/#comment-9405 Rita Sun, 13 Sep 2009 23:42:55 +0000 https://catholicinformation.wordpress.com/2006/06/10/comments-on-catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd/#comment-9405 I have worked with CCS for 3 1/2 years, when I homeschooled my youngest daughter. It took me a while to get with the program because I did not completely understand it. I felt blessed every time I went to Atrium and experienced the richness of the child discovering God and making those connections with their faith. The Holy Spirit moves in the Atrium, we just need to get out of His Way! I have worked with CCS for 3 1/2 years, when I homeschooled my youngest daughter. It took me a while to get with the program because I did not completely understand it. I felt blessed every time I went to Atrium and experienced the richness of the child discovering God and making those connections with their faith. The Holy Spirit moves in the Atrium, we just need to get out of His Way!

]]> By: George Pritchard http://catholicinformation.aquinasandmore.com/2006/06/10/comments-on-catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd/comment-page-1/#comment-8809 George Pritchard Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:45:14 +0000 https://catholicinformation.wordpress.com/2006/06/10/comments-on-catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd/#comment-8809 Reading over these comments. It might be worthwhile to take a moment and read comments on what the children have to say. Some of these are at <a>http://cctheo.blogspot.com/</a> I am particularly impressed at the understanding of Eucharist that is nurtured by CGS. Of course, this is second nature to catechist. We have almost a prime directive in our presentations. It is "greater participation in the liturgy." Reading over these comments. It might be worthwhile to take a moment and read comments on what the children have to say. Some of these are at http://cctheo.blogspot.com/ I am particularly impressed at the understanding of Eucharist that is nurtured by CGS. Of course, this is second nature to catechist. We have almost a prime directive in our presentations. It is “greater participation in the liturgy.”

]]> By: Genevieve http://catholicinformation.aquinasandmore.com/2006/06/10/comments-on-catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd/comment-page-1/#comment-8750 Genevieve Sun, 07 Jun 2009 13:52:22 +0000 https://catholicinformation.wordpress.com/2006/06/10/comments-on-catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd/#comment-8750 I have been doing the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Level 1 - ages 3-6) for about 7 years - for many years in a Byzantine Catholic parish, and for this past year full-time in a Catholic Montessori school. I can agree whole-heartedly with much of what was said before about how beautiful, reverent, and Christ-centered it is. I am constantly in awe of the work that the Holy Spirit does in the souls of these little ones, how much they love Christ, and the depth of knowledge that they come away with, even if they only are able to experience a Level 1 Atrium. (Levels 2 and 3 are incredible in terms of the Scriptural and Liturgical depth they go into. I remember learning some of these things in college level theology classes, with teachers like Scott Hahn!) I can also understand the concerns that orthodox Catholics may have about it. While Sofia Cavaletti and Gianna Gobbi were themselves devout Catholics, there are many non-Catholics throughout the world who have adapted the method and content of the program to the theology of their denomination, or Catholics with perhaps a different theological viewpoint who have done the same. This is not intrinsic to the program itself, which is authentically Catholic and faithful to the teachings of the Church, but it may cause many to question its orthodoxy. I know my mom and I had this concern when we took the training course many years ago from an episcopalian trainer, and were given the presentations on the Eucharist with episcopalian eucharistic theology (Christ is present in the bread and the wine). But we finally realized that this was not the CGS itself, and that we simply needed to adjust the wording back to something reflective of Catholic theology. However, for orthodox Catholics wishing to be formed in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, I would recommend that they carefully discern which training course to take, as you will receive a very different presentation and perspective depending on who the trainer is. I can highly recommend the following courses: The Montessori Catechetical and Cultural Center: http://www.montessori-mcci.org/formationcourses.html CGS training courses offered for graduate credit at the Christendom Grad School, either in Front Royal, VA in the summers, or throughout the school year in the DC area: http://www.christendom.edu/grad/acad/offering.shtml God bless you all! I have been doing the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Level 1 – ages 3-6) for about 7 years – for many years in a Byzantine Catholic parish, and for this past year full-time in a Catholic Montessori school. I can agree whole-heartedly with much of what was said before about how beautiful, reverent, and Christ-centered it is. I am constantly in awe of the work that the Holy Spirit does in the souls of these little ones, how much they love Christ, and the depth of knowledge that they come away with, even if they only are able to experience a Level 1 Atrium. (Levels 2 and 3 are incredible in terms of the Scriptural and Liturgical depth they go into. I remember learning some of these things in college level theology classes, with teachers like Scott Hahn!)

I can also understand the concerns that orthodox Catholics may have about it. While Sofia Cavaletti and Gianna Gobbi were themselves devout Catholics, there are many non-Catholics throughout the world who have adapted the method and content of the program to the theology of their denomination, or Catholics with perhaps a different theological viewpoint who have done the same. This is not intrinsic to the program itself, which is authentically Catholic and faithful to the teachings of the Church, but it may cause many to question its orthodoxy. I know my mom and I had this concern when we took the training course many years ago from an episcopalian trainer, and were given the presentations on the Eucharist with episcopalian eucharistic theology (Christ is present in the bread and the wine). But we finally realized that this was not the CGS itself, and that we simply needed to adjust the wording back to something reflective of Catholic theology.

However, for orthodox Catholics wishing to be formed in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, I would recommend that they carefully discern which training course to take, as you will receive a very different presentation and perspective depending on who the trainer is. I can highly recommend the following courses:

The Montessori Catechetical and Cultural Center:
http://www.montessori-mcci.org/formationcourses.html

CGS training courses offered for graduate credit at the Christendom Grad School, either in Front Royal, VA in the summers, or throughout the school year in the DC area:
http://www.christendom.edu/grad/acad/offering.shtml

God bless you all!

]]> By: Jen http://catholicinformation.aquinasandmore.com/2006/06/10/comments-on-catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd/comment-page-1/#comment-8697 Jen Wed, 27 May 2009 19:27:50 +0000 https://catholicinformation.wordpress.com/2006/06/10/comments-on-catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd/#comment-8697 Meg ~ I have not taught CGS before, but am a certified Early Childhood and Lower Elementary Montessori teacher. It is not uncommon for students to have difficulty articulating what they've learned in their Montessori classroom. In reflecting on this, I think it's largely due to the lack of emphasis placed on a student's ability to regurgitate "what the book (or teacher) says." I encourage you to observe an atrium or Montessori classroom (as I encourage my students' parents to do as well) to SEE that learning is occurring, however. Students are engrossed in their activities, are often able to present lessons to other students (a good sign of mastering a topic!) and can often make connections among seemingly-dissimilar topics at an early age. However... they may not be able to sit down an put into words exactly what they know about sentence structure, geography, etc. The Montessori method doesn't always "measure up" when judged with the type of question-and-answer formats most of us remember from grade school. But my experience is that learning -- deep learning -- happens. I've had students who could never pass a "test" on a certain topic come up to me after class and say, "Can I sing you a song?" ...and they've composed a song all about what we learned, putting it in their own words and even making it rhyme. They don't know it, but they just answered the standard essay question, "Please put blah-blah-blah in your own words, in a paragraph of at least 300 words." Meg ~

I have not taught CGS before, but am a certified Early Childhood and Lower Elementary Montessori teacher. It is not uncommon for students to have difficulty articulating what they’ve learned in their Montessori classroom. In reflecting on this, I think it’s largely due to the lack of emphasis placed on a student’s ability to regurgitate “what the book (or teacher) says.” I encourage you to observe an atrium or Montessori classroom (as I encourage my students’ parents to do as well) to SEE that learning is occurring, however. Students are engrossed in their activities, are often able to present lessons to other students (a good sign of mastering a topic!) and can often make connections among seemingly-dissimilar topics at an early age. However… they may not be able to sit down an put into words exactly what they know about sentence structure, geography, etc. The Montessori method doesn’t always “measure up” when judged with the type of question-and-answer formats most of us remember from grade school. But my experience is that learning — deep learning — happens. I’ve had students who could never pass a “test” on a certain topic come up to me after class and say, “Can I sing you a song?” …and they’ve composed a song all about what we learned, putting it in their own words and even making it rhyme. They don’t know it, but they just answered the standard essay question, “Please put blah-blah-blah in your own words, in a paragraph of at least 300 words.”

]]> By: Joann http://catholicinformation.aquinasandmore.com/2006/06/10/comments-on-catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd/comment-page-1/#comment-7939 Joann Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:58:30 +0000 https://catholicinformation.wordpress.com/2006/06/10/comments-on-catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd/#comment-7939 I attend an Episcopalian church which has been using the catechesis program for almost 21 years. We Episcopalians and Lutherans and several other faiths are crazy about this program. I've always thought it a shame that many Catholic churchs disdain this absolute gem of their own creation. Catechesis in our church starts with 3 year olds and goes through 10 year olds, who then go into a junior high program. We now have almost 70 children in our total program (catechesis, junior and senior high) and we are not a big church. Our original 3 year olds are now in their mid twenties. Two of them are now catechesis teachers. One is a youth minister at another church. Many of the others are still members of our church: children raised in the catechesis program don't leave the church, unlike the pre-catechesis crowd which show up once or twice a year when forced to by parents. That alone should be a reason to use it. Yes, the catechesis program requires good, dedicated teachers who have attended a lot of training sessions. Catechesis teaching is not for someone looking for a 6-month ministry. We are blessed to have many fine teachers who are also national trainers. It also requires a lot of dedication to build and stock the atriums. Although you can build a fine catechesis program on a budget, we have easily spent in the mid 6 figures on ours when you include building new rooms and walls in the basement. The bottom line is that the catechesis proof is in the pudding. It attracts new members, builds the church and raises children well-grounded in the Christian faith. If the program has any draw-back, it is that it does not encourage any of the traditional memorizations. If you want your child to learn the Lord's Prayer, the 23rd psalm, the Nicenean creed, you need to supplement at home. I attend an Episcopalian church which has been using the catechesis program for almost 21 years. We Episcopalians and Lutherans and several other faiths are crazy about this program. I’ve always thought it a shame that many Catholic churchs disdain this absolute gem of their own creation. Catechesis in our church starts with 3 year olds and goes through 10 year olds, who then go into a junior high program. We now have almost 70 children in our total program (catechesis, junior and senior high) and we are not a big church. Our original 3 year olds are now in their mid twenties. Two of them are now catechesis teachers. One is a youth minister at another church. Many of the others are still members of our church: children raised in the catechesis program don’t leave the church, unlike the pre-catechesis crowd which show up once or twice a year when forced to by parents. That alone should be a reason to use it.
Yes, the catechesis program requires good, dedicated teachers who have attended a lot of training sessions. Catechesis teaching is not for someone looking for a 6-month ministry. We are blessed to have many fine teachers who are also national trainers. It also requires a lot of dedication to build and stock the atriums. Although you can build a fine catechesis program on a budget, we have easily spent in the mid 6 figures on ours when you include building new rooms and walls in the basement.
The bottom line is that the catechesis proof is in the pudding. It attracts new members, builds the church and raises children well-grounded in the Christian faith. If the program has any draw-back, it is that it does not encourage any of the traditional memorizations. If you want your child to learn the Lord’s Prayer, the 23rd psalm, the Nicenean creed, you need to supplement at home.

]]> By: George Pritchard http://catholicinformation.aquinasandmore.com/2006/06/10/comments-on-catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd/comment-page-1/#comment-7619 George Pritchard Sat, 14 Mar 2009 03:32:41 +0000 https://catholicinformation.wordpress.com/2006/06/10/comments-on-catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd/#comment-7619 No atrium nearby? Talk to your pastor. He may be willing to assist you with parish resources. Check with your diocesan Religious Education office. Browse to the <a href="http://www.cgsusa.org/courses.php" rel="nofollow">Association of the Good Shepherd website</a> for a national list of courses offerings and session dates. Ask for help in pioneering a local progam and in getting funding. Consider personally enrolling in a training course. You will find all of the psychological and spiritual support you need in starting an atrium. The training is engaging. It teaches by lesson example and focuses doctrinal content on the child's level of understanding. A primary aim is to promote greater participation in the liturgy. Persons come from all over to attend training. They are of all ages and backgrounds. Course sessions(4) tend to go from Friday to Sunday during the school year, and five to eight days in the summer. The training may be concentrated for a longer period or be spread out across the year. The certicate is based on clock hours attended. Every minute invested is worthwhile. Training often provides time for materials manufacture for the prepaed environment, the Atrium. No atrium nearby? Talk to your pastor. He may be willing to assist you with parish resources. Check with your diocesan Religious Education office. Browse to the Association of the Good Shepherd website for a national list of courses offerings and session dates. Ask for help in pioneering a local progam and in getting funding.
Consider personally enrolling in a training course. You will find all of the psychological and spiritual support you need in starting an atrium.
The training is engaging. It teaches by lesson example and focuses doctrinal content on the child’s level of understanding. A primary aim is to promote greater participation in the liturgy.
Persons come from all over to attend training. They are of all ages and backgrounds. Course sessions(4) tend to go from Friday to Sunday during the school year, and five to eight days in the summer. The training may be concentrated for a longer period or be spread out across the year. The certicate is based on clock hours attended. Every minute invested is worthwhile. Training often provides time for materials manufacture for the prepaed environment, the Atrium.

]]> By: Beate http://catholicinformation.aquinasandmore.com/2006/06/10/comments-on-catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd/comment-page-1/#comment-7428 Beate Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:51:13 +0000 https://catholicinformation.wordpress.com/2006/06/10/comments-on-catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd/#comment-7428 Hi Meg, All too often my own dc won't be able to tell me what they learned, as so much is intrinsic and might not show for years. That has certainly been the case for my 9 yo. In level two, the children will put together all the parts of the Mass which they have begun to learn about in Level 1. They work with a Mass chart and can note that the Mystery of Faith is the central element of the Mass. They learn parts of the Eucharistic prayer and will put together their own Missal. They learn about the History of the Kingdom which they will expound on in Level 3. Emphasis is given to the many gifts our Creator has given us. Also, there are central scriptures for the preparation of reconcilliation - meditations on the true vine, the Forgiving Father, the Found Coin and the Found Sheep. I'm not sure if your diocese is implementing the sacramental prep that Sofia recommends, often we are limited by time constraints and parish traditions. The sacraments are introduced slowly and in small, significant steps - the children are given "rich food, but little of it." Don't hesitate to speak to your child's catechist about your concerns and do observe in the atrium :-) Hi Meg,

All too often my own dc won’t be able to tell me what they learned, as so much is intrinsic and might not show for years. That has certainly been the case for my 9 yo. In level two, the children will put together all the parts of the Mass which they have begun to learn about in Level 1. They work with a Mass chart and can note that the Mystery of Faith is the central element of the Mass. They learn parts of the Eucharistic prayer and will put together their own Missal. They learn about the History of the Kingdom which they will expound on in Level 3. Emphasis is given to the many gifts our Creator has given us. Also, there are central scriptures for the preparation of reconcilliation – meditations on the true vine, the Forgiving Father, the Found Coin and the Found Sheep. I’m not sure if your diocese is implementing the sacramental prep that Sofia recommends, often we are limited by time constraints and parish traditions. The sacraments are introduced slowly and in small, significant steps – the children are given “rich food, but little of it.” Don’t hesitate to speak to your child’s catechist about your concerns and do observe in the atrium :-)

]]> By: Meg http://catholicinformation.aquinasandmore.com/2006/06/10/comments-on-catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd/comment-page-1/#comment-7349 Meg Fri, 20 Feb 2009 01:41:41 +0000 https://catholicinformation.wordpress.com/2006/06/10/comments-on-catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd/#comment-7349 Can anyone tell me what content the CGS DOES include for 2nd graders preparation for Reconciliation and 1st Communion? While I support this more affective and experiential approach, I am becoming alarmed because my 2nd grader cannot tell me anything they have discussed or done in regard to the upcoming sacraments. 1st Communion is only 2 months away. My daughter tells me religion is her favorite class which delights me, but there are some basic essential meanings about these sacraments I want her to have, and I just don't know if she is going to get them. It needn't be in a purely cognitive heady form, but does need to be covered in some fashion. Please can someone respond? Can anyone tell me what content the CGS DOES include for 2nd graders preparation for Reconciliation and 1st Communion? While I support this more affective and experiential approach, I am becoming alarmed because my 2nd grader cannot tell me anything they have discussed or done in regard to the upcoming sacraments. 1st Communion is only 2 months away. My daughter tells me religion is her favorite class which delights me, but there are some basic essential meanings about these sacraments I want her to have, and I just don’t know if she is going to get them. It needn’t be in a purely cognitive heady form, but does need to be covered in some fashion. Please can someone respond?

]]> By: catechist-in-training http://catholicinformation.aquinasandmore.com/2006/06/10/comments-on-catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd/comment-page-1/#comment-7342 catechist-in-training Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:33:43 +0000 https://catholicinformation.wordpress.com/2006/06/10/comments-on-catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd/#comment-7342 To Jeannie Ballard, Christ the King in Ann Arbor has an active Level 1 Atrium. I heard some of their catechists are planning on taking Level 2 training. To Jeannie Ballard,
Christ the King in Ann Arbor has an active Level 1 Atrium. I heard some of their catechists are planning on taking Level 2 training.

]]> By: Katie Press http://catholicinformation.aquinasandmore.com/2006/06/10/comments-on-catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd/comment-page-1/#comment-7078 Katie Press Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:19:57 +0000 https://catholicinformation.wordpress.com/2006/06/10/comments-on-catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd/#comment-7078 Stumbled across this post through a google search and am glad the conversation is still somewhat active. A few points of response... Jeannie Ballard, try doing a search on the National Association website: www.cgsusa.org for atria near you. I know there are some in the Diocese of Saginaw. I'm not sure about the center of the state. Cecilia Beck, I purchased my "Child in the Church" just a few months ago from "The Catholic Shop" (catholicshoponline.com) for a reasonable $16.65 (not including shipping). It's a brand-new, paperback copy. I was very pleased. My own personal experience with CGS has been nothing but wonderful. I've worked in as a catechist in two parishes, a preschool, and an elementary school. I'm trained in all three levels (ages 3-12) having taught Levels I and III most extensively. I agree with the previous statement that sacramental prep (particularly for reconciliation) is deepened in Level III. I too have had the experience of teaching children whose parents fall on every end of the spectrum of the Catholic faith. One website I would also recommend is the only Masters Program in the US that compliments CGS training. It might be a huge asset for your parish catechist, truly. www.ai.edu/goodshepherd Stumbled across this post through a google search and am glad the conversation is still somewhat active. A few points of response…

Jeannie Ballard, try doing a search on the National Association website: http://www.cgsusa.org for atria near you. I know there are some in the Diocese of Saginaw. I’m not sure about the center of the state.

Cecilia Beck, I purchased my “Child in the Church” just a few months ago from “The Catholic Shop” (catholicshoponline.com) for a reasonable $16.65 (not including shipping). It’s a brand-new, paperback copy. I was very pleased.

My own personal experience with CGS has been nothing but wonderful. I’ve worked in as a catechist in two parishes, a preschool, and an elementary school. I’m trained in all three levels (ages 3-12) having taught Levels I and III most extensively. I agree with the previous statement that sacramental prep (particularly for reconciliation) is deepened in Level III. I too have had the experience of teaching children whose parents fall on every end of the spectrum of the Catholic faith.

One website I would also recommend is the only Masters Program in the US that compliments CGS training. It might be a huge asset for your parish catechist, truly. http://www.ai.edu/goodshepherd

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