For formation for children aged three to six years old we use the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-influenced method also used by the Missionaries of Charity and the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. CGS classes meet Sundays at 11 AM in the “preschool building, ” circled in red on the map below. Like all OLSJ formation classes, CGS is free, and the children of visitors are very welcome.

In CGS, the children will learn:

• essential skills of grace, courtesy, careful handwork, and controlled physical movement which form a foundation for a reverent encounter with Christ in the Mass.

• the story of Scripture beginning with the Old testament prophecies of Jesus, continuing to the Christmas and Epiphany stories and the parables, and culminating in the  story of the Sacred Triduum and Pentecost.

• the structure of the Mass and the rhythm of  the liturgical year.

CGS’s pedagogical approach draws upon the young child’s innate sense of joy and wonder to lead them learn about God by themselves.  The classes take place in an Atrium, a special space between the world and the Church for children to explore their faith through a number of child-scale activities such as setting up a model altar with the articles of the Mass, drawing and tracing, and exploring dioramas of biblical narratives. The method aims at giving children their own language of prayer and reflection, so that they may fully absorb, react to, and understand what is being presented to them.  Particular emphasis at this age is placed upon meeting Jesus as the Good Shepherd who cares and feeds his flock.

If you have any questions, please email our CGS teachers at cgs@ourladyandstjohn.org for further information.  The Pillar also has a very good article on CGS.