Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Parent Handbook

Good Shepherd Parish of Martha’s Vineyard

Parish Center -- 55 School Street

Oak Bluffs MA 02557

(508) 693-0342

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Help me come closer to God – by myself!

Frequently asked questions:

Who gave us the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd? What are its roots?

This work began in 1954 in Rome, Italy. Renowned Hebrew Scripture scholar, Sofia Cavalletti (1917-2011) discovered that the child received the Word of God from the Holy Scriptures with great joy. She also discovered that the child wanted only the essential, big truths. She realized that when she watered things down, or did not remain focused on only the essential, the children would lose interest. Gianna Gobbi, a Montessorian, collaborated in the discovery of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS).Montessori contributed great insight into the developmental characteristics of the child (ages 3-6, 6-9 and 9-12) and gave the gift of the “prepared environment.” Together, Sofia and Gianna developed the Catechesis, integrating the methods and perceptions of Maria Montessori using hands-on, developmentally appropriate materials that put the Scriptures and great lessons into the hands of the child. Montessori’s work provided a “vehicle” for traveling through the mysteries we encounter as we grow in our relationship of intimacy and love with God, the Creator; Jesus, our Redeemer; and the Holy Spirit, our Helper and Guide.

Their method, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, came to the US in 1975 and has now spread to over 37 nations throughout the world. Notably the Sisters of Charity, Blessed Mother Teresa’s order, use this formation exclusively for children and adults because “it is the only one which is contemplative.” CGS invites adults and children “to fall in love with God.”

What is unique about this method?

The CGS content helps the child “come closer to God, by myself!” In the religious development of the child, the values of childhood—contemplation/wonderand enjoyment—predominate. Children have a rich capacity for them. CGS seeks not to explain the great mysteries of the Scriptures, of God,or of the Kingdom of God; instead the child and the catechist together are co-learners who search together for God.Through the proclamation of the Scriptures, discussion and personal work with the materials, the mysteries are encountered, explored and revealed through the Holy Spirit, the interior Teacher who speaks in the silence of the heart.This is a way of being in the presence of God that is both unique to the child and a gift to the adult. Sofia referred to it

“as a way of holy joy.”

The adult knows that he/she cannot replace the work of the Holy Spirit in teaching the child about God. The adult catechist, prepared first by 90 hours of formation in each level of atrium, prepares the materials, studies the Scriptures, prays, and then makes a presentation to the children. The work is then placed in the hands of the child. As the child works with the materials, or draws or writes about the presentation or sits in silent contemplation in front of some great mystery (and YES! this does happen—frequently) we trust that the Holy Spirit is working within the child, nurturing the loving relationship between God and him or her. This is why we say that the true teacher is the Holy Spirit and not the adult catechist.

Why is the prepared environment, which we call the atrium, necessary?

The atrium is the meeting ground of two mysteries: the Mystery of God and the mystery of the child.In the early Church the atrium was the place where the catechumens were prepared.

Children learn indirectly from the environment.

The environment is prepared in relation to the age and the developmental needs of the child. It also responds to the vital religious needs of the child. Through the prepared environment comes respect for the relationship which already exists between God and the child.

In the prepared environment of the atrium, the catechist seeks to place in the child’s hands, materials worthy of nourishing the loving relationship between God and them. The work is in the hands of the child, and out of the hands of the catechist. In this way, the catechist can stand back in observation, allowing the Holy Spirit to move and work within the heart and soul of the child. We catechists do not “pour convictions into” the child expecting them to repeat it back to us, indicating they have learned what we think they should know, rather they are nurturing their relationship with God.

What place does the Bible and Liturgy have in CGS?

CGS is built on the foundation of the Bible and Liturgy. All presentations are based on Scripture. Nothing is added; nothing removed. The mysteries of God found within the Holy Scriptures are proclaimed and embraced, but not explained. The Bible is encountered and explored by the catechist and child together.

CGS ties together the richness of the Bible and the work of Liturgy. Moments, gestures and prayers from the Liturgy are isolated and explored. There are many presentations that bridge these and the holy feasts/seasons of the liturgical year with the Bible scriptures that inspired them.The CGS curriculum follows the liturgical year of the Church, focusing on the great feasts of Christmas, Easter and Pentecost.

What are Practical Life exercises? Why are they used?

Practical Life exercises teach care for one’s self, care for one another, and care for the environment. They foster independence and they help the child in his/her development, concentration and contemplation. They give the child satisfaction in completing tasks independently. Practical Life exercises also lay a foundation for grace, courtesy and care in daily living and provide for subsequent work.

What is the work of the Catechist? Why is so much training needed?

Catechists must:

  • Prepare themselves first through formation courses and prayer (one cannot give what one does not have within).
  • Ask themselves: “What—of all the infinite aspects of God—can we choose to present to a child that will speak most deeply to that child, at their particular developmental level?”
  • Prepare the dedicated space or environment which is called the atrium. (Yes, for the most part, all the materials are handmade by the catechists and the parish community.)
  • Maintain the environment
  • Read and study Scripture
  • Offer the Scriptures with accompanying materials as a method of meditation for the child.
  • Honor the child and his/her relationship with God by standing back, getting out of the way, and allowing the child to work—letting the child meditate and encounter God all by him/herself.
  • Participate in the liturgical life of the Church. (The atrium is NOT a child’s chapel or substitute for going to Mass. It is a method to help the child (and catechist) participate fully in the liturgical life of the Church.)

What are the characteristics of giving presentations to the child?

  • Presentations are made to small groups, to one or two children at a time, and sometimes to the entire group.
  • The catechist sits with the children near the place in the atrium where the material is kept.
  • The catechist proclaims the Biblical text (we use the New American Bible because it is the translation the children will hear in the Readings at Mass), adding only essential background points and letting God’s Word speak for itself.
  • The catechist brings out manipulatives (materials or dioramas), identifies them for the children and moves them appropriately during the solemn reading of the Scripture.
  • The Level I catechist moves without speaking, and speaks without moving when using the dioramas and the Scriptures. In this way, the youngest child can concentrate on each language…the language of movement and the language of actions/signs.
  • The 3-6 atrium contains many manipulative materials for nearly every presentation. In the 6-9 and 9-12 atria there is greater emphasis on reading and writing since this is part of the developmental accomplishments for children of these ages.
  • The child is invited to personal work, following a presentation. This is their response back to God.

Religious Formation of Children Begins With the Family

The small child has the power to absorb what is in his or her environment; what they take in becomes a part of them--enriching their intellectual and spiritual life. The family is the first and most important environment experienced by human beings. It is where cultural, social, religious and moral characteristics are expressed. Vatican II calls the family, “the domestic church,” or the primary educator of children in their faith. The Church is another setting for one’s religious life shared together with a community of believers. For us, the atrium is the place in which communities of children live a religious experience together with some adults that prepare them to participate in the larger faith family community of our parish and the world. Here, children are initiated into the realities of Christian life. Participating in the Holy Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation is vital for the religious needs of the child. In fact, it makes no sense to bring a child to the parish center for formation only to exclude the worship of God and celebration of the Eucharist. The child is left confused and not satisfied.

Our Catholic faith is the way in which God calls us into his Life. It helps us to understand that all things were made through, with and in Christ--who remains with us, feeding us by the Word and the Eucharist, guiding us by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.Catholicism explains the purpose and destination of all that exists: God.We must acknowledge that we are both a body and a soul. St. Augustine wrote in Confessions,

"You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you."

If your child has not yet been baptized and desires to be, please speak with Sue Pagliccia about the diocesan requirements, which are based on the age of the child.

Determining Sacramental Readiness

When you brought your child to Church to have them baptized, you promised God to help them walk as a “Child of the Light” keeping their candle burning brightly. Their baptismal candle was lit from the Paschal candle and you were asked to carry it for them. Additionally you were commissioned to help them keep their “white garment,” the outward sign of their newly cleansed soul, now freed from death and born to eternal life, free from stain.

You have walked with them on their spiritual journey and as the primary educators of the faith you are the ones who will know best if they are ready to celebrate the sacraments of First Reconciliation and Eucharist. The catechists are your helpers.

Young children understand right and wrong at an early age but they may not understand what sin is. They MUST be able to understand that their action, in choosing to do wrong not only hurtsthem, and/or other people, but it also damages their relationship with God. In addition, they need to take responsibility for their actions (or inactions) and have sorrow for them. Only with true sorrow for our sins can we experience the immense joy of God’s mercy and love in His forgiveness. We must be very careful with the moral and spiritual development of our children. They are like a young plant, growing strong roots and reaching up through the soil to God; we don’t want to crush them.

Holy Communion is the great gift of God himself, in his Son as our spiritual food, our source of life. He desires to remain with us always. He humbly gives us his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity so that we can be more like him. The will of God is our holiness. As a baptized community we need to model our reverence and love for the Eucharist and how receiving Jesus into our bodies transforms us as the hopeful, joyful, loving and peaceful children of God.

Questions to beginning asking and observations of my child:

My child’s relationship with God

  • Does my child pray?
  • How does my child pray?
  • When does my child pray?
  • Does he or she speak about a God who loves them?
  • Does my child speak freely of his/her love for God?
  • Does he or she recognize the gifts that God has given to him/her?
  • Does my child speak of Jesus’ true presence in the Holy Eucharist?
  • Does he/she express a desire to receive Holy Communion?
  • Does he/she participate in the Holy Mass?
  • Is he/she reverent before the Blessed Sacrament in Church?
  • Does my child recognize the need for God in his/her life?

My child’s relationship with his or her neighbor

  • Can my child distinguish actions which are right or wrong, and which ones are accidents?
  • Can he/she express the difference between right and wrong in his or her own words?
  • Does he/she show true sorrow for their failure to love as the Good Shepherd asks?
  • Does my child understand the interrelationship among love of God, neighbor and self?
  • Do they assume personal responsibility for their acts of omission?
  • Do they know that sin hurts their relationship with God?
  • Do they understand that the sacrament of reconciliation is a special sign of God’s forgiveness?
  • Does my child understand he or she must desire to change unloving behavior, recognizing the need to ask God for help in all things?
  • Does my child behave respectfully of others during Holy Mass?
  • Do they participate in the Holy Mass with the entire community?

Preparation for First Reconciliation and Eucharist/First Communion

First Reconciliation is offered to children who have reached the age of reason. Generally this is around age seven, or second grade. After the sacrament has been explained to them, the catechist will invite the children to pray and think about their desire to prepare for First Reconciliation. (After they express a desire for the sacrament, the parent(s),along with the catechist, will discern their readiness.) The Rite of Enrollment will be held during the Sunday 9:00 am Mass at St. Augustine’s on February 19, 2018.The children and their parents will be called to the altar to give their public yes to God and to receive a blessing, and the parish community will hold them up in prayer during their final preparations.

Sacramental preparation is in addition to regular catechetical (atrium) sessions. The diocese requires 2 years of preparation, which means the child has had one full year in theLevel II or III atrium before preparing for and celebrating the sacraments in their second year. There will be four meditations that one parent will need to attend with their child. The beauty of this is that you and your child together hear the same language spoken in this preparation time. The meditations will be held at the Parish Center beginning at 6:00 pm for approximately one hour each.These four meditations are:

Tues., March 6thThe Parable of the True Vine with Baptism

Wed., March 14thThe Maxims/Teachings of Jesus

Thurs., March 22ndThe Parable ofthe Forgiving Father

Wed., March 27th The Miracle Healing of the Centurion Servant

First Communionpreparation began with Baptism and when you first brought your child to Mass. Your example of your love for God, the Mass and the sacraments and their importance in your life, as well as all of their catechetical formation, has continued to prepare them for this sacrament which is the source and summit of our Catholic faith. The preparation process is offered along with First Reconciliation in response to their awareness and desire to have a more intimate relationship with Jesus. As in First Reconciliation, your child will be asked to pray about preparing for this sacrament, you and the catechist will determine their readiness.

There will be a retreat held at St. Augustine’s hallfor all children preparing for First Communion. One parent must attend with their child. The dates are:

**Sunday, April 29, 2018 9:00am MassSt. A’s, includes Calling By Name

followed by practiceforFirst Reconciliation and Eucharist, thencontinuing downstairsin the hall until 4 pm

** date changed due to conflict with Confirmation off-island on Sat. April 28th

Celebration of the sacraments will be:

First ReconciliationFriday, May 4, 20186:00 pm at St. Augustine’s

First EucharistSaturday, May 5, 201810:00 am Mass at St. A’s