A is for Atrium
B is for Blessing
C is for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Saint Francis parish invites young children ages 3-6 (preschool—first grade) to gather on Sundays from September—May with an opportunity for each one to “come closer to God by myself.” Based on decades of reflection and observation by educators Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori-based religious formation program presented in a carefully prepared room (the Atrium) that encourages on-going reflection and enjoyment of God’s faithful love. CGS is based on the belief that young children have an enormous capacity to experience God; the Atrium allows this relationship to unfold over time as children gather for simple prayer and independent work with materials drawn from the Mass and the Bible, with a particular focus on Jesus the Good Shepherd, who loves his sheep and calls them by name, and fills the world with God’s great light. Lessons in the Atrium follow the rhythm (and colors!) of the church year, with special attention given to the sacraments of the Eucharist and Baptism, to the life of Jesus, and his teachings through parables.
Our sacramental preparation program (which starts in January each year) also uses CGS presentations to help children reflect more deeply on the great and holy gift that Jesus Christ shares with us during every Mass, and to ways we respond to his love.
The most immediate way to learn more about this program is to visit the Atrium on a Sunday morning between Masses. More information about the history and on-going work of CGS, as well as books and other resources for families, can be found online at the US National Association (http://www.cgsusa.org/parentresources.aspx) or the Center for Children and Theology (https://cctheo.org/about). Since 2000, our catechist at St. Francis has been Therese Terndrup, who has worked with CGS since first seeing Sofia’s book The Religious Potential of the Child in 1994. If you don’t see her on Sundays in the Atrium, the best way to reach her is via email at tterndru@kent.edu.