Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Thank you for visiting our webpage to learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program at Our Lord Christ the King Church. The CGS program is also referred to as Sunday Preschool. The chart below outlines the different programs that fall under the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

Overview

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Christian faith-formation approach, inspired by Maria Montessori’s principles of education. It was created in 1954 in Rome by Dr. Sofia Cavalletti, a Hebrew and Scripture scholar, and Professor Gianna Gobbi, a Montessori-trained educator.  It responds to the child’s plea to “Help me come closer to God by myself.” The goal is to help children develop a profoundly personal relationship with God, where the Scripture and Liturgy are at the center of the Catechesis.

The Good Shepherd Room

With specially designed materials and inspiring presentations, children explore different topics appropriate to their developmental age, such as:

      The Life of Christ
      The Kingdom of God
      Sacraments and Liturgical Season
      Moral Formation through Parables and Maxims

The Atrium is a prepared environment where “the Mystery of the Child meets the Mystery of God”.  Young children have natural ability to enjoy relationship with God in a deep way.  In the Atrium, the children work, pray, sing, contemplate, marvel and celebrate the Mystery of God.

For more information about CGS, please visit www.cgsusa.org

Programs

Here at Christ the King, we offer the CGS to two age groups: Level 1 is for preschoolers, ages 4-6 and Level 2 is for CCD first and second graders. The chart below explains the levels in greater detail.

Staff

Natalie Gunawan, who is a Montessori teacher, CGS-trained catechist and parishioner, leads the program. She is assisted by three CGS-trained catechists and parisioners: Emily Daley (Director of Religious Education), Theresa Bruemmer, and Julie Katz.

(Left to right) Theresa Bruemmer, Emily Daley, Natalie Gunawan, and Julie Katz.