Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the spirituality of children that especially focuses on the child’s relationship with God. It is rooted in the Bible, the sacred liturgy of the Church, and the educational principles of Dr. Maria Montessori. Dr. Maria Montessori’s approach follows St. Thomas Aquinas’ understanding that “all our knowledge has its origin in the senses.”  Children gather in an “atrium,” a room prepared especially for them, which contains simple yet beautiful materials to help them absorb and respond to the most essential proclamations of the Catholic faith.

If an adult hears a beautiful passage from the Bible, the adult might take a Bible, find the passage, and read it slowly and think deeply about God’s words. A child needs another way. In an atrium the child can ponder a biblical passage or a prayer from the liturgy by taking the material for that text and working with it – placing wood figures of sheep in a sheepfold of the Good Shepherd, setting sculpted apostles around a Last Supper table, or preparing a small altar with the furnishings used for the Eucharist. Some works of the older children include copying parables and moral maxims from the Bible, sequencing written prayers from the Rite of Baptism or the Mass, working with a time line showing the History of the Kingdom of God, or beginning to formulate what their special role and gifts are for fulfilling God’s Plan.

ABOUT THE CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD PROGRAM AT STAR OF THE SEA

The program is for children ages 3 to 6 years old.

Classes are twice a month, the first two Sundays of the month, from 10:30am to 11:30am (after the 9:30am Mass, before the 11:30am Latin Mass).

The teacher-child ratio is 1-12 but we have two teachers at all times during the duration of our program. Each class has 12 children or less.

The children meet in the Star of the Sea Preschool classroom where our Atrium is located. We provide all materials needed for the program.

During the program year (August – May), the children have short visits to the church and chapel. All Parents are welcome to join on this occasions.

We provide a peaceful and dynamic environment for the children to enjoy!

YEAR 2023-2024 SUNDAYS SCHEDULE

August 6, 13

September 3, 10

October 1, 8

November 5, 12

December 3, 10

January 7, 14

February 4, 11

March 3, 10

April 7, 14

May 5, and May 19 (last class)

PLEASE NOTE: ENROLLMENT IS CLOSED FOR THE YEAR 2023- 2024!

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is built on the foundations of the Word of God and the Liturgy. All presentations are based directly on liturgy or Scripture, without any additions or simplifications. The Word of God is not “taught” as in a traditional classroom, but is rather received and explored by the child, together with the catechist. It is also an intrinsically liturgical program, and exists with the aim of allowing the child to enter and participate in the life of the Church with a fuller understanding and joy. For this, the curriculum of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd follows the cycle of the Liturgical Year, focusing on the feasts of Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost.

Meet Miss Alyson Voltmer, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) Program Teacher.

Meet Mrs. Kisstrin Cozier, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) Program Teacher.

Schedule a visit to our Atrium!

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program is for children ages 3 to 6 years old. For more information about how to register or fee payment options please contact Mariella Zevallos: mariella@starparish.com. For questions about the program curriculum please contact Alyson Voltmer ajvoltmer@hotmail.com. If you are interested in visiting our Atrium located at Star of the Sea Preschool, schedule a visit on a Sunday!

We encourage our Families to partner with the parish to work together in the faith formation of their child/children. We invite families to explore and practice the faith as a community.
Star of of the Sea is a family of families!