The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) was born from the joy of the children in their encounter with God. At St. Mary, the spiritual life of the child (ages 3-6) is nurtured through the CGS program. This approach to catechesis is rooted in the Bible and Liturgy and is based on the educational philosophy of Maria Montessori.
The heart of the catechesis for children under six revolves around the parable of the Good Shepherd. The young child is, by nature, sensorial and connects well to learning about the liturgy through gestures and arranging realistic articles that are used at Mass. A sense of wonder and awe helps the young child to unlock the mystery of God’s Kingdom through parables. The children cherish their time to work and pray in the atrium, which is an environment prepared to nurture the already present spirituality of children.
