Summer 2022 Training Course (Slideshow Above): A Huge Thank You to the Catholic Women’s League and Knights of Columbus for supporting the training course held this summer in the Good Shepherd Regional Church Atrium, located at the Pro-Cathedral Parish. One of our catechists Susan Perna, along with Paula Rush, were our formation trainers with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Association of Canada. Susan and Paula lead us through the spiritual needs and capacities of children 3 to 6 years of age. Both Susan and Paula demonstrated how to join in a religious experience with young children.
Catechists in training came from Sault Ste. Marie, Chelmsford, Manitoulin Island, Powassan, London and North Bay.
To feed everyone for six days required some planning and a few special people with big hearts. Thank you Annette Dutrisac and Andre Cornish, for offering to feeding us. Your hard work and special touch was greatly appreciated. Thank you for thinking of us and joining in. WE ENJOYED IT ALL!
Pulling a 90 hour course together also required funds. To minimize costs our wonderful Knights of Columbus quickly said, ‘Yes’, when approached. For that we are very appreciative. Your support allowed for me personally to participate more fully and to focus on the needs of trainers and trainees. To Sir Knight David Dunkley, and all Knights, thank you for your service. We are a stronger parish community because of all our ministries.
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Adoremus – A Deep Dive into the Divine: The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd CLICK HERE
Find out more about how a unique catechetical program offers a profound—and profoundly liturgical—method of imparting the faith.
Take a tour of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium: TOUR VIDEO
Lent 2021 – Families Make Prayer Tables to Pray at Home VIEW HERE
In response to the pandemic, Heidi and Mark Witte have been producing free 25 minute Children’s Liturgy videos every week. This interactive program encourages children to participate and appeals to various learning styles. It also helps children understand the Gospels and their faith more fully! View the Link: VIEW HERE
Diving into the Mass Videos from mycatholickids.com
- Sign of the Cross
- Greeting
- Kyrie
- Gloria
- Collect
- First Reading
- Psalm
- Second Reading
- Gospel
- Homily
- Creed
- Prayer of the Faithful
- Presentation of the Gifts
- Eucharistic Prayer
- Sanctus
- Consecration
- Our Father
- Agnus Dei
- Communion
- Final Blessing
Mother’s Day Blessing 2020. With the approval of the Public Health Unit we gathered in the parish parking lot – social distance style! The families of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd came together in family groups and received their art folders, a gift for their family prayer table and a Mother’s Day Blessing from Msgr. Dave. Traditionally our atrium year ends with a Pentecost Celebration, however, with social distancing being part of life today, we decided to include a Pentecost Home Celebration kit in the family packages distributed. Thank you Msgr. Dave for coming out and supporting our families! It as wonderful to see everyone and connect in prayer once more!
Epiphany & Blessing of our Atrium. Msgr. Dave invited Fr. Tensing from Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Sturgeon Falls to bless the chalk with the assistance of Noah, Msgr. Dave lead the prayer for the blessing over the doorway with the help of Layton and Mara and Fr. Rex read the closing prayer. We then sang “God has the whole world in his hands” while Msgr. Dave blessed the Atrium. Here is what a few of our children had to say:
When we were changing the colour of our prayer table cloth from white to green, John and Noah professed, “We are in Growing Time’; “I wonder what we are growing in and who we are growing with?”
Noah said, “God”. Mara said, “Jesus”.
So many names for God. What other names for God have we heard?
John said, “Saviour”. The children continued with “Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace”.
We closed our time together marking our Atrium doorway 20 + C + M + B + 20 “Growing with God in Love”.
We all gathered in the Parish Hall afterwards for refreshments.
A Deep Dive into the Divine ~ How a Unique Catechetical Program Offers a Profound—and Profoundly Liturgical—Method of Imparting the Faith
North Bay Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 2019-2020 PAMPHLET
North Bay Level I Training Brochure for Catechists: Are you interested in working with children aged 3-6 to help them know and learn about God? 
Skye works with the leaven after hearing the Parable of the Woman and the Leaven.
Congratulations to Gavin! This picture he drew of the Resurrection of Jesus with his title on the back “God is Not Ded” was sent for theological reflection when there was a call for children’s artwork by the CGUSA. The American Association for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd has posted this drawing on their website and has used it in their publication of art work. (See Right)
October Newsletter – See What’s New!
What is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?
Read below and/or watch this video at Youtube which provides a great overview of this Christian Formation: https://youtu.be/CA8ZpNsKWz4
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a Christian formation for children ages 3 through 12. Level I is for children 3-6 years, Level II is for children 6-9 years, and Level III is for children 9-12 years. The CGS is based on the teaching methods of Maria Montessori and on the understanding that there is a deep bond between God and each child which produces in the child the desire to draw near to God. In the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, the classroom, called the atrium, is a spiritual environment – a place of worship rather than a traditional classroom. It is perceived as ‘holy ground’ where Christ may be encountered in Word and action; a place for community and worship where the spiritual life of the child is nurtured; and a place of work that becomes prayer and conversation with God. It is a prepared environment where children grow in the knowledge of Jesus and his love. The work in the atrium prepares children for involvement in the liturgical life of the larger worshipping community. Children are free to work with materials that represent the essence of the Christian message. These hands-on materials encourage children to explore and deepen their experiences at their own pace. The catechist’s role is to prepare the environment and materials; present works that call forth the child’s response; then step back, allowing God and the child to work together. The CGS requires formation & training for the adult catechists for each level. The vision for the CGS began in Rome in 1954 with Dr. Sofia Cavalletti, a Hebrew Scripture scholar and her co-worker, Gianna Gobbi, a Montessori educator. It has now spread to 37 countries around the world, including Canada.
Learn more about CGS in Canada at: cgsac.ca Wonderful Article from The Canadian League Spring 2015 Magazine: Catechesis of the Good Shepherdl
