The Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie is once again hosting the 2023 Northern Ontario Catholic Leadership Conference on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at St. Joseph-Scollard Hall in North Bay. Registration for this event is now open at www.holynamestalphonsus.com/levelup CLICK HERE FOR POSTER WITH DETAILS
Sunday Celebration of the Word with Children (9:00 AM Mass)
We invite all our children to a celebration which is an extension of the main assembly’s celebration. The celebration of the word with children (Children’s Liturgy) is a part of the Eucharistic liturgy. It draws children into the life and work of Jesus so that God’s word might take flesh in them, as it did in Jesus, giving glory to God every day in the way they share God’s love – unconditionally. It is the ritual celebration of God’s presence with us.
Children of catechetical age, especially those preparing for Confirmation, Eucharist or Reconciliation are encouraged to participate in the Sunday Celebration of the Word on a regular basis.
The children also get to proclaim the Word of God through our Christmas Pageant and Good Friday Passion of our Lord.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium
A Christian formation for children ages 3 through 12 and based on the teaching methods of Maria Montessori and on the understanding that there is a deep bond between God and each child. The Atrium is a place where children grow in the knowledge of Jesus and his love and are provided hands-on materials encouraging them to explore and deepen their experience with this love at their own pace. Find out more about the Atrium by watching our video and if you are interested in finding out more about our Atrium, would like a tour, or would like to bring your child out to our gatherings contact Erin Tayler at 705-840-8509 or betayler@fibreop.ca Take a tour of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium: TOUR VIDEO
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.
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
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
What is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd? View Video Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFnP_z7Ufyc
Read below and/or watch this video at Youtube which provides a great overview of this Christian Formation: https://youtu.be/CA8ZpNsKWz4
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd – 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
Skye works with the leaven after hearing the Parable of the Woman and the Leaven. (See Left)
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 Below)
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
The atrium for the region is located at the Pro-Cathedral in the Lower Sacristy
