Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Brief Word of Background :: Practical Considerations
Certificate Programme :: Resources :: Good Shepherd Catechesis

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religious formation of children (birth - 12) and adults. One of the key features of the Good Shepherd Catechesis is the use of catechetical materials specially designed for children. Another feature is the use of a prepared environment (atrium) for children's religious growth. At this time, the Good Shepherd Catechesis is realized in many parishes within Canada (see list, Good Shepherd Catechesis in Canada, below). The Catholic Office of Religious Education co-sponsors, with the University of St. Michael's College, an adult formation programme for parents, teachers, and catechists. This certificate programme includes seminars on the religious needs and capacities of children as well as hands-on experience with various catechetical materials that help the children's relationship with God based on a Biblical-Liturgical foundation of faith and tradition.

"If we want to help the child draw nearer to God, we should, with patience and courage, seek to go always closer to the vital nucleus of things. This requires study and prayer. The child will be our teacher if we know how to observe children."
	Dr. Sofia Cavalletti, Biblical Scholar and Co-Founder, Good Shepherd Catechesis

"The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a child-centered, child-directed, soundly traditional method of introducing children to the mystery of God. It nourishes the religious needs and capacities of all children regardless of culture or background."
	Aloysius Cardinal Ambrozic, Archbishop of Toronto

BRIEF WORD OF BACKGROUND

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, for children birth-12 years of age originated in 1954 in Rome, inspired by the Montessori principles of education. The Good Shepherd Catechesis soon spread to diverse social environments and, since 1969, to many different countries and cultures as well: Africa, Brazil, the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Germany, Paraguay, Austria, Poland, Norway and Canada. It has been observed that children, even from the earliest age, eagerly seek religious experience and full fulfillment in it only if they are helped to live this experience in its deepest, most essential elements, without any "childish" overtones. When these conditions are present, young children live their relationship with God in enchanted wonder and profound joy which gives peace, in the satisfaction - it could be said - of a deep and vital need. In our view, the "vital need" is for relationship, which the Bible expresses as "covenant". It is the joy of the children's encounter with God that has given birth to the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd which, always and everywhere, is nourished by the same joy. It has also been observed that children of the same developmental stage respond to certain themes of the Christian Message in the same way, though belonging to different cultural backgrounds. So it was that a curriculum gradually took shape, which appears to respond to the child's deep religious needs according to the various age levels. The Good Shepherd Catechesis is not primarily academic in character. Rather, it seeks to be an experience of life and education of faith in the celebration of an encounter with the Father, in listening to Jesus, the one Teacher, and in obedience to the Spirit.

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PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

How feasible is the Good Shepherd Catechesis for a parish? Experience indicates that the following are key practicalities involved in establishing this catechesis in a parish.

• Pastor: The single most positive factor is the encouraging leadership of a supportive pastor.
  Community: Parents who experience the impact of this catechesis on children have proven to be the mainstay of this programme. In order to provide this opportunity for their children, parents become catechists, establish atriums, make catechetical materials, and remain actively involved for several years. The extended parish community also helps sustain this work by its nurturing and welcoming response, prayer, fund raising and sharing of their gifts (e.g. carpentry skills) to meet the needs of the programme.
  Space: Some parishes have been able to provide the ideal space - a room set-aside exclusively for the children. Other parishes have been able to implement this programme by the creative use of shared space. For example, one parish uses part of their sacristy; another uses a choir loft.
  Catechetical Materials: One of the chief features of this catechesis is the use of specially designed biblical and liturgical materials to help the children's prayer and meditation. These are usually handmade by the catechists, with the help of the parish community; this is a way of involving others in the ministry of catechesis. For example, in one parish the senior citizens volunteered to produce the materials; in another, the shop teacher and class provided the woodworking; in yet another, the Knights of Columbus helped to prepare the atrium space.

• Cost: This catechesis is financially feasible for any parish. The cost varies from parish to parish depending on the above factors, as well as the parish's resources. Minimum costs relate to:
  1. Preparation of the atrium space; Making of the catechetical materials;
  2. Supporting the training/formation of catechists

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GOOD SHEPHERD CATECHESIS CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME


Offered by
The University of St. Michael's College, Continuing Education Division
In co-operation with
The Catholic Office of Religious Education, Archdiocese of Toronto

This formation programme for the Good Shepherd Catechesis includes the following elements:

Seminars

• The religious capacity and needs of children How parents, teachers and catechists can help the child's relationship with God, including sacramental preparation
• Themes form the Bible and liturgy for children

Presentations

• The purpose and use of the handmade catechetical materials to help children's prayer and mediation

• Introduction to the "atrium" (the setting designed to help the God-child relationship) and visits to some of the parish-based atrium centres in Toronto Assistance in compiling a personal handbook relating to the biblical and liturgical materials for children Hands-on experience with these catechetical materials
  
• Discussion on reading assignments and observation of children

Enrollment for courses is limited. For more information or to register, please contact: Good Shepherd Catechesis Certificate Programme
University of St. Michael's College,
Continuing Education Division
Tel: (416) 926-1300 ext. 3332; Fax: (416) 926-7287
Web Site: www.utoronto.ca/stmikes

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RESOURCES

• The Good Shepherd and the Child: A Joyful Journey, Sofia Cavalletti, Patricia Coulter, Gianna Gobbi, Silvana Montanaro, M.D. Chicago: Liturgical Training Publications, 1994. ISBN 0-89944-272-2
  “The Good Shepherd and the Child offers parents and educators a gentle way to enter into and honour the genuine spiritual life of children.”
  

• The Religious Potential of the Child: Experiencing Scripture and Liturgy with Young Children, Sofia Cavalletti. Chicago: Liturgical Training Publications, 1992. ISBN 0-929650-67-0
  “This book describes an experience with children form ages three to six, an experience of adults and children dwelling together n the mystery of God.”
  

• Listening to God with Children: The Montessori Method Applied to the Catechesis of Children, Gianna Gobbi. Loveland: Treehaus Communications, Inc., 1998. ISBN 1-886510-14-8
  “This work is the product of several decades of practical experience with children – blended with prayerful reflection on the way children hear God speak to them personally and with profound simplicity.”
  

• The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in a Parish Setting, Tina Lillig. Chicago: Liturgical Training Publications, 1998. ISBN 1-56854-262-3
  “In this small book, Tina Lillig offers practical, step-by-step information to address the questions of pastors, directors of religious education, parish members, parents, catechists and anyone else interested in the great blessing that young children are to a parish community.”
  

• Living Liturgy: Elementary Reflections, Sofia Cavalletti, Patricia Coulter, Julie Coulter-English. Chicago: Liturgical Training Publications, 1998. ISBN 1-56854-241-0
  “Living Liturgy is a book to help adults who catechize children understand for themselves the deep, most essential aspects of liturgy.”
  

• History's Golden Thread: The History of Salvation, Sofia Cavalletti. Chicago: Liturgical Training Publications, 1999. ISBN 1-56854-261-5
  “In this book, Sofia Cavalletti offers the reader a key to the reading of the Bible, following the “golden thread” of the history of salvation from the creation of the world to its final destiny in Christ, the Parousia."
  
  
• Journals of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Carol Cannon Dittberner. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1998. ISBN 1-56854-254-2
  “These collected journals form 1984 to 1997 provide a valuable resource for Good Shepherd catechists…”
  
  
• Journals of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: 1998 to 2002, Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2003. ISBN 1-56854-529-0
  “These collected journals from 1998 to 2002 provide a valuable resource for Good Shepherd catechists…”
  
  
• The Religious Potential of the Child 6-12, Sofia Cavalletti. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2002. ISBN 1-56854-351-4
  “Here at last is the long-awaited continuation of The Religious Potential of the Child (from 3 to 6 years old)… This book will be a great help to educators and catechists who seek to understand the characteristics of the older child, particularly the child’s relationship with the mystery of God.”
  
  
• A Is for Altar, B Is for Bible, Judith Lang Main. Chicago: Liturgy training Publications, 2002. ISBN 1-56854-458-8
  “Every child learns ABCs. Using that familiar foundation, A Is for Altar, B Is for Bible presents some of the essential elements of our Christian faith in a prayerful and enjoyable format. Each letter of the alphabet is illuminated by an image and brief prayer drawn from scripture and liturgy.”
  
  
• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: Essential Realities, Edited by Tina Lillig. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2004. ISBN 1-56854-558-4
  “Adventure”, “Celebration”, “The Way of Love”, “Mysterious Growth”, -- these words, taken from some of the titles of the essays in this volume, convey the deep appreciation and commitment of those involved in the work of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. This celebration volume marks 50 years of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.”
  
  Videos:
  
  
• Discovering the Real Spiritual Life of Children, Sofia Cavalletti and Silvana Montanaro. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2000. ISBN 1-56854-384-0
  “In this address to the 1999 National American Montessori Conference, ‘Montessori and the Spiritual Development of the Child’, Cavalletti draws on her experience with children…Montanaro addresses the child’s development and in particular the child’s ability to appreciate his or her place in the evolution of the universe and as a part of God’s plan of salvation.”
  
  
• Mustard Seed: A Video Documentary on the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Bert O’Bryan. Phoenix: Holy Family Catechetical Center, 1999
  “What I have attempted to accomplish here is a ‘novel assembly of the elements’ of the work known as the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.”
  
  
• Where a Child Can Fall in Love With God, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, PO Box 1084, Oak Park, IL, 60304, 2003. www.cgsusa.org
  “Suggestions for presentation of this video: As part of an introduction of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to a parish community…”
  
  Music:
  
  
• Sing With Joy (CD and Song Book), Catherine Maresca. Loveland: Treehaus Communications, Inc., 2002
  “This collection of thirty-eight songs embodies a small musical tradition. These are songs widely sung by children in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd… They celebrate the essentials of our faith – and, as such, are equally suitable for any catechetical or liturgical setting.”
  
  Resource Package:
  
  
• Baptism is a Beginning, Rebekah Rojcewicz. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1994.
  “The 14 handouts in this packet were designed to complement the parish’s baptismal preparation programme and to provide the parish with another way to offer support and guidance to parents as they begin to raise their children in faith."
  
  Remember:
  
  Good Shepherd Catechesis page on the Archdiocese web site: www.archtoronto.org
  (click Church Teaching and Learning; click Catechesis)
  Email address: gscatechesis@archtoronto.org
  
  The above resources are available for purchase through
  Joseph’s Inspirational, Inc.
  2721 Markham Road, Unit 39
  Scarborough, Ontario, M1X 1L5
  Tel: 416-291-1772 Fax: 416-291-1378
  Order toll free 1-877-756-7374
  

• For further information contact:

  Office of the Good Shepherd Catechesis
  Office of Religious Education
  Catholic Pastoral Centre
  1155 Yonge Street
  Toronto, Ontario, M4T 1W2
  Tel: (416) 934-3400 ext. 511
  Fax: (416) 934-3444
  Email: gscatechesis@archtoronto.org

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Good Shepherd Catechesis
Canada
(Updated October 2009)

Chinese Martyrs' Catholic Parish Atrium
2755 Denison Street
Markham, Ontario, L3S 2J3
905-294-1677, fax: 905-294-1355
Rev. Jianwei Deng, Pastor
Contact: Elizabeth Yip

Guardian Angels Parish Atrium
115 West Street North
Orillia, Ontario, L3V 5G6
705-326-2849
Rev. Andrew Cyruk, Pastor
Contact: Tara Treash

Holy Redeemer Parish Mother of the Redeemer Atrium
796 Eyer Drive
Pickering, Ontario, L1W 3C2
905-839-9774, fax: 905-839-6776
Rev. Morosco Dale Lett, Pastor
Contact: Dorothea Ritchie

Immaculate Conception Parish Atrium
300 Ansley Grove Road
Woodbridge, Ontario, L4L 3W4
905-856-2205, fax: 905-850-5589
Rev. Daniele Bertoldi, Pastor
Contact: Franca Roman Our Lady of Sorrows Parish

Holy Spirit Atrium
3055 Bloor Street West
Etobicoke, Ontario, M8X 1C6
416-231-6016, fax: 416-231-1924
Rev. Nino Cavoto, Pastor
Contact: Mary Elizabeth Bennett

St. Andrew’s Parish Atrium
2547 Kipling Avenue
Etobicoke, Ontario, M9V 3A8
416-749-4391, fax: 416-749-4372
Rev. Horacio de Jesus Zuluaga, IMC, Pastor
Contacts: Rene Jardine & Lita Reyes

St. Catherine of Siena Parish -- La Casa del Buon Pastore/Home of the Good Shepherd Atrium
2340 Hurontario Street
Mississauga, Ontario, L5B 1N1
905-272-1454, fax: 905-272-1455
Rev. Ruggiero Dibenedetto, Pastor
Contact: Julia DiMichele

St. Benedict’s Parish Mary Help of Christians Children’s Atrium
2194 Kipling Avenue
Etobicoke, Ontario, M9W 4K9
416-743-3830, fax: 416-743-8884
Rev. Michael Anthony Paul Pace S.D.B, Pastor
Contact: Rosella Farina-Lucchitti   St. Justin Martyr Parish Atrium 3898 Highway No. 7 East
Unionville, Ontario, L3R 1L3
905-479-2463, fax: 905-513-8077
Rev. Joseph M. Singh, Pastor
Contact: Susan Reid

St. Margaret’s Parish Our Guardian Angels’ Atriumde nos Anges Gardiens
589 Hugel Avenue Midland, Ontario, L4R 1W3 705-526-6313, fax : 705-526-3800
Rev. James McLenaghen
Contact : Patricia Stenton

St. Mary Immaculate Parish Atrium of the Immaculate Heart of Mary 
10295 Yonge Street
Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4C 3B9
905-884-1784, fax: 905-884-1883
Rev. Robert Reddy, Pastor
Contact: Anita Markle

St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish
4260 Cawthra Road
Mississauga, Ontario, L4Z 1V8
905-848-2420; fax: 905-279-4274
Rev. Andrzej Sowa, OMI, Pastor Contact: Margaret Olszewski

St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish
12 Denison Avenue
Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2M4
416-504-4643
Rev. Jan Wadolowski, OMI, Pastor
Contact: Wanda Chabelski

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