With formation in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd you don’t learn a method, you become a catechist, “a keeper of the memory of God” (Directory for Catechesis, 2020)

CGS courses in the Archdiocese of Toronto comprise a combination of seminars, presentations, praxis, and prayer and are open to catechists, clergy, teachers, catechetical assistants, parents, grandparents, all who hear Christ’s call to “become like children” (Matt 18:3).

Your training comes by way of experiencing this way of catechesis.  Each course day, you will be guided in the reading of scripture; you will reflect on moments of the liturgy; you will participate in seminars on the theological and pedagogical underpinnings of these scriptural and liturgical presentations; you will work with others to write your own album of presentations; and you will spend time working quietly in the atrium.

Come...

~ to deepen your own understanding of the covenant relationship that God calls us to

~ to delight in the miraculous design and development of the human person

~ to practice “listening to God with children”  

~ to learn how to prepare an Atrium environment

~ to become a part of a community of catechists

We offer formation in three levels of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

Level I (ages 3–6)     Level II (ages 6-9)*    Level III (ages 9-12)*

*Each level of formation requires the completion of the previous level as a prerequisite.

In the Archdiocese of Toronto, CGS Formation Courses are offered conjointly by the Archdiocese of Toronto and the Continuing Education division of the University of St. Michael’s College (USMC). Upon the completion of each course, you will receive catechetical certification from the CGS Association of Canada.  After completing the requirements for both the Level I and the Level II formation courses, you will also be eligible for a basic certificate in CGS from USMC.  With the completion of all three levels of formation, you will receive recognition as a Level III Catechist from the CGS Association of Canada as well as the Advanced Certificate in CGS from USMC.