What is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?
CGS is a reflective-based catechetical program for children ages 3-12 that helps a child to further develop his/her relationship with God in a developmentally appropriate way. It is rooted in Sacred Scripture, Sunday worship, and the educational philosophy of Maria Montessori. At the heart of CGS is the atrium. The atrium is a specially designed learning environment where children and adults come together in community for about two hours each week to pray, meditate, and contemplate the mystery of God and the presence of God in their lives. Each atrium is designed to meet the developmental needs of the children, with materials that are age-specific and separate areas for children ages 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12. The atrium provides a beautiful space in which children and adults grow in knowledge of Jesus, the Christ, the Good Shepherd, and in his love for us, and that we grow always more capable of responding to that love. This religious experience facilitates further participation in family prayer and in Sunday worship during which the Word of God is proclaimed.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CGS
CGS in the Diocese of Bridgeport
The Institute for Catholic Formation received a $1.5 grant from Lilly Endowment in 2024. These funds are being used to create regional centers in each of the nine deaneries in the Diocese of Bridgeport, to provide training for those who facilitate CGS, and to work with local artisans to build the atriums. With the establishment of centers of formation, all young people in the Diocese of Bridgeport will be able to reach a center within a twenty-minute drive, allowing The Institute to reshape how the faith of children is nourished and offering a variety of tools for parents to grow in their own understanding of the faith.
Training Catechists in the CGS Approach
Formation for those who facilitate CGS involves nearly ninety hours of online and in-person learning (for each of the three levels) and is open to all catechists and parents. The Institute will offer formation for level one, part one in Summer 2026. Enrollment for this formation is now open! Please see the schedule below.
SIGN UP FOR FORMATION in LEAD
Invite others to join the formation, so your parish and/or region can benefit from this creative way of teaching the faith.
Download the Flyer