Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is new approach to religious education

Trained catechist Kristin Rock works with children discovering more deeply the riches of the priceless pearl which reminds us of the kingdom of heaven. Contributed photo

At first glance, the children in the Atrium at St. Patrick’s parish appear to be playing with wooden figures of people and sheep, but it’s not any ordinary play session.

The three-year-olds are learning hands-on instruction about the Bible thanks to a new religious education tool called “Catechesis of the Good Shepherd,” which immerses children ages 3-12 in basic tenets of the Catholic faith with interactive lessons.

Two Catholic women in Italy developed the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd that follows the teaching methods of Maria Montessori. It teaches children the Catholic faith using an approach rooted in the Bible and the liturgy of the church. Children are taught in a room called the atrium that has materials used to explain the essential elements of the faith.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is now being used in 10 religious education programs in the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Director of Religious Education Margaret Allaria said. Another five programs are also considering its use.

Some 75 percent of parishes in the diocese have religious education programs with some 8,000 to 10,000 students being taught their faith. Some 1,000 volunteer teachers help with religious instruction throughout the diocese. These volunteers receive 160 hours of instruction in the St. Paul School of Catechesis, Allaria said.

Children recall the gestures seen in Holy Mass while working with the miniature altar in the Atrium Contributed photo

In some cases, older children help the younger ones with instruction, as well, said Marian Rose Swetish, Director of Religious Education at St. Patrick’s.

“We have 65 volunteers, including teachers, helpers and childcare workers who help us educate 185 children in our religious education program each Sunday,” she said. “I’m so grateful for the support of our parishioners, who have allowed this program to flourish over the years.”

Swetish, who has been at the parish since 2008, has worked tirelessly over the years to grow the program and she has recently overseen the implementation of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd curriculum. She said parishioners play a bigger role with each passing year.

She also noted religious education is the more commonly used term to describe what many adult Catholics grew up knowing as “CCD,” which stands for Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.

“That’s an outdated term,” she said. “More parents might be familiar with it, but it doesn’t adequately describe the religious transformation these children undergo each week and the learning that transpires, which is why we now refer to it as religious education.”

Not all grades are exposed to the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd yet, but the more volunteers are trained, the more current volunteers are allowed to advance to the next level. Swetish added that volunteers are always needed.

“All inclusive, it’s a six-year process. The training is intense, but it’s truly amazing. Everyone I’ve talked to who has completed training has commented how much they have learned about our faith and about themselves throughout the process. It can be life-changing,” she said.

The program allows children to touch and see concepts and ideas about the church, such as the proper way to set up an altar or explain specific scriptures with handmade figures.

“We prefer to use handmade items to make it more personal for the children, as opposed to purchasing figurines anyone can find at the store,” she said.
All of this means more volunteers are always needed, for instruction or general maintenance of the materials needed for the Atrium.

“Volunteering can be somewhat of a personal spiritual retreat. You become immersed in our faith with the goal of teaching others and in the process learn about your own relationship with God,” Swetish said.

“Religious education is lifelong and should be taken seriously by every Catholic,” Allaria said. “Formation builds our knowledge of the faith and relationship with God. Please inquire with your pastor or director of religious education for more information.”