Volunteer educators train for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Volunteer educators from throughout the Diocese gathered recently at St. Philip the Apostle Church for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for a Level I Part One formation course in preparation for the new school year. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a unique approach to the religious formation of children, which assists the child in encountering God and nurtures their budding relationship.
 
 Formation leaders led the training through various activities, including one demonstration held outside and by using one long piece of ribbon tied to a large spool represented how children will learn the vastness of the History of the Kingdom of God and learn perspectives on creation, redemption and parousia (second coming) 
 
 Sandra McCutchon, diocesan formation leader for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, said much of the training focuses on hands-on activities in the atrium. “An atrium is a place where the adult and child live together a common religious experience in which the religious values of childhood predominate,” she said.

Catechists begin formation at the ground level—Level I—and work up to Level II, then to Level III. Formation at each level is offered in two parts to allow the methodology to be fully absorbed. Level I Part One serves as the foundation for the subsequent formation and introduces key themes and presentations that unfold throughout the remaining formation courses.

Formation leaders, who have been recognized by the National Association of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and partnered with experienced leaders, guide the formation courses. For more information on Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, visit diocesecc.org/cgs.

Level I: Part 2 will be offered at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church on Aug 12-14, Sept 16-17, Oct 7-8, Nov 11-12, (4 weekends: August weekend Friday evening from 6–9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Sunday from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; remaining weekends from Friday from 6–9 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.).