Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

• This method was first developed in Rome by Dr. Sofia Cavalletti, a Roman Catholic Hebrew Scripture scholar, and Gianna Gobbi, a Montessori educator.  The teachings of this catechesis reflect the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, a deep love for the Good Shepherd, for the Scriptures, and for the sacraments, as well as a particular love and knowledge of the child.  Some groundwork in the content and the whole ‘gestalt’ of the method had been laid earlier in the century by Dr. Maria Montessori..

• The doctrinal content of the presentations has as its primary sources the Bible and the Liturgy;  and for secondary sources, the body of CGS writings, particularly those of Sofia Cavalletti.  All of the presentations can be easily referenced to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

• The National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd works with the International Consiglio in Rome, Italy.  It is the work of the Consiglio to establish guidelines for the courses and to guard the integrity of the content and the method of what is called “the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.”

• ECUMENICAL: On a national and our local  level, and in some other countries as well, the CGS has been embraced and adapted to different Christian denominations by catechists who have heard the Good Shepherd’s call to enter into the mystery of God and the child. Support for one another’s work, awe at the mystery of the love of God and the child, and gratitude for this work that ‘comes from Rome’ are characteristics of these friendships.  

• The Missionaries of Charity (Mother Theresa’s community) have discovered that formation in the Catechesis is a gift both for their own formation and for the fulfillment of the charism entrusted to them through Mother Theresa: to bring the light of Jesus through their catechetical work to the poorest of the poor children. It has brought to the children and to them, the adults who enter into listening to God with the children, an encounter with Christ and the systematic unfolding of the faith (catechesis) necessary to nurture and sustain growth.  It suits in a particular way the Sisters’ and the children’s ‘praying of their work’ and the contemplative aspect of prayer and life, both in the MC houses and in the atrium.

Philadelphia Area Catholic Formation

• Catechesis is a gift given to build up the people of God.  In particular, catechesis on the Eucharist is meant to help us become what we receive: His body.  We hope that the voice of the Good Shepherd will go out to many and that others will be called to this work. The CGS is very much in line with the traditions of lectio divina and mystagogical catechesis, with a respect for the simplicity and essentiality of the child and the mystery of the love of God and the child.

• We enter into the mystery of God and the child, to assist the child to fall in love with the Lord who loves each one and calls each by name.  Jesus is present in the sheepfold of the Church, calling each to the fullness of His self-gift on the altar, the gift of His body and blood, and speaking to us when the community gathers to listen to the Sacred Scriptures at Liturgy.  He joins us to Himself, the Light of the World, and to the sheepfold of the church, at baptism.

• Currently there are two RC formation leaders in the Philadelphia Area.  Betsy  has actively been engaged in formation work for 9 years.  Barbara has just finished requirements to be a formation leader.  (See Contact Us section for more details).

• The Catechism of the Catholic Church, the General and National Catechetical Directories:  All of our presentation plans are referenced to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  This catechesis fully embraces the wisdom of the GCD and NCD as to the meaning, the method, and the content of catechesis for young children.

• The National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd has provided a detailed summary of what is covered in the training of the catechist and in the formation of the children.  This is available when requested by a pastor or DRE.  info@cgsvoice-phila.org

• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in Context: Sofia Cavalletti encourages catechists to see ourselves in a holy triangle, serving the mystery of God and the child with both the parish and the family. Sofia reminds us all that the Church has been around for 2000 years and has endured without the gift of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd—but surely not without the ongoing mystery of the love of God and the child!  It is our experience that the gift of “Good Shepherd” is one that answers to the cry of the little ones and the need of the church for the ‘new evangelization.’  It is for big people who want to ‘turn and become like a child,’ and for children in whom God can reveal the greatness of His love.  Truly, we are amazed.
  
  

PARISHES

St. Colman’s Parish, Ardmore
Sunday morning
Contact: DRE

St. Denis Parish, Havertown
Sunday morning, weekdays
Contact: DRE – ksacchetti@stdenishavertown.org
NB: also serves school and area homeschoolers

St. Genevieve Parish, Flourtown
Atrium of the Little Flock
Tuesday eve
Contact: DRE – andy@stgensparish.com

St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Phoenixville
Sunday morning
Contact: DRE

SCHOOLS (see italics in other categories)

Regina Angelorum Academy
Wynnewood, PA

Regina Coeli Academy
Wyndmoor, PA

Our Mother of Consolation Parish School
Chestnut Hill / Philadelphia, PA
Atrium of Consolation
Serves Pre-K, K , Grade 1, enrichment for grade 2

St. Andrew the Apostle Parish
Drexel Hill
Atrium of the Precious Cross
Contact: Principal

MISSIONS

Missionaries of Charity
Norristown and Chester, PA

HOMESCHOOL COOPS

JMJ Homeschool Coop
St. Anne’s Atrium
Our Lady of Czestechowa Site
Contact: motherof8@comcast.net

Living Bridges Homeschool Coop
in old school of St. Mary's in Phoenixville, PA
Wednesdays
Levels I and II
Contact: staff@livingbridges.org

St. Philomena Paris
Atrium of Peace
Meets several times per week in various sessions, level I and II
Also serves parish children to enrich sacramental preparation programs
Contact: barbara@cgsvoice-phila.org

CGS trained catechists also are serving in parishes without an atrium—in schools and PREP programs.  Some have opened an atrium in their homes, for their own children or grandchildren and for communities of their friends’ children.

Please let us know if you know of any other atria in our area Catholic parishes, homeschool communities, or homes—especially if they are open for more children or for observation. Write betsy@cgsvoice-phila.org