Catechesis of The Good Shepherd is an
approach to the religious formation of the child based on the
Montessori Method for the education of young children. Children
in Pre-K, Kindergarten and First Grade gather in one of our two
dedicated Atrium spaces every other week for an hour and a half
session. Our Certified Catechists, Kathleen Bates and Lisa Stift,
make “presentations” to the children, teaching them
the significance of a particular lesson. Following the presentation,
the children are free to explore the materials related to the
lesson at their own pace. Our specially prepared spaces hold a
variety of materials for the children to work with and use as
they explore their relationship with God. For example, there is
an area in the room with the articles used in our Sunday Worship
including a child-size altar. Other areas are dedicated to Baptism
and educational dioramas representing key events in the life of
Jesus (The Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, The Presentation
in the Temple, The Visit of the Magi, and The Last Supper.) An
additional area contains a prayer table where the children gather
to pray.
Church School
Children in Pre-K through Grade 5 attend Church
School from 9:45 – 10:40 a.m. based on the Church School
Calendar. The lectionary-based curriculum, Seasons of the Spirit,
guides the teams of teachers as they explore meaning and mystery
in the Bible with their classes. This enriching curriculum embraces
the ministries of love, justice and witness and teaches children
how to live in communities of faith which are formed and led by
the Holy Spirit.
