What is the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an Montessori-based approach to the religious formation of children, rooted in Sacred Scriputure, Liturgy, and respect
for the child’s rich relationship with God. Central to the catechesis is the atrium, a room containing beautiful materials that focus the child's attention on key scripture passages or liturgical moments. After an introduction by the catechist, the children are invited to work with a material on their own to continue their meditation.

Since 1954, Dr. Sofia Cavalleti and her co-worker, Gianna Gobbi, have developed the catechesis by observing and working with children between the ages of three and twelve. It is the joyful, peaceful response of the children themselves that has inspired and determined the content of this unique program.

The National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd supports the work of catechists throughout the United States and issues certificates upon completion of an approved course. These courses are offered by the Center of Children and Theology in cooperation with the Association.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd:
Level I (3-6 year-old curriculum)
Level II (6-9 year-old curriculum)
Level III (9-12 year-old curriculum)

Goal
Formation in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is designed to attune participants to the religious life of the child at 3-12 years old and to provide specific methods and materials to foster their spiritual life.

Contact
Contact the Center for Children and Theology, cct@cctheo.org to register for courses or call (202) 250-5905. A $35 fee for a course certificate from the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is included in the fees below.
Former Participants are welcome to attend part or all of any course they have already taken at CCTheo for $20, the cost of copied materials.

The courses will be offered if a minimum of 10 people are enrolled. Deposits will be refunded only if the course is not offered.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Course Offerings at the Center for Children and Theology Level I (3-6 curriculum)

ATTENTION New Location for all courses! Next year there will be a change in location for ALL CCTheo CGS courses. All courses will be held at Christian Family Montessori School's New Home at St. Paul's Rock Creek Parish located at Rock Creek Church Road and Webster Street NW in Washington DC. Why are we moving? Dates Courses meet for 10 sessions on Saturdays, 9 am to 4 pm, from September to June: Level I, 3-6 Course Dates September 2011-June 2012 September 24, 2011 October 22, 2011 November 12, 2011 December 10, 2011 January 14, 2012 February 18, 2012 March 17, 2012 April 21, 2012 May 12, 2012 June 9, 2012 Course Facilitator: Davette Himes is the Director of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and the CGS outreach program at All Saints Episcopal Church Sharon Chapel in Alexandria, VA. She is certified in all three levels of this work for children ages 3 to 12 years. She has spoken at regional and diocesan meetings about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd with a particular focus on evangelization and outreach. Tuition: First participant from an atrium--$700 First participant from an atrium (Half Payment)--$350 Completed Payment Due by January 22, 2012. Additional participant from same atrium--$500 Additional participant from same atrium (Half Payment)--$250 Final Payment Due by January 22, 2012. Student or Christian Family Montessori School parent-- $400 Student or Christian Family Montessori School parent (Half Payment)--$200 Final Payment Due byJanuary 22, 2012.

Level II (6-9 curriculum) ATTENTION New Location for all courses! Next year there will be a change in location for ALL CCTheo CGS courses. All courses will be held at Christian Family Montessori School's New Home at St. Paul's Rock Creek Parish located at Rock Creek Church Road and Webster Street NW in Washington DC. Why are we moving? Dates Courses meet for 10 sessions on Saturdays, 9 am to 4 pm, from September to June: Level II, 6-9 Course Dates September 2011-June 2012 September 17, 2011 October 15, 2011 November 5, 2011 December 3, 2011 January 7, 2012 February 4, 2012 March 3, 2012 April 14, 2012 May 5, 2012 June 2, 2012 Course Facilitator: Catherine Maresca, MA, is a catechist at Christian Family Montessori School. She studied the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd with Rebekah Rojcewicz and Sofia Cavalletti. She has conducted formation courses across the United States and in Uganda. She is founder and director of the Center for Children and Theology, where she researches the spiritual life of young children. Tuition: First participant from an atrium--$700 First participant from an atrium (Half Payment)--$350 Final Payment Due by January 22, 2012. Additional participant from same atrium--$500 Additional participant from same atrium (Half Payment)--$250 Final Payment Due by January 22, 2012. Student or Christian Family Montessori School parent-- $400 Student or Christian Family Montessori School parent (Half Payment)--$200 Final Payment Due byJanuary 22, 2012.

CGS: Level III (9-12 curriculum) Part Two ATTENTION New Location for all courses! Next year there will be a change in location for ALL CCTheo CGS courses. All courses will be held at Christian Family Montessori School's New Home at St. Paul's Rock Creek Parish located at Rock Creek Church Road and Webster Street NW in Washington DC. Why are we moving? Dates Courses meet for 7 sessions on Saturdays, 9 am to 4 pm, from September to April. Part Two of this course will be held in 2011-2012. Level III (Part Two), 9-12 Course Dates September 2011-April 2012 October 1, 2011 November 19, 2011 December 17, 2011 January 21, 2012 February 11, 2012 March 24, 2012 April 28, 2012 Course Facilitator: Catherine Maresca, MA, is a catechist at Christian Family Montessori School. She studied the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd with Rebekah Rojcewicz and Sofia Cavalletti. She has conducted formation courses across the United States and in Uganda. She is founder and director of the Center for Children and Theology, where she researches the spiritual life of young children. Tuition: First participant from an atrium--$550 First participant from an atrium (Half Payment)--$275 Final Payment Due by January 22, 2012. Additional participant from same atrium--$400 Additional participant from same atrium (Half Payment)--$200 Final Payment Due by January 22, 2012. Student or Christian Family Montessori School parent-- $300 Student or Christian Family Montessori School parent (Half Payment)--$150 Final Payment Due byJanuary 22, 2012. Contact the Center for Children and Theology before registering for courses or call (202) 250-5905.