December 2018: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is off to a great start! CGS is a new program that started in our Tri-Parish this year and focuses on scriptures and the liturgy. We have 7 children, ages 3-5, who participate in the CGS sessions each week. They are getting used to the “hands on” learning experience, which is very different from the traditional classroom style. The first few weeks we spent time becoming familiar with the atrium, learning the rules, and focusing on “practical life” activities which helped the children learn to work independently while focusing on a task. In the past month, several of the children have been learning about the liturgical colors, the model altar and the land of Israel. The children are encouraged to pay attention during the Mass to see if they recognize any of the liturgical colors or any of the items on the altar or hear any of the cities from the Land of Israel mentioned.
Liturgical Colors:
The atrium is a sacred place for the children to learn great things about Jesus. It allows the children opportunities to work in a quiet environment, giving them time to ponder the things they have learned and to spend time in prayer with Jesus.
We are eager to start the Advent season where we will focus on some of the infancy narratives including the annunciation and the birth of Jesus, as well as ponder scripture from some of the prophecies. Please continue to keep our children in your prayers.
CGS would not have been possible without the help of many parishioners who made or purchased items for the atrium. Thank you to all who donated supplies to the atrium. A special thanks goes out to Butch Bach, Peg Breiter, Jason Klein, Karl Klein, Scott & Kim Kleven, Mary Lewis, Neil Majeski, Deanna Shanahan, and Jay & Stephanie Stencel for giving of their time and talents!
Anyone interested in learning ways to become involved with CGS should contact Karen Langworthy. We are looking for people interested in becoming catechists and assistants in our atrium as well as people to help build more materials for the atrium.
May God bring you abundant blessings this Advent! Karen Langworthy, CGS Catechist
September 2018: This year our Tri-Parish will be launching a new faith formation program for our younger youth (ages 4-5) called Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS). (CGS) is a unique style of faith formation; it focuses on expressing the true beauty of the faith through simple, beautiful, and hands-on materials. In this Montessori style program, the children will have the opportunity to learn at their own pace and will naturally be drawn into prayer while doing so. CGS has seen a lot of success in parishes and schools across the nation and one reason for that is because it is designed to pass on the true teachings of the Catholic Faith while nurturing the relationship between Jesus Christ and each individual student.
As 3, 4 or 5 years olds, children typically are ready and willing to encounter the person of Jesus Christ and in this encounter it is instilled in their hearts that He is the light of the world. This can greatly influence they way they approach faith formation, worship, and the Catholic faith in general in the years to come! We are excited to see what the Lord has in store for our Tri-Parish and pray that He will bless our efforts with the CGS program.
Please call Betsy at the Tri-Parish office (507-524-4606) to register your child in this program.