St. Andrew Parish

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

This program serves children from preschool through fourth grade in the Parish School of Religion. It is based on the Montessori concept and emphasizes faith formation within a prepared environment called the Atrium. The children work with models of altar materials, infancy narratives and parables to deepen their relationship with Jesus and the Good Shepherd. Pre-school classes meet every Thursday from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Kindergarten classes meet on Sunday from 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Time in the Atrium is scheduled as a regular part of first, second, third, and fourth grade PSR classes. The Catechesis serves as a supplement for traditional religious education in the school program for kindergarten through grade four. For more information, contact Suzanne Emsweller, semswell@cdeducation.org or 451-2855.

Director of Religious Education

Suzie Emsweller, 451-2855

Coordinator of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Kathy Dowler, 451-2855

Philosophy

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atriums are created spaces that provide an environment for experimental learning in the Montessori tradition. Materials in the atrium are designed to spark students' Christian imaginations and allow them to reflect on presentations which focus on our Roman Catholic Tradition and the

Scriptures.

Class Schedule

Classes are held from September to May in the atriums located in the St. Andrew School building adjacent to the Religious Education Office; Entrance Door #17 of the McCoy Rd parking lot.

Registration

Available in June. Open to children from preschool through Kindergarten; not attending St. Andrew Preschool. Class size is limited. Non-parishioners are welcome as long as space permits.

Forms

Complete the registration form by September 1, 2012
2012/13 Registration Form (1 page/side)

Registration Fees & Due Dates

Discounted - Paid by August 1, 2012
Registered Parishioner: $115 ($10 of which is non-refundable)
Non Parishioner: $125

Volunteer Opportunities

Contact
- Sally Shough, 451-2855
- Parents are encouraged to volunteer to assist in atriums.
Volunteers need to be compliant to the St. Andrew Safer Environment Policy
- Email mbeasecker@standrewparish.cc for details
- It's not too late to become compliant!

History

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd uses a Scripture-based faith formation approach developed by Sofia Cavaletti and Maria Montessori in Rome. The program uses this approach and is offered and taught at St. Andrew Parish. Its mission is that of “involving adults and children in a common religious experience in which the religious values of childhood are predominant.” The children experience Jesus and God the Father through the Word, the Covenant, Christology, Liturgy, Baptism, the Eucharist, Sacred History and Reconciliation within the confines of a prepared environment called the “atrium.” The children listen to presentations that are given by a trained catechist and then proceed to “work” with hand made materials or models that encourage the child to deepen their own relationship with God the Father and Jesus.

Ann Brown brought the Good Shepherd program to St. Andrew in 1994 when Msgr. Lane was pastor. Ann learned about this innovative approach while attending classes at the University of Notre Dame. The first atrium was set up in the former convent in what had been the chapel for the nuns who resided at St. Andrew. The number of children who experience the love of the Good Shepherd has grown with the growth of the Parish School of Religion. Kris Pellissier was the director of the Good Shepherd program until 2008 when she became the director of the parish's first preschool. Kathy Dowler is now the coordinator of the Good Shepherd program.