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The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is St. Mary’s faith formation program for our preschool through 4th grade students. It is a reflective-based and retreat-like program that helps our students to further encounter and develop his/her relationship with God, the Good Shepherd, in a developmentally appropriate way. It is rooted in Sacred Scripture, the Liturgy, and the educational philosophy of Maria Montessori.
The materials and curriculum were developed by Sofia Cavalletti, a Scripture scholar, and Gianna Gobbi, a Montessorian. Through this collaboration the curriculum has richly grown to provide a curriculum that speaks to the child’s religious potential and offers an opportunity for prayer, meditation, and religious development.
This weekly opportunity is provided during the school day for children in Children’s House through 4th grade. |
Preschool students in our Children’s House have access to CGS everyday they are in the classroom, as this is integrated into their Montessori curriculum.
Our kindergarten through 4th grade students currently have the opportunity to attend a two-hour CGS class one day a week.
The atrium is a specially designed religious environment where children and adults come together to pray, work, and contemplate the mystery and the presence of God in our lives. The atrium is designed to meet the developmental needs of the children and provide beautiful space to share in the process of discovering the Word of God together.
The CGS materials use hands-on materials that present central themes of our faith to the child. These materials draw the child into the mystery and encounter with the Good Shepherd. The materials are hand-made by the catechists and parent volunteers. They are simple, yet beautiful, and are set-up in an organized curriculum. The materials are divided into the following major categories:
Curious about becoming a CGS aide or a catechist? Please reach out to our Director of Catechesis & Evangelism, Emily Wu at emily.wu@delawarestmary.org.
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Our catechists receive special training and certification in order to serve our students, beginning with 90+ hours of coursework in order to teach ages 3-6. Catechists work as guides in the CGS atrium, assisting students to experience God through presentations about scripture and liturgy. During these presentations, they ask wondering questions that help the child to think deeply and personally about the great Truths of our Catholic faith.
Curious about becoming a CGS aide or a catechist? Please reach out to our Director of Catechesis & Evangelism, Emily Wu at emily.wu@delawarestmary.org.
St. Mary School recruits and admits students of any race, color, or ethnic origin to all its rights, privileges, programs, and activities. In addition, the school will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or ethnic origin the administration of its educational programs and athletic/extracurricular activities. Furthermore, the school is not intended to be an alternative to court or administrative agency ordered, or public school district initiated desegregation.
Inspired by our Mother Mary, and rooted in our Catholic faith, the St. Mary community nurtures spiritual growth, academic excellence, a responsibility to self, and service to others.
