St. Gertrude Church
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Catechesis of the Good
​Shepherd

Age 3 – Grade 3
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What Is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?

At St. Gertrude Church and School, we are blessed to offer the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. CGS, as it is commonly referred to, is a Montessori-influenced faith formation experience that is threefold:
  1. the child (in a small group),
  2. the adult catechist, and 
  3. the prepared environment (called the atrium), which is filled with beautifully handmade child-size materials. 

While in the atrium, children are invited into prayer, given a presentation that is based on Scripture or liturgy, and allotted time for personal work. The catechist guides every child's need to “help me come closer to God by myself.” St. Gertrude Church and School is happy to offer CGS Level 1 (for children ages 3–6) and Level 2 (for children in grades 1-3). Regardless of which level they are in, children meet for 75 minutes, two times per month in one of the atria. 

Interested in becoming a catechist for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd? Registration is now open for upcoming training courses! 
LEARN MORE

2022–2023 CGS Offerings

CGS registration for 2022–2023 is open now through June 10, 2022! Here are the session dates and times options. (You can also view them in the calendars below and add your child's specific session dates and times to your own calendar.)

Note: Parents who wish to bring a child forward to receive First Reconciliation and First Communion in second grade should be sure to enroll their child in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd as a first grader (if not before).
Level 1 Sessions (children ages 3–6)
  • 1st & 3rd Sundays*, 9–10:15 a.m.
  • 1st & 3rd Sundays*, 10:30–11:45 a.m.
  • 2nd & 4th Sundays, 9–10:15 a.m.
  • 2nd & 4th Sundays, 10:30–11:45 a.m.
  • 1st & 3rd Tuesdays*, 6–7:15 p.m.
  • Thursdays, 11:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (weekly)

*CGS runs in conjunction with Family Faith.
Level 2 Sessions (children in grades 1–3)
  • 1st & 3rd Sundays*, 9–10:15 a.m.
  • 1st & 3rd Sundays*, 10:30–11:45 a.m.
  • 2nd & 4th Sundays, 9–10:15 a.m.
  • 2nd & 4th Sundays, 10:30–11:45 a.m.​
  • 1st & 3rd Tuesdays*, 6–7:15 p.m.
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What Is the History of CGS?

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Beginning in the 1950’s, CGS was developed by two Italian Catholic laywomen, Dr. Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi. Sofia was a Hebrew scholar, and Gianna worked as a Montessori classroom educator. Together, Sofia and Gianna observed children for decades, learning the most essential Christian messages that met the spiritual desires for each age group. From this, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd was born.

CGS began at St. Gertrude Parish seven years ago. We’ve grown from having one temporary atrium space with a handful of trained catechists to two permanent atria and one portable atria with over 20 trained catechists in the school and church. Over 250 children are currently participating.

What Do Children Learn?

Level 1
Children ages 3–6

​"
He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”
– John 10:3


Children in this age range are in the absorbent stage of development and filled with wonder and awe. Our youngest friends joyfully encounter the Good Shepherd and discover his unconditional love and care. They come to know Jesus as the light of the world (and love singing “Christ is light, in him there is no darkness”).

​While in the atrium your child might learn:
  • The Parable of the Good Shepherd
  • The Model Altar
  • Baptism
  • Infancy Narratives
  • Kingdom of God parables
  • Gestures of the Mass
  • Liturgical Colors
  • Geography of Israel
  • Last Supper (Cenacle)
  • The Land of Jerusalem
  • The Empty Tomb
  • Practical Life
Level 2:
Children ages 6–9

Developmentally, 6- to 9-year-old children are ready for a deeper understanding of their relationship with Jesus, their families, and their communities. The parable of the true vine is central to their work as they ponder Jesus’ words: “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing”. 

While in the atrium, your child might learn:
  • Salvation History
  • Moral Parables
  • Prayers of the Mass
  • Synthesis of the Mass
  • Holy Bible
  • Further Geography Work
  • Maxims
  • Sacrament Meditations
  • Personal Missal Making
  • Communal Prayer - child led​
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Through CGS, we also offer a beautiful meditation series for our children preparing for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion.
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For more information about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, please visit www.cgsusa.org.

2022–2023 Calendars

1st & 3rd Sundays
2nd & 4th Sundays
​1st & 3rd Tuesdays
Thursdays

Contact

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Mary Beth Dickert
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Kristen Eggers

Have questions? Interested in learning more? Contact Mary Beth Dickert, coordinator of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, at​mbdickert@stgertrude.org, or Kristen Eggers, office coordinator, at kristen@stgertrude.org. You can also call the Evangelization office at (513) 561-5954.
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6543 Miami Ave Cincinnati, OH 45243
(513) 561-5954
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  • About
    • Mission
    • Team
    • Church Architecture
    • Media
    • News
    • Register
    • Donate
  • For Adults
    • Wanting to Become Catholic
    • Looking for a Prayer Group
    • Desiring Formation
    • Seeking to Serve
    • Needing Support
  • For Children & Youth
    • St. Gertrude School
    • Summer 2022 | Children & Youth Offerings
    • Age 3 – Grade 3 (CGS) >
      • Sacramental Formation (Grade 2)
    • Grades 4 – 6 (Family Faith) >
      • Family Faith Resources >
        • Family Faith Resources 2020-2021
    • Grades 7 – 8 (L'alto: Jr High) >
      • L'alto: Confirmation (Gr. 7-8)
    • Grades 9 – 12 (L'alto: High School)
  • Sacraments & Worship
    • Mass & Confessions >
      • Sunday Worship Programs
      • Mass Intentions
      • Dominican Rite
    • Infant Baptism
    • Confirmation
    • Matrimony
    • Anointing of the Sick
    • Funerals & Bereavement
    • Eucharistic Adoration
    • The Music Program >
      • The Choirs at St. Gertrude
      • Music FAQs
  • Give