Sunday School
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd


WE OFFER SUNDAY SCHOOL for all children every Sunday immediately after High Mass, for 60 minutes. The Sunday School introduces children to the Bible, Christian life, and our worship in the Anglican tradition, as well as to help prepare them for Holy Communion.

We have recently introduced the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for children who are from three to six years old. The program is conducted by trained volunteers in a newly renovated space in the undercroft called "The Atrium." We welcome all children in the age range to participate.

If you have any questions or wish to help, please contact Catherine Held.

kids

When we help the child to encounter God we are responding to the child’s unspoken request "Help me to come close to God. Help me to be fully who I am."
                                   —Sofia Cavalletti

What is the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?

  • An approach to Christian formation of the child that is based in Montessori method, which was developed by Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi in Rome in the 1950’s
  • Children meet in an “Atrium” – a special place prepared for the child
  • Children begin the atrium at 3 years of age
  • Uses the liturgical year to guide curriculum and employs hands-on, sensorial materials
  • Ultimate goal is to help the child “fall in love” with Jesu

What does an atrium look like?

  • Child sized furnishings
  • Each material has its own place
  • Atmosphere of quiet and reverence
  • A place where work easily becomes meditation and praye

How is it different from to a traditional Sunday school class?

  • Children do not sit at a desk. There are no textbooks or worksheets to bring home.
  • Materials used are hands-on manipulatives made on a smaller scale, such as a child size altar.
  • Lessons are presented to 1-3 children at a time, rather than to the whole group. 
  • Time for communal meditation after the presentation can be spent in silence or song, as well as in discussing open-ended questions.
  • Children are invited to choose the material/work to which they are drawn to work on during the atrium and replace it on the shelf when they are finished.
  • Children spend most of the atrium working individually.
  • Children are taught how to behave to maintain a quiet and reverent atmosphere
  • Practical life works such as cleaning, watering plants, are a part of the atrium, and provide further opportunities to build the concentration skills helpful for prayer.
  • The varying age groups learn from one another by observing and modeling behaviour.
  • Catechist as a facilitator, with great care taken to avoid unnecessary interruptions in the child's work (power of silence is more important than facility with speec

We welcome adults and older teens who are interested in helping with instruction, activities or field trips.

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