CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
More than just a religious education curriculum
An opportunity for our children to wonder, grow, and discover
their relationship with the Good Shepherd.
their relationship with the Good Shepherd.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
All classes are at the Parish Offices
225 Seven Farms Drive Suite 100
Daniel Island, SC 29492
chris@clare.church
Level 1 - Ages 3-5
Empowering God’s Children schedule for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd students, 2020-21
Registration for the 2020-2021 school year is now open. Email Dr. Chris Diffenderfer with any questions.
225 Seven Farms Drive Suite 100
Daniel Island, SC 29492
chris@clare.church
Level 1 - Ages 3-5
- Sunday 8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. or
- Sunday 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Empowering God’s Children schedule for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd students, 2020-21
- Sunday sessions: September 27 (make-up October 25)
Registration for the 2020-2021 school year is now open. Email Dr. Chris Diffenderfer with any questions.
What Is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?
In the mid-1950s, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd was developed from the educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori who was a devout Catholic and dedicated a lifetime to observing the natural development of the child. Maria emphasized the need for a specially prepared environment and hands-on learning experiences to aid children’s educational experience.
"Maria saw the importance of engaging the whole child - physically, mentally, psychologically, and sensorially - in the learning process."
To this day, Montessori schools can be found through out the world, offering a different type of educational approach. Although not carried over to many of the schools in the United States, Maria's original philosophy was never to be done without the element of her Catholic faith. After her death, her methods were perfected and formed
into the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. CGS is used worldwide by the Missionaries of Charity, the Dominican Sisters, and thousands of parish communities as a different way to form children in the Faith.
into the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. CGS is used worldwide by the Missionaries of Charity, the Dominican Sisters, and thousands of parish communities as a different way to form children in the Faith.
As Catholics, we believe that each child has an innate spirituality and a unique relationship with God from the very beginning.
The adult should assist the growth of this relationship, but is directed by the Spirit of God within the child. In CGS, we give children a space of their own (called “The Atrium”) where they are encouraged to foster this relationship through the use of hands-on materials. The child is shown how to “work” (setup and manipulate) the specific materials and then given the opportunity to experience them as long as he/she wants. In this way, they are not just memorizing information but truly pondering the mysteries of our faith. At the early childhood level (3-5 years old), the emphasis is placed on the love of God for each person represented in the image of the Good Shepherd, along with lessons on the liturgy and the Word of God, specifically in the Kingdom of God parables.
