SAINT CLARE OF ASSISI

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  • Home
  • New Here?
  • About Us
    • WHO WE ARE
    • Leadership >
      • Pastor
      • Staff >
        • Parish Secretary
        • Director of Administration
        • Director of Child Formation
        • Director of Youth Formation
        • Director of Adult Formation
        • Director of Music & Liturgy
        • Communications Manager
        • Assistants
      • Councils >
        • Pastoral Council
        • Finance Council
    • Who Was Saint Clare of Assisi?
    • Diocese of Charleston
    • U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
    • Vatican
  • HOW DO I?
  • Worship & Sacraments
    • Mass/Confession/Adoration/Holy Day Times
    • FAQ
    • Music
    • Baptism
    • Reconciliation
    • Eucharist >
      • What is the Eucharist?
      • Eucharistic Adoration
      • First Communion Preparation
    • Confirmation >
      • What is Confirmation?
      • Confirmation Prep
    • Matrimony
    • Holy Orders
    • Anointing of the Sick
    • Altar Servers
    • Funerals
  • Grow
    • Becoming Catholic
    • Formed.org Catholic Faith on Demand
    • FF Registration 2025 - 2026
    • Child Faith Formation >
      • Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Ages 3-5)
      • First Communion Preparation (Grades 1-2)
      • Clare's Kids (Grades 3-5)
    • Middle School Youth Formation >
      • EDGE (Grades 6-8)
      • Confirmation Prep (Grades 7-8)
    • High School Youth Formation >
      • Life Teen
      • Mission Week
    • Catch Up on Sacramental Preparation / CUSP (Grades 3-12)
    • Adults >
      • Becoming Catholic
      • Christ Renews His Parish Retreat
      • Esto Vir Group
      • Exodus 90 for Men
      • Adult Formation Classes
      • Adult Formation Archive
    • Catholic Schools >
      • Tuition Eligibility
      • Bishop England High School
      • Christ Our King-Stella Maris Catholic School
      • Charleston Catholic School
      • Saint John Catholic School
  • Serve
    • Safe Environment
    • Parish Ministries
    • Liturgical Ministry Schedule
    • Intercessory Prayer Ministry
    • S.O.S. - Serve On Saturday
    • Saint Vincent de Paul Society
  • Give
    • Make a Contribution to Saint Clare of Assisi
    • Online Giving Instructions
    • Pledges
    • Memorials
    • Wills
    • Stocks & Mutual Funds
  • OUR CAMPUS
    • Church Photos
    • Mass of Dedication Video
    • Construction Photos & Timeline
    • The Legacy of the Sisters of Saint Francis
    • Explore the Sanctuary
    • Spire Lift
    • Bells
    • Next Phases
  • Communicate
    • Contact Us
    • Parish Calendar
    • Weekly Bulletins
    • Social Media
    • Catholic Radio in SC
    • South Carolina Catholic Radio App
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​program information

​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 a hands-on learning experience to aid children’s education.

​
To this day, Montessori schools can be found across the world, offering a unique approach to education. Although not carried over into many schools in the United States, Maria's original philosophy was always informed by 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's faith.  

​The adult leaders assist the growth of this relationship, but are directed by God's Spirit 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” (set up and manipulate) the specific materials and then given the opportunity to experience them as long as they want. 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.


CGS meets on Saturday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Saint John Catholic School near Park Circle in North Charleston.

​ You can register your 3-6 year old student below!
Reflections from a Parent trained in CGS
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the Catholic roots of Montessori
SIGN UP FOR CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
There is limited space in our CGS group, so please sign up at your earliest convenience!
Email T.J. Cofield ([email protected]) for more information.

Church Address
990 Etiwan Park Street
Daniel Island, SC 29492
(no mail to this address)
​

 Parish Offices 
Saint Clare of Assisi Catholic Church
225 Seven Farms Drive, Suite 100
Daniel Island, SC 29492
843.471.2121

Office Hours
Monday - Thursday - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  
Friday - 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The staff  work remotely on Fridays.  You may contact our staff members via this link.

Privacy Policy​
Parishioner information is used solely for purposes related to Saint Clare of Assisi Catholic Church and the Diocese of Charleston. 
We do not sell or share mobile numbers or emails with outside entities for marketing or any other purpose. 



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