Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: Unique Religious Education in Montgomery County
Avalon is excited to announce our offering of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) atrium as part of our commitment to helping parents raise their children in the Catholic faith. In the fall of 2023, Avalon began offering an atrium to our two sections of kindergarten with plans to extend the program to students in grades K-5 over the coming years.
"Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. ”
—Matthew 19:14
Curriculum
We proudly welcome Sophie Oriani as our first CGS Catechist. Holding a philosophy degree with summa cum laude honors from the Catholic University of America, Sophie is AMI certified and possesses certifications in CGS levels I and II, as well as for toddlers. Welcome, Sophie!
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to religious education and spiritual formation for children that is deeply rooted in Montessori educational principles and focuses on nurturing the child’s relationship with God, helping him develop a sense of wonder and awe about his faith. . |
The approach is centered around creating a sacred space, often referred to as the atrium, where children can engage with age-appropriate materials and activities related to the teachings of Christianity. These materials include Bible stories, liturgical objects, parables, and elements of the Mass.
In the atrium, the child is given the freedom to explore and discover his faith at his own pace as he learns of the great love that the Good Shepherd has for him.Through the small group lessons, the atrium presents the elements of the Catholic faith in a way most appropriate to the developmental stage of the child, encouraging hands-on experiences, contemplative reflection, and communal prayer. With Mrs. Oriani’s guidance, Avalon looks forward to the fruits of this contemplative approach on our students' spiritual formation. |
|
|