Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
A special place for children to encounter Jesus
At Risen Savior Preschool, we are blessed to offer Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) as part of our preschool experience. Our CGS sessions take place in the Atrium, located in the basement of the Education Wing.
What is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori-based approach to religious formation for children. It was developed by Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi, who spent many years observing and listening to children as they grew in their relationship with God.
At the heart of CGS is a simple belief:
Children already have a relationship with God, and they deserve a place where that relationship can grow.
Rather than simply teaching children facts about the Catholic faith, CGS gives children the opportunity to listen to Scripture, encounter the mysteries of our faith, pray, wonder, and develop a personal relationship with Jesus—the Good Shepherd.
What is the Atrium?
The Atrium is a specially prepared environment designed for children. It is a quiet, beautiful space where children can work with materials, listen to Scripture, pray, and reflect on what they are learning.
The Atrium contains hands-on materials that help children explore important truths of our Catholic faith. Children are invited to work independently or in small groups, returning to activities that interest them and allowing them to grow in understanding over time.
The Atrium is intentionally different from a typical classroom. It is a place for prayer, reflection, discovery, and relationship with God.
What will my child do during CGS?
During their time in the Atrium, children may:
Listen to Bible stories and Scripture passages
Learn about Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and His love for us
Explore the life of Jesus through hands-on materials
Learn about the Mass and the beautiful signs and symbols we see at church
Become familiar with prayers and Scripture
Work with materials that help them reflect on what they have heard
Spend quiet time in prayer and reflection
Develop a deeper understanding of God's love and their relationship with Him
Children are not expected to sit and listen to a long lesson. Instead, they are given short presentations followed by opportunities to explore, wonder, pray, and work with the materials themselves.
Our CGS Schedule
Our preschool children participate in the Atrium for 1½ hours each week.
Tuesday classes: 1½-hour Atrium session
Wednesday classes: 1½-hour Atrium session
The time spent in the Atrium is a special part of your child's preschool experience and is intentionally designed to allow children time to slow down, listen, wonder, and encounter God.
Why CGS is important for young children
Young children naturally ask big questions:
Who is God?
Does Jesus love me?
Why do we go to church?
What happens at Mass?
Why do we pray?
CGS gives children a place where these questions are welcomed.
Rather than rushing to give children every answer, CGS encourages them to wonder, listen, and discover. Children are given the freedom to develop their faith at their own pace while being guided by Scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
One of the most beautiful themes children encounter is the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd—the Shepherd who knows His sheep, loves them, calls them by name, and cares for them.
How can parents support their child's experience?
You do not need to be an expert in Catholic theology to support your child's experience in the Atrium. In fact, one of the best things you can do is listen to your child.
Your child may come home and want to tell you about something they saw, heard, or worked with in the Atrium. Take time to listen and wonder with them.
You might ask:
“What did you like doing in the Atrium today?”
“What Bible story did you hear?”
“What did you notice?”
“Did you have a favorite work?”
“What did you learn about Jesus?”
There is no need to quiz your child or expect them to remember everything. Faith grows through relationship, repetition, prayer, and experience.
A special place for a special relationship
Our hope is that the Atrium will become a place your child looks forward to—a place where they feel safe, peaceful, loved, and welcomed.
Most importantly, we hope that through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, each child will begin to discover the beautiful truth that:
Jesus knows me.
Jesus loves me.
Jesus calls me by name.
Jesus is my Good Shepherd.
We are grateful to be able to nurture your child's faith alongside your family and to provide a special place where your child can pray, wonder, learn, and grow closer to Jesus.
