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Formation Courses for Catechists

registration brochure for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level IIi adult formation
A formation experience for Catechists working with children ages 9-12.
Dates:
July 27-31, 2023
November 16-18, 2023
January 11-15, 2024
March 7-9, 2024
July 25-27, 2024

Hosted by:
Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church
203 Commercial Ave
Lake Arthur, LA  70549

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori-based religious formation for children that seeks to create and facilitate a sacred, "hands-on" space for children called an atrium.  Both the children and their catechists can hear, ponder, and celebrate the most essential mysteries of the Christian faith as revealed in the Scriptures and the Liturgy.  Originally developed in Rome by Sofia Cavaletti and Gianna Gobbi over fifty years ago, the Catechesis continues to spread worldwide and is used with adaptation in various Christian traditions.

Level III Formation

The  Level III course builds upon the foundation of the Level I and Level II courses.  The course will continue to ground the participant in the theory and praxis of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd while also concretely preparing him/her to develop and facilitate an atrium for 9-12-year-old children.  At the successful completion of the course, the participant will receive the certificate issued by the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for the Level III Catechist.

Level III Course Objectives:

  • To explore the general developmental characteristics and most vital spiritual needs of the 9-12-year-old child.
  • To meditate on the Biblical and Liturgical themes presented to the Level III child with a focus on sacred history, sacraments, moral formation, and typology studies.
  • To further the catechist’s ability to observe and learn from the upper elementary age child, and nurture, with sensitivity, the child’s spirituality.
  • To offer guidelines and assistance for preparing the 9-12 atrium environment and making the catechist’s album and Level III materials.
  • To present and discuss the basis of this work in the Roman Catholic tradition and including an awareness of material adaptations in the Episcopal tradition if needed as well as other traditions.
If we want to help the child draw nearer to God, we should with patience and courage, seek to go always closer to the vital nucleus of things.  This requires study and prayer.  The children will be our teachers if we know how to observe them. -Sophia Cavalletti

Course Format

Presentations
Conducted within a prayerful environment, this formation will include all presentations given to the 9– 12-year-old child in a three-year cycle as developed by Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi.  Photographing the materials is encouraged.  Videotaping presentations is not permissible, but audio taping for personal use, if helpful, is fine.  If you plan to bring your laptop for notetaking, be sure to bring your power cord and an extension cord as electrical outlets may not be close to your seat.  Wi-Fi will be available.
Album Pages
The formation leader will offer guidelines and assistance in making the catechist’s 9-12 album.  She will be available for album page consultation throughout the course.
Adult Reflection  & Discussion
There will be opportunities throughout the course for group discussions of the theological and pedagogical background of the presen-tations. These will be in part based upon reading from Religious Potential of the Child, 6-12 years (2nd ed.), The History of the Kingdom of God, Part 1; The History of the Kingdom of God, Part 2; and Life in the Vine:  The Joyful Journey Continues.

All required texts are available through the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at cgsusa.org.  In addition to these texts, you will need to bring your Bible.  Other readings and resources will be recommended during the course.
Material Making
Participants will have the opportunity to receive guidance and time to make some of the Level III materials. Rulers, glue, paper cutters, scissors, hole-punch, staplers, and some markers will be available.  Plan to bring favorite markers, felt tip pens or any other favored material-making equipment.

Course Expectations

  • Certification from successful completion of Level I & Level II Formations
  • Attendance at all course sessions
  • Group work to complete a Level III album
  • Observation in an upper elementary Montessori classroom and in a 9-12 atrium

Meals

A light breakfast will be provided each day except Sundays.Coffee and water will be provided throughout the day as well as snacks.Please feel free to bring a snack, treat or dessert to share with the rest of the attendees.Lunch will not be provided.A list of local restaurants (some within walking distance) will be provided upon registration for the course.

Location and Time

The course will take place at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church which provides three full atria in the Oustalet Center with additional space for material making and socializing.  Our hours will be 9am to 5pm.   When a session encompasses a Sunday, we will meet from 12pm to 5pm on that day.

Our Lady of the Lake is in Lake Arthur, Louisiana near Lafayette and Lake Charles with flights into those airports.  For those needing lodging please request a list of area hotels from our registrar, Mary Ellen Sweeney at ollparish@bellsouth.net.

Tuition

* Tuition for the entire course is $425 per person.  (Tuition is waived for those who will be catechists at Our Lady of the Lake.)  A payment of $425 must accompany your registration form and is by due July 1, 2023.

*The National Association of the Good Shepherd certificate fee of $35 is included in the tuition for this course.  We encourage participants to join the National Association if they have not already done so.  Membership will provide access to the online materials manuals.  Visit www.cgsusa.org for more information.

* For those who have begun the training elsewhere and need to make up sessions, the cost is $125 per session.  To audit the entire course the cost is $225. Contact Mary Ellen Sweeney for details at  ollparish@bellsouth.net

* Limited scholarships for tuition may be available by applying to the CGS Fund. Please see the CGS website for more information: www.cgsusa.org.

Formation Leader

Jo Ann Padgett has been involved in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd since 1987.  She holds certificates of training at all three levels and has worked extensively with children aged three through twelve in various atria settings.  Prior to learning about CGS she earned AMA certification as a Primary Montessori Directress.  She became recognized as a Formation Leader by the National Association in 2003 and currently leads adult formation courses at all three levels.  She has worked as a director of children's religious education at the parish level and graduated with the first class from Aquinas Institute of Theology with a Master's in Pastoral Studies – Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.  From 2008-14 she served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and currently serves the Association as a member of the Journal team.   She is a practicing Roman Catholic and currently resides in the Dallas area of Texas. 
Reserved for upcoming Level I & level ii formations

Questions?

For questions regarding CGS Level I, II or III Formation, please contact Mary Ellen at 337-842-9896, or email her below.

CGS National

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