7 Reasons to experience a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Level 1 Formation course:
- Deepen your own faith life
This might seem counterintuitive
to start with. I’m asking you to consider attending a formation course to be a
catechist for young children, right? To deepen their faith life, not yours. But actually, the number one reason to
attend CGS formation doesn’t have to do with wanting to serve children or to
fill-in in the atrium when the need arises—the number one reason is because the
Good Shepherd is calling your name. A
CGS formation course isn’t a place to come to for information but for
transformation.
For over 60 years CGS catechists
have been living the spiritual life with children, ages three through twelve,
and what they have discovered is that the child has many things to teach us as
adults. In embracing the spirituality of childhood, we are given the invitation
to ponder the word of God, the mysteries of our faith, and to grow in faith,
hope and love. Oftentimes catechists say, “I came to CGS to serve children, but
I stayed for myself.” Want to go deeper in your own faith life? Whether you are
called to be a catechist in the atrium or not, attending a CGS formation course
invites you to grow in your relationship with the Good Shepherd.
2. Support the spiritual development of the
children in your life
Have you ever had a child ask you
a question about God or faith that you didn’t know how to answer? Have you ever wanted to pray with your
children, godchildren or grandchildren but weren’t sure how? Yeah, me too. When I attended my first CGS formation in
2010 I was the mother of two five year-old daughters and a two year-old
son. My three children were primed and hungry
for all things spiritual, but I wasn’t quite sure how to talk to them about
what mattered most. I came home from that training with new comfort and
excitement to begin sharing faith with them in a more intentional way. In the
Level 1 formation course topics include supporting the prayer life of the three
to six year-old child, reading and listening to the Bible together, and opening
up the signs and symbols of the liturgy.
3. Sit with the Word of God
The Bible is a gift that only
grows more precious with time. What
might the word of God have to say to you now that you are a parent,
grandparent, student, or retired? When we read the Bible we bring our whole
lives, including our joys and struggles, our sorrows and consolation, and in
the meeting of life and Word we discover something new.
4. Soak in the Liturgy
Ever wonder why we do what we do? Every
action, movement and prayer in the Mass has meaning. Meditating on these
liturgical moments can bring the Sacraments alive in fresh ways.
5. Fellowship
Connect with other adults in your
faith community who are also interested in growing in their faith while living
the religious life with children.
6. Snacks
There will be food. Probably chocolate. It’s scientifically proven to help in the
transformation process.
7. Be part of a worldwide association of adults
dedicated to the spiritual life of the child
Since its beginning in the 1950s
in Rome, Italy, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd has spread to 37 countries
at last count. It is also being used in
Colombia as part of formation for their seminarians, and by the Missionaries of
Charity with the children they serve around the world, and in the formation of
their sisters. And in 2010 it spread to
Juneau, Alaska. As we work in our atrium
with our children, we know we are a part of an international work that “is
faithful to the spirit of the mustard seed” and “stands in solidarity with the
least in the church” (#27 of the #32 Characteristics of the Catechesis of the
Good Shepherd).
At a meeting of the international
council (or consiglio in Italian) in
2007, the co-founder of CGS, Sofia Cavaletti, offered a reflection on the
movement’s growth:
“The real measure is not ‘how many’
but ‘how deep’ in terms of the joy of children and adults who sit together in
awe and wonder of the mystery of God.
This defies measurement, and is a reminder that the most we can aspire
to, is to be little vessels of the overflowing abundance of God, like Mary,
whose spirit exulted as God’s little servant and rejoiced in the greatness of
God.”
We invite you to come and share the joy and abundance of the
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed
Virgin Mary. Listen. Is the Good Shepherd calling your name?
