The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: Nurturing Your Child’s Faith Journey

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a unique and beautiful program designed to help children develop a deep, personal relationship with God. At the heart of this catechesis is a Montessori-inspired approach that invites children into a peaceful, hands-on environment where they can explore the mysteries of our faith. Through prayer, reflection on Scripture, and carefully crafted activities in our atrium (a dedicated space for spiritual learning), your child will engage with the Orthodox Christian faith in a way that is meaningful and accessible to them.

This year, we are continuing the same approach and activities that the children enjoyed last year. The structure of the program encourages not just learning, but spiritual formation, allowing the children to deepen their understanding of God’s love and His presence in their lives.

Supporting Your Child's Spiritual Growth at Home

While we may not always be able to send regular updates about each session, we encourage you to continue fostering your child's spiritual development at home. Simple activities like reading Bible stories together, praying as a family, and discussing what they learned in the atrium can have a lasting impact on their faith journey.

Attending the Divine Liturgy together is also a wonderful way to reinforce the lessons we cover in class. Bringing your child to church services helps them see how the faith we discuss in the atrium is lived out within the broader community.

Registration and Schedule Details

We are excited to walk alongside your children as they grow in their love and understanding of God. If you have not yet registered, please fill out the registration form here at your earliest convenience. This will also help us determine how much space we have to invite children from other parishes.

Session Schedule:

• Level I (ages 3-6): Wednesdays from 4:15 – 5:45 PM
• Level II (ages 6-9): Thursdays from 4:15 – 5:45 PM

Our first meetings will be held as follows:

• Level I: Wednesday, September 18th at 5:00 PM
• Level II: Thursday, September 19th at 5:00 PM

These first meetings will be informal, serving as an "open house" for families to get acquainted with the program and one another. After a short tour of the atrium, parents will meet with the teachers, while the children enjoy games supervised on the church lawn. This will be a great opportunity for everyone to become familiar with the space and ask any questions.

Materials Fee and Volunteering

We are requesting a one-time $100 materials fee this year. This fee helps cover the cost of the materials used in the atrium, as nearly everything is handmade, which helps us keep expenses minimal. However, even basic supplies can add up, and your support allows us to plan our budget effectively.

Additionally, donations are always welcome and appreciated.

As you know, each session requires careful preparation, including setting up the room and preparing materials. To make this process smoother, we are asking parents to assist with setting up and cleaning up the atrium. You can sign up for monthly volunteer opportunities here. Specific instructions will be provided to help guide your participation.

Special Celebrations

We also have two special celebrations planned for the children:

• Christmas Celebration: January 9th
• Pascha Celebration: April 24th

These gatherings will allow the children to experience the beauty and joy of these holy days in a way that is deeply meaningful to them.

Thank You for Your Trust

Thank you for entrusting us with the spiritual formation of your child. We are honored to accompany them on their journey of faith, and we look forward to a year filled with growth, learning, and blessings. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via the contact information provided on our parish website.

May God bless your family as we embark on this journey together!