Catechesis of the Good Shepherd helps children enter into a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus. The children listen to presentations appropriate to their developmental age on scripture and liturgy in a retreat-like environment called the “atrium.” They are given time to respond prayerfully to what they have heard through work with hands-on materials, free art, song, silence, and communal prayer.

Registration is limited to 16 people. Please submit your registration request. You will be contacted when accepted or put on a waiting list. Payment will only be collected once you have been accepted.

Course Objectives:

• Explore the religious nature and vital needs of the 3-6 year old child.
• Experience and learn the method and guiding principles of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
• Broaden your ability to observe and learn from children as you listen with them to scripture and deepen your enjoyment of God’s presence.
• Receive guidelines and assistance in preparing the atrium environment, writing your album of presentations, and making materials for the children’s work.
• Meditate on all the scriptural and liturgical themes presented to the 3 –6 children allowing you to deepen your relationship with God in Christ.

Certificate:

The National Certificate of Completion will be issued upon the completion of Level I, Parts 1 and 2. The Level I certificate honors your full attendance and participation in the entire Level I course.

The course includes at least 90 hours of formation in Scripture, liturgy, child development, the Montessori method, and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd approach. Catechists are expected to have read the three books for the course and work with fellow catechists to complete their album pages before the end of the course.

Required Reading:

We will use three texts for this course.

• The Religious Potential of the Child 3rd edition, by Sofia Cavalletti
• The Good Shepherd and the Child: A Joyful Journey by Cavalletti and others
• Nurturing the Whole Child by Gianna Gobbi

Dates:

Part I: 2026

• July 27-August 1, 2026, 9:00-4:30
• August 2, 12:00-4:30*

Part II: 2027

• July 11, 12:00-4:30*
• July 12-July 17, 9:00-4:30
• July 18, 12:00-4:30*

*Lunch provided on Sundays.

Cost:

We are grateful for donor funding to support the catechetical formation of our parish catechists that allows us to offer a discount for all parish catechists within the in the Archdiocese of Boston. Once accepted in the course, you will receive an invoice for payment.

$350 for those training to be a catechist in a parish atrium within the Archdiocese of Boston
$750 for everyone else

Formation Leaders: Barbara Matera & Kristen Kelly

Barbara Matera recently moved to Boston from Pittsburgh, where she was a master catechist and lay ecclesial minister for the Diocese of Pittsburgh. She is a catechist of the Good Shepherd for children ages 3-12 and a recognized Formation Leader for adults seeking to work with ages 3-6. Barbara directed CGS at her parish for thirteen years and was president of CGSUSA’s Board of Trustees from 2016-2021. She has a Masters in Religious Education from Duquesne University.

Kristen Kelly is a recognized Level I formation leader who has enjoyed listening to God with children for 15 years in Levels I (3-6), II (6 -9), III (9-12) and adolescent (12-15) in parish, school, and home settings. She has also received formation in the Infant-Toddler level. Kristen co-founded several Level I atria in Washington and California and is currently building up a Level III at her new parish in Massachusetts. She loves the work and prayer of material making and atrium design, especially with the help of her husband and their five Montessori-educated children.