Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

At St. Joseph Catholic School, we are blessed to offer the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) program at our elementary campus. Rooted in the Montessori method, CGS provides a hands-on, immersive experience where children grow in their relationship with God through Scripture, liturgy and prayer in a specially prepared space called the Atrium.

The Atrium is a sacred environment where students encounter the presence of Christ in a tangible way. Here, they engage with carefully designed materials that foster a deeper understanding of their faith. This unique program complements classroom instruction, creating a seamless connection between learning and lived faith. All Pre-K and Kindergarten students join the guides in the Atrium on their specified dates, providing them with regular opportunities to grow in their spiritual journey.

As one of our teachers beautifully shared:
"We were setting up the prayer table, and one of the items is a statue of a shepherd with a sheep across his shoulders. Unprompted, a kindergartener said, 'The shepherd is Jesus, and we are the sheep. He takes care of us.' This little one learned this in his classroom and was able to see it in the Atrium."

Through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, we nurture our youngest learners in mind, body and spirit, empowering them to encounter the Good Shepherd and recognize His love in their daily lives.