CGS Level II Catechist Formation, Parts One and Two

Dates

Saturdays from 9:00am-4:30pm and Sundays from 9:00am-3:00pm

Part One: Sep 26-27; Oct 19-11; Nov 7-8; Dec 5-6, 2026
Part Two: Jan 9-10; Feb 6-7; Mar 13-14: Apr 10-11, 2027

Cost

$600.00 (Payable in Full), or Part I – $300 then Part II – $300
Auditors - $150.00 per (Must hold the Level II Certificate)
Scholarships may be available through the Tina Lillig Memorial Fund at www.cgsusa.org.

CGSUSA membership in is required to apply. Membership is highly encouraged, as it also allows access to the on-line Materials Manual.

Deposit $100.00 for each Part

Deposit Due Date

For Part One - Tue, Aug 25
For Part Two – Tue, Dec 8
20% non-refundable if participant cancels after Deposit Date for Part One or Part

Balance Due

For Part One – Fri, Sep 18
For Part Two – Fri, Jan 1

Note:

In the case of course cancellation, all payments will be fully refunded.
Tuition is non-refundable if participant cancellation occurs mid-formation.

Required Textbooks

Cavalletti, Soﬁa, Religious Potential of the Child Six to Twelve Years Old, Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2002. ($24.00)
Cavalletti, Sofia, The History of the Kingdom of God-1: From Creation to Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2012. ($21.95)
Cavalletti, Sofia, The History of the Kingdom of God-2: Liturgy and the Building of the Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2013. (19.95)
Rojcewicz, Life in the Vine: The Joyful Journey Continues. Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2021. ($22.95)

Michael and D’Neil Duﬀy. Children of the Universe: Cosmic Education in the Montessori Elementary Classroom. Hollidaysburg, PA: Parent Child Press, 2016. (Especially recommended for an orientation to Montessori education at the elementary level.) (Paperback or Kindle)
Cavalletti, Soﬁa, Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God, Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, (for a deepened study with Soﬁa of the scriptures key to the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd) ($14.95)
Montessori, Maria, Montessori: On Religious Lake Ariel, PA: Hillside Education, 2020. ($25.00)

All texts (except Children of the Universe) are available through the United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, (www.cgsusa.org) or (480) 874-3758. (The bookstore is open Monday – Thursday.)

A Vision of the Child

As we know, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religious formation of Child, aged 3-12, that follows the developmental characteristics of children through the different stages of childhood. Decades of collaborative observations by Dr. Maria Montessori, Hebrew and Scripture scholar Soﬁa Cavalletti, and gifted Montessorian Gianna Gobbi revealed that in the years, 6-12, the Child enters a new “plane of development.” The Child’s horizons of interest widen, new cognitive capacities arise, and social and moral sensitivities sharpen. As with the younger Child, this “Middle Child” continues to need the observant and tactful guidance of adults to develop the skills for navigating these new capacities and sensitivities.

Course Description

Catechist formation in Level II addresses these new capacities and sensitivities, while returning to (“spiraling”) the themes and presentations the child has come to know in Level I. Therefore, one needs to hold the Level I Certificate to begin this Level II Formation Course. Themes such as the Mystery of Christ as Good Shepherd, the Mystery of the Incarnation, the Mystery of the Kingdom of God, the Paschal Mystery, and Baptism will be expanded to address the child’s new facility with time and history, the capacity for imagination, and moral sensitivity. In addition, Level II formation oﬀers participants a particular and beautiful way to prepare for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Conﬁrmation, and Eucharist.

Level II formation provides the theological foundations for catechesis and Montessori pedagogy for working with the 6-9 year-old child. Participants will read from core texts addressing the themes and practices for this age child and will engage in discussions and adult reﬂections on those themes. Time will be allotted for practicum, material-making, and for collaborative writing of album pages. After successful participation in Parts One and Two the participant will be given the Level II Certificate from the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGSUSA).

Time will be allotted to visit with and discuss other Liturgical traditions for those participants.

Course Objectives

To explore the developmental characteristics and religious needs of the 6-9 year-old child
To facilitate continued meditation on the biblical and liturgical themes of the Catechesis
To further the participant’s ability to observe and learn from children in order to nurture the child’s spirituality with sensitivity
To oﬀer guidelines and assistance in: setting up an “atrium “environment for 6-9 year-olds, preparing the catechist's album, and making materials for the Level II atrium

Course details upon registration.