Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a Montessori approach to faith formation with children that began in Rome over 60 years ago.
In 1954, Sofia Cavalletti, a Biblical scholar, and her co-worker, Gianna Gobbi, a trained Montessorian, began to develop this approach for the religious formation of children. It is rooted in the Bible, the liturgy of the Church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori. Maria Montessori was a devout Catholic who believed faith formation has an essential role in the development of the child.
Registration for 2025-26
CGS sessions meet September – May. Space in each atrium is limited. Registration details (including pricing and registration link) can be found here. If you do not have older children and one of the other time slots works for you, please consider leaving the Wednesday night sessions for families with multiple children across all three levels. If spots are full for your preferred CGS Session, please add your child to the CGS waitlist here. Volunteer catechists have been secured for all sessions listed, but we are in need of adult assistants. If you are interested in serving in this way, please indicate this in the parent involvement section of this registration.
Level I: 3 years old – Kindergarten (must be 3 and potty-trained by the first session)
Level II: 1st-3rd grades
Level III: 4th-6th grades
Session Times
Tuesday Evenings (5:30 – 7:00 pm)
- Level I
- Level II
Wednesday Mornings (9:30 – 11:00 am)
- Level I
Wednesday Afternoons (3:30 – 5:00 pm)
- Level I
- Level II
Wednesday Evenings (5:30 – 7:00 pm)
- Level I
- Level II
- Level III
Helpful Links
Get Involved with Youth Faith Formation!
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd takes place in a specially prepared space called an Atrium.
- The Atrium contains age-appropriate materials that are simple and essential to the child’s development of a relationship with God.
- The Atrium items are carefully selected or created out of wood, glass, metal and fabric. Many of the materials will remind the child of what they see in church.
- Children are taught a sense of reverence for the Atrium and for the items it contains. The expected behavior in the Atrium is peaceful and respectful, similar to what is expected at Mass.
- In our busy, noisy world, many children find refuge in the quieter atmosphere of the Atrium.
A visit to an atrium session would be a good way to understand the experience of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
Each session consists of a presentation of new material, independent work time, and prayer.
- Presentations include biblical geography, liturgy, the Nativity narratives, parables, and practical life lessons. Older children are also introduced to Old Testament work.
- The presentations are selected to coincide with the Church year. After the presentation, the children may choose to work with the materials during their work time. All materials remain in the Atrium the entire year so children may revisit past presentations during their work time. The children are given time for repetition and contemplation but may only choose to work with materials that have been presented to them.
- Communal prayer takes place during each atrium session. The children gather around the prayer table and are encouraged to be calm and silent. This habit helps develop an atmosphere to listen and talk to God.
Since many of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd lessons are linked to the liturgy, children benefit greatly by also attending Mass regularly with their families.
For more information about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), contact Kristi Quinlan, Early Childhood and Family Ministry Coordinator or call the Faith Formation Office at 515-440-1030.
Get Involved
Here at St. Francis, we are a community of disciples striving to accompany others on their journey with the Lord. This calling to share faith comes from our Baptism and from the love and joy that overflows in our own relationship with Jesus.
We EACH have a mission and a role to play. How might God be calling you to share your gifts in one of our programs?
Click here to learn more about ways you can support the Faith Formation Office and the right contact person.