A Montessori Based Sunday School

Atrium

Developed by Sofia Cavalletti and building on the methods of Maria Montessori, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd seeks to give children an experience which opens them to awareness of their relationship with God and helps them give expression to it. With this approach to the child's religious formation, our  trained catechists strive to help each child fall in love with Jesus, the Good Shepherd, while building community among his/her peers.

The name, 'Catechesis of the Good Shepherd' speaks of the foundational way in which the child will experience God made known in Jesus. That is, the One who loves, cares for and protects them as faithfully as a shepherd cares for his/her sheep.

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd creates rich opportunities for your child to discover and develop his or her religious potential. The weekly experience takes place in a beautiful, carefully designed Atrium in which your child will discover:

  • God's unconditional love and embrace
  • the stories that inform this extraordinary gift
  • the meaning of worship
  • skills for practical life and faith.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is available at 10:00 a.m. each Sunday from September to mid-May. At St. Peter’s we currently offer Level 1 (ages 3-5) and Level 2 (ages 6-9). Level 3 (ages 10-12) is in the process of being developed and available this year as well. Please be advised that due to Covid, we have currently placed this program on hold until further notice. 

 

 "The Atrium is a place where the child comes to know the realities of . . . life as a Christian, but also and above all, a place where the child begins to live these realities in meditation and prayer." (Sofia Cavalletti, "The Religious Potential of the Child")