Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program

  • Thread starter Thread starter charlestonmom
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

charlestonmom

Guest
Can anyone tell me their experiences with this program? My 3.5 yr old son has the opportunity to participate in a new program starting soon, but I’d like to know a little more. Is it orthodox teaching? Any information would be helpful, we have to decide later this week.
Thanks!
 
I have been involved with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for a couple of years. I have completed part of the training for catechists and plan to complete that in the several years. (It takes a long time to get trained.) I love the CGS program. In fact I just spoke with a priest last week who also loves the program. He is a Father of Mercy in KY and his sister is teacing CGS in Arizona.

While going through the training, I have learned that the program can be more or less orthodox, depending on the catechist. Many of those who train the catechists are not very orthodox themselves and therefore their program is not very orthodox. Several are orthodox, you just have to do your homework to find out how the program is that you are considering for your child.

CGS does allow children the chance to really fall in love with Jesus as their Good Shepherd and truly wonder about the mysteries of God. It is a very biblically based program and has taught me more about the Bible as an adult than I every learned as a child.

Hope this helps!
 
I have been trained in CGS levels 1 and 2 (ages 3-9) and loved every minute of it. Now I teach it in my home. I second everything Rachellynn said. 🙂
 
AnneTherese, just curious…

Do you have full atriums in your home?
 
My friend and I have been avidly learning all we could about CGS on our own… and now we finally have the chance to take the training, starting early next year, in San Francisco. But now Rachellynn’s post has me concerned. Is there any way to find out, beforehand, whether or not the instructor is orthodox? :confused: And, if we happen to get one who isn’t, how bad would it be?

(Based on past experience, both of us have a very low tolerance for wacky “catechist training” programs, and would be likely to run screaming from the auditorium if we were subjected to anything more than very mild goofiness. :bigyikes: )
 
this is an excellent program for pre-schoolers and young children, and especially for children with developmental difficulties. the Archdiocese of (I think it is) Chicago has an entire program for these children based on CGS. One of our preschool teachers in the school uses it, and has all the figures, made by her husband, in her classroom, which is her “atrium”. She allows us to use these for CCD with the little ones.

they include a wooden figure of Jesus the Good Shepherd, the sheepfold, the sheep. Also a miniature Mass set complete with altar, priest, vestments, chalice etc.

there is a website which gives much more complete detail, give me a while to find it, and the publisher who distributes these materials here, might be Treehaus, I’ll have to wait till I get to work.

every catechetical program is more or less orthodox depending on the catechist, that is not a valid way to judge the program itself.
 
I have never met an unorthodox CGS catechechist, so I can’t help you with that.

Rachellynn, sorry it took me a while to get back to you. Yes, I have a home atrium. I have a homeschool co-op with some other moms and their kids. I also do secular Montessori at the same time.
 
maryceleste,
I don’t know how you can find out how orthodox/unorthodox a trainer would be. Here is my experience:

The 2 ladies who I am going through training with, went to the their first training a year before I joined them. They say that trainer was pretty wacky in some of her theology, but she did do a good job presenting CGS in a way that really allows the children to reflect and wonder. This was for level 1 training.

The next year, we went to another trainer, for level 2 training, who again did a pretty good job, but was somewhat wacky in her theology. A priest joined us on one day of the training and he had to leave the room on one day of her talks because he says she was very “Lutheran” in her presentation. I can’t remember now the specifics of the training that day, but I know it was enough to really bother the priest.

This past summer we went to another trainer who was wonderful!! We are completing the entire level 2 training again with her. We did part one this summer and will finish part 2 next summer. In all she did, she incorporated authentic Catholic theology. For example: Last summer we learned the “Fettucia” presentation in level 2. Our trainer did the presentation outside and focused a lot on the science behind our creation. We loved the presentation and taught it to our kids in that way. This summer, our new trainer showed us how to do the “Fettucia” inside a church. She talked about the science behind the creation, but really focused in the high point of the whole presentation - the Redemption, which ended up on the altar. I’m sure you can see as I could how much more meaningful it is to see the moment of Redemption presented on the altar, espcially after the kids have learned so much about the altar and all that it symbolizes! The first trainer who showed us the Fettucia didn’t necessarily tell us anything wrong, but the second trainer just made the whole presentation so much more meaningful by adding just a little more “Catholicness” to all of her presentations.

Good luck to you in your training. I wish I knew how to steer you to the right person, but I don’t. I guess you’ll just have to pray to the Holy Spirit to help you discern the truth!
 
maryceleste said:
My friend and I have been avidly learning all we could about CGS on our own… and now we finally have the chance to take the training, starting early next year, in San Francisco. But now Rachellynn’s post has me concerned. Is there any way to find out, beforehand, whether or not the instructor is orthodox? :confused: And, if we happen to get one who isn’t, how bad would it be?

(Based on past experience, both of us have a very low tolerance for wacky “catechist training” programs, and would be likely to run screaming from the auditorium if we were subjected to anything more than very mild goofiness. :bigyikes: )
Click to expand...
Based on what I’ve learned of the CGS program, all I can say is that, while it is not “unorthodox,” at the same time, it does not promote our traditional Catholic faith in terms of teaching the kids, up through age 12, anything about certain Catholic doctrines. The resurrected Christ (cross) used on the little altars appears as okay; however, the sacrificial nature of the Mass is not taught (consequently, no crucifix.) There’s a marked de-emphasis on doctrines upheld by the Church. No deliberate negating, just not taught. In my opinion (and this is just my opinion, based on observation, and some inquiry) the CGS approach to catechesis appears to lead children away from Roman Catholicism by simply failing in its teachings. There are no books to preview. You move through a series of “levels” requiring a few years to complete. At the seminars, you observe, later you present what you have learned, and the class shares its “notes” and one keeps a book of fill in-able handouts, which you complete along the way and, later, you use to teach a class. Emphasis is on the child’s personal relationship to Jesus; certainly a wonderful thing-- and necessary-- but should one compare the CGS approach to almost ANY former catechisms, one would notice a tremendous doctrinal void here. I’m not saying this approach doesn’t have something of value to offer. I just seriously question the glaring omission of doctrinal catechesis. …The altar is always referred to as a “table…” De-emphasizes Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion… Confession is for removing our “guilt”… Personal sin questionable… just what I’ve noticed. I think maybe those Catholics, in good faith, who are post-Vatican II, who have not grown up with really sound catechesis-- or who’ve had minimal catechesis-- might see nothing wrong with this approach. Personally, and again I state this is my opinion, I think our kids are being terribly short-changed being taught this approach. (It’s also used in our son’s school.) I believe that by OMISSION, we can error just as surely as we can through COMMISSION. It seems a highly watered-down approach to learning the Faith. I apologize to anyone reading this who may be teaching it and loves the approach. I’m sorry, I do not. For I see what it truly lacks. BTW: CGS is also used in many non-Catholic churches.
 
My children are starting this program this year. It is the only option and it is a prerequisite to receiving First Reconcilliation and First Holy Communion. I have some concerns after looking into this program, some based on posts on this thread. According to the CGS website, it appears that it is non-denominational??? Am I getting this wrong? Maybe there are different versions available for different faiths? This concerns me, as I am raising my children Catholic, not non-denominational. Leave ecumenism for grown ups, let my child learn the true Catholic doctrine. No crucifix? Is this true? No personal sin? I read that original sin and grace were portrayed through the program as questionable doctrine that could not be found in scripture? Calling the altar a table? I can not conceive how this would all not be considered “unorthodox.” I don’t understand this. Why would a Catholic Church be touching a questionable catechism program with a ten foot pole. Catechism is not rocket science; I just don’t understand why I am even having to question what my Roman Catholic Parish is teaching my children. They should be my partner in teaching my children the faith not working against me.:confused: Has anyone here refused to have their children participate in this program and what was the result?
 
parishonerUSA said:
My children are starting this program this year. It is the only option and it is a prerequisite to receiving First Reconcilliation and First Holy Communion. I have some concerns after looking into this program, some based on posts on this thread. According to the CGS website, it appears that it is non-denominational??? Am I getting this wrong? Maybe there are different versions available for different faiths? This concerns me, as I am raising my children Catholic, not non-denominational. Leave ecumenism for grown ups, let my child learn the true Catholic doctrine. No crucifix? Is this true? No personal sin? I read that original sin and grace were portrayed through the program as questionable doctrine that could not be found in scripture? Calling the altar a table? I can not conceive how this would all not be considered “unorthodox.” I don’t understand this. Why would a Catholic Church be touching a questionable catechism program with a ten foot pole. Catechism is not rocket science; I just don’t understand why I am even having to question what my Roman Catholic Parish is teaching my children. They should be my partner in teaching my children the faith not working against me.:confused: Has anyone here refused to have their children participate in this program and what was the result?
Click to expand...
My wife is trained in the Level 1 of this program, and it’s definitely not non-denominational. It is meant to be taught faithfully Catholic. The whole curriculum for level 1 is built around the Holy Mass. It’s beautiful.

Protestants can take the program and alter it for Protestants. So be sure you examine whether it’s being offered by a Catholic provider or Protestant.

By design, it’s very Catholic. Some people offer training programs given in mixed settings (if you’re Catholic, do this…if you’re Protestant, do this). You may find watered down or ecumenically trained people.

My wife went to a different state and it was all very Catholic.

It was built based on the methods of Maria Montessori…and so some of the choices of materials and how one frames things is designed for the mind of a child. For example… a Crucifix is used…but it’s often the St Francis Cruxifix…where Jesus looks both crucified and alive. Very young children may not grasp quite right the resurrection immediately from a Corpus where Jesus actually looks dead. So there’s a sensitivity to children’s thinking and imagination…but it’s not watered down.
 
I agree with Edward. I don’t think CGS is watered down at all. The training they ask for their adult leaders is far more involved than many parish programs who pull in for catechists whoever is willing to do it.

It’s a Montessori approach to catechesis (and Maria Montessori was Catholic), so it’s a different format than what most are accustomed to. My DD went through it this past year and I was very happy with it. Most parish programs do not start with 3yo, so it was CGS or nothing. 🙂
 
this is an old thread but I am compelled to respond because it resurrects so much misinformation.

Please do not judge this or any catechetical program until you have some experience with it and judge the content of the program, not the competence or manner in which those teaching choose to use and abuse it.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an entirely orthodox, entirely Catholic and proven method of catechising preschoolers up to kinder age and is an excellent preparation in the years before children are ready for sacramental preparation. it is not sacramental preparation and should not be used as such.

just as “Montessori” has been used and abused as a label for many educational formats entirely alien to Maria Montessori’s own (very Catholic) methods, so has CGS been abused. If it is being managed incorrectly or incompetently in your parish castigate the parish and the leadership, not the program.
 
The concerns present by PPT and parishonerUSA are nearly identical to ine raised by some parents in my parish. for sure CGS is very different from Baltimore Catechism, perhaps that’s where the concern lies. I’m used to CCD actually teaching the precepts of the sacrament and the hows and why of the Church in manner of BC. Perhaps its the less academic approach of CGS that gives the appearance of being watered down. I can tell you that my 6yr old is being taught more about his faith during his lessons at home (we homeschool using Seaton Homestudy) than they are teaching in CCD up to an including 1st year confirmation. The problems start, at least for my family, once we pursue sacrament of 1st Communion because the Diocese has bought into CGS and CGS only mentality.
 
PPT said:
Based on what I’ve learned of the CGS program, all I can say is that, while it is not “unorthodox,” at the same time, it does not promote our traditional Catholic faith in terms of teaching the kids, up through age 12, anything about certain Catholic doctrines. The resurrected Christ (cross) used on the little altars appears as okay; however, the sacrificial nature of the Mass is not taught (consequently, no crucifix.) There’s a marked de-emphasis on doctrines upheld by the Church. No deliberate negating, just not taught. In my opinion (and this is just my opinion, based on observation, and some inquiry) the CGS approach to catechesis appears to lead children away from Roman Catholicism by simply failing in its teachings. There are no books to preview. You move through a series of “levels” requiring a few years to complete. At the seminars, you observe, later you present what you have learned, and the class shares its “notes” and one keeps a book of fill in-able handouts, which you complete along the way and, later, you use to teach a class. Emphasis is on the child’s personal relationship to Jesus; certainly a wonderful thing-- and necessary-- but should one compare the CGS approach to almost ANY former catechisms, one would notice a tremendous doctrinal void here. I’m not saying this approach doesn’t have something of value to offer. I just seriously question the glaring omission of doctrinal catechesis. …The altar is always referred to as a “table…” De-emphasizes Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion… Confession is for removing our “guilt”… Personal sin questionable… just what I’ve noticed. I think maybe those Catholics, in good faith, who are post-Vatican II, who have not grown up with really sound catechesis-- or who’ve had minimal catechesis-- might see nothing wrong with this approach. Personally, and again I state this is my opinion, I think our kids are being terribly short-changed being taught this approach. (It’s also used in our son’s school.) I believe that by OMISSION, we can error just as surely as we can through COMMISSION. It seems a highly watered-down approach to learning the Faith. I apologize to anyone reading this who may be teaching it and loves the approach. I’m sorry, I do not. For I see what it truly lacks. BTW: CGS is also used in many non-Catholic churches.
Click to expand...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top