Information and enrollment

Classes will begin the week of Monday, September 3, 2025.  

To view the 2025-2026 Calendar Please Click Here

Registration for the 2025–2026 Catechesis of the Good Shepherd year is now closed.  

We thank God for the many children and families who will be joining us in the Atrium this year. Please keep our catechists and children in your prayers as together we grow in love for Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

Registration for the 2026–2027 year will open in June 2026.
We look forward to welcoming new and returning families at that time. May the Lord continue to bless your family’s journey of faith.

The Atrium is a sacred space prepared especially for children where CGS takes place:

• It contains age-appropriate materials that are simple and essential to the child’s development of a relationship with God.
• Materials are carefully selected or created from 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.

Each Atrium session includes:

• A presentation rooted in Scripture or Liturgy (e.g., parables, the liturgical calendar, biblical geography, the Nativity narratives).
  • Presentations are selected to coincide with the Church year.
• Work time, where children choose materials already presented to them to reflect and internalize what they’ve learned.
  • All materials remain in the Atrium the entire year so children may revisit past presentations during their work time. 
• Communal prayer at the prayer table, forming habits of silence, listening, and speaking with God.

While CGS nurtures a child’s love for Jesus and His Church, it is not a substitute for the Holy Mass. Regular Sunday Mass attendance is essential to helping children fully live the faith they are discovering in the Atrium.

About the Levels: 

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is offered in three distinct levels, each designed to meet the spiritual and developmental needs of the child at their stage of growth. Children remain in each level for three years, deepening their relationship with God through Scripture, liturgy, prayer, and hands-on materials.

Level 1 (Ages 3–6)

In Level 1, young children are introduced to the person of Jesus as the Good Shepherd who loves them, knows them by name, and calls them to follow Him. They learn through simple yet profound presentations rooted in Scripture and the Mass, such as the parable of the Good Shepherd, the liturgical colors, altar work, and prayers.

Level 2 (Ages 6–9)

Level 2 builds upon the child’s foundation from Level 1, inviting them to reflect more deeply on moral formation and their personal response to God’s love. The central image of this level is the True Vine—"Remain in me, as I also remain in you." (John 15:4)

Children explore themes of covenant, responsibility, and forgiveness through parables, liturgical studies, and salvation history. They begin to see their place in God’s plan and prepare to receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion, typically in second grade.

Level 3 (Ages 9–12)

In Level 3, children are invited into deeper contemplation of God’s plan throughout history (Creation, Redemption, and Parousia) and how they are personally called to respond. This level emphasizes moral reasoning, justice, and living out their faith in community.

Scripture study expands, and liturgical knowledge deepens as children reflect on the structure of the Mass, the sacraments, and their own call to holiness. They continue to work with familiar materials while also engaging with new, age-appropriate presentations that foster prayerful independence and maturity in faith.

Sacraments of First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion: 

Saint Andrew Catholic Church prepares children to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) program.

Our approach recognizes that sacramental preparation is a journey of relationship, not just a checklist of requirements. Children come to know and love Jesus the Good Shepherd deeply through their time in the Atrium, and are invited into fuller participation in the life of the Church through the sacraments.

Who is eligible?

Children are typically prepared for the sacraments during Level 2 (ages 6–9) of CGS, most often in second grade. However, readiness is determined not solely by age, but by the child’s spiritual maturity, desire, and personal relationship with Jesus.

Requirements for Sacramental Preparation:

To participate in sacramental prep, families must:

1. Register their child for a Level 2 CGS session
   

2. Commit to six additional family sacrament preparation sessions throughout the year.

   • These sessions are required for both the child and at least one parent/guardian.

   • They provide focused time to explore the meaning of Reconciliation and Eucharist, enrich your family’s faith life, and support parents as the primary catechists of their children.

3. Participate in Sunday Mass weekly

   • The liturgy is the heart of our sacramental life. Active participation in Mass reinforces what children encounter in the Atrium and sacrament sessions.

Is your child in Level 3 or older but still needs the sacraments?

We joyfully welcome children who may be older than second grade and have not yet received First Reconciliation or First Communion. Please contact the Office of Faith Formation, we will work with you to determine the best pathway within CGS and our sacrament preparation process.