Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Training Syllabus for Level I St. John s Church, Portsmouth July 2014 May 2015 Class Meetings: 4 evenings in July; 2 evenings in September, October, January, March & April or 5 Saturdays, in September, November, January, March & May Evenings 6pm to 10pm or Saturdays 9-1pm & 2pm-6pm (lunch from 1-2pm) Lectures will be in Chisholm Hall (except for July Rector s Office) Childcare will be provided with advanced notice Presentations will be given in the Good Shepherd Atrium on the 2 nd floor Course Description The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori-based religious formation program for children, beginning at the age of three. It seeks to create and facilitate a sacred, hands-on space for children called an atrium, in which both the children and the catechists can hear, ponder, and celebrate the most essential mysteries of the Christian faith as revealed in Scripture and the Liturgy. Originally developed in Rome by Dr. Sofia Cavelletti and Gianna Gobbi over 50 years ago, the Catechesis continues to spread world-wide and is used in adaptations in various Christian traditions. This course will ground the participants in the theory and praxis of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd while also concretely preparing him/her to be present to the children for the full three-year cycle of the 3-6 year old atrium. At the completion of this course, the participant will be certified for Level I by the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Course Objectives: To explore with participants the general developmental characteristics and religious characteristics of the 3-6 year old child. To facilitate meditation on the biblical and liturgical themes of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd formation process. To offer guidelines and assistance to catechists in the process of preparing an album, making materials and setting up an atrium for 3-6 year olds. To deepen participants ability to observe and learn from children, while also exploring avenues for deepening parental and congregational ability to observe and learn from children. Procedures: Each session will begin with prayer. The remainder of the evening will alternate between lectures, meditations, presentations and album page points. Video or audio taping is not
permitted. Taking photos of the atrium and the materials is encouraged. Use of a personal laptop is allowed for note taking. Evaluation Participants are expected to attend all classes and read assigned texts. Each participant will be asked to write an album page of two presentations given during the course. One is due in January 2015 and one in April 2015. Certification: At the completion of the course next April (2015), participants will be eligible to be certified as a Level One Catechist by the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. If you are a member of St. John s Episcopal Church, Portsmouth, a certificate fee of $35 will be paid by the church; if you are not a member, then this fee will be paid by the participant. In order to receive the Level One certificate, participants are expected to attend all course sessions and read assigned texts. Participants are also asked to spend time observing in both Montessori and atrium environments. On the certificate, there is a separate line that will be signed when the participant has completed his/her personal album. While it is not required that the participant complete a personal album before the end of the course, all participants are highly encouraged to work on personal album pages throughout the course. Required Texts: Cavalletti, Sofia. Religious Potential of the Child, Experiencing Scripture and Liturgy with Young Children. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1992 (RPC I) Coulter, Patricia et al. The Good Shepherd and the Child: a Joyful Journey. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2014 edition (JJ) Optional Texts: Gobbi, Gianna. Listening to God with Children: Montessori Principles Applied to the Catechesis of Children. Loveland, OH: Treehaus Publications, 1998 (Gobbi) Lillig, Tina. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in a Parish Setting. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1998 (Lillig) Additional Reading: In addition to required readings, selected articles/handouts will be given out.
Course Outline: Monday, 21 July 2014 (#1) Meditation Scriptures Mandate for Formation Meditation & Discussion: The History of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Discussion: Who is the Child? Silent Walk through the Atrium Tuesday, 22 July 2014 (#2) Meditation & Discussions: Who is the Adult? Meditation & Discussion: What is the Prepared Environment? Presentations: Practical Life in the Atrium Meditation & Discussion: Introduction to Theory & Purpose of Practical Life Wednesday, 23 July 2014 (#3) Discussion: What is an Album Page? Presentation: Introduction to the Atrium & Prayer Corner Presentations: Altar I, Altar II and Altar III and extensions Meditation & Discussion: Introduction to Nomenclature & Movement Thursday, 24 July 2014 (#4) Presentation: Liturgical Colors and Extended Works: Pasting & Tracing Meditation & Discussion: Geography & Prophecies Presentation: The Globe, Puzzle with Regions of Israel, Raised Surface Map, & Extended Work of Pasting & Tracing Presentations: Prophecy of the Light; Prophecy of the Names Wednesday, 17 September 2014 or Saturday AM, 20 September 2014 (#5A) Meditation & Discussion: Education to Wonder & the Parable Method Presentations: The Mustard Seed; Pearl of Great Price; Hidden Treasure; Leaven; Growing Seed Thursday, 18 September 2014 or Saturday PM, 21 September 2014 (#5B) Meditation & Discussion: Method of Signs/Baptisms Presentations: Baptism I, II, & III Tuesday, 28 October 2014 or Saturday AM, November 1 (#6A) Meditation & Discussion: The Life of Dr. Montessori & her Education Philosophy Discussion: Prayer and Silence in the life of the Young Child Presentations: Personal Gestures & Prayer Postures Presentation: Liturgical Calendar
Wednesday, 29 October 2014 or Saturday PM, November 1 (#6B) Presentations: Prophecies of the Virgin; Bethlehem; and Star & Scepter Meditation & Discussion: Themes of Incarnation Presentations: The Annunciation to Mary; Nativity & the Adoration of the Shepherds; Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth; Adoration of the Magi; Presentation in the Temple Tuesday, 27 January 2015 or Saturday AM, 31 January 2015 (#7A) Meditation & Discussion: The Good Shepherd Background Presentations: The Good Shepherd Meditation & Discussion: Moral Formation & the 3-6 Child Presentations: The Found Sheep; Psalm 23:1-3 Wednesday, 28 January 2015 or Saturday PM, 31 January 2015 (#7B) Presentations: Epiclesis, (initial moment); Offering, (initial moment); Preparation of Cruets & Chalice; Lavabo, Sign of Peace Meditation & Discussion: The Eucharist as Sacrament of Gift & Covenant Tuesday, 17 March 2015 or Saturday AM, 21 March 2015 (#8A) Changing the Liturgical Color on the Prayer Table Presentation: Cenacle Meditation & Discussion: Liturgy as Memorial (see the Last Supper lecture) Presentation: City of Jerusalem Wednesday, 18 March 2015 or Saturday PM, 21 March 2015 (#8B) Presentations: The Empty Tomb Meditation & Discussion: The Paschal Mystery Presentation: The Mystery of Life & Death Tuesday, 28 April 2015 or Saturday AM, May 2 (#9A) Presentation: The Eucharistic Presence of the Good Shepherd Meditation & Discussion: The Bible & Liturgy Presentation of the Celebration of Pentecost
Wednesday, 29 April 2015 or Saturday PM, May 2 (#9B) Presentations: Epiclesis (second moment); Preparation of the Chalice, (second moment); Offering (second moment) Meditation & Discussion: The Cosmic Function of Liturgy The 32 Characteristics of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Discussion: The Spiral Method & the Three-Year Presentation Cycle Handout: The Themes of all Levels of the Catechesis