St. Anthony & St. Elizabeth
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Faith Formation for Children
Level One Formation for Adults
Working with 3-6 year old children
June 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15
9:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Saint Anthony of Padua Parish Center
9140 St. Anthony’s Road
King George, VA 22485
Formation Team
Cecilia Drabbant is a Level 1 Formation Leader recognized by the United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGSUSA). Cecilia has received CGS certification at all levels, to serve children from birth to 12 years old. Cecilia holds an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) diploma in Assistant to Infancy (0-3), as well as an AMI certificate in Montessori Core Principles from the Montessori Institute of North Texas. She also completed the Emmanuel School of Mission in Rome, Italy. As a Formation Leader, she brought CGS to Indonesia for the first time and is helping new catechists to open their first atria in the country. Currently, she is working at Renaissance Montessori School, Nokesville, VA as the Atrium Director, as well as the Infant-Toddler Catechist and Level 2 Catechist. Together with Angela Giorsetto, she is serving children in the Level 1 atrium of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Colonial Beach, VA. Cecilia and her husband Peter are members of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Parish. They live with their German Shepherd, Aquinas in Fredericksburg, VA.
A Vision for Children
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd offers a method of catechesis for children ages 3 through 12 through which children are helped in forming an authentic, faithful relationship with God. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is grounded in scriptural and liturgical study framed by Montessori’s principles of understanding of the developmental needs of children. Themes that comprise Level I include Introduction to the Atrium and the Life of the Church, Prayer, Mystery of Incarnation, Mystery of the Kingdom of God: Kingdom Parables, the Mystery of Christ as the Good Shepherd, the Paschal Mystery, Gestures of the Mass/Eucharist, and Baptism.
This method of catechesis began in Rome, Italy in 1954 with Sofia Cavalletti, a biblical scholar, and her colleague, Gianna Gobbi, a Montessori trained educator. Both women were Roman Catholic. In their observation and engagement with children, they sought to discover what face of God children most need to see in order to grow in their knowledge and love of God. Children need the sensitive guidance of the adult and the inner guidance of the Holy Spirit to nurture this relationship.
The adult prepares a sacred space, called the atrium, which allows children a prayerful place to listen to and respond to God through Jesus, the Good Shepherd. The atrium is also a place of celebration and community – to be with God, enjoy Him, listen to His Word, and to share this experience with others. It is designed to reflect the beauty of His creation and Gods’ abiding love.
It is also a place to begin to recognize the signs and symbols that speak of Him through the liturgies of Baptism and Eucharist.
Level I Catechist Formation
Level I catechist formation is foundational for all three levels of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. The primary focus is preparation to serve three-to six-year-old children. The objectives of Level I catechist formation include:
To present the guiding principles of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
To explore the vital religious needs and capacities of the 3–6-year-old child;
To offer the adult time to prayerfully reflect and personally consider the Biblical and liturgical themes presented to the 3–6-year-old child.
To broaden the adult’s ability to observe and learn from children’s spirituality.
To cultivate the capacity to deeply listen to and enjoy with children the Word of God
To offer guidelines and assistance in preparing the atrium, writing the catechist’s album, and making materials.
Your Invitation
You are invited to participate in this Level I catechist formation preparing you as a catechist to serve children ages three to six years old.
Level 1 Formation dates:
Part 1: June 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15
9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Sunday 2:00pm – 5:00pm)
St. Anthony of Padua Parish Center
9140 St. Anthony’s Road
King George, VA 22485
Level 2: TBD in 2025
The course is designed to include spiritual formation for adults as well as instruction in this method of catechesis in order to serve the religious life of your children.
The pace of the course is retreat-like allowing for its contemplative nature to be a prayerful experience for adults and a model for the children’s atrium experience. A three-year cycle of presentations is offered from scripture and liturgy as given to children. Adults will also receive background information on the themes that undergird this approach including a foundational study into Maria Montessori’s work with children.
Catechist formation includes seeing all the presentations as given to three- to six-year-old, reading the core CGS texts, writing album pages for the presentations, and making a few of the materials used in the atrium. Successful participation of this course will result in a certificate from the United States Association of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
Partial Scholarships are available through the Tina Lillig Memorial Fund: https://www.cgsusa.org/learn/courses-for- adults/scholarship-grant-information/
Tuition is $700.00 for the entire course payable with registration. Auditors fee $100 for those who have completed Level I formation and received a certificate from CGSUSA.
Membership to the United States Association of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, www.cgsusa.org, is highly recommended for each participant and will allow access to the Level I Materials Manual.
Contact Angela Giorsetto for more information or to register.