Continuing Education: Certificate in Catechesis of the Good
Shepherd
Offered by The University of St. Michael’s College, Continuing Education Division In co-operation with The Catholic Office of Religious Education Archdiocese of Toronto
The Good Shepherd Catechesis is an approach to the religious formation/development of children from birth through adolescence, established in the Archdiocese of Toronto more than twenty-five years ago.
The Good Shepherd Catechesis for children highlights essential aspects of the Christian message that nurture the child’s need to love and be loved and the child’s capacity to enjoy God’s presence in their life.
In 1991, an adult ministry formation program was initiated. It is called the Good Shepherd Catechesis Certificate Program, co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of Toronto (Catholic Office of Religious Education) and the University of St. Michael’s College (Continuing Education Division).
This approach to religious education/catechesis is described in The Religious Potential of the Child and The Good Shepherd and the Child: The Joyful Journey by Sofia Cavalletti (Liturgy Training Publications) and Listening to God with Children by Gianna Gobbi (Treehaus Communications). These serve as core texts for the adult formation program.
Our formation program for the Good Shepherd Catechesis ministry welcomes all, especially those who accompany children on their spiritual/faith journey: parents, teachers, catechists, pastors, pastoral assistants, etc.
The adult formation program begins with Level I: Foundations
Course; The Child from Birth to Six Years. The focus
for this course will be the needs and capacities, both
developmentally and spiritually, of the youngest child.
As well, Level I will provide an introduction to the
Good Shepherd Catechesis. With this as the foundation,
one may pursue the other two levels of the Certificate
Program.
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Certificate Program
includes the following elements:
Seminars
- The religious capacity and needs of children at various ages
- Ways that adults can help the child’s relationship with God, including sacramental preparation
- Key themes from the Bible and liturgy for children
Presentations
- The purpose and use of the handmade catechetical materials (to help children’s prayer and meditation)
Practice
- Introduction to the “atrium”, the name used for a setting designed to foster the God-child relationship; and a visit to a parish-based atrium centre in the Toronto area to observe.
- Assistance in compiling one’s own handbook relating to the children’s Biblical and liturgical materials
- Hands-on experience with these catechetical materials
- Discussion on reading assignments and observation
of children
CERTIFICATE IN THE CATECHESIS
OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
(Foundations Course: Level I + Level II)
ADVANCED CERTIFICATE IN THE CATECHESIS
OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
(Foundations Course: Level I, Level II and Level III)
*Please note that not all the levels are offered each year.
Level I: Foundations Course; The Child ages birth-6 (Primary Level)
This introductory course will explore the foundations of an approach to the religious education/formation of children in the Toronto Archdiocese known as the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
It will present the orientation to the key issues fundamental to this ministry with children in early childhood. It will also introduce the foundational Biblical and Liturgical themes which we present to children along with some hands-on experience with selected catechetical materials hand made to nurture children’s prayer.
This ten-session series is especially designed for those who are interested or already involved in caring for the spiritual lives of children; in the home, parish and school setting. It is also a prerequisite for further adult formation courses in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Certificate Program, Levels II and III).
Schedule: Ten Saturdays (9:30 am - 4:00 pm)
Sept. 10, Oct. 1, Nov. 5, Dec. 3, Jan. 14, Feb. 9,
Mar. 4, April 1, April 29, May 27
Location: University of St. Michael’s,
Teefy Hall
Registration: Please register before August
20, 2005 as enrollment is limited.
Level II: The Child ages 6-9 (Junior Level)
Schedule: Ten Saturdays (9:30 am - 4:00 pm)
- Dates TBA
Location: University of St. Michael’s,
Teefy Hall
Registration: TBA
Level III: The Child ages 9-adolescence (Intermediate Level)
Format to be announced with all sessions to be held at the U.S.M.C. campus. (50 hours)
Tuition:
Levels I, II, III, $450 each
Income tax receipts available
It is the understanding of the sponsoring bodies
(University of St. Michael’s College and the Catholic
Office of Religious Education) that parishes would finance
the participation of their catechists in this program.
Download the registration form
For more information please contact:
Project Coordinator
Kathleen Ennis
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Certificate Program
University of St. Michael’s College
Continuing
Education Division
Tel: (416) 926-1300 ext. 3332
Fax: (416) 926-7287