(You can listen to Dr. Garrido's talk at this link: http://www.ctredeemer.org/we-form/education/adults/)
In a word, we need: CATECHISTS. More specifically, catechists formally trained in the CGS method.
Before I elaborate, I want to express how INCREDIBLY thankful we are for the OUTSTANDING current and past catechists we have here at CTR. We couldn’t be more grateful or blessed by your selfless service and care of our children and how eagerly and gracefully you have moved with us into the CGS style of formation over the past 3 years.
But we are still hopeful that some adults in our community will hear the call to seek formal catechist training/certification. Careful training of the catechists is core to the effectiveness of CGS. Rather than invest money in textbooks, the CGS method invests in training of our catechists. In order to receive official national certification as a Level I CGS catechist, (also recognized locally by the Archdiocese of the Detroit) the commitment is considerable; 90 hours of study and observation…but what a delight these hours are!
Parents, catechists, religious educators, clergy, and other interested adults are drawn to the very rich, retreat-like courses that focus on the essentials of our faith. I have yet to meet a single person who has taken the training that didn’t find it absolutely enthralling; providing a much appreciated enlivening of their own faith. There is a clarity, excitement and a kind of “falling in love” that just radiates from those who have taken the training.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is not a published program. Through the course, adults experience all the presentations that are given to the children. Led by a formation leader recognized by the national association, course participants also discuss the theological and pedagogical principles that undergird the children’s presentations. During the training, each catechist is guided in writing his or her own album of lesson presentations. This leads to considerable investment in time and labor by each catechist but also remarkable "ownership" of the material.
The catechist's role is to prepare the environment for the children and to present materials that encourage the children to respond to God's love. To that end, our CGS atria resemble retreat centers for adults, but the furnishings are scaled to the size of the child. One of the foundations of CGS is that God and the child have a unique relationship with one another and that the growth of this relationship should be assisted by the adult, but is directed by the Spirit of God within the child. The catechist serves as a co-witness with the children, listening to them and with them as they ask, "Who are You, God?" and "How do You love us?" The catechist is the initial go-between in this relationship through the presentations and dialogues during prayer time. The catechist suggests meditative questions that come from the Bible stories or parables for the children to grasp and hold in their hearts. These conversations together with the prepared environment help to foster the children's relationship with God as they express themselves through art, songs, and prayers.
"If we want to help the child grow near to God, we should, with patience and courage, seek to go always closer to the vital nucleus of things. This requires study and prayer. The child her/himself will be our teacher if we know how to observe him/her.”
In a word, we need: CATECHISTS. More specifically, catechists formally trained in the CGS method.
Before I elaborate, I want to express how INCREDIBLY thankful we are for the OUTSTANDING current and past catechists we have here at CTR. We couldn’t be more grateful or blessed by your selfless service and care of our children and how eagerly and gracefully you have moved with us into the CGS style of formation over the past 3 years.
But we are still hopeful that some adults in our community will hear the call to seek formal catechist training/certification. Careful training of the catechists is core to the effectiveness of CGS. Rather than invest money in textbooks, the CGS method invests in training of our catechists. In order to receive official national certification as a Level I CGS catechist, (also recognized locally by the Archdiocese of the Detroit) the commitment is considerable; 90 hours of study and observation…but what a delight these hours are!
Parents, catechists, religious educators, clergy, and other interested adults are drawn to the very rich, retreat-like courses that focus on the essentials of our faith. I have yet to meet a single person who has taken the training that didn’t find it absolutely enthralling; providing a much appreciated enlivening of their own faith. There is a clarity, excitement and a kind of “falling in love” that just radiates from those who have taken the training.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is not a published program. Through the course, adults experience all the presentations that are given to the children. Led by a formation leader recognized by the national association, course participants also discuss the theological and pedagogical principles that undergird the children’s presentations. During the training, each catechist is guided in writing his or her own album of lesson presentations. This leads to considerable investment in time and labor by each catechist but also remarkable "ownership" of the material.
The catechist's role is to prepare the environment for the children and to present materials that encourage the children to respond to God's love. To that end, our CGS atria resemble retreat centers for adults, but the furnishings are scaled to the size of the child. One of the foundations of CGS is that God and the child have a unique relationship with one another and that the growth of this relationship should be assisted by the adult, but is directed by the Spirit of God within the child. The catechist serves as a co-witness with the children, listening to them and with them as they ask, "Who are You, God?" and "How do You love us?" The catechist is the initial go-between in this relationship through the presentations and dialogues during prayer time. The catechist suggests meditative questions that come from the Bible stories or parables for the children to grasp and hold in their hearts. These conversations together with the prepared environment help to foster the children's relationship with God as they express themselves through art, songs, and prayers.
"If we want to help the child grow near to God, we should, with patience and courage, seek to go always closer to the vital nucleus of things. This requires study and prayer. The child her/himself will be our teacher if we know how to observe him/her.”
If you are interested in taking Level I training, please contact Lisa Brown at dre@ctredeemer.org and/or visit www.cgsusa.org for more information.
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