“May you never lack courage and dedication in proclaiming the good news of Jesus, particularly to children, so they may grow up sensing that God loves them and has great dreams for them.” Pope Leo XIV to Catechists for the Jubilee Year of Hope
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a catechetical program for children aged 3-12. It is rooted in Scripture and the Liturgy of the Church and inspired by Maria Montessori’s principles of education. The program aims to foster a personal relationship with God.
The methodology aims to help children develop a deep and meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, through a retreat-like atmosphere and developmentally appropriate materials.
As Pope Leo XIV also said to Catechists – For The Jubilee Year of Hope:
“As you instruct others in the faith keep in mind the importance of teaching them to cultivate a relationship with Jesus. May His love revive in all of us the hope that does not disappoint.” This is exactly what CGS is trained to offer to children.
For the first time in the Archdiocese of Edmonton, Sacred Heart Church Wetaskiwin hosted the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level I, Part A Course for adults preparing to work with children ages 3 to 6. We welcomed 25 participants from across Alberta!
Next year we will offer Part B of the course in July 20-25, 2026. If you know anyone who has completed Level I, Part A but not Part B, please invite them to join us.
Click here more information on the next Level I, part A
Click here for anyone interested in hosting this course in their own parish
We were blessed with two wonderful Formation Leaders who facilitated the course:
Celina Mitchell from Pittsburgh and Cynthia Foster from Saskatchewan. We are deeply grateful for their dedication and service.
We pray that this catechetical program will continue to grow and reach every parish in our Diocese.
Sr. Emily Lepage ZSJM is a pastoral assistant at Sacred Heart parish in Wetaskiwin
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Here are some of the many comments that the participants gave us from the Course:
“It helped me to grow spiritually and to grow in love with Jesus. I found ways and means to meditate and I want to pass it on to other people.”
“WOW! It brought me so much joy, peace, and love. I grew so much in my faith this week.”
“Thank-you. I can’t wait to pass this gift on and continue feeding my spirit as I do the work with others.”
“It reminded me to slow down and do things at a child’s pace. Give more time to contemplation.”
“It connected me in a deeper way with Jesus. And it allowed the space for me to allow the Lord to speak to my heart in very specific areas of my life.”
“It gave me the desire to be with the children for the next year when I know more of what I am doing and so I can share God’s love.”
“It was somewhat like a retreat. I loved being able to reflect as an adult on the presentations.”
“It certainly enriched me, giving me time to ponder, meditate, wonder and contemplate.”
“It is a presentation, but at the same time an encounter with the words of God, prayerful reflection on the liturgy and teaches you to wonder and how important humility is.”
“I felt the presentations were so powerful. The wonder questions used make me ponder. The slow pace really allowed for peace to enter into my heart.”
“I would love to share a short reflection on my experience at the CGS course this past August. The whole week was like a retreat for me, so peaceful and prayerful. It awakened my heart in a new way and birthed a deep joy within that I have not felt for a long time. While I participated in the course I felt that this finally answered my questions of how to minister to small children. The material that touched my heart the deepest was the Annunciation. It was so simple and plain but the Lord spoke to my heart in a most powerful way through it. I was struck by Our Lady’s “Yes” and surrender. I had been struggling with my four small children, especially with discipline, and just feeling inadequate to be there mom and feeling like someone else could mother them so much better than I can. However, after being shown the Annunciation material it struck me how Mary accepted the role of being Christ’s mother even though she may have felt unworthy or inadequate. Mary simply surrendered and accepted the gift of Jesus because that was the Lord’s plan and will. God chose Mary and only Mary to be the mother of His Son. I too seen how the Lord has gifted me with each one of my children and I am the one He chose to be there mom no one else. I found myself filled with a peace concerning my children and a deeper acceptance of my vocation of motherhood to them.” – Stephanie Leroux, Diocese of St. Paul
“I feel so very blessed to have been witness to the wonderings that CGS has to offer. The course was such a beautiful gift of faith, and allowed me time and space to encounter God in a profoundly meaningful way. I was struck by how the presentations were so simple, yet they allowed for deep mystery and wonder to unravel” Cristina West, Archdiocese of Edmonton
“I have participated twice in this specific course of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and I was blessed to host it the second time—once in Pittsburgh and most recently here at Sacred Heart Church. Each experience has been an incredible learning opportunity, not only for me but also for all who took part in the course. Our parishioners played a beautiful role as well, generously providing meals for the participants and welcoming them into their homes. I am truly grateful and deeply impressed by the openness, hospitality, and wholehearted support of our parish community. I could not have done this without them. We became like a family, forming wonderful bonds for the greater glory of the Kingdom of God.”— Sr. Emily Lepage, ZSJM
