What is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS)?
Developed in Rome by biblical scholar Sofia Cavalletti and Montessorian Gianna Gobbi in the mid-1900s, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is rooted in the conviction that the young child possesses the profound capacity to enter into a deep and meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. The CGS approach is internationally recognized as an effective and developmentally appropriate method of faith formation for young children.
What age levels are served?
Saint Margaret Mary serves children three to six years old in a level I program. Future development of the program may expand to serve elementary school-age levels.
How do I register my child for CGS?
If you have questions or are interested, please contact Suzanne Macaulay at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
When is CGS offered?
Small classes of up to eight children meet once a week beginning on September 11, 2025. The classes follow the Saint Margaret Mary academic school year calendar. For the 2025-2026 school year, the classes will be held on Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM.
Who teaches CGS?
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is led by catechists who have completed a robust two-year formation program, which includes 90 hours of training (level 1), 96 hours of training (level 2), and 110-120 hours (level 3).
How is CGS supported at Saint Margaret Mary?
- In 2022, the parish blessed a dedicated CGS Atrium, which is a sacred space where children are initiated into the life of the Church.
- Parishioners passionate about CGS can host ‘Seed Planting’ gatherings in their homes to offer other families an opportunity to gather to pray and learn about and discuss CGS. If you would like to host a gathering, please contact the parish office.
- Our materials are supported through a tuition fee of $125 for SMM Registered Parishioners or $175 for Non-Registered Parishioners.
- Parishioners discerning formation as a CGS Catechist may be eligible for a scholarship to cover the cost of training. Please contact the parish office if you are interested in discerning a possible call to serve as a CGS Catechist.
What do parishioners have to say about CGS?
“The experiences my daughters had in the CGS atrium and the things they learned were just astonishing and continue to influence them. I loved that they had age-appropriate faith formation that was not just a coloring sheet or a song (although those are great as well, of course), but more hands-on, which is so much more impactful, especially for pre-school children.” -Diana Thomas
“When was the first time you remember having a profound ‘God moment’? When I ask this question, many adults mention an age younger than 6! I support CGS in our parish because it takes seriously the ability of young children to be profoundly spiritual. In my opinion, CGS is the gold standard in faith formation for young children.” -Becky Carney