Children

Our K-6 Faith and Life Program

Our Religious Education classes are for children in grades K-6. We are pleased to be using the Faith and Life curriculum by Ignatius Press. The series offers a comprehensive, age-appropriate formation in the Catholic Faith. As they say on their website, “The Faith and Life Third Edition series presents Catholic teaching using the time-tested ecclesial methodology and spiral development of catechesis, in a beautiful, student-friendly, comprehensive format.” 

Classes are one hour and 15 minutes long, on Tues. evening at 5:15 pm, or Wed. evening at 6:15 pm; and run from September to May. 

Registration

Step 1. Create a Profile and Add your Whole Family 

Family Info Registration

  • You only need to do this once, ever! Skip this step if you did this last year.
  • The first person you enter is yourself (the parent)
  • Under "household members" add another adult (spouse/adults living at home) and/or children (12th grade and younger)
  • When adding an adult/spouse, please use their email and mobile phone number. Their information should be unique to them and allow them to register for events in the future.

Step 2. Sign Up for Elementary RE

Program Registration

  • Click register and sign in with the phone number/email associated with yourself (the parent)
  • Then choose each family member participating in the program and select their participation type.
  • During registration, most basic information will be auto populated from the form in Step 1. You will still need to answer questions specific to the program.
  • At the end of each registration you will be prompted for the registration fee. Please complete each registration in full before moving on to registering a student(s) for another program

Elementary RE Calendar (K-6th) 2023 - 2024

Find the RE Calendar, for grades k-6th, with the above link from August 2023 through July 2024.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Registration

Step 1. Create a Profile and Add your Whole Family 

Family Info Registration

  • You only need to do this once, ever! Skip this step if you did this last year.
  • The first person you enter is yourself (the parent)
  • Under "household members" add another adult (spouse/adults living at home) and/or children (12th grade and younger)
  • When adding an adult/spouse, please use their email and mobile phone number. Their information should be unique to them and allow them to register for events in the future.

Step 2. Sign Up for CGS

Program Registration

  • Click register and sign in with the phone number/email associated with yourself (the parent)
  • Then choose each family member participating in the program and select their participation type.
  • During registration, most basic information will be auto populated from the form in Step 1. You will still need to answer questions specific to the program.
  • At the end of each registration you will be prompted for the registration fee. Please complete each registration in full before moving on to registering a student(s) for another program

Would you like to help your young child enjoy a deeper relationship with God? The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori-based approach to the religious formation of children, rooted in Sacred Scripture, Liturgy, and respect for the child’s rich relationship with God.

We are happy to be offering Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level 1 for 3-6 year old children this fall. Level 2, for children 6-9 will be offered to children who have completed level 1. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an experiential approach to the spiritual formation of children.

Developed by Hebrew scholar and theologian, Dr. Sofia Cavaletti, and Montessori trainer, Gianna Gobbi, the Catechesis recognizes the existing relationship between God and the child, and aims to nurture this relationship by helping the child “come close to God all by myself.”

Based on the Montessori principles of education, the Catechesis introduces the child to the Scripture and the Liturgy through hands-on materials. These materials free the child to contemplate his/her own relationship with God and the Church. The catechist and the child are co-learners, seeking together the mystery of God and God’s Kingdom.

The catechists who work with the children will participate in nearly 100 hours of formation and are preparing a special environment for the children, which is called the Atrium.

The Atrium

What is a “prepared environment”? The prepared environment is a Montessori concept that the environment can be designed to facilitate independent learning by the child. In a prepared environment, children work with materials of their own choice and at their own pace. They experience a combination of freedom and self-discipline in a place especially prepared to meet their developmental and spiritual needs.

Why is it called “Atrium” anyway? The word “atrium” actually means “portico, or porch entrance to a large house.” The Atrium was a term given to this space by Maria Montessori. It was chosen because in the ancient church, the atrium was a gathering space between the Church Proper and the street. It was the place where the catechumens, those preparing for initiation to the Church, would receive instruction. The Atrium has a similar purpose for our children, as it is a place to help them enter into full, conscious and active participation in the liturgical and communal life of the Church.

We offer atrium sessions on the following times:

CGS Calendar 2023 - 2024

Please contact us if you are interested in being an aide for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

For questions, please call us at the office at (817) 431-3857.

Volunteer for K-6 Classes and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN PASSING ON OUR CATHOLIC FAITH TO OTHERS?

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd - Aide RegistrationElementary RE - Catechist/Aide registration

Not sure where to volunteer? If you would like to explore the opportunities, take a minute to fill out our Catechist/ Aide Volunteer Form. We'll contact you to discuss how you'd like to help, and answer any questions! You can also call us in the Religious Education Office at (817) 623-2409.

volunteer inquiry form

OUR VOLUNTEER NEEDS FOR K-6:

You teach in a classroom setting, assisted by an aide. You will be using a catechist guide (book) to work from and use to plan your lessons in advance.

Classes are one hour 15 minutes long, on a Tues. at 5:15 pm or Wed. evening at 6:15 pm, from Sept. to May. Child care for preschool children of volunteers is available.

Requirements:
You must be willing to take on the responsibility of teaching children in the Catholic Faith through the use of the provided curriculum, and being a model of Christ to them.

You must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church, and sign an Oath of Fidelity to the Catholic Church.

You assist the catechist in the classroom.

Classes are one hour 15 minutes long, on a Tues. or Wed. evening, and run from Sept. to May.


Child care for preschool children of volunteers is available.

Requirements:
You must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church, and sign an Oath of Fidelity to the Catholic Church.

You must complete the Keeping Children Safe class.

Substituting for a catechist or classroom aide who is absent. You are not obligated to be available all the time. You will just be on a call list and sub if you can.

Requirements:
You must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church, and sign an Oath of Fidelity to the Catholic Church.

You must complete the Keeping Children Safe class.

Tender Lambs of Christ

Tender Lambs of Christ (TLC) is an adaptive religious education class for students with special needs. We utilize one-on-one and group instruction to help our students come closer to Christ and prepare them to receive their sacraments.  We meet Sunday mornings from 10:50a-12:10p during the academic year in the PCC.

TLC Calendar 2023 - 2024

Registration

To register your student for TLC, click HERE

Volunteer

We are currently in need of volunteers for the Tender Lambs of Christ 2023-2024 school year. If you have experience with special needs or would like to learn, please contact the Religious Education office (817) 623-2409.

TLC - Register to be a catechist or aide

VBS

Save the Date for VBS 2024! June 10th - 14th from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM.
Registration opens on April 1st.

WE'RE HERE TO HELP

We recognize that not everyone's faith journey looks the same. So whatever the situation, we're here to assist each family on their unique journey. If you have questions or concerns about the process, just let us know.

Ellie Krolick

Secretary-Religious Education/ Nursery Supervisor

office: (817) 623-2409 Ext. 508

Dawn Johnston

Secretary - Religious Education

office: (817) 623-2409 ext. 500

Xochitl Blanco

Religious Education/Hispanic Assistance

office: (817) 623-2409 ext. 503

Cecilia Leon

Coordinator of Elementary Religious Education & Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

office: (817) 623-2409 Ext. 506