Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a parish-based ministry for faith development for children. There are currently seven parishes throughout the Diocese of Hamilton with a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium and one French speaking atrium offering La Catéchèse du Bon Berger run by professionally trained Good Shepherd catechists.

The program is a child-centered, child-directed, soundly traditional method of introducing children to the mystery of God. It nourishes the religious needs and capacities of all children regardless of culture or background.

The Good Shepherd catechesis is based on the principles of Montessori education. It seeks to be an experience of life and education of faith in the celebration of an encounter with the Father, in listening to Jesus, the one teacher, and in obedience to the Spirit.

The Catechesis Office offers support to parishes with existing atria and to any parish interested in beginning this ministry.

Training of new or current catechists in the Diocese of Hamilton will be carried out through the joint offering of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Office in the Archdiocese of Toronto and the University of St. Michael’s College (Continuing Education Division).