The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a child-centered, Montessori-based process of Christian formation. Since 1984, catechists in the United States who have worked in the Catechesis have exchanged the fruits of their work -- children's drawings, work, and prayers; practical ideas and how-to's -- and materials for study and encouragement in an annual journal. These collected journals from 1984 to 1997, and now from 1998 to 2002, provide a valuable resource for Good Shepherd catechists and a history of their work in the United States for anyone interested in knowing more about the Catechesis. Book jacket.

This volume compiles the last five years of the Journal, including art from children in the atria and reflections on catechetical development

In Liturgical Catechesis in the 21st Century: A School of Discipleship, Dr. James Pauley explores the sacred action most essential to forming genuine disciples: the transformative encounter with God in the liturgy. Drawing upon important twentieth-century intellectual influences as well as the experience of several of today’s foremost catechetical leaders, this book will inspire readers with a promising new vision for sacramental preparation and mystagogical catechesis, one that places maximum emphasis on apprenticing people into an active and fruitful sacramental life in Christ. Dr. James Pauley stresses the importance of discipleship and apprenticeship, leading from the visible to the invisible realities of the divine encounter with God in the sacraments. The relationship of liturgy and catechesis is vitally important to full, conscious and active liturgical participation, and to the life of holiness and missionary responsiveness which depends upon liturgy as its source. This revised edition has been updated to reflect the 2020 Directory for Catechesis.

In the 2020 Directory for Catechesis, the Church calls for a renewal of catechesis that focuses on bringing people to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Solid formation is not only about teaching doctrine, but also, and more importantly, about forming disciples who have encountered and know Christ. In Following God’s Pedagogy, Sister Mary Michael Fox, OP, brings decades of experience in catechesis to offer a unique and proven model for children’s catechesis. She draws upon her deep catechetical experience and thorough research into the nature of the child, divine revelation, and catechetical methodology. She offers timely insight into how the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) offers an approach to children’s catechesis that forms the mind and heart of the child, leading them into a deeper relationship with Christ and a life of discipleship. Bishops, diocesan catechetical directors, and all catechists will discover a way of faith formation of children that is sure to renew and strengthen catechesis for years to come.

Research in religious studies has traditionally focused on adult subjects since working with children presents significantly more challenges to the researcher, such as getting the research protocol passed by the Internal Review Board, obtaining permission from parents and schools, and figuring out how to make sense of young worldviews. The Study of Children in Religions provides scholars with a comprehensive source to assist them in addressing many of the issues that often stop researchers from pursuing projects involving children. This handbook offers a broad range of methodological and conceptual models for scholars interested in conducting work with children. It not only illuminates some of the legal and ethical issues involved in working with youth and provides guidance in getting IRB approval, but also presents specific case studies from scholars who have engaged in child-centered research and here offer the fruits of their experience. Cases include those that use interviews and drawings to work with children in contemporary settings, as well as more historically focused endeavors to use material culture—such as Sunday school projects or religious board games—to study children’s religious lives in past eras. The Study of Children in Religions offers concrete help to those who wish to conduct research on children and religion but are unsure of how to get started or how to frame their research.

Here at last is the long-awaited continuation of The Religious Potential of the Child (from 3 to 6 years old). In this book Sofia Cavalletti draws on her long experience with children from diverse cultures and environments to describe the vital religious needs of the older child (6 to 12 years old). The theme of the covenant between God and humankind, first revealed to Israel, is expanded to include all of history, from creation to the Parousia, the second coming of Christ. This book will be a great help to educators and catechists seeking to understand the characteristics of the older child, particularly the child's relationship with the mystery of God.

This book is directed to priests like myself and other ministers of the Word - catechists, Liturgy of the Word leaders, DREs, and deacons - who want to learn about the history, values, and vision of the Catechesis and discover how it can be a gift to their ministry. I recommend the book both to those serving currently in these ministries and also to those actively preparing for them, whether they currently employ the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in their setting or not. Book jacket.

Drawing on Sofia Cavalletti's instruction towards becoming a better catechist -- to observe and study the vital needs of the child -- Pam Moore describes the spiritual wonder of children she has observed in twenty years with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.