Religious Education: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
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What Is CGS?
Blessed Sacrament offers Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) as our religious education program for children ages 3–9 who are not enrolled at Blessed Sacrament School.
CGS is a Montessori-based approach to faith formation, grounded in Scripture and the liturgy. Rather than a traditional classroom, children learn in a specially prepared space called an atrium — a quiet, hands-on environment where they explore the truths of our faith at their own pace, guided by trained catechists.
This approach is built on a simple conviction: God and the child are already in relationship. Our role is simply to help that relationship deepen.
CGS is our parish's religious education pathway for children not enrolled at Blessed Sacrament School — including those preparing for First Communion.All classes are held in the atria located in the school basement from 3:30–5:00 PM on Wednesdays during the school year. Please download the 2026-2027 CGS Religious Education calendar here or add the dates to your Google Calendar.
If this time doesn't work well for your family, please let us know here so we can explore ways to serve you better.
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Not sure if CGS is the right fit, or have questions before signing up? Contact Victor Escalona, Director of Religious Education, at [email protected]
A child explores the parable of the
mustard seed in the level 1 atrium.
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What to Expect
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- Small groups. Children work in small, mixed-age groups rather than a lecture-style classroom.
- Hands-on materials. Children engage with beautifully crafted, tactile materials — small figures, models, and works — that bring Scripture and the Mass to life.
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- Child-led exploration. Catechists offer brief presentations, then children choose which materials to revisit and explore, working at their own pace.
- A prepared, peaceful space. The atrium is designed to feel calm and sacred, helping children encounter God without distraction.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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No, religious education is open to all families, although we would love for you to join our parish!
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Yes. We welcome children at any starting point in their faith journey. Catechists meet each child where they are.
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We want CGS to work for as many families as possible. If this time doesn't work for you, please let us know here so we can consider other options.
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For children not enrolled at Blessed Sacrament School, yes — CGS is the path toward First Communion preparation in our parish. Usually, this means attending CGS when children are in first and second grade and receiving First Communion in the fall of the second year.
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For older children the parish offers boys and girls groups. Please contact Victor Escalona for more information.
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Most children participate in CGS from ages 3–9, or from 3K to 3rd grade.
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