A group of volunteer catechists from a handful of parishes is raising money to expand Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in the Diocese of Rochester.
This approach to catechesis emphasizes quiet contemplation and the enjoyment of God and uses the educational principles of Maria Montessori as it seeks to help each child develop a relationship with God.
Last summer, more than 20 local Catholics took a formation course offered through the National Association for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and became trained as Level I catechists, who work with children 3 to 6 years old. This summer many of these same local catechists will complete the two-week course that will allow them to become Level II catechists, capable of working with children 6 to 9 years old.
It will cost between $15,000 and $20,000 to bring two trainers to Rochester to lead the formation course, and that cost will be split evenly between the catechists enrolled. The catechists have started an online fundraiser (http://bit.ly/2Tijgg0) to defray the cost. For more information, e-mail CGSRoches ter@gmail.com.
