Assumption Parish to Host Regional Catechist Formation
May 23, 2026
This summer, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish will host the first of several formation sessions for new catechists in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program.
A Level I training will take place July 13-18, 2026, with a second week of formation scheduled for July 12-17, 2027. A Level II training is already on the calendar for July 29-31 and August 26-28, 2027. Additional training will be scheduled for 2028.
These trainings are open to interested individuals throughout the region. Although a discount is offered to participants from the Diocese of Saginaw, individuals who do not have access to training in their home diocese are also invited to attend.
Hosting coordinator Wendy Graveline, catechist and head of Children’s Faith Formation at Assumption Parish, is excited for new catechists to experience the wonder she has found through the Good Shepherd program, starting as a parent listening to her kids talk about what they learned at Sunday School:
“I remember my surprise when one day, one of my kids came home and started talking about the ‘Fettuccia’ and ‘Parousia’,” shared Wendy. “I’m a cradle Catholic, but I must have missed that week of CCD! It turns out that ‘Fettuccia’ is an Italian ribbon yarn, but it’s also the very long ribbon used in the Good Shepherd program to show the History of the Kingdom of God. ‘Parousia’ is a Greek word meaning ‘presence’ or ‘arrival’. In Christianity, it refers to the second coming of Christ when we will be with Him for eternity. These are big ideas, and it’s amazing to hear them discussed by a first grader!”
A distinctive approach to religious formation for children, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) was developed in Rome over sixty years ago, and draws deeply from the educational insights of Maria Montessori, as well as the theological wisdom of the Catholic Church. Rooted in sacred scripture and the liturgical life of the Christian tradition, the Good Shepherd program aims to foster a personal relationship between the child and God, inviting children into the mysteries of faith through hands-on, contemplative experiences in a prepared environment, the atrium, a peaceful, sacred space where children can encounter the mystery of God in a way that is tailored to their developmental needs and spiritual capacity.
“Being a catechist in a CGS atrium is different because we are not there to teach children in the traditional sense,” shared Wendy. “We ask questions such as, ‘I wonder what Mary was thinking/feeling?’ when talking about the various miraculous moments surrounding the birth of Jesus. We present the Gifts to them (the various plants, animals, minerals, and people that God has created for us) and inquire, ‘Did one of these stand out more than the others? I wonder if you could express or share your idea using some of our materials?’ We invite them to copy prayers and verses, trace images, and discover further. We are guides on their journey; the direction they go is up to each of them.”
Interested in starting your own journey as a catechist? Click the button below to learn more and take your first steps!