Children's Faith Formation

Church school is on vacation until September.  Though the summer we will provide children's sermons and/or materials for our children that relate to the service readings.

When church school is in session, we offer Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for children during the Sunday church service. 

From Kathie Sandmaier, Director of Children's Faith Formation:

Catechesis is based on the teaching and theories of Maria Montessori. She said that the basis for the work is "peace" - that participants are exposed to peaceful practices in the environment. The environment itself is designed to be peaceful. Montessori environments are thoroughly prepared before each session and are ready for children to go directly to their "works". The environment includes the furnishings and the materials that are ready for use. Those folks who are mentoring the children are also prepared. A professional in the work attends "formation sessions" that are set up in a variety of time, dates, places so that scheduling formation trainings will work for many that will want to attend. The professional catechist is able to do training in some works for the volunteers that may appear. I believe that it is important that at least the lead catechist is present for each session. The lead knows the children well and plans presentations according to the needs and interests of the time.