Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Early registration window will be from August 15 through 28.  Due to the priest transitions on July 1st and CGS staff transition, registration is delayed this year.  Thanks for your patience.  Fill out the Planning Survey.  Link below.

Planning Survey for Elementary Faith Formation 2021-2022  https://forms.gle/SNZfPRGwSMXMLi6r6 

*** Note: This is not a registration form. This is a  survey to help us plan and schedule.

+ Space is limited based on volunteer availability to safely re-open. Priority is given to parent catechist volunteers who are registered parishioners at HFK and help weekly in the atrium September through May.

+ Currently registered at a different parish? Please inquire about faith formation at the parish closest to your home.  Help strengthen your parish community!  Children thrive in parishes where parents attend weekly Sunday liturgy and are active in parish events and ministries in their home parish. For support on starting CGS in your parish, contact The Sheepfold https://cgspnw.weebly.com/ 

Interested in the Homeschool Option? We follow the Spirit of Truth curriculum by Sophia Institute 

+ Email mariam@hfkparish.org. 

+ The Homeschool Option is primarily parent-led. 

+ You must be an active and registered member of the parish to sign up for the Homeschool Option. 

Holy Family Kirkland follows the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) for Faith Formation.  The children meet in the atrium, a place of prayer designed to meet the spiritual and developmental needs of children using the Montessori method. 

In the atrium, the child works and prays with lovely hand-made materials to dive deeper into the Bible and liturgy.  The children are invited into a life long relationship with the Good Shepherd who gives "life to the full." 

When are atrium sessions?  They are offered as weekly 2-hour sessions from September through May for children in Level I (for 3-6 years old), Level II (for 6-9 years old), and Level III (9-12 years old). 

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd offers remote preparation for Mass. It is not meant to replace Sunday liturgy or the domestic church.

"It is in the bosom of the family that parents are "by word and example . . . the first heralds of the faith with regard to their children." - CCC 1656

Prayerfully consider how you can set time aside for your child to attend atrium sessions and Sunday Eucharist. Consistent Mass attendance is critical for a strong prayer life in the family. 

"On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass." - Canon Law 1247 

Keep in mind, due to high demand, once admitted your child is expected to attend all sessions. Priority will be given to registered families who volunteer as catechists as a token of appreciation for their time and dedication to keep this catechesis going!

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Sacramental Preparation

Has your child (age 7 or second grade) been baptized in the Catholic Church?  Sacramental Preparation is the process of preparing children (age 7 or second grade, but they may be older) for First Penance and First Eucharist.

At Holy Family Parish, baptized children who have been preparing through daily family prayer, Sunday liturgy, and in the atrium begin the discernment process for their First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. The child, with their parents, must spend time in prayer and reflection and together ask to receive the sacraments.

The immediate year of preparation for the Sacraments of First Penance and First Eucharist takes place from September to May - with meetings, workshops, and rehearsals in addition and outside of the Homeschool Option or CGS Level II atrium sessions.  First Penance takes place in December and First Eucharist takes place in May.  The Archdiocese requires 2 years of preparation for these Sacraments.

A copy of the baptismal certificate should be submitted with the online form.  

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Is your child 7 years old or older and not yet baptized?  Catholic parents who want to raise their children in the Catholic faith are welcome to sign up their child for the Rite of Christian Initation adapted for Children through either the Homeschool Option or Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.  These children will be attending sessions to prepare for the reception of Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil Celebration.   In addition, they will attend the rites required of RCIA catechumens and candidates in preparation for Easter Vigil. Contact mariam@hfkparish.org for more. 

Parent Participation

"By praying with their children, by reading the word of God with them and by introducing them deeply through Christian initiation into the Body of Christ - both the Eucharistic and the ecclesial Body - they become fully parents, in that they are begetters not only of bodily life but also of the life that through the Spirit’s renewal flows from the Cross and Resurrection of Christ."  — St. John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio

Families who participate in CGS and the Homeschool Option are active and registered parishioners of Holy Family Parish, giving of the time, talent, and treasure.  Families must attend Sunday liturgy every week. Click HERE for more on the next Newcomer's Social. 

SIGN UP FORMS

open summer 2021 

 Homeschool Option - resumes summer 2021

CGS Application - at capacity

First Eucharist 
Preparation - resumes summer 2021

Payment Form - resumes summer 2021

CGS Parent Handbook

SIGN UP TO HELP

CGS Catechist Volunteers Needed!

The Sheepfold:  Courses for Adults

More on Courses for Adults

What is the CGS approach?

CGS in the Home

 

Contact Us

Kids 4th Grade and above are eligible to be altar servers.  Click here to learn more.