We believe God and the child have a unique relationship with one another. Children need their own place to foster the growth of that relationship. The growth of this relationship is assisted by the adult, but is directed by the Spirit of God within the child.
Learn about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) Program
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a beautiful approach to the faith formation of children. It has been used for over 60 years across several continents with many demographics–including Mother Teresa’s sisters in their personal formation and work with the poor children they serve across the world! The catechists are highly trained and often have fallen in love anew with Jesus Christ and the Church through the training.
There are three Levels in CGS: Level I (ages 3-6), Level II (ages 6-9), and Level III (ages 9-12). St. Francis Borgia opened its first Level I atrium in the Fall of 2021 and its first Level II atrium in the Fall of 2023. Three years old is the best time for your child to fall in love with Jesus, so it is the perfect time to enroll them in Christian Formation. St. Francis Borgia school children are welcomed and encouraged to attend as well! CGS is a wonderful complement to Catholic School religious education.
The atrium is the sacred prepared environment (room) where Catechesis of the Good Shepherd takes place that helps the relationship between God and the child flourish. It is a place for religious life, for community and worship – not a classroom for instruction. It can be compared to a retreat house which facilitates recollection and silence. “The atrium is a place of meaningful work through which the child can have a conversation with God” (www.cgsusa.org). The atrium is the meeting ground between the mystery of God and the mystery of the child.
We have Level 1 and Level II atria in the North Church Hall. An additional atrium is located in the Education and Activity Center. Everything in the atrium nourishes the religious potential of the child – from “practical life” work to Scripture materials and materials on the Holy Eucharist and baptism. CGS sessions are offered at various times throughout the week.
Schedule
SEPTEMBER 2025 (Please note the Schedule change in bold below)
3 Family Mass and Pizza Family Night 6pm – Church and Hall
10 Parent Meeting 6pm, Location TBA
16, 17, 18 CGS Session (CGS 20 minute Parent and Child Visit by Sign-up
Genius – Level I)
23, 24, 25 CGS Session (45 minutes for Level I)
OCTOBER 2025
30, 1, 2 No CGS/Catechist Night
7, 8, 9 CGS Session (60 Minutes for Level I)
14, 15, 16 CGS Session (70 Minutes for Level I)
22 “Called by Name” (Vocation Night for all sessions) 6pm
28, 29, 30 No CGS
NOVEMBER 2025
4, 5, 6 CGS Session (90 minutes for Level I)
11, 12, 13 CGS Session
18, 19, 20 CGS Session
25, 26, 27 NO CGS (Thanksgiving)
DECEMBER 2025
2, 3, 4 CGS Session
8 No CGS, Immaculate Conception Mass, 6:30pm, Church
16, 17, 18 CGS Session
21, 22, 23 NO CGS (Christmas Break)
30, 31, 1 NO CGS (Christmas Break)
JANUARY 2026
6, 7, 8 CGS Session
13, 14, 15 CGS Session
20, 21, 22 CGS Session, Circle of Grace
27, 28, 29 No CGS/ Catechist Night
FEBRUARY 2026
3, 4, 5 CGS Session
10, 11, 12 CGS Session
17, 18, 19 CGS Session, Ash Wednesday Mass 6:30pm, Church
24, 25, 26 No CGS
MARCH 2026
3, 4, 5 CGS Session
10, 11, 12 CGS Session
17, 18, 19 CGS Session
24, 25, 26 NO CGS Session (Spring Break)
APRIL 2026
31, 1, 2 No CGS (Holy Week)
7, 8, 9 CGS Session (Parents invited to Liturgy of the Light)
14 ,15, 16 CGS sessions
21, 22, 23 CGS sessions
28, 29, 30 No CGS Sessions
MAY 2026
3 May Crowning – 10am Sunday Mass
5, 6, 7 CGS Session
13 Family Mass & Party, 6pm | Church and Hall
June 2026
7 Corpus Christi Procession TBD
July 2026
13-17 Totally Yours Summer Camp
Time
CGS is offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Special Events & Summer Camps
Learn more about our camps and other events. Click here for more information.
Training
Upcoming CGS training dates & locations can be found here.
Catechists
Coming Soon
For more information about Child Ministry, contact:
Director of Child and Family Formation at 262-377-1070 ext. 328 or send an email.
Christian Formation Administrative Assistant, 262-377-1070, ext. 343 or send an email.