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Our mission at St. Peter's is to give all, from the youngest to the oldest, a life-giving relationship with Christ. Our faith formation programs provide an opportunity to encounter Christ and to learn more about Him and His Church.
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) was founded by Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi in 1954 in Rome, Italy and is an approach to faith formation for children ages 3 to 12 inspired by Montessori Principles of Education. The basis of this formation is Liturgy and Sacred Scripture. CGS is based on the conviction that God and the child are already in relationship. The child has a deep need to experience and a special capacity to enjoy the presence of God. The task of the adult is to help the child live fully the encounter with God. This experience becomes formative in the child’s whole person and generates great joy. The atrium is the environment where this formation takes place. It is one of the elements that help the relationship between God and the child to flourish.
CGS divests itself of any strictly scholastic character, so as to become an experience of life, and education in faith, and a celebration of the encounter with the Father, in listening to Jesus, the one Teacher, and in obedience to the Holy Spirit.
For more information about CGS, click on the link to the National Association website: www.cgsusa.org.
View this link for an overview of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfg9RfBk-fY
CGS Parent Page - The Risen Life of Jesus
CGS Parent Page - Pentecost Celebration
CGS Parent Page - The Holy Eucharist and the Elementary Child
Level One (ages 3-Kindergarten)
Wednesday evenings 5:30pm-7:00pm
Saturday Mornings 9:00am-10:30am
If needed a Tuesday morning Atrium will be added
Level Two (grades 1-2)
Monday afternoons 4:00-5:30pm (grades 1&2)
Wednesday evenings 5:30-7:00pm (grade 1)
Wednesday evenings 5:30-7:00pm (grade 2)
Preparation for sacraments takes place in the level two atrium. Students should be in the atrium one year prior to entering their sacramental preparation year.
Karen Cronin | Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Coordinator
kcronin@stpetersmendota.org | 651-905-4314
Using the "Alive in Christ" curriculum, students and their catechists focus on the life, mission, and saving work of Jesus Christ. This lays a foundation for a personal relationship with Jesus who leads us to the Father and calls us to share the Good News as His disciples.
Christos meets on Wednesday evenings from 6-7pm.
Elizabeth McCanna | Youth Minister & Faith Formation
emccanna@stpetermsendota.org | 651-905-4312
At Zoi Middle Schoolers learn more about the living and effective word of God in small groups faciliated by a small group mentor. Through YDisciple our pre-teens dive into the Sunday scripture.
Elizabeth McCanna | Youth Minister & Faith Formation
emccanna@stpetersmendota.org | 651-905-4312
Perissos is our high school group focused on encountering Christ. All high school youth are welcome to join us each Wednesday from 7:00-8:30pm (September-May) as we dive deeper into relationship with Christ, His Church, and one another.
All are welcome to participate at Perissos! Most folks fall into one of three categories:
-Perissos Participant. This person, who comes from time to time, may or may not be Confirmed and are not preparing for Confirmation.
-Confirmation Preparation. High school youth are welcome to prepare for Confirmation any of their four years of high school and full and active participation is a key part of Confirmaiton prep.
-Cornerstone. Cornerstone is the name of our "next level" small groups for Confirmed upperclassmen to dive deeper in their relationship with the Lord. In addition to Perissos on Wednesdays, those who participate in Cornerstone participate in an annual retreat.
We offer a variety of programs for adults, for more information regarding Adult Faith Formation programs please contact Lisa Fontecha.
The implementation of our Archdiocesan Synod will begin this Fall with a small group leader formation series. More information on the Synod and the series can be found here.
Alpha is a place to develop or deepen a relationship with Jesus and explore the basics of the Christian faith. The gatherings consist of a meal, a talk, and small group discussion. It is an open, informal, and honest space to explore and discuss life’s big questions together. And it is a place for fellowship with others.
The next Alpha session will be offered February-May 2024.
If you have any questions, please contact Greg Montana at gregorymontana@gmail.com.