Religious Education Format:
Pre-K – 8th Education Credentials for our Catechists:
Catechists have 80 hours of certified training per session level under CGS Formation Directors, along with advanced certification from the Lansing Diocesan Catechesis Department and are diocesan screened and educated in the safe environment of children and vulnerable.
Pre-K – Kindergarten/Level I Learning Environment:
The Good Shepherd
This experiential learning room is created to be a prayerful, hands-on spiritual space, introducing biblical and sacramental formation with respect to the young age group. The learning space invites each child to discover God in a very personal way. It promotes sacred listening, freedom to explore, and fosters a joy of individual, prayerful work, initiating a relationship with Jesus in an environment that is calling to fall in love with Christ.
“…and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one Shepherd” -John10:16b
1st thru 3rd Grade/Level II Learning Environment:
The True Vine
This level continues to teach with experiential materials, which now invites the child to consider the wonder and awe of our Lord in a deeper way. They are invited to come to understand that we are a part of a bigger purpose, and God has a plan for His entire Kingdom of which we are all an important part, while preparing for the sacraments of Reconciliation and first Eucharist. Through prayer, biblical and liturgical study including parables, miracles of Christ, Maxims (Christ’s great teachings in the New Testament), synthesizing of the mass, and the sacraments, children of this age group come to understand that they are in a mutual relationship with God and a part of a vast community of his Great Kingdom.
“Remain in me as I remain in you” -John 15:4
4th – 6th Grade/Level III Learning Environment:
The Covenant
This level encourages more independent, self-directing work of the child. It continues to explore the knowledge that God has a plan and a purpose for his entire Kingdom. This age is invited to ponder the important questions: “What are my gifts, and where is my place in the Kingdom of God?” Contemplating the Old and New Testament scripture through Abraham, Moses, other Prophets, and the Disciples, along with further liturgical work, children come to realize their life is an essential part of God’s ultimate plan in the Kingdom of God, a life in Parousia, when…
“God will be all in all” -1Cor.15:28
7th – 8th grade/ Textbook and experiential based
Learning Environment: Living the Catholic Faith in Christ
Middle school children are preparing for their adult life in the faith. They will continue to build a foundation of what to know, believe, and live as a confirmed adult in the catholic faith. This is done by fostering a deeper understanding of the core elements of our beliefs and putting them into action in daily life along with serving the community through various service projects, as the youth approaches the important sacrament of confirmation.
“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” –John 15:8