On Sundays, children age 3 through 6th grade participate in Montessori-based Catechesis of the Good Shepherd formation before joining their families at the exchange of Peace to participate in the Holy Eucharist. Birth to three-year-old care is available 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the Infant and Toddler Center, which is open Sunday mornings and for special classes and events. The toddler atrium explores the spiritual capacities of young children as they transition from nursery to Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Seasonal events for households with children are scheduled throughout the year.
For more than 25 years, St. Peter has chosen the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd as the way we introduce God’s love and grace to our children. The Catechesis is a Montessori-based approach where children can grow in their relationship with God through a deep engagement in scripture and liturgy. One of our primary beliefs is that God and the child have a unique relationship with one another, and that the growth of this relationship should be assisted by the adult and is directed by the Spirit of God within the child.
With this approach, rooms called atria are prepared for the children. An atrium is a place of simplicity and order, where work and study spontaneously become meditation, contemplation and prayer. The religious needs and capacities of the children guide the Catechesis in instruction. The atrium allows the children to come into contact with scripture, the liturgy of the church.
Our specially trained catechists work with our children in the atria, located on the main floor of the parish house. In addition to serving children age 3 to 6th grade in our well-established atria, we have a transitional toddler atrium in a space adjacent to the nursery. The Catechesis begins at 9:45 a.m. and ends at the Sign of Peace during the 11:00 a.m. service. The children in the toddler atrium have the ability to flow between the nursery and atrium based on interest and developmental stages. For more information on the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, contact Anna Hurdle.
In accordance with COVID protocols, registration is required for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Register online st-peters.org/catechesis-registration.
Learn more about our nursery online st-peters.org/nursery.