By Dave Jolivet, Editor
MARTHA’S VINEYARD, Mass. — The mind of a child is always ready to absorb new information and data. Yet it takes the proper stimuli to stand out and be retained amongst the waves of distractions washing up on that little sponge.
With that notion in mind, Father Michael Nagle, pastor of Good Shepherd Parish on Martha’s Vineyard, stepped outside the box in his pursuit of catechizing the youngsters in his island parish Religious Education program. Father Nagle recently completed a four-year course with the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Mo., earning a master of arts in Pastoral Studies in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori-based religious formation program for children from ages three to 12.
The program was initiated by Sofia Cavaletti and Gianna Gobbi, students of Maria Montessori’s methods of educating children based on the theory of continually adapting a child’s environment in order that he or she may “fulfill their greatest potential, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.”
The program is rooted in Scripture, the Mass and the Church, and the children are schooled in a room called an atrium, adorned with items that help bring the Scriptures to life. The children not only hear stories from the Bible, but they see them acted out with various materials designed specifically for each Scripture lesson.
“I first encountered the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd while on a trip to Arizona,” Father Nagle told The Anchor. “I really liked what I saw, and when I returned, I researched how to have my religious educators trained in the program.” That was nearly a dozen years ago. “Five years ago, I learned that the Aquinas Institute was offering the first master’s program in this method,” he continued. “I learned much of the studies could be done online, and thought it was a great idea to enroll. There was so much more about the program that I wanted and needed to know.”
Following four years of “intensive study,” Father Nagle traveled last month to the Gateway to the West, for graduation ceremonies. He was trained and certified in all three levels of the program: ages three-five; six-eight; and nine-12. He also received academic training in theology and Scripture. “I came away with a better understanding of everything I learned,” he said.
“The heart of the Good Shepherd program is to help children experience God through Scripture and prayers,” said Father Nagle. “They learn to pay attention to God in their lives. It’s important to start when they’re young. At age three the children can start to build a connection and a relationship with God. Then that relationship and connection can continue as they grow older and mature.”
In his studies, Father Nagle learned how to present the lessons to the various age groups, how to prepare lesson plans based on the liturgical seasons, and what materials should be incorporated into each lesson.
“There is no textbook,” he said. “It’s all based on Scripture, such as the parables, the life of Christ, the sacraments, and the Mass. What the children see at Mass is reinforced at their catechesis. And in the nine to 12 group, the lessons are from the Old Testament. It’s quite challenging, but quite rewarding.”
Father Nagle cited an example of a lesson for the three- to five-year-olds. “Take the story of Jesus as the Good Shepherd,” he said. “The children hear the scriptural account, then in diorama form, they see the shepherd and his sheep. The witness how the sheep follow the shepherd, and by visualizing the scene, they can more easily associate Jesus as the Good Shepherd, and themselves as his sheep. How we must follow our shepherd.”
In instances when learning about baptism, a baptismal font will be in the atrium. When learning about the Mass, a small altar and the materials used in the liturgy are there to see and touch.
“The children hear, then can use their hands and touch the materials as they see the stories unfold. After they learn the lesson, they’re encouraged to act it out on their own. It’s amazing how much they enjoy the lessons.”
The classes on the Island last an hour-and-a-half each Sunday during the school year.
“It’s exciting to walk into a classroom and see the students engrossed in the lesson,” said Father Nagle. “They’re quiet and at work. It’s an amazing transformation as they focus on God in their lives. The parents are very happy with the program. They tell me that they can see the value of the lessons their children are receiving.”
Father Nagle admitted that it takes a great deal of work and preparation to get the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program off the ground, but it is well worth the investment in the future of the young faithful.
“There is a lot of training involved for the catechists, and each atrium has to be equipped with the proper materials,” he said. “But once that is complete, it’s there to use over and over again. I would recommend this program to anyone. I find that the conventional Religious Education classes are strictly informational. There is no connection, no experiences for the children to encounter. Not so with the Good Shepherd program.”
The classes on the Vineyard have approximately 10-15 students. “Martha Rheaume, our director of Catechesis, is a certified trainer, and she’s been training our teachers,” he said. “Father Tom Lopes, now retired and assisting at Good Shepherd Parish has been helping us out with the program, and Father John Gomes came over to witness how we do things, and he was very impressed.”
Since its humble beginnings in 1954, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program has grown rapidly and spread to 35 countries. In 1984, the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd was founded in the U.S. and continually supports and certifies individuals in the program.
According to its website, the National Association will “assist the involvement of adults and children in a common religious experience in which the religious values of childhood predominate. Our mission is to support catechists, parents and others in the Church and beyond, as they grow in their understanding of the religious potential of children.”
The minds of children at Good Shepherd Parish on the Island of Martha’s Vineyard are absorbing the great love God has for them, and are having a great time in the process. “By learning this way, I’m confident these young people will carry their connection with God into their adult lives,” said Father Nagle.