Parents and grandparents of St. Francis Xavier Cabrini Parish in Springfield are encouraged to bring children, ages 3-6, to a new faith formation program that is beginning Sept. 21.
St. Cabrini is making a conscious effort to become a parish that works at developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ among its members. One way is the development of a program called “Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” (CGS), a Montessori-based religious formation program that explores the spirituality and needs of 3-6-year-olds and allows a child to develop a personal relationship with God.
“Our effort grew out of a need to provide formation for the small children who come to our parish, in particular as children of parents who come to our RCIA program,” said Madonna Jones, pastoral associate at St. Cabrini Church. “It is a foundational movement of evangelization for our neighborhood and our parish community and we feel a great start in beginning formation of intentional discipleship.”
CGS identifies the grace of the Spirit already working within the child and by developing a relationship with God, knowing God rather than only knowing about God. Jesus said to them, permit the children to come to me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. (Mark 10:14)
Bishops, priests and religious educators ask, “Are the children learning what the church teaches?” and “How do we get parents to come to Mass and bring their children?” Yet, Jones said parents have questions of their own. “What should I do when my child doesn’t want to attend Mass (or class)?” and “Class time conflicts with my child’s activities, isn’t there a book I could use instead?”
Jones says CGS suggests a different question creates a different starting point: “What does the child need to develop a relationship with God?” That question deals with the child’s needs and not the adult’s need to fix something or try to take on one more responsibility.
Two teachers (catechists) trained in the CGS for a week in Peoria thanks to a grant awarded through the diocesan, Harvest of Thanks, Springtime of Hope campaign. They will be blessed on Catechetical Sunday, Sept.21, and the school will open and be located in the new atrium, the back south room of St. Cabrini Church.
Parents and grandparents will be able to bring their children to class before Mass at 9 a.m. The children will have class for one hour and then be reunited with their parent or grandparents at the preparation of the gifts. Using small objects, such as a Nativity set or a child-sized chalice that are handmade by members of the parish, the children hear, ponder and celebrate the most essential mysteries of the Christian faith as revealed in scripture and liturgy following the liturgical year.
Parishioners can help prepare the atrium by using their carpentry, painting, sewing and sculpting skills to make materials.
“Our parish has embraced this program with several older parishioners already by ‘using the work of their hands’ to provide furniture and other handmade items for the atrium and we have a team of dedicated people working to bring this to fruition,” said Jones.
Parents and grandparents are urged to call the St. Cabrini Parish office at (217)-522-8555 to let CGS organizers know how many to expect for the program.