As faith is a major cornerstone of Catholic education and at the center of all we do within our schools, our faith formation is taken very seriously. Every child in our Catholic schools experiences the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. It is a Christ-centered, liturgically based program designed to aid religious formation for children. All of the schools within the Diocese offer Level I. Some of our schools have expanded to offer Levels II and III.
The program is taught by a trained catechist. To achieve certification to teach, catechists must undergo 90 hours of training to obtain each level. So, a trained Level III catechist has undergone 270 hours of training!
Each school has a designated Atrium space. It is a peaceful place for prayer, meditation, and contemplation. Within the Atrium are materials that aid each
child in further developing their relationship with God and His church.
LEVEL I – Ages 3-6
Children experience the faith through an Atrium filled with materials to nurture the relationship between the child, God and His church and to understand the traditions of the Catholic faith. Children work hands-on with materials that allow them to experience the traditions of the Catholic faith and represent the symbols and traditions of mass in a child-like, age-appropriate setting.
LEVEL II – Ages 6-9
This level focuses on the History of the Kingdom of God. Students are able to ponder their place in that sacred history. The materials include works that are not only sacred history from the beginning of time but work that fosters moral formation through parables and the sacraments of initiation.
LEVEL III – Ages 9-12
This level focuses on the Plan of God. The child is aided in realizing that God has a plan for them and He has given them gifts to help them carry out this plan. The materials guide students to the gifts of all the sacraments, moral parables, and a deeper understanding of the church’s history from Creation to Abraham until today.
The Catholic schools in the Diocese of Kalamazoo cooperate with the parishes to prepare students for First Penance, First Holy Communion (FHC), and Confirmation. Sacraments are received in the parish at which the family is registered. Detailed information regarding sacramental preparation can be obtained through your parish.
Baptism
Baptism is the sacrament that enters us into the life of Christ and the gateway to the sacramental life of the Church. Therefore, Baptism is a requirement for participation in any other sacrament. Baptism may be received at any age. Families with non-baptized children in Catholic schools who desire baptism for their non-infant children should contact their parish.
First Penance (Reconciliation) and First Holy Communion
Preparation for the reception of First Holy Communion typically begins in first grade, with reception occurring in the spring of the second-grade year. Students will also be prepared to receive First Penance at this time. Families with Baptized children older than second grade who have not yet received First Holy Communion should contact their parish.
Confirmation
Catechesis for Confirmation strives to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community. Preparation for Confirmation is typically a two-year program. The age of confirmation in the teenage years varies by parish within the Diocese of Kalamazoo. Please contact your parish for more detailed information.
After their time in the building blocks of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, students continue to learn and live their faith throughout their time in our Catholic Schools. For our high school students, their academic careers culminate with their Senior Capstone Project. The Capstone Project is a graduation requirement that began during the 2015-16 school year. It originated to assist our students in being better prepared to defend their faith.
The Capstone Project requires a student to research a particular topic of interest to them surrounding faith, write a paper and present their findings to a panel of judges at their respective school. Each school’s top finalist move on to present to a panel of judges at the Diocesan level and compete for a St. Thomas Aquinas Scholarship ranging in value from $500 - $5,000.