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Faith Formation
Our mission at St. Peter's is to give all, from the youngest to the oldest, a life-giving relationship with Christ. Our faith formation programs provide an opportunity to encounter Christ and to learn more about Him and His Church.
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) was founded by Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi in 1954 in Rome, Italy and is an approach to faith formation for children ages 3 to 12 inspired by Montessori Principles of Education. The basis of this formation is Liturgy and Sacred Scripture. CGS is based on the conviction that God and the child are already in relationship. The child has a deep need to experience and a special capacity to enjoy the presence of God. The task of the adult is to help the child live fully the encounter with God. This experience becomes formative in the child’s whole person and generates great joy. The atrium is the environment where this formation takes place. It is one of the elements that help the relationship between God and the child to flourish.
CGS divests itself of any strictly scholastic character, so as to become an experience of life, and education in faith, and a celebration of the encounter with the Father, in listening to Jesus, the one Teacher, and in obedience to the Holy Spirit.
For more information about CGS, click on the link to the National Association website: www.cgsusa.org.
View this link for an overview of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfg9RfBk-fY
CGS Newsletters:
CGS Parent Page Links:
2024-2025 CGS Atria
Level 1 (ages 3 through Kindergarten)
- Wednesday evenings 5:30pm-7:00pm
- Friday Mornings 9:00am-10:30am
The 3-6 year old child is particularly capable of receiving and enjoying the most essential elements of our faith—the announcement of God’s love especially experienced through Jesus the Good Shepherd, who died and is risen. The work of the atrium is centered around scripture and liturgy. The children receive presentations about the person of Jesus, His Kingdom and their life with Him through liturgy.
Level 2 (grades 1-3)
- Monday afternoons 4:00-5:30pm
- Wednesday evenings 5:30-7:00pm
While the heart of the child under six revolves around the Parable of the Good Shepherd, the elementary aged child is captured by the image of the True Vine. This proclamation responds to the deep need of the elementary child to better know his/her relationship with God, family, friends and the larger community. The child at this age seeks guidelines. Moral parables offer a model for comparing their behavior with that of those in these parables.
Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion is a two-year process and happens in the Level 2 atrium. Many families desire for their child to receive first sacraments in second grade and so students may start preparing for them in first grade.
The parish encourages families to start their children’s faith journey in the preschool (Level 1) atrium and continue that journey through the Level 2 atrium so that the children are able to absorb the work according to different development stages for the 3-6 year old versus the 6-9 year old.
For More information regarding CGS contact:
Karen Cronin | Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Coordinator
kcronin@stpetersmendota.org | 651-905-4314
Christos (grades 4-5)
Using the "Alive in Christ" curriculum, students and their catechists focus on the life, mission, and saving work of Jesus Christ. This lays a foundation for a personal relationship with Jesus who leads us to the Father and calls us to share the Good News as His disciples.
Christos meets on Wednesday evenings from 6-7pm.
For More information regarding Christos contact:
Elizabeth McCanna | Director of Evangelization
emccanna@stpetersmendota.org 651-905-4312
Youth Ministry
"I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly." -Jesus (in John 10:10)
Greek for life.
Grades 6-8
At Zoi Middle Schoolers learn more about the living and effective word of God in small groups faciliated by a small group mentor. Through YDisciple our pre-teens dive into the Sunday scripture.
For more information regarding Zoi & Perissos contact:
Elizabeth McCanna| Director of Evangelization
emccanna@stpetersmendota.org | 651-905-4312
Greek for abundantly.
Grades 9-12
Perissos is our high school group focused on encountering Christ. All high school youth are welcome to join us each Wednesday from 7:00-8:30pm (September-May) as we dive deeper into relationship with Christ, His Church, and one another.
All are welcome to participate at Perissos! Most folks fall into one of three categories:
-Perissos Participant. This person, who comes from time to time, may or may not be Confirmed and are not preparing for Confirmation.
-Confirmation Preparation. High school youth are welcome to prepare for Confirmation any of their four years of high school and full and active participation is a key part of Confirmaiton prep.
-Cornerstone. Cornerstone is the name of our "next level" small groups for Confirmed upperclassmen to dive deeper in their relationship with the Lord. In addition to Perissos on Wednesdays, those who participate in Cornerstone participate in an annual retreat.
Adult Programs
Small Groups
To walk with adults on their faith journey our parish has a wide variety of small groups. For more information click here.
Father Steven Talk Series
Father is offering two talk series this year. Each is offered at two times: an evening and morning time.
Discerning Movement of the Heart
October 10, 17, & 24 6:30-8:00pm
October 11, 18, & 25 10:00am-11:30am
Lenten Lecture Series
March 11, 18, & 25 6:30-8:00pm
March 12, 19, & 26 10:00am-11:30am
Passiontide: Accompanying Jesus in His Passion, Death, and Resurrection April 10 & 11
For more information regarding Adult Formation please contact:
Elizabeth McCanna | Director of Evangelization
emccanna@stpetersmendota.org | 651-905-4312
Alpha
Alpha is a place to explore the basics of the Christian faith and build relationships. Each week, we share dinner, watch a video presentation, and have a small group discussion. It is an open, informal, and honest space to explore and discuss life’s big questions together. Alpha is aimed at those who are not regular church-goers, but it is also valuable for committed Christians looking to deepen their faith. Consider inviting friends, family, and neighbors. All are welcome!
Alpha will run on Monday evenings from February 17 to May 12, 2025, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM in the Heritage Center. Sign up now. Space is limited. If you have any questions, contact Greg Montana at gregorymontana@gmail.com.
Click here to sign up!