Level I Formation Course

Children ages 3 - 6

The Level I Atrium lays the foundation for the child's encounter with the Catholic community of faith. The Atrium itself is a community in which children and adults live together a religious experience which facilitates participation in the wider community of the family, the Church, and other social spheres.

In the Atrium, work and study spontaneously become meditation, contemplation, and prayer.

The Atrium is a place in which the only Teacher is Christ; both children and adults place themselves in a listening stance before his Word and seek to penetrate the mystery of the liturgical celebration.

The themes presented in the Atrium are those to which the children have responded with depth and joy. These themes are taken from the Bible and the Liturgy (prayers and sacraments) as the fundamental sources for creating and sustaining Christian life at every developmental stage and, in particular, for illuminating and nourishing the child in his/her most vital religious needs.

Key elements of Level I Atria include:

• The Good Shepherd

• The Eucharist

• Baptism

The course also includes presentations, adult reflections, practice time, material making, and Montessori theory. Participants will collaborate in writing album pages and at the conclusion of the course will have a completed working album. Completion of Level I is a prerequisite for other levels of Formation Courses.

Level I Course Offerings

Course Fee

$1000 (plus credit card fees)

This is the total cost of the entire formation with registration fee and includes an album binder, material making, and all formation sessions. Additional books are purchased by the participant.

If paying in separate payments, the cost will be:

Non-Refundable* Registration Fee: $200 Full Tuition Fee: $850

• The remaining balance of $850 plus credit card fees is due upon the first session of the formation course.

• If you pay the full tuition at time of registration there is a 15% discount.

• Payment Plan: a non-refundable $200 deposit (plus fees) is required upon registration.*

  • The remaining balance (plus credit card fees) is payable in 2 installments set up after registration.

• Discounts are provided for religious (40%) and full-time students aged 21 and under (30%).

• All tuition payments are final and non-refundable after 1 week before the course begins.

*Only if the course is cancelled the deposit will be refunded.

Attendance Policy:

90% attendance is required to receive a certificate. Participants are asked to check the dates carefully. While unexpected sicknesses and events do come up, the opening weekend is essential and cannot be missed or made up.

Auditing:

Space may be available for catechists who have already received their CGS Level I and Level II formation certification. The basic cost to audit is $300. If you have taken a Level I Formation Course through CCMA, there is no cost to audit. An Album is NOT provided. If you would like an album, an additional fee of $50 will be incurred. If you wish to be a participant auditor and collaborate in writing album pages to receive a completed working album at the end of the course, the cost is $500. Please register with the link below.

Books

Please read prior to the course if possible, and bring reading materials to the course meetings.

Required:

The Religious Potential of the Child, 3rd ed — Sofia Cavalletti

Nurturing the Whole Child (updated version of Listening to God with Children) — Gianna Gobbi

The Good Shepherd and the Child: A Joyful Journey, Revised and Updated— Sofia Cavalletti et al

Recommended:

The Child in the Church — Maria Montessori & others, edited by E.M. Standing

All books can be found and ordered at the CGS website; your order supports this important work.

Formation Opportunities

Level I Catechist Formation
for working with children ages 3-6

Formation Leader

Laura Accettullo is Co-Founder, Head of Catechesis and Mission Integration, Elementary Program Level II and Level III Catechist, and Sacramental Program Coordinator at John XXIII Montessori Center in Front Royal, VA. A Montessori child herself, she and her husband, Mark, incorporated Montessori principles in the home education of their nine children. Since being introduced to the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program in 2000, Laura has received CGS certification in Levels I, II, III, and Infant-Toddler, and is additionally recognized as a CGS National Formation Leader for Level 1 and II.

Location

John XXIII Montessori Center
1401 Linden St.
Front Royal, VA 22630

2024-2025 Monthly Format

Saturdays 9:30am-4:30pm and Sundays 1:00pm-4:30pm

September 28-29, 2024
October 26-27
November 16-17
December 7-8
January 18-19, 2025
February 8-9
March 1-2
April 5-6
May 10
May 31-June 1

Level I, Part 2 Only

This is an opportunity if one has attended only Part 1 of a CGS Level I Formation Course.

WHEATON, MARYLAND

LOCATION

Avalon School
11811 Claridge Road
Wheaton, MD 20902

FORMATION LEADER

Laura Accettullo assisted by Katie Rivas

DATES

Part Two 2025 WEEK LONG FORMAT

9:15 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday, August 4th - Saturday, August 9, 2025

Optional: additional 1 day of material making

Part Two Fee

$450 (plus credit card fees) one lump sum, non-refundable, no payment plan

This is the total cost of the Level I, Part 2 formation only. Includes an album binder, material making, and Part 2 formation sessions. Additional books are purchased by the participant.

• Registrant must have proof of completion of Level I, Part 1.