Pastor's Note: March 9, 2025

Dear Friends,

In the coming weeks, you’ll be hearing more about our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) program. We’ll be showing a short video at the end of each mass this weekend, and our CGS catechists will speak about the meaningful impact CGS is having on our MQP community. We just revised our CGS webpage (https://www.mqpwg.org/catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd), which offers excellent information and background on this Montessori-based program via our atrium classrooms. CGS is currently offered to MQP School children (grades prek3 – 3rd grade), and on Sunday mornings. The fruits coming out of our atria are so significant that we are expanding this program to play an even larger role in the spiritual development and faith formation of our children.

Why is CGS so powerful? I have two words…encounter and relationship. This is not your standard textbook catechesis friends. Through CGS presentations and hands-on works, our children have an opportunity to encounter and build a relationship with Christ, merging the foundation for prayer with the rich knowledge of scripture and sacramental life of the church. As our catechists like to say, the Holy Spirit does the work in the atrium! The model altar is always a hot spot in our atriums, as is the Good Shepherd table, geography area and prayer corner. Sometimes our children just like to sit with the Bible or contemplate what they heard through art. Many of our CGS students come to adoration on a semi-regular basis, and they love it. Due to CGS, I have seen families return to mass, children seek the sacraments, and our second graders have a more complete understanding of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Good stuff!

The bottom line is, we need more catechists to work in our CGS vineyard! Our talented catechist team is offering three information sessions to spread the word:

- Tuesday, March 11, 7-9 p.m. in the Board Room

- Thursday, March 27, 7-9 p.m. in the Lubeley Room

- Friday, March 28, 8-10 a.m. in the Holy Family Room

I encourage you to attend if the Holy Spirit is calling you to this important vocation. Come and see why we must be like little children to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Secondly, we are resurrecting our ministry to the homebound, so if you know of any parishioners who are unable to attend Mass on Sunday, call the rectory with information to coordinate with them. We have ministers wanting to bring the Eucharist to those who need it. Furthermore, this ministry is not just for those nearing the end of their life, we can bring the Eucharist to any parishioner who cannot attend Mass because of a serious health situation, even temporarily. Again, call the rectory if you know of someone or have any questions. If you are still interested in being a minister, contact Ben Wolf at [email protected]."

With peace and prayers for you,