Youth Group/Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

If your child wishes to join us for Youth Group or Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, please use the applicable links on the side tabs of this webpage to sign them up for our flocknote! While Youth Group & Catechesis of the Good Shepherd serve as preparation for the Sacraments/Religious Ed at Saint Thomas, all children/teens are welcome to join the sessions for their respective age group. The breakdown of grades is as follows:

- Ages 3-6 : Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level 1 Saturdays 9:50am-10:50am in Large Hall (twice a month)

- Grades 1-3: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level 2 Saturdays 11am-12pm in Large Hall (twice a month)

- Grades 4-5: Youth Group Saturdays once a month 11am-12pm in the Small Hall

- Grades 6-8: Middle School Youth Group will be twice a month on Sunday afternoons 2:20-4pm

- Grades 9-12: High School Youth Group will also be twice a month on Sunday afternoons 2:20-4pm.

***If your child is a rising 1st, 2nd, 7th, 8th, or 9th Grader and is looking to receive either 1st Communion of Confirmation at St. Thomas, please navigate to the Religious Ed. Registration tab to register and learn more***

Click here to visit the National Catechesis of the Good Shepherd website for more in depth information regarding their history and approach!

Level 1 - Ages 3-6:
"The heart of the catechesis for children under six revolves around the Parable of the Good Shepherd. Jesus announces that he is the Good Shepherd who calls each one by name. The sheep listen to the voice of the Shepherd and follow him.The 3-6 year old child enters the mystery of the Eucharist by first learning the names of the articles used on the altar and then through the most important gestures including the preparation of the chalice, the epiclesis and offering. Through the experience of seeing these gestures, presented one by one, the Mass emerges as the Sacrament of the Gift. The child becomes acquainted with the historical character of the liturgy through the events of the Last Supper, Christ’s death, and His resurrection."

Level 2 - Grades 1-3:
"The elementary age child is captured by the image of the True Vine. “I am the vine, you are the branches, whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” The proclamation responds to the deep need of these children to better know his or her relationship with God, family, friends, and the larger community. Moral parables offer a model for comparing their behavior with that of the Pharisee, the Tax Collector, or the Good Samaritan. The elementary children see the parts of the Mass—the Liturgy of the Word, the Preparation of the Gifts, the Eucharistic Prayer, and the Communion—as one unified prayer made of many smaller prayers. Children prepare for the celebration of First Communion (or Solemn Communion) through a series of communion meditations focusing on the relationship with Jesus. Preparation of personal missals filled with illustrations and prayers is also part of this preparation which helps to deepen their love and understanding of the Eucharist."