Fort Worth, Texas
Classes will begin the week of Monday, September 3, 2025.
To view the 2025-2026 Calendar Please Click Here
Level 1 (ages 3-6 years old):
SUNDAY LEVEL 1 | 10:00-11:30AM
WEDNESDAY LEVEL 1 | 4:15-5:45PM
Level 2 (ages 6-9 years old):
SUNDAY LEVEL 2 | 10:00-11:30AM - FULL
This session is currently full. If this is the only time your family is able to attend, Click Here to Join the Waitlist
MONDAY LEVEL 2 | 5:00–6:30PM
WEDNESDAY LEVEL 2 | 4:15–5:45PM
Each Atrium session includes:
While CGS nurtures a child’s love for Jesus and His Church, it is not a substitute for the Holy Mass. Regular Sunday Mass attendance is essential to helping children fully live the faith they are discovering in the Atrium.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is offered in three distinct levels, each designed to meet the spiritual and developmental needs of the child at their stage of growth. Children remain in each level for three years, deepening their relationship with God through Scripture, liturgy, prayer, and hands-on materials.
In Level 1, young children are introduced to the person of Jesus as the Good Shepherd who loves them, knows them by name, and calls them to follow Him. They learn through simple yet profound presentations rooted in Scripture and the Mass, such as the parable of the Good Shepherd, the liturgical colors, altar work, and prayers.
Level 2 builds upon the child’s foundation from Level 1, inviting them to reflect more deeply on moral formation and their personal response to God’s love. The central image of this level is the True Vine—"Remain in me, as I also remain in you." (John 15:4)
Children explore themes of covenant, responsibility, and forgiveness through parables, liturgical studies, and salvation history. They begin to see their place in God’s plan and prepare to receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion, typically in second grade.
In Level 3, children are invited into deeper contemplation of God’s plan throughout history (Creation, Redemption, and Parousia) and how they are personally called to respond. This level emphasizes moral reasoning, justice, and living out their faith in community.
Scripture study expands, and liturgical knowledge deepens as children reflect on the structure of the Mass, the sacraments, and their own call to holiness. They continue to work with familiar materials while also engaging with new, age-appropriate presentations that foster prayerful independence and maturity in faith.
Saint Andrew Catholic Church prepares children to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) program.
Our approach recognizes that sacramental preparation is a journey of relationship, not just a checklist of requirements. Children come to know and love Jesus the Good Shepherd deeply through their time in the Atrium, and are invited into fuller participation in the life of the Church through the sacraments.
Children are typically prepared for the sacraments during Level 2 (ages 6–9) of CGS, most often in second grade. However, readiness is determined not solely by age, but by the child’s spiritual maturity, desire, and personal relationship with Jesus.
To participate in sacramental prep, families must:
Register their child for a Level 2 CGS session
Commit to six additional family sacrament preparation sessions throughout the year.
These sessions are required for both the child and at least one parent/guardian.
They provide focused time to explore the meaning of Reconciliation and Eucharist, enrich your family’s faith life, and support parents as the primary catechists of their children.
Participate in Sunday Mass weekly
The liturgy is the heart of our sacramental life. Active participation in Mass reinforces what children encounter in the Atrium and sacrament sessions.
There will be six required gatherings, held in person at the parish on select Sunday afternoons (dates will be provided upon registration). These sessions include:
Parent & child formation
Hands-on activities
Prayer and Scripture reflection
Practical guidance for celebrating First Reconciliation and First Communion
We joyfully welcome children who may be older than second grade and have not yet received First Reconciliation or First Communion. Please contact the Office of Faith Formation, we will work with you to determine the best pathway within CGS and our sacrament preparation process.