This July, Montreal will welcome a new cohort of adults eager to be formed in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), Level I – Part A. These formation sessions, offered in both French and English, are designed to prepare catechists to accompany children aged 3 to 6 as they discover the voice of the Good Shepherd and grow in faith. But what happens after the training ends?

For a glimpse of the fruit this formation can bear, look no further than St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish (STIG), which opened its Good Shepherd Atrium almost seven years ago. What began with a handful of catechists and a dozen children has blossomed into a dynamic spiritual space that now welcomes over fifty children and twelve adult catechists, spread across seven weekly sessions.

Even more inspiring is the emergence of youth assistants — some of whom were among the very first children to enter the atrium years ago.

“The assistants make a huge difference,” says Rebecca Malone, program coordinator at STIG. “They support the work of the catechists in small ways, like taking attendance, and also in big ways, such as reading the Gospels to the little ones as they work with the hands-on materials.”

This intergenerational model of mentorship and faith-sharing is exactly what Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is about: offering a sacred space where children — and those who walk with them — are invited into a deeper encounter with God.

“In a world where so much in life is structured, the Atrium is a sacred space, almost like a retreat centre, which creates opportunities for children to listen for the voice of God — the Good Shepherd who first loved them into being and called them by name,” shares catechist and mom Amalia Issa. “It is a place where children’s faith can take root and grow wings, and a sense of wonder is celebrated.”

This kind of transformation — for children, youth, and adults alike — begins with the gift of formation. The upcoming CGS formation sessions in Montreal are a unique opportunity for parish communities to invest in their present and future catechists. And as the team at STIG hopes, some of today’s helpers will become tomorrow’s catechists.

Formation dates in Montreal:

• French: July 16–22, 2025
• English: July 20–25, 2025

To register or learn more, visit: www.cgsac.ca/courses-1
To discover the ongoing witness at St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish: stig.ca/atrium