Select a Class Time

For our children in preschool and kindergarten, we are using the Montessori method of religious education, called Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS). This program helps the young child to enter into a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus. Through the use of beautiful, handmade materials which the children manipulate and enjoy, they come to know Scripture and many of the truths about our Catholic faith. CGS takes place in a carefully prepared space, created just for children of this age, called the Atrium. 

You can learn more about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at cgsusa.org or by watching this video.

We are offering this program at four times this year:

• Option 1: Mondays, 3:45-5:00 PM
  St. Agnes, Middleton

• Option 2: Thursdays, 9:15-10:45 AM
  St. Rose, Topsfield 

• Option 3: Sundays, 8:30-9:30 AM
  St. Rose, Topsfield

If you would like your child to experience Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, but you are not available at any of these times, please reach out to Amy at [email protected]. CGS is not set up the same as traditional classrooms. Most presentations are given individually to each child. And children are able to move freely and select the materials they would like to work with each time they are in the Atrium. This makes it possible to have children come to the Atrium with their parents outside of our regular class times. 

In 1st Grade, our goal is to get kids ready for 2nd grade religious education, when they will prepare for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion. 1st graders learn bible stories and the basics of the Catholic faith! 

There are three class options for kids in 1st grade:

Option 2: Sundays, 10:00-12:00 (includes 11:00 Mass) - St. Agnes, Middleton

Option 3: Mondays, 3:45-5:00 PM - St. Agnes, Middleton

• Option 1: Sundays, 8:30AM - 10:30AM
  St. Rose, Topsfield
  This option includes 9:30 Mass. Parents are required to attend Mass with their children.
  • 8:30: ROCK (Really Outrageous Catholic Kids)
    Kids gather in the church hall for class, during which they will learn a bible story and do activities to help them understand the story.
     
  • 9:25: Mass & Pathfinders
    At 9:25, parents will meet their children in the hall and walk them into the church for Mass. At Mass, during the Liturgy of the Word, kids will go into the church hall for Pathfinders. Pathfinders is Children’s Liturgy of the Word – a time when kids hear the Sunday readings from a children’s bible and do activities to help them understand the readings. They join their families again after the Homily, for the second part of Mass - the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
     
  • 10:30: Coffee and donuts after Mass for anyone who would like to stay!
     
• Option 2: Mondays, 3:45PM - 5:00PM
  St. Agnes, Middleton
  For those in Middleton, there may be a bus that stops at St. Agnes.
   
  • 3:45: ROCK (Really Outrageous Catholic Kids)
    Kids will gather to hear a bible story and complete activities to help them understand the story.
     
  • 4:30: Teaching Mass (sometimes)
    Some weeks, Fr. Dan will celebrate a Teaching Mass for the kids, during which he will teach the parts of the Mass and speak directly to kids during his homily. 

In 2nd Grade, children prepare to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion!

There are two class options for kids in 2nd grade:

• Option 1: Sundays, 8:30-10:30 AM 
  St. Rose, Topsfield
  This option includes Mass. Parents are required to attend Mass with their children. 
   
  • 8:30: ROCK (Really Outrageous Catholic Kids)
    Kids gather in the church hall for class, during which they learn about the Sacraments they are preparing to receive and complete activities which enhance their learning.
     
  • 9:25: Mass & Pathfinders
    At 9:25, parents will meet their children in the hall and walk them into the church for Mass. At Mass, during the Liturgy of the Word, kids will go into the church hall for Pathfinders. Pathfinders is Children’s Liturgy of the Word – a time when kids hear the Sunday readings from a children’s bible and do activities to help them understand the readings. They join their families again after the Homily, for the second part of Mass - the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
     
  • 10:30: Coffee and donuts after Mass for anyone who would like to stay!
     
• Option 2: Mondays, 3:45-5:00
  St. Agnes, Middleton
  For those in Middleton, there may be a bus that stops at St. Agnes.
  • 3:45: ROCK (Really Outrageous Catholic Kids)
    Kids will gather at the beginning of ROCK to learn their lesson of the week.
     
  • 4:30: Teaching Mass 
    Fr. Dan will do a Teaching Mass for the kids each week, during which he will teach the parts of the Mass and speak directly to kids during his homily. Parents are always welcome (but not required) to attend this Mass.

This year's theme for grades 3-8 is Liturgy and Sacraments. 

ROCK is usually broken into 4 Parts:

1. Gather: A fun opening game or activity
2. Proclaim: The main lesson of the week
3. Break: Discussion and/or activities to help break open the lesson
4. Send: Prayerful closing activity and/or challenge for the coming week

ROCK for Grades 3-6 is offered at two times:

• Option 1: Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00 PM
  St. Agnes, Middleton
  For those living in Middleton, there may be a bus from the school to the church.
   
• Option 2: Wednesdays, 4:00-5:00 PM
  St. Rose, Topsfield

Edge is a Catholic middle school youth ministry program. It provides a safe, fun place for youth to find solid Catholic community, to get answers to their questions about faith, and, most importantly, to experience Jesus in a profound and personal way.

Edge Nights are broken into 4 Parts:

1. Gather: A fun opening game or activity
2. Proclaim: The main lesson of the night
3. Break: Small group discussion
4. Send: Prayerful closing activity and/or challenge of the week

This year's theme for grades 3-8 is Liturgy and Sacraments

EDGE Nights are held every Tuesday, 6:30-8:00 PM at St. Agnes.

High School Confirmation Prep is a two-year program. Most teens begin Confirmation prep in Grade 9, but teens may enter Year 1 of the program at any time during high school. 

Year 1 (Usually Grade 9)

• Sundays - St. Rose, Topsfield
   
• Mondays, 5:00-6:30 PM - St. Rose, Topsfield
  This class is ONLY for teens in Grade 9 who attend a Catholic high school and/or attended middle school religious education classes at St. Rose/St. Agnes.

Year 2 (Usually Grade 10)

• Sundays - St. Rose, Topsfield