TRAINING ANNOUNCEMENT

Catechist Formation - Level 1 (ages 3-6)

Sacramento

 

 

Description

This 96-hour course provides the training required to achieve certification by the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for catechesis of 3-6 year-olds. After the first full weekend in August, participants will have enough training to begin working with children in their first year of catechesis in an established CGS Atrium.

 

Schedule

One full weekend in August, 2025, dates to be determined

One Saturday afternoon per month from September 2025 through April 2027, dates TBD

 

Leader

Janette Vincent, Head Catechist for the Greater Sacramento Atrium, is certified by the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and has led over 3,000 hours of catechesis with 3-12 year olds since 2004. Through the years she has mentored about a hundred lead catechists and assistant catechists, serving children from numerous parishes around the diocese. Janette is married with three children. She is also a board certified family physician.

 

Location

The training will take place at the Greater Sacramento Atrium in Elverta, located just north of Natomas, near Sacramento International Airport. Address, map and directions will be provided to enrollees.

 

Tuition

The following tuition amounts are for catechists from parishes within the Diocese of Sacramento. Applicants who are not from parishes in the Diocese of Sacramento, please contact us for tuition amounts.

• Payment 1: $200 if received in full by August 1, 2025 at 4:00PM; $300 if received by August 19, 2025 at 4:00PM. (Applications received after this time will be returned.)
• Payment 2: $200 if received in full by May 1, 2026 at 4:00PM; $300 if received by May 7, 2026 at 4:00 PM (Participants making their second payment after this date are welcome to resume their training after we receive their second payment.)

Because CGS Greater Sacramento is a 501(c)(3) exempt nonprofit organization, your tuition may be tax deductible. Refunds are not available after the early discount deadlines. 

 

In addition to tuition costs, trainees expect to pay about $70-$80 for three required books:

• Listening to God with Children
• The Good Shepherd and the Child: A Joyful Journey, Revised & Updated
• The Religious Potential of the Child, Third Edition

Trainees can either:

1) purchase the books themselves to begin reading before the training begins, or

2) wait to participate in a group order after the training begins, in order to save on shipping costs and possibly share copies with other trainees

 

Click here to purchase these books new from the National Association for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Used copies can also often be found through other online sellers.

 

Financial Assistance

Limited financial assistance is available for applicants from parishes in the Diocese of Sacramento. Financial assistance applications are due July 25, 2025. In fairness to all, please do not request special individual exceptions to this firm deadline. To apply for financial assistance, click here. 

 

Apply for the Training

By credit/debit card: Click here 

By check: Click here

Training space is limited. We will promptly return/refund payments to applicants who we cannot enroll.