Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Blossoms in Afton
August 22, 2025
by Ann Pierson
In a converted rectory, St. Edward Parish in Afton has offered Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for more than 10 years.
The passion that volunteers have for CGS has led the rural parish to offer all three levels (ages 3-6, 6-9, 9-12), and a toddler atrium for its parishioners.
Michelle Moore, the office manager of St. Edward and Holy Spirit Parish in Creston and CGS catechist, is one of those volunteers.
In 2011, when Moore and her family moved to Afton, she spoke with the parish about bringing CGS to St. Edward, with Moore’s family making the materials that furnished the first atrium.
“The children immediately embraced it,” Moore recalled.
Over time, more parishioners took formation classes and volunteered, and the atrium grew. Most recently, St. Edward added their toddler atrium after receiving a grant from the Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa.
Throughout her 13 years of offering CGS at St. Edward, Moore has loved watching the children use the atria’s works to connect with Christ. They establish Christ as a “person, place, and time” to the kids.
“[The children] adore the specially designed works, with toddlers sometimes focusing for 30 to 40 minutes,” Moore said. “It’s truly moving to witness them build a foundation of prayer through meditation and silence.”
Lindsay Thelen, a CGS volunteer and former director of religious education at St. Edward, has three children in CGS. Her kids are in different atria, and they each love CGS for different reasons.
“It is so hands on and gives them independent learning,” Thelen said.
Maintaining the atria at St. Edward has brought challenges like training catechists, finding volunteers to donate their time, and upkeeping the prepared environment.
For Moore, the relationships the children have with God makes the sacrifices worth it.
“I’ve witnessed [CGS’s] powerful fruit: formations that uplift and foster closer relationships with Jesus,” Moore said. “The blessings are evident.”