A way of being with children: Exploring the catechesis of the Good Shepherd from a pastoral perspective

grantor: University of St. Michael's CollegeThe research concern, upon which this thesis is based, is to explore in what way the Good Shepherd Catechesis serves as a means of empowering adults to accompany children on their spiritual journey in a mutually formative manner, so that the adult is prepared to nurture, and be nurtured by, the spiritual lives of children. The applied research study (pastoral experience), designed to investigate this concern, has an especially practical orientation. Its participants, settings, and content all relate to the adult formation programme of which I am the formation director (Good Shepherd Catechesis Certificate Programme, under the aegis of the Toronto Roman Catholic archdiocese, and the Continuing Education Division of the University of St. Michael's College). Since this catechesis is little known here, the written account of the research project opens with a contextualization of the catechesis, followed by an introduction of the seven participants in their present ministerial setting. After setting the scene, there is a presentation of the theoretical bases supporting the study, including some theological, pastoral and catechetical aspects. Returning to a focus on praxis, the three-phase pastoral project is explored, especially in terms of the thematics emerging from the data: sources of nourishment in, and means of empowerment for ministry. The thesis continues with a reflection on other major thematics relating to communion, community and ministry. This is followed by an evaluative treatment relating to the participants' formation and ministry experiences, and a discussion as to their practical implications in terms of shaping future courses (Certificate Programme). Finally, this work concludes with a retrospective look at some additional contributions of the study as a whole.D.Min