FAITH FORMATION
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level 1 Training
CGS Level 1 training will be taking place during the 2025-2026 school year at Mary, Queen of Peace parish in Webster Groves. Please see the PDF below for details and registration information.
To see how CGS Level 1 training aligns with catechist/teacher Religion Certification, please view this document.
GENERAL
All new teachers in the Archdiocese of St. Louis and their school-assigned mentors are invited to a year-long mentoring program. New teachers will fulfill the DESE
requirement of having an ongoing mentor the first two years of teaching, while getting to know other new teachers in our Archdiocese.
requirement of having an ongoing mentor the first two years of teaching, while getting to know other new teachers in our Archdiocese.
Registered teachers and mentors will receive:
- Monthly outlines to facilitate helpful and timely information for mentoring sessions.
- First semester Zoom Meetings (Fall dates: September 25, October 16 and November 12) with all new teachers, their mentors, and the Office of Catholic Education and Formation Staff.
- Ongoing support for mentors and new teachers to focus conversations on faith formation and student learning.
- The opportunity to build professional relationships and connections with other Archdiocesan educators.
All mentors and mentees must register to participate in AMMP. (Click below.)
Revised Archdiocesan Unified Standards
K-8 Math
The Archdiocesan Unified Standards for Math have been revised/edited to match the Missouri Learning Standards. These changes are reflected in the Archdiocesan Unified Standards, and they are specified in the Changes to the Archdiocesan Unified Standards document (both are available on catholicfaithstl.com). They also will be reflected in the Chalk unit development platform.
We appreciate and thank the educators who collaboratively worked with us and most importantly, brought our attention to the significant differences in the Archdiocesan Unified Standards and the Missouri Learning Standards. These edits will close math content/skill gaps and improve our students' learning.
K-8 Science
For each grade level K-8, the Science Standards were edited to match Next Generation Science Standards. However, there are notable exceptions. Verbiage in the original standard set that is notated with an asterisk and included “lens of Catholicism” (giving guidance on teaching content in a Catholic context) was preserved. Additionally, standard MS-ESS3-5 matches the Missouri Learning Standard rather than the Next Generation Science Standards. Teachers should also note that in following the Next Generation Science Standards, there are no Priority Standards.
For further support in teaching the Next Generation Science Standards visit the following links:
NWEA Rostering Support and Teacher Proctoring Support will be offered virtually. No RSVPs are needed to attend the virtual session, and there is no limit to how many people may attend.
August 7 at 1p.m. - 2nd Virtual Option for Teacher Proctoring Support
Meeting ID: 288 615 019 277
Passcode: HU6Lf2u6
2025-2026 LETRS Training Dates
LETRS participants will be training on the following days at the Cardinal Rigali Center. Please save the dates.
Volume 1 Participants: September 25, October 21, November 18 and January 20
Volume 2 Participants: September 30, October 23 and January 22
September Elementary Professional Peer Groups
Professional Peer Groups offer the opportunity for teachers across the archdiocese to collaborate, support each other and discuss important topics in their subject area. Conversations are facilitated by Maureen Lovette, Director of Academic Programs and Planning. Please reach out to Maureen at maureenlovette@archstl.org or 314.792.7321 if you have any questions.
SPREAD THE WORD:
TEACH CATHOLIC!
A multi-week Archdiocesan-wide teacher recruitment campaign began in February, featuring television, print and digital advertising. Help spread the word with the attached toolkit that includes ready-to-go materials with social media images, suggested copy and video links. Follow Archdiocese of St. Louis on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn and YouTube to like and share posts!
Contact Thomas Berra, Marketing Specialist, at thomasberra@archstl.org or 314.792.7632 for assistance.
RESOURCES
August - Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
There are two Marian feasts in the month of August.
- August 15th - (Holy Day of Obligation) - The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
- August 22nd - The Queenship of Mary/ Immaculate Heart of Mary
Check out these ideas for celebrating Mary during the month of August.
Feast of St. Louis of France
August 25th is the Feast of St. Louis of France. Check out these resources and videos to learn more about the patron of our Archdiocese.
Resources
- Summary of St. Louis & Coloring Page (ages 4+) https://parents.catholic.sg/saint-louis-of-france-2/
- Summary of St. Louis, Coloring, and Activity (adaptable for elementary and middle school grades) https://familyformationblog.net/2012/08/25/summer-saints-louis-king-of-france/
Videos
- Saint Louis IX - (1:47) - (Upper Elementary - Middle School) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RwMtVzccPk
- History of Saint Louis: French King and American City - (10:17) - (Middle School) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L20yUvOLRQ8
Prayer
Saint Louis, you came to know Christ at a young age. Your faith-filled mother instilled in you a clear vision of your moral duty and responsibility before God. You responded to that gift by being a king after the Heart of Christ, seeking justice and peace for all. Please pray for me, that I will embrace my own duties in life with love and justice, never seeking my own selfish desires but only the desires in the Heart of Christ. Saint Louis, King of France, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen (from MyCatholicLife)
TEACHERS 1ST GRACE
Teachers 1st Grace is a non-profit ministry with a mission to help new Catholic teachers LOVE their classrooms and help bring the message of Christ’s joy and mercy. What does YOUR room need to bring His message to life?
Teachers 1st Grace can supply new rugs, curtains, sacramentals, books, stools, posters and more to create a room that is uniquely yours!
The application process is easy. See the attached flier for more information.
All schoolchildren are encouraged to participate in the Missionary Childhood Association, one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies in which Pope Leo XIV invites children to be his collaborators in carrying out the missionary work of the Church. Through the Missionary Childhood Association, children are taught how to pray and sacrifice for other children around the world, developing a missionary spirit that will accompany them throughout their lives.
Here is how to get started:
- Join the MCA monthly e-newsletter - open to all principals, CRE/DREs, teachers, catechists, and parents
- Bookmark the MCA Shared Drive with materials throughout the year, such as missionary saints, features on the Church in other countries, and ways to pray for the missionary Church
- Order free classroom supplies, such as world mission rosaries, posters, and mite boxes
- Participate in the National Virtual Prayer Service on October 16 during Mission Month
- Learn more about MCA here
All of these resources can be accessed at www.archstl.org/mca. Questions? Please reach out to Kim Specht, Mission Office Director, at kimspecht@archstl.org.
New Pope, Renewed Platform: Laudato Si'
“Ten years ago, Pope Francis signed the Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’... It has had an extraordinary impact, inspiring countless initiatives and teaching everyone to listen to the twofold cry of the Earth and of the poor. I greet and encourage the Laudato Si’ movement and all those who carry on this commitment.” – Pope Leo XIV, May 25, 2025.
Explore the updated Laudato Si’ Action Platform with easy-to-use tools, a step-by-step action checklist and a new certificate program to help Catholic schools, parishes and families turn sustainability into meaningful action. Click here to learn more.
Jubilee Year Resources
Pope Francis officially declared the year 2025 to be a Jubilee Year for the Church. In a year of Jubilee, we are invited to seek an intense experience of God. This year, we are challenged to reflect on God’s creation with awe, observing with patience the changing seasons in our lives, and reminds us that we are "Pilgrims of Hope." The Jubilee Year ends on December 14, 2025. Below are resources to use throughout the year.
- The Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents and the Elderly is a special event held May 30–June 1 within the Jubilee of Hope 2025
- "Doors of Hope" (RCL Benziger) - monthly resources with activities for the classroom or at home
- Jubilee Website - includes the official Jubilee Prayer (in multiple languages)
COMMUNITY EVENTS
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