The Catechesis does not attempt to explain God to the child but presents the Bible and materials in a way that nurtures the already existing relationship between the child and God. Developed in Italy in the 1950's, the program embodies many Montessori principles. Throughout the Church year, a series of presentations concern the altar, baptism, gestures of the Eucharist, biblical geography, the Nativity, Jesus' parables, Holy Week, and Pentecost. The presentations are done in a three-year cycle to give the children time to absorb the full richness of the materials. The class may start with a reading or a song, continue with a presentation by the teacher along with discussion with the children, and conclude with a project, such as making a mural depicting Jacob's ladder, developing a Nativity scene over the four Sundays of Advent, or sharing a reading from the Bible.
Children engage in weekly discussions and activities centered on stories from the Bible.
This program includes an in-depth exploration of Self, Society, Sexuality and Spirituality. The program is built around three distinct phases of development. In addition, the rector teaches an adult Bible study on Thursday evenings.