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Shades of Oak

Lester Scheuermann

lws3@msn.com

 

Shades of Oak
Black and white drawing of a child with a shepherd's staff and grapevine, surrounded by the texts "I am the good shepherd" and "I am the true vine." Text below reads "2025–2026 COLLABORATOR.

Lester Scheuermann started Shades of Oak over thirty years ago as a cottage industry to support the growing work of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd throughout the United States. He is the husband of a Montessori-trained catechist (Level I,II,III) and the father of two catechesis-trained children. Shades of Oak has supplied over three hundred atria with quality material. Working part-time from his home-based workshop, he has developed a limited selection of durable and beautiful material for the atria. Availability of materials varies; all items are sold unfinished for completion by the catechist.

A set of wooden pieces on a blue background.
A clock made out of wood on a blue background.
A wooden spoon on a blue surface.

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We believe God and the child have a unique relationship with one another. Children need their own place to foster the growth of that relationship. The growth of this relationship is assisted by the adult, but is directed by the Spirit of God within the child.

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What is the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd? The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd was born from the joy of the children’s encounter with God. It has been observed that children of the same developmental stage, even those from widely varying cultural backgrounds, respond to elements of the Christian message in the same way.

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In Catechesis of the Good Shepherd adults are given the opportunity to embrace a method of catechesis (or religious education) that will deepen one’s relationship with God. Catechist formation in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is both instructive as well as experiential. It captivates both the head as well as the heart.

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We read in the Gospel of Mark that Jesus sent his disciples out in pairs, two by two; the journey was not meant to be a solitary one. It is essential for us as catechists to support one another as we prepare materials, work in the atrium, and observe the child. We come together in unity, as members of CGSUSA, to share the joy of this work.

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Through their joy, their wonder and awe, their capacity for love and prayer, and their radical simplicity, children offer us adults a glimpse of what it means to fall in love with God. This has been the work of CGSUSA for over 30 years: to advocate for the child’s joy.

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