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Celebrate 40th Anniversary

Hope mingled with memory finds in the latter that solidity which is able to serve as the secure foundation from which to launch the flight toward “the new heavens and the new earth.”

Sofia Cavalletti, “Between Memory and Hope”

Between Memory and Hope

40th Anniversary of CGSUSA and 70th Anniversary of CGS in the World

August 22-25, 2024 in Phoenix, AZ and Live Stream

 

The logo for between memory and hope.

Plenary speakers will give us insights into the Metaphysical Child, the origins and history of CGS and our Association, as well as the status of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in our country today. Workshop speakers will give you the opportunity to receive some valuable information you can pass along to participants in your courses, such as Material Making Tips with Don Martin, Preaching with Children by Ann Garrido, Understanding Children of Many Languages with Lourdes Santiago and Katushka Olave, receiving perspectives from two priests about the Transformative Impact of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd on the parish, and how best to implement Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in the Schools. The Plenary speakers will be live-streamed and recorded, but only one workshop out of the four or five sessions will be recorded.

In addition, there will be a workshop session with a special report from the International Council’s 2023 Consiglio Meeting on Sacramental Preparation, Formation Courses, the work of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in the World, and more!

 

Preliminary List of Plenaries and Workshops

Please Note: Some of the titles are preliminary and may be refined.

The first keynote talk begins Thursday at 6:00 PM, and the final event concludes on Sunday at 1:00 PM.

Plenary Talks

 

Keynote           Our Origins* – Rebekah Rojcewicz

Plenary              Memories of the Association’s History* –  Rebekah Rojcewicz, Linda Kaiel, Tracy Gaestel, Mary Heinrich and Susan Stuhlsatz-Reese

Plenary              The Metaphysical Child * – Bishop Olmsted, Dr. Donald Wallenfang and Megan Wallenfang

Plenary              Our Association Today – What are the key issues impacting our work in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?* – Mary Mirrione, Susan Stuhlsatz-Reese and Karen Maxwell

Plenary              Sustaining Catechesis of the Good Shepherd* – The Nonprofit Life, the Work of CGSUSA – Davette Himes, Erin Miller

 

Workshops

 

Memories of Sofia and Gianna with the Children* – Marty O’Bryan, Claudia Margarita Schmitt, and Rebekah Rojcewicz

Material Making Tips – Don Martin, The Catechist Husband

Preaching with Children – Ann Garrido

CGS in Schools – Dan Teller, Cathy Johanni

Ignatian Spirituality and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd – Father Joseph Hill

The Child as Hope and Promise* – Anna Hurdle, Linda Kaiel, and Lynne Worthington

The Mission Work of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd – Celine Mitchell, Lourdes Santiago, Kerri Mecke-Lozano

The Transformative Impact of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd on a Parish – Father Robert Gaestel and Father Greg Schlarb

Observations Serving Toddlers in the Atrium* – Cecilia Drabbant, Tracy Miller, Pamela Contu-Owen, Kerri Mecke-Lozano

The Adolescent Experiment – Rebekah Rojcewicz, Joann Terranova, Anita Vincent

The Voice of the Good Shepherd Calls – The Liturgical Languages of the Children in different denominations – Cathy Gould, Donna Turner, Susan Stuhlsatz-Reese, Lynn Robinson

The Child of Many Languages – The Bi-lingual Experience of the Spanish Speaking Children in the Atrium* – Lourdes Santiago, Katushka Olave, Patty Verduzco

The Consiglio Report – Updates from the 2023 International Council Meeting – Mary Mirrione, Karen Maxwell

Atrium Alumni – Voices of those who experienced the Atrium – Clare Heinrich, Sarah Himes, and others

*These talks will be livestreamed and recorded.

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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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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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