Connect
Member Benefits
The Value of CGUSA Membership
Offering Friendship and Support
Offering Friendship and Support
Benefits
- Member Memo
- Online Member Directory
- Scholarships and Grants
- Regional Groups
- CGSUSA Social Media
- Servant Song Retreat
Providing Wisdom and Information
Providing Wisdom and Information
Benefits
- Annual Journal
- Foglietto
- Newsletters
- Publications
- Online Material
- Manual for Individual Members
- National Courses
A Voice and Advocate for the Spiritual Life of the Child
As well, a sizable membership that represents the remarkable spread of CGS is itself testimony to the power of this work in the life of both adults and children; and gives CGSUSA a strong voice in advocating for the spiritual life of the child.
Honoring the Dignity of the Child
To be true to its purpose, CGSUSA looks to how it’s founders developed and continued this work. Following the way of Jesus, Cavalletti and Gobbi approached their work in a spirit of poverty, simplicity, and generosity. They prayerfully designed and made simple materials for the children’s use. They honored the dignity of the child, and sought no accolades for themselves. Cavalletti called CGS “the greatest gift from God I would ever have thought about.”
“In many ways, my work in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd has been driven by the desire to remain. Over the past 25 years, the joy and rewards of sharing our Christian faith with children in an atrium setting have become a bedrock to my own spiritual journey. The presentations, the materials and the times of working and wondering with the children have strengthened my understanding of the scripture and my thoughts during worship. “
—Lynn Robinson, Catechist, member since 1990
Learn More About The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
What Our Website Offers:
The Annual Journal
The Annual Journal is a wonderful array of articles pertinent to our work containing children’s artwork, prayers, and anecdotes from the children, to nourish us in the spirit of CGS.
The Foglietti
The Foglietti are vital “little memos” from the International Council (the “Consiglio”) that connect us to the latest developments in materials or news about CGS from around the world.
Materials Manuals
Catechists who join CGSUSA as Individual Members will receive access to the online Materials Manual for the levels for which they have received a certificate. Catechists currently enrolled in a course may also join and receive access.
Online Membership Directory
Membership offers us a way to stay connected so that we can share the richness of the experiences we have with the children as we listen with them to the voice of the Good Shepherd.
Voting Privilege
One vote per individual membership; One vote per Organization Membership: Members give voice to the conversation of how the gift of this work is celebrated and implemented in the US when they participate in electing board members and approving/disapproving board recommendations.
Social Media and Newsletters
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- CGSUSA News: a quarterly e-newsletter providing updates on the association’s projects and events.
- My First Year in the Atrium: a monthly newsletter (sent for the first twelve months of membership) for brand new members of CGSUSA.
- Member Memo: a quarterly newsletter for ALL of our members.
- Board News: a newsletter from the Board of Trustees.
- In the Meadow: a monthly newsletter for our Church/Organization members.
- Found Coin: focusing on the support and stewardship for CGSUSA. Formation Leader eNews: a newsletter from the Formation Office for those who lead formation courses.
Support in the form of Scholarships and Grants
The mission of the Tina Lillig Memorial Fund is to support the growth and development of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd through catechist formation, missionary outreach, and the work of The United States Association of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGSUSA). To these ends, the Tina Lillig Memorial Fund offers a source of (1) financial aid (in the form of partial scholarships) to applicants who would find paying the full tuition of a course to be a hardship; (2) grants for missionary outreach to organizations working to open atria in under-served regions of the United States; and (3) also supports the purpose, mission and vision of the United States Association through direct support to the Association and its Endowment fund.
All applicants for financial aid or grants from the Fund must be a member of The United States Association of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGSUSA). Read more about the scholarship and grant process, to review requirements, and to submit applications.
Thank You Gift
A small thank you gift, often a small pack of mustard seeds, to enhance your work with the children.