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Membership Types

Types of Membership

We encourage individuals, churches, schools and other organizations to join the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd so that we can continue to build the network of those who support this work of Christian spiritual formation for children. We offer two types of membership: Individual Membership and Organization Membership.

Individual Membership

An Individual Member is any/all individual persons (catechist, formation leader, aide, director/coordinator, clergy/religious, passionate parent/grandparent)

Contributing Member
Annual Membership of $50 or more
Companion Member
Annual Membership of $75 or more
Supporting Member
Annual Membership of $150 or more
Visionary Member
Annual Membership of $500 or more

Contributing Member

Connects catechists and others, who appreciate the gift that CGS offers the child, to those throughout the country who also wish to nurture the child’s relationship with God. Anyone serving the child through this work is encouraged to join CGSUSA at this entry-level.

Companion Member

Allows the adult to accompany the child in their relationship with God. The companion level allows those who seek to offer additional support to the mission of CGSUSA, beyond the entry-level of membership.

Supporting Member

Strengthens the network that connects catechists to one another and supports the continued development of catechist resources. Gifts at this level support the full cost of membership.

Visionary Member

Ensures the vision and work of CGSUSA can be shared with others who are committed to this method of spiritual formation of the child. If you have the heart for and capacity to give more, we ask your prayerful consideration of membership at this level.

Organization Membership

Organization Members are any entity (church/parish, school, regional group, diocese, etc.) that either offers CGS and/or supports those who serve the children as catechists, aides, or formation leaders) Share the CGSUSA Organization Membership Flyer with your church or school community.

Sponsor
Annual Membership of $150 or more
Collaborator
Annual Membership of $250 or more
Partner
Annual Membership of $500 or more
Benefactor
Annual Membership of $1000 or more

Sponsor

Supports the full cost of membership and affirms in a visible way, to families and communities, that the spiritual life of the child is important. Any churches, schools, or regional groups are encouraged to join at this entry level.

Collaborator

Lives and serves the catechesis we receive, its vision of the child, its materials, its environment, and its sources. Collaborator members proclaim the gift of CGS to the community.

Partner

Answers the call to accompany the workers in the vineyard – the catechists, formation leaders, and others who serve in CGS – by helping to reduce the financial burden on individual catechists.

Benefactor

Works with CGSUSA to offer formation, ongoing education, and to deepen others’ understanding of the spiritual life of the child. Benefactor members are signs to the Church and beyond that, the religious values of childhood, especially contemplation and joy, are worth cultivating.

Notice regarding clarification to Organization Membership

It is important to clarify that an Organization Membership is not a “group” membership. Historically, groups of catechists have maintained membership through an organization (typically a church or school) and have relied on a primary contact for access to CGSUSA resources, especially the online Materials Manual. Because the online Materials Manual is a resource for those formed catechists – individuals who have participated in a CGSUSA catechist formation course, and that the materials manual is an extension of their album page – this feature is simply for Individual Membership. An Organization Membership will continue to be an avenue for those churches, schools and regions to show their support of CGSUSA.

Your Support Matters

There are many ways to help support the ongoing mission of The United States Association of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. 
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Welcome to CGSUSA

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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Discover CGS

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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Learn with CGS

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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