Season 4

Episode 120. History of the Journal with Carol Dittberner and Betsy Peterson

“Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.” 

— Psalm 111:1-3 

Celebrate 40 Years of CGSUSA Registration for the 40th Celebration closes on August 1st, 2024! 

FAQs about the 40th 

Purchase the 40th Anniversary Commemorative Journal Here

Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! 

 

CORRECTION– In our conversation we referred to LTP under the wrong name. LTP’s correct name is Liturgical Training Publications. 

 

CGSUSA is a wealth of knowledge and resources to support our work with the children. One of those resources is the annual journal that is given to all members and can be purchased through the CGSUSA store.  Carol and Betsy join us on the podcast to share with us the history of the CGSUSA annual journal. 

Carol Dittberner’s experiences with children and adults span over 40 years. In 1974, she completed the Level I Montessori Training Course in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Just one year later, in July, 1975, Sofia Cavalletti made her first trip to the United States. In St. Paul, MN, Carol was a participant in this first course on the religious formation of the child. She completed the Assistants to Infancy Course at Opera Montessori Nationale in Rome, Italy, and has a M.A. from St. Mary’s University in Minneapolis, MN. Her work as a catechist has been with Toddlers, Levels I, II, and III. As a Formation Leader, she conducted courses around the U.S., and international trips to New Zealand and Australia. Mission trips for the Missionaries of Charity include Uganda. Kenya, Rwanda, Uzbekistan, Trinidad and Sri Lanka. Carol was the co-founder of the first Catechesis Journal, first published in 1984. 

Betsy Peterson lives in Chicago, Illinois. She is a wife, and the mother of two grown children. 

She fell in love with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in 1990, and 34 years later, the love just continues to grow. She works in the 9-12 atrium at Church of Our Saviour Episcopal church, and the 3-6 atrium at St Teresa of Avila Roman Catholic church. She is certified through CGSUSA as a formation leader in all three levels. She was a member of the CGS Journal team for twelve years. Learning, praying, singing – being with the children fills her with wonder and delight, as does the deep friendships with her fellow catechists. She thanks God for giving her this work. What a gift! 

 

[content_modules]

Follow Us

Formation for Adults

Adults are given the opportunity to embrace a method of religious education that will deepen one’s relationship with God.

Recent Updates from CGSUSA

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.

The CGS Approach

Find an Atrium

CGSUSA
CGS in the Home
CGS in the Parish
CGS in the School

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.

CGS in the World
CGS and Ecumenism

Roman Catholic Tradition

Episcopal Tradition

Orthodox Tradition

History
32 Points of Reflection
CBP en Espanol
Children with Disabilities
Justice and Solidarity

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.

Courses for Adults
Host a Course
Register a Course
Scholarships & Grants

Good Shepherd and the Child Podcast

The Journal
Document Library
Resources

Connect to CGSUSA

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.

Become a Member
Member Benefits
Individual Membership
Organization Membership
Regions & Regional Groups
CGSUSA Leadership: Staff & Board

40th Anniversary Celebration Event

CGSUSA Vendor Members - Digital Source List

Support CGSUSA

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.

CGSUSA
Leadership: Staff and Board of Trustees
Advocacy
Contact Us
Ways to Give
TLM Memorial Fund
Tribute Gifts
Sustainable Giving