GS and Child Podcast | Season 1

Episode 5 – Material Making with Lynda Catalano

“Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others.” – Colossians 3:23 NAB

Does the idea of making materials for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium intimidate you? Do you find material making to be spiritually uplifting or seemingly impossible? Why is the catechist requested to make the materials with his/her own hands? How can this become a tool for spiritual growth?

Lynda Catalano shares with us her wisdom and passion for making the materials by hand. She encourages us to go beyond what we THINK are our artistic capabilities. Lynda shares with us her journey in making materials for the children’s use in the atrium. She offers practical tips along with looking at how through making CGS materials catechists can re-discover the value of being essential and she does this by inviting us to embark on a deeply spiritual Lenten journey while making the City of Jerusalem.

Come join us and be inspired to pick up a paint brush or try your hand at a scroll saw and most importantly, to find spiritual value in the work of YOUR hands and the gift materials are to the work of the children in the atrium.

Lynda Catalano has been a catechist at Trinity Church in Fillmore, California for 30 years. She works weekly in the atrium with groups of 3 to 6-year-olds, 6 to 9-year-olds, and 9 to 12-year-olds. She has led Levels I, II and III catechist formation throughout the United States and internationally including serving on national formation teams. Lynda is bi-lingual in Spanish and has also offered catechist formation in Spanish. She is a member of the Formation Leader Discernment Committee and served on teams for the Formation Leader Training Courses for the United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Lynda is retired from teaching kindergarten and first graders in a public school. She has four adult children and three beautiful grandchildren.

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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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