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CGS Resources

CATECHETICAL THEMES

Themes found in each level of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Adult Formation

Catechetical Themes in Level I (ages 3-6) CGS and Relevant Church Documents

Themes in Level I CGS and Adult Formation, specific presentations and lectures, relevant scriptural and liturgical foundations and relevant ecclesial documents.
Updated Spring 2025

Catechetical Themes in Level II (ages 6-9) CGS and Relevant Church Documents

Themes in Level II CGS Adult Formation, specific presentations and lectures, relevant scriptural and liturgical foundations and relevant ecclesial documents.
Updated Spring 2025

Catechetical Themes in Level III (ages 9-12) CGS and Relevant Church Documents

Themes in Level III CGS Adult Formation, specific presentations and lectures, relevant scriptural and liturgical foundations and relevant ecclesial documents.
Updated Spring 2025

CGSUSA DOWNLOADS

Downloadable PDF documents

32 Points of Reflection

The Characteristics of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

History And Impact Of CGS By Carolyn Kohlhaas

Carolyn Kohlhaas insightful examination of the relationship between the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd method and the content of the Christian message lifted up in these presentations.

CGS And Conformity With The Catechism Of The Catholic Church

Statement of CGSUSA on the Office for the Catechism of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) current Protocol for Assessing the Conformity of Catechetical Materials with the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

A Living Sign of Covenant

 From the 2002 Journal by Bishop Frank Griswold

We Have Already Been Together

From the 2002 Journal by Tina Lillig

The Anthropological and Christological Foundations of Baptismal Formation

Article by Trinka Hamel, 2020

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: A Way of Experiencing God

From Pastoral Liturgy magazine by Barbara Matera

Blossoms of Joy: The Youngest Children

From the 2016 Journal by Elizabeth Calanchini

Catechetical Leader Magazine – Vol 25, Num 5

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: Where A Child Can Fall In Love with God.

Introducing—tHeART Of The Child

Reflection by Patti Franz

CGSUSA Summer Book Club Guide

A Guide for reading The Religious Potential of The Child

The Faith Formation Of Children-Are We Asking The Right Questions By Fr. Chris Aridas

Published by the National Pastoral Life Center and used with permission, Father Chris Aridas examines our starting points for beginning the faith formation of children.

The Continuum Of The Catechesis By Sofia Cavalletti

From the Commemorative Journal Sofia Cavalletti 1917-2911

Statement On Io Sono

What is Io Sono il Buon Pastore (I Am the Good Shepherd Book Series)?

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Article on the foundations of CGS by Fr. Giancarlo Pani S.J. Fr. Giancarlo, Deputy Director of La Civiltà Cattolica

Offering The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to Children in The Episcopal Church

Theology of Worship paper by Carol Nyberg Caraviotis

CGS In Orthodox Parishes Nationwide

Listing of CGS Atria in Orthodox Parishes

Assistants in the Atrium: Practical Considerations

Suggestions for assistants serving in the atrium by Karen Maxwell

Helpful Links For Serving Children With Special Needs

List of resources for welcoming all children into the atrium.

Open Letter From Parents of Teens

An Open Letter to parents of 3-6 year old children from the parent of teenage children.

Endorsement From His Grace Bishop Joseph, Dioceses of Los Angeles and The West

Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Endorsement From Rt. Rev. Bishop David Mahaffey, Bishop of Sitka and Alaska

Orthodox Diocese of Sitka and Alaska

Endorsement From Fr. Anthony Vrame, Director of Religious Education For Goarch

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: An Approach to Religious Formation For Children, Integrating the Heart, Mind, and Heart

 Article by Dr. Mary Ford, professor at St Tikhon’s Seminary

Relationship With God—Joy by Nora Bonilla

Nora Bonilla writes about the nature of the artwork of the child.

CGSUSA Statement on Racism

Statements from our Churches and a reading list for further reflection

Recognizing The Gift: A Parish Guide For Welcoming Children With Disabilities

Published by the Catechetical Office of the Archdioceses of New York

All About The Atrium – CGSUSA Parent Newsletter, Sept 2015

An Introduction to the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and the religious life of young children for parents.

CGS Highlighted in Harrisburg Diocesan Paper

An Introduction to the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and the religious life of young children for parents.

Do You See What I See – tHeART Of The Child

From 2017 Journal by Mary Mirrione

LINKS

Useful links to other valued sources

Thoughts From The Sheepfold

Reflections from Christian Formation Director -Christ Episcopal Church, Shaker Heights, Ohio

What Is The Catechesis Of The Good Shepherd?

Parish Welcome & Introduction – St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Charlotte, NC

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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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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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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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