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The Journal

Providing a reflective resource for ongoing formation with serious scholarship to support children’s theological education

The Journal of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is the annual journal of the United States Association of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, in cooperation with the International Council of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. The Journal is the continuing expression of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Publications, published with the same spirit and focus – the religious life of the child and the essentials of the Christian faith.

The Journal’s mission is to provide those concerned with children’s theological education a reflective resource for ongoing formation with serious scholarship to support their work with children. Through its articles the Journal seeks an understanding of the child, particularly from the point of view of his/her religious potential. This focus on the religious life of the child is the distinguishing feature of the Journal. In continuing to learn what the child has to teach adults about God, the Journal chooses themes centered on children’s innate spirituality and religious development as described in the work of Maria Montessori, Sofia Cavalletti, and Gianna Gobbi. The theological artwork, prayers and observations of children in the atrium are vital. Of particular interest are works of the child that show the synthesis of themes presented in the atrium.

Our goal is to publish writing in the spirit of poverty before an experience, the fruits of which are not our own.

We solicit theological articles by authors arising out of their work with the children in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, pertinent to the theme identified for that year’s issue. Articles should show rigorous theology, demonstrating careful research and reflection on the Christian message and the Catechesis, but always keeping the focus on the child. The perspective derived from authors who are working directly with children in an atrium is preferred.

The 2021 issue of the Journal of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is now available!

Current members of CGSUSA receive a copy of the Journal. Please visit our Publications store to order the current issue or back issues of the Journal of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

How to submit children’s artwork or your photos for consideration for publication in the Journal:

To obtain the best possible image for children’s art, please send the original artwork or a color copy. The child’s art should be free of all adult writing. Comments or explanations can be written on the permission form sent with the artwork rather than directly on the child’s work. For every contribution, we need the child’s name, age and, if pertinent, something the child said about his or her drawing. One can include an explanation of the circumstances that led to the child’s work. The permission form needs to include the child’s home address and the signature of one of the child’s parents.

  • Step one: Download Consent Form PDF
  • Step two: Print, fill out and mail the form to The United States Association of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGSUSA) 7655 E. Main Street Scottsdale, Arizona 85251

Alternatively, you may upload images of artwork through the Online Submission Form.  Please do not use both methods as this will create duplicate efforts and confusion.

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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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