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Celebrate 40th Anniversary
Hope mingled with memory finds in the latter that solidity which is able to serve as the secure foundation from which to launch the flight toward “the new heavens and the new earth.”
Sofia Cavalletti, “Between Memory and Hope”
Between Memory and Hope
40th Anniversary of CGSUSA and 70th Anniversary of CGS in the World
August 22-25, 2024 in Phoenix, AZ and Live Stream
Plenary speakers will give us insights into the Metaphysical Child, the origins and history of CGS and our Association, as well as the status of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in our country today. Workshop speakers will give you the opportunity to receive some valuable information you can pass along to participants in your courses, such as Material Making Tips with Don Martin, Preaching with Children by Ann Garrido, Understanding Children of Many Languages with Lourdes Santiago and Katushka Olave, receiving perspectives from two priests about the Transformative Impact of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd on the parish, and how best to implement Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in the Schools. The Plenary speakers will be live-streamed and recorded, but only one workshop out of the four or five sessions will be recorded.
In addition, there will be a workshop session with a special report from the International Council’s 2023 Consiglio Meeting on Sacramental Preparation, Formation Courses, the work of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in the World, and more!
Preliminary List of Plenaries and Workshops
Please Note: Some of the titles are preliminary and may be refined.
The first keynote talk begins Thursday at 6:00 PM, and the final event concludes on Sunday at 1:00 PM.
Plenary Talks
Keynote        Our Origins* – Rebekah Rojcewicz
Plenary       Memories of the Association’s History* – Rebekah Rojcewicz, Linda Kaiel, Tracy Gaestel, Mary Heinrich and Susan Stuhlsatz-Reese
Plenary       The Metaphysical Child * – Bishop Olmsted, Dr. Donald Wallenfang and Megan Wallenfang
Plenary       Our Association Today – What are the key issues impacting our work in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?* – Mary Mirrione, Susan Stuhlsatz-Reese and Karen Maxwell
Plenary       Sustaining Catechesis of the Good Shepherd* – The Nonprofit Life, the Work of CGSUSA – Davette Himes, Erin Miller
Workshops
Memories of Sofia and Gianna with the Children* – Marty O’Bryan, Claudia Margarita Schmitt, and Rebekah Rojcewicz
Material Making Tips – Don Martin, The Catechist Husband
Preaching with Children – Ann Garrido
CGS in Schools – Dan Teller, Cathy Johanni
Ignatian Spirituality and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd – Father Joseph Hill
The Child as Hope and Promise* – Anna Hurdle, Linda Kaiel, and Lynne Worthington
The Mission Work of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd – Celine Mitchell, Lourdes Santiago, Kerri Mecke-Lozano
The Transformative Impact of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd on a Parish – Father Robert Gaestel and Father Greg Schlarb
Observations Serving Toddlers in the Atrium* – Cecilia Drabbant, Tracy Miller, Pamela Contu-Owen, Kerri Mecke-Lozano
The Adolescent Experiment – Rebekah Rojcewicz, Joann Terranova, Anita Vincent
The Voice of the Good Shepherd Calls – The Liturgical Languages of the Children in different denominations – Cathy Gould, Donna Turner, Susan Stuhlsatz-Reese, Lynn Robinson
The Child of Many Languages – The Bi-lingual Experience of the Spanish Speaking Children in the Atrium* – Lourdes Santiago, Katushka Olave, Patty Verduzco
The Consiglio Report – Updates from the 2023 International Council Meeting – Mary Mirrione, Karen Maxwell
Atrium Alumni – Voices of those who experienced the Atrium – Clare Heinrich, Sarah Himes, and others
*These talks will be livestreamed and recorded.