"Children are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb, a reward. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with foes at the gate." Psalm 127: 3-5 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Last year, we started the atrium…

At the time of our chat, Anna had just completed her Certificate III in Fitness at the age of 46 with a family of 5 children! Anna considered returning to her admin job when her youngest was about to start school, but decided instead to pursue what she’d been considering for a long time - studying fitness. Now she’s continuing on to Certificate IV …

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” — John 6:35 Celebrate 40 Years of CGSUSA Registration for the 40th Celebration closes on August 1st, 2024! FAQs about the 40th Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Watch a video about the CGSUSA at the NEC HERE! At…

“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 Celebrati…

From home maintenance business to fitness professional at the age of 48. Brett was always into fitness and became a running coach to help people in his gym community. This motivated him to become a personal trainer and he loves what he does. Tune in for the whole episode and hear Brett’s great messages about how a career in fitness is great for bot…

“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 FAQs about the 40th Submit a Podcas…

“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 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Celebrate 40 Years of C…

"This is how it is with the kingdom of God, it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how.” Mark 4:26-27 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Find a Formation Course HERE! Julie Baltuska and Donna Turner joining us on the podcast to talk about the l…

Tune in for the truly inspiring story of JoDee Coulter who is still working full time as a bereavement coordinator at a hospice. She’s been working as a fitness professional on the side since she got qualified in 2018 at the age of 54. JoDee’s ultimate goal is to retire from her current career and focus on her aptly named business - Fill Your Cup -…

"God created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Find a Formation Course HERE! Joel Musser and Matthew Irwin join the podcast to talk about men in The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, the benefit of having that full image of God reflected …

“These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one floc, one shepherd.” Luke 10:16 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Donna Turner and Anna Hurdle dive into what CGS looks like in the Episcopal Church and its unique history that it has in our work in the United States. Anna Hurdle is a catechist and formation leader a…

Hazel had always worked in administrative roles throughout her working life and was concurrently a fitness enthusiast, winning trophies for body building along the way. After being made redundant at the age of 50, Hazel decided to follow her passion and study full time for a career in fitness. Still in the fitness industry twelve years down the tra…

“Let the little children come to me; do not stop them.” Mark 10:14 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Read the article “Characteristics of the Good Shepherd Catechesis Number 27” HERE What are the principal points which distinguish this catechesis and because of which it is called the “Catechesis of the Good Shepherd”? We have 32 characterist…

After procrastinating for a while, Fiona made the move into the fitness industry with commencement of Cert III in 2021 at the age of 52. She kept going and is fresh from completing her Cert IV in Feb 2024. Fiona helps people of all ages, but feels drawn to helping older adults live better lives through building strength and fitness. This really shi…

“Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 “Help us, O God, to enter into the secret of childhood, so that we may know, love and serve the child in accordance with the laws of thy justice and following thy holy will.” Maria Montessori Submit a Podcast Listener Question HE…

Lisa came into the fitness industry after retiring from a teaching career. It seemed a natural progression and transfer of passion and skill as a lifelong sporting enthusiast and PE teacher. Now Lisa is also retired from the fitness industry, but keeps her hand in doing a few sessions per week and volunteering. Looking to become a Personal Trainer?…

In this episode we meet Cheryl who is early on the journey into the fitness industry, having recently completed the Cert III and now studying Cert IV. Listen to her story of being a career teacher with a life-long passion for fitness and feeling drawn towards helping perimenopausal women. Looking to become a Personal Trainer? Complete your Certific…

"One body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6 “What have we done to Christianity? We have made it into a lot of rules; but Christianity is to enjoy a Person.” Fr Dalmazio Mongillo Submit a Podca…

Annette completed her fitness certifications in 2018 at the age of 54 after working many years as an administrator in a large law firm. Having witnessed Annette transform her health, her trainer and now mentor encouraged her to get certified. Now she’s helping others at EMF Fitness in Calgary as well as her home based gym. Connect with Annette http…

Graham is a qualified Personal Trainer in Melbourne Australia. Graham was previously a senior manager within the retirement industry but always had a passion for fitness. He completed his Certificate IV in 2012 when he was well over 50. He now runs a Personal Training business focusing on helping people over 50 improve their health and fitness. Con…

"One body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6 “What have we done to Christianity? We have made it into a lot of rules; but Christianity is to enjoy a Person.” Fr Dalmazio Mongillo Submit a Podca…

Penelope has a unique background as a clinical psychologist and applies mindfulness and cognitive training in her fitness programming. Penelope’s fitness business includes outdoor group exercise and online services. She has recently launched a podcast and published a book! Connect with Penelope via her website https://primeactive.com.au/ From there…

Robert studied to become a personal trainer throughout 2013-2014 while doing a hectic FIFO roster. He has worked with athletes and now runs his own unique fitness studio in NSW where he helps people over 40 and those with special and rehab needs. Connect with Robert https://personal-best-40plus-fitness.business.site/ https://www.facebook.com/profil…

Welcome to "Masters Fitness Academy Podcast," where age is just a number and reinvention is the name of the game! Join me, Kate Rowan, your host, as we dive into the inspiring stories of individuals who have embraced and found their passion for fitness later in life. In our first episode, I'll share my journey from academia to personal training, sh…

“Love as I love you.” John 13:34 “Lent is the time in which the joy of loving is rejuvenated.” - Father Mongillo Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Patricia Coulter joins us on the podcast to tell us more about Father Mongillo and to open up the beauty of his article, Learning to Love, from the 2009 journal. Read the article Learning to Love …

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:5 “What have we done to Christianity? We have made it into a lot of rules; but Christianity is to enjoy a Person.” Fr Dalmazio Mongillo Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Who is Father Dalmazio Mongillo and how has he influenced our wo…

“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. Matthew 11: 24,25 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! What is Phenomenology and how do we see it lived out both in the child and…

“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will." Matthew 11: 24,25 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! What is metaphysics and how does it relate to the child? How does Montess…

"Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you." Isaiah 60: 4-5 Submit a…

"And Mary kept all theses things, pondering them in her heart.” Luke 2:19 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Mary Mirrione and I ponder the great mystery of the Incarnation as we do with the children in the work of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd wondering about that great mystery of who Jesus is. Our conversation today is in light of wha…

"Let it be with me according to you word.” Luke 1:38 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! As we enter Advent and celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception let us listen to Sofia’s words from Chapters 41 and 43 of The History of the Kingdom of God Part One on the Incarnation and the Annunciation Further Reading: The History of the Kingdom…

"Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other." —1 John 4:11 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Mary Heinrich discusses with us the value of friendship in this work as well as different networks you can set up to help sustain this desired support and community. Mary is the Membership Coordinator for The Unite…

"And Mary kept all these things, pondering on them in her heart.” Luke 2:19 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Autumn Domingue joins us on the podcast again to explain the art of Theological Reflection, how it can help us in this work, and to demonstrate the process to us. Autumn Domingue is a spiritual director, formation leader, and Life Co…

"Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Genesis 1:26 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Diane Olsen returns to the podcast to explore who the transitioning child is, the 6 year old, the 9 year old, and the 12 year old. We also discuss how we can best serve these children in our atria. “We must take man himself, tak…

"Bless the Lord, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name!” Psalm 103:1 Episode 100!! Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Read Marty’s article from the 2017 Journal Inspiriting Art Expression Online here. Marty O”Bryan returns to the podcast to talk about prayer as a response in children, especially their art work. Marty O’Bryan began her fo…

“For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Ruth, Mary and I discuss the unique topic of the hormone Oxytocin, the love hormone, what is it and how can it be fostered. We also ponder how this…

“A that time Jesus said in reply, ‘I give praise to you, Father Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these tings from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.” Matthew 11:25 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Today we listen to the words of Gianna Gobbi from her book Listening to God with Children. W…

“For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Next Month, on Sept 23-30 the International Consiglio or Council for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd will be meeting in Italy. Rebekah Rojcewic…

“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.” Colossians 2:6-7 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Today we hear all about the Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies - Cateche…

“May the favor of the Lord our God be ours, prosper the work of our hands! Prosper the work of our hands!” (Ps 90:17). Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! In today’s episode we dive into two of our 32 Characteristics of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, 21 and 25, which speak about the materials we use in this work. Link to the 32 Character…

“May the favor of the Lord our God be ours, prosper the work of our hands! Prosper the work of our hands!” (Ps 90:17). Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! In today’s episode we dive into four of our 32 Characteristics of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, 17, 18, 19 and 20 which all speak about the materials we use in this work. Lynda Catala…

“May the favor of the Lord our God be ours, prosper the work of our hands! Prosper the work of our hands!” (Ps 90:17). Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! In today’s episode we listen to the words of Gianna Gobbi from the 2001 journal about the materials we use in the atrium and their meaning, importance, and limitations. Gianna Gobbi personal…

“For God alone my soul in silence waits; from God comes my salvation” (Ps 62:1). Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! In today’s episode we have a special guest, Karin Slabaugh, to speak about the person of Adele Costa Gnocchi, who she was, and her work that influenced both the Montessori world as well as the CGS world! Karin Slabaugh has worke…

“By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us.” Luke 1:78 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Today’s episode is the third part of a conversation we had with Patricia Coulter where she and I discuss her brand new book The Infinite Mercy of God. Patricia Coulter met Sofia Cavalletti in 1975, and their friendship and …

“That my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Today’s episode is the second part of a conversation we had with Patricia Coulter where she and I discuss chapter 4 of Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God on the True Vine parable! Patricia Coulter met Sofia Cavalletti in 1975, …

“Blessed be the Lord who.... shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher” Ruth 4:14-15 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Today’s episode is the first part of a conversation we had with Patricia Coulter where she discusses her life in Italy doing the formation with Sofia and Gianna as well as how the book Ways to Nurture the Relationsh…

“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:10 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Dan Teller joins us on the podcast to ponder the Old Testament roots of the Good Shepherd parable using chapter 3 of Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God. Dan Teller earned a Masters in Montessori Education from Xavier University in 19…

“Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed.” 1 Corinthians 5:7 Jo Ann Padgett speaks to us today about the beauty and depth of the paschal mystery and how it penetrates every corner of the atrium in all levels. Jo Ann Padgett has been involved in the Catech…

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 Sr Mary Michael come on the podcast today to share about her new book Following God’s Pedagogy and how it shows that the work of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd offers an approach to children's catechesis that forms the mind and the heart which is exactly what is being asked of cateche…

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Fr Boniface Hicks speaks about the power and gift of accompaniment and how it parallels to the work of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Fr. Boniface Hicks, O.S.B. became a Benedictine monk of Saint V…