“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…

"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…

“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…

“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…

"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…

"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…

“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…

“You fixed all the limits of the earth; summer and winter you made.” Psalm 74:17 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Today’s episode is part 2 of my conversation with Gertrud Mueller Nelson, who speaks about how can live into the season of Easter in your homes, your domestic churches. Many of her ideas can be found in her book To Dance with Go…

“You fixed all the limits of the earth; summer and winter you made.” Psalm 74:17 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Gertrud Mueller Nelson joins us on the podcast to lift up many possibilities for families on how to live into the season of Lent in your homes, your domestic churches. Many of her ideas can be found in her book To Dance with God…

“While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Megan and Erin join the podcast to discuss merciful parenting, how to live out the mercy sacraments in our homes with ourselves and our families. Meg…

“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Lynda Catalano returns to the podcast to help us understand what are the mysteries of God as well as the mysteries of the child and how they are compatible to each other. Also how we, the adults, can be better ma…

“With firm purpose you maintain peace; in peace, because of our trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! Nicole Kavanaugh joins us as we kick off season 3 of the podcast with the first episode in a series for parents! Nicole helps us explore how we can take the philosophies of Montessori and CGS and apply them outside of …

“…good news of a great joy which will come to all the people.” Luke 2:10 Merry Almost Christmas! As an early Christmas gift to all our listeners we would like to gift you the audio version of Ch. 6 of The Religious Potential of the Child, 3rd Edition, read by Rebekah Rojcewicz. This is a perfect chapter for this season. We hope it enriches your spi…

“Live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4: 1b-3Gianna Gobbi’s birthday is on Dec. 15 so we would like to get a glimpse at who she was by listening to some of her m…

“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him on the last day.” John 6:54 Ruth joins us on the podcast again to scratch the surface of the scriptural links of the Eucharist and the way God has worked throughout salvation history to bring His people back into communion with Him. Ruth is a catechist in Levels 1-3 (c…

“But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.” John 21:31 Annette Witte joins us on the podcast to dive into the theologian Romano Guardini and his influences on our faith as well as our work in The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Annette W…

“We know that all things work for good for those who love God” Romans 8:28 Karen Maxwell joins us on the podcast again to answer many of the questions that people have as they are first beginning their journey in The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. What is the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd? How do we begin CGS in my parish or school? What is CGS…

“Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13 Anita Vincent joins us on the podcast to discuss her article that was in the most recent CGS Journal, The Spiritual Preparation of the Adult. She speaks about how adults need to b…

The Story of a CGS Family with Kelly and Maureen Stone and Elizabeth Burghart “We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19 Deacon Kelly and Maureen Stone with their daughter Elizabeth Burghart join us on the podcast to share their story of how they ALL got involved in the work of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and how it has changed thei…

Membership in The United States Association of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd connects you with catechists and supporters who share a commitment to the Christian formation of children. When you are a member you not only get access to wonderful resources in The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd but your membership also helps our association spread th…

“Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21 Rebekah joins us on the podcast to give us a glimpse at who Sofia Cavalletti was. She shares stories about Sofia and what she remembered about her time living and learning from Sofia in Italy for two years. Rebekah is a catechist and formation leader in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd hav…

“Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.” -Psalm 111:2 “…the attitude and posture needed by the adult in our work should rather be one of humble observer. In the child, there exists a hidden, but profoundly religious nature, which the child desires to live out. For a child to reveal this true nature the adult needs to b…

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” Matthew 25:35 Kathleen Tong joins us on the podcast today to tell us about how she has been using the method of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in her wor…