The Good Shepherd and the Child – Details, episodes & analysis

"A voice of one crying out in the desert; Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” Luke 3:4 

 

Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! 

 

CGSUSA Parent Pages HERE 

 

Virtual Songbook: Songs of the Atrium HERE 

 

Mary Heinrich joins us on the podcast to discuss how we live into the Advent season in the atrium and how that can be extended into the spiritual life of the domestic church in the home.  

 

Mary is the Membership Coordinator for The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Prior to joining the staff, Mary served on the CGSUSA Board of Trustees for seven years. Mary has also served as a Director of Faith Formation in the Catholic Church for twenty-nine years, as well as a consultant and editor for religious education publishers.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and a master’s degree in Pastoral Studies in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri. Her husband, Kurt is a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Des Moines and teaches theology at the local Catholic high school, is a Level One catechist, and enjoys making materials for the atrium.  Their daughter, Clare, is the elementary faith formation coordinator at her Church, working in the Level One and Level Two atria. When not immersed in CGS, Mary enjoys reading, art and spending time with her family. 

Correction about Sunday Readings for Advent: 

Year C – First Sunday of Advent references the Shoot of Jesse Year C – Second Sunday of Advent – references the Prophecy of the Valleys and Mountains Year C – Fourth Sunday of Advent – The Prophecy of the Birthplace of the Messiah, The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth  

CGS Advent Resources for Families 

Little Gospel Booklets- Infancy Narratives 

Advent Fling Wide the Doors Calendar 

Advent Candles 

Advent Wreath Set 

Expectant Mary Statue 

 

Books you may be interested in: 

To Dance with God 

 

Podcast Episodes with Mary Heinrich: 

Episode 31- Even Now- a Lenten Reflection 

Episode 103- Friendship of Catechists 

 

 

Other Podcast Episodes You Might Be Interested In: 

Episode 27- Mystery of the Incarnation with Karen Maxwell 

Episode 104- Annunciation and the Incarnation with Sofia Cavalletti  

 

 

BECOME AN ORGANIZATION MEMBER!  Organization Members are any entity (church/parish, school, regional group, diocese, etc.) that either offers CGS and/or supports those who serve the children as catechists, aides, or formation leaders) Organization Members also receive the following each month: 

• Bulletin Items - 4 bulletin articles for each month. We have a library of 4 years of bulletin items available on the CGSUSA Website. 

• Catechist In-Services to download TODAY and offer your catechists. We have six in-services available on the website. 

• Assistant Formation - prayer service, agenda, talking points, and handouts. 

• Seed Planting Workshop - prayer service, agenda, and talking points. 

• Family Events: downloadable, 1/2 day events for Advent, Christmas/Epiphany, and Lent. 

• Catechist Prayers and prayer services 

• and so much more! 

Click Here to create your Organizational Membership! 

 

 

AUDIOBOOK: 

 

Audiobook – Now Available on Audible 

CGSUSA is excited to offer you the audio version of The Religious Potential of the Child – 3rd Edition by Sofia Cavalletti, read by Rebekah Rojcewicz! 

The Religious Potential of the Child is not a “how-to” book, complete with lesson plans and material ideas. Instead it offers a glimpse into the religious life of the atrium, a specially prepared place for children to live out their silent request: “Help me come closer to God by myself.” Here we can see the child’s spiritual capabilities and perhaps even find in our own souls the child long burdened with religious information. This book serves as a companion to the second volume, The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Years Old. The desire to have this essential text available in audio has been a long-held goal for many. The work of many hands has combined to bring this release to life as an audiobook. 

 

Find out more about CGS: 

Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 

  

Follow us on Social Media- 

Facebook at “The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” 

Instagram-  cgsusa 

Twitter- @cgsusa 

Pinterest- Natl Assoc of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA 

YouTube- catechesisofthegoodshepherd 

"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves" Romans 12:10 

 

Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! 

 

CGSUSA Parent Pages HERE 

 

Virtual Songbook: Songs of the Atrium HERE 

 

Ann Garrido tells us all about her book Redeeming Administration and how it shows us how administration tasks, that is a part of all ministry work, can have spiritual virtues that help shape us into the person God is calling us to be.  

 

Ann Garrido has been a catechist of the Good Shepherd since 1996.  She currently serves as a Level One catechist at her parish while she also serves as a formation leader for the US Association at all three levels.  Ann is an Associate Professor at Aquinas Institute of Theology, a graduate school of theology and ministry in the Dominican tradition.  She is the author of multiple works, including her newest book Redeeming Power about the healthy and holy exercise of leadership.  Ann Garrido’s website HERE 

 

Books by Ann Garrido 

 

ANN’S NEW BOOK – REDEEMING POWER   

Redeeming Administration 

Redeeming Conflict 

A Year with Sofia Cavalletti by Ann Garrido  

Preaching with Children  

 

Podcast Episodes with Ann Garrido 

Episode 19 – Typology with Ann Garrido 

Episode 53 – The Birth and Infancy of Jesus with Ann Garrido 

Episode 59 – Preaching with Children with Ann Garrido 

Episode 68 – The CGS Heritage – Eugenio Zolli with Ann Garrido 

Episode 111. About Justice, A Meditation by Fr Mongillo with Ann Garrido 

 

 

Other Podcast Episodes You Might Be Interested In: 

Episode 102- Theological Reflection with Autumn Domingue 

 

Episode 37 – CGS and Spiritual Direction with Autumn Domingue 

Episode 85 – CGS and Accompaniment with Fr Boniface Hicks 

 

BECOME AN ORGANIZATION MEMBER!  Organization Members are any entity (church/parish, school, regional group, diocese, etc.) that either offers CGS and/or supports those who serve the children as catechists, aides, or formation leaders) Organization Members also receive the following each month: 

• Bulletin Items - 4 bulletin articles for each month. We have a library of 4 years of bulletin items available on the CGSUSA Website. 

• Catechist In-Services to download TODAY and offer your catechists. We have six in-services available on the website. 

• Assistant Formation - prayer service, agenda, talking points, and handouts. 

• Seed Planting Workshop - prayer service, agenda, and talking points. 

• Family Events: downloadable, 1/2 day events for Advent, Christmas/Epiphany, and Lent. 

• Catechist Prayers and prayer services 

• and so much more! 

Click Here to create your Organizational Membership! 

 

 

AUDIOBOOK: 

 

Audiobook – Now Available on Audible 

CGSUSA is excited to offer you the audio version of The Religious Potential of the Child – 3rd Edition by Sofia Cavalletti, read by Rebekah Rojcewicz! 

The Religious Potential of the Child is not a “how-to” book, complete with lesson plans and material ideas. Instead it offers a glimpse into the religious life of the atrium, a specially prepared place for children to live out their silent request: “Help me come closer to God by myself.” Here we can see the child’s spiritual capabilities and perhaps even find in our own souls the child long burdened with religious information. This book serves as a companion to the second volume, The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Years Old. The desire to have this essential text available in audio has been a long-held goal for many. The work of many hands has combined to bring this release to life as an audiobook. 

 

Find out more about CGS: 

    

Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 

  

Follow us on Social Media- 

Facebook at “The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” 

Instagram-  cgsusa 

Twitter- @cgsusa 

Pinterest- Natl Assoc of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA 

YouTube- catechesisofthegoodshepherd 

“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 CGSUSA 

 

FAQs about the 40th  

 

This year, we are celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. From August 22-25, 2024, we will gather in person in Phoenix, Arizona, and we will broadcast via livestream for those who cannot attend in person. We look forward to you joining us for this celebration.  In these days, we will remember our legacy, celebrate our present work with the children, and pray for our future in the coming of the Kingdom as we join this friendship of catechists upon which our association is founded. 

Mary Mirrione began working with CGS in 1992. She and a team of catechists and parents built atria at St Anne’s in Gilbert, Arizona for their 1800 children. She has been a formation leader since 1997 serving as such at home and abroad. She also works with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity throughout the United States and around the world. Mary served on the Board for CGSUSA and is a graduate of the first cohort at Aquinas Institute of Theology to receive a Masters in Pastoral Studies with an emphasis in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She is a faculty member of Kino Catechetical Institute in the Diocese of Phoenix. Since 2010, she serves as the National Director for the United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. 

Karen became involved with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in 1990 when her oldest daughter was four years old. She was moved by the spiritual depth offered to the youngest children and found this approach to faith formation personally enriching as well. She helped to begin all three levels of atria in the first church in Georgia to offer Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She also enjoys introducing adults to this method of catechesis as a CGS formation leader. Karen joined the staff for the United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in 2004 as Director of Formation. Her work supports formation leaders and catechists through communications, conferences, ongoing formation and resources as well as in responding to a variety of inquiries and pastoral concerns about CGS. Karen is one of two US representatives to the International Council. She also was part of the first cohort to complete a Masters in Pastoral Studies in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at Aquinas Institute of Theology. Karen currently serves as a Level III catechist for a church in her area. Her children, now young adults, all were involved in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.  For further questions about CGS you can email Karen at karenmaxwell@cgsusa.org 

We invite you to assist with our celebration:    

• Please tell us where the atrium you serve is, the names of your catechists, and the first names of the children you serve in the atrium, so we may include all their names on our prayer table when we gather next August. We ask that you email this information to Susan Stuhlsatz‑Reese at susansr@cgsusa.org  

• We are counting on you! We are also happy to share with you that our new and improved atrium locator is now up and running! As part of our “soft launch” to make sure all is working well we are inviting you to take a first look and add your atrium if it is not there yet: Find CGS Near Me – Atrium Locator. Please consider also listing your atrium in the atrium locator. Video for easy instructions HERE 

• We know many catechists have gone before us to share in the heavenly banquet. We want to remember each of them. If you know a catechist who has died, please send us their name, a small bio or obituary, the gifts they shared with our CGS community and if possible, a photo. Please share with Mary Heinrich at maryheinrich@cgsusa.org.  

• We have opportunities for sponsors to contribute to our event fund. Please let us know of any individuals, groups, businesses, or organizations you know who may be willing to contribute. We will have some wonderful opportunities for our sponsors, more information will be coming soon.   

 

AUDIOBOOK: 

 

Audiobook – Now Available on Audible 

CGSUSA is excited to offer you the audio version of The Religious Potential of the Child – 3rd Edition by Sofia Cavalletti, read by Rebekah Rojcewicz! 

The Religious Potential of the Child is not a “how-to” book, complete with lesson plans and material ideas. Instead it offers a glimpse into the religious life of the atrium, a specially prepared place for children to live out their silent request: “Help me come closer to God by myself.” Here we can see the child’s spiritual capabilities and perhaps even find in our own souls the child long burdened with religious information. This book serves as a companion to the second volume, The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Years Old. The desire to have this essential text available in audio has been a long-held goal for many. The work of many hands has combined to bring this release to life as an audiobook. 

 

Find out more about CGS: 

  Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 

  

Follow us on Social Media- 

Facebook at “The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” 

Instagram-  cgsusa 

Twitter- @cgsusa 

Pinterest- Natl Assoc of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA 

YouTube- catechesisofthegoodshepherd 

"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

 

Epiphany is the one-year anniversary of our podcast and 114 years since Maria Montessori dedicated a space specifically for the poor children of San Lorenzo which began her lifelong work of discovering the child and their absorbent minds. 

 

Sherry Mock joins us today to tell us the spirit filled story of that beautiful Epiphany 114 years ago!

 

Sherry Mock lives in Texas with her husband.  She has been trained as a Montessori guide and in all three levels of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.  She is a wife, mother, grandmother, Godmother, Bible teacher, and church and community volunteer. 

 

Gianna Gobbi worked with Dr. Maria Montessori and was responsible for the two year old children in the Casa dei Bambini (Children’s House) of Professor Adele Costa Gnocchi in Palazoo Taverna, in Rome. It was Gianna who brought the original Atrium materials, the instruments and means that distinguish the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd from all other methods and programs.  The materials reflect the methodological character of our work, which is based on the educational principles of Maria Montessori. This special Commemorative Journal allows Gianna Gobbi’s voice and spirit to remind us of the beauty, value, and gift of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and how we as adults, must behold, must “See” the child before us and their contemplation and enjoyment in the presence of God. 

 

Sherry mentions the article  "A Modest Virtue"  by Margaret Dornay in the 2020 CGSUSA Annual Journal.  Sherry also shares quotes from The Child in the Church.  In this reprint of a spiritual treasure, E.M. Standing, Montessori biographer and disciple, gathers a thoughtful collection of works focused on nurturing the spiritual life of the child through Montessori educational philosophy.

You may also enjoy Montessori: On Religious Education, a compilation of 3 books that Montessori wrote on involving children in the Liturgy and opening the door to their own religious experience.  All titles are available for purchase from the CGSUSA Online Store!

 

We are committed to providing resources and services int the living out of our mission to support catechists, parents, and others in the Church and beyond, as they grow in their understanding of the religious potential of children. Even while we see a decrease in income (loss of course registration fees, book sales, new memberships, and the sales of resources and materials from Shepherd’s Closet.) The Light of Our Good Shepherd sustains us in these times. May you feel inspired to help others to rejoice in His Sustaining Light please donate today.  Thank you!

 

Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 

  

Follow us on Social Media- 

Facebook at “The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” 

Instagram-  cgsusa 

Twitter- @cgsusa 

Pinterest- Natl Assoc of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA 

YouTube- catechesisofthegoodshepherd 

 

“And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.” Luke 1:35

 

Each year we go through a time of preparation, the season called Advent, to prepare ourselves for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Yes, we give lots of time to preparing our homes, our gifts for family and friends, and preparing our hearts. But do we really embrace the reason for so much preparation? How do we prepare our children for Jesus’ birth in the midst of so much anticipation for the gifts they receive at Christmas? And even during the time of celebration of Christmas, the 12 twelve days of Christmas from Christmas Day to Epiphany, how can we live the joy of the meaning of Jesus’ birth that we celebrate.

The Incarnation is difficult for us to grasp. It is a mystery. How is it that God becomes truly human and a human could be truly God?

 

Karen Maxwell joins the podcast today to help us ponder this mystery further. 

 

Karen became involved with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in 1990 when her oldest daughter was four years old. She was moved by the spiritual depth offered to the youngest children and found this approach to faith formation personally enriching as well. She helped to begin all three levels of atria in the first church in Georgia to offer Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She also enjoys introducing adults to this method of catechesis as a CGS formation leader. Karen joined the staff for the United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in 2004 as Director of Formation. Her work supports formation leaders and catechists through communications, conferences, ongoing formation and resources as well as in responding to a variety of inquiries and pastoral concerns about CGS. Karen is one of two US representatives to the International Council. She also was part of the first cohort to complete a Masters in Pastoral Studies in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at Aquinas Institute of Theology. Karen currently serves as a Level III catechist for a church in her area. Her children, now young adults, all were involved in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

 

Listen to another episode with Karen anytime! 

 

To purchase a copy of Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God, please visit the CGSUSA online store!

 

We are committed to providing resources and services int the living out of our mission to support catechists, parents, and others in the Church and beyond, as they grow in their understanding of the religious potential of children. Even while we see a decrease in income (loss of course registration fees, book sales, new memberships, and the sales of resources and materials from Shepherd’s Closet.) The Light of Our Good Shepherd sustains us in these times. May you feel inspired to help others to rejoice in His Sustaining Light please donate today!  Thank you.

 

Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 

  

Follow us on Social Media- 

Facebook at “The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” 

Instagram-  cgsusa 

Twitter- @cgsusa 

Pinterest- Natl Assoc of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA 

YouTube- catechesisofthegoodshepherd 

 

“Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.”  John 15:4

 

Rebekah Rojcewicz joins us on the podcast again today to discuss her book Life in the Vine: The Joyful Journey Continues which will be available January 6th, 2021.  She tells us about how this book came to be and what needs it will address. 

 

Rebekah is a catechist and formation leader in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd having completed her training in 1981 in Rome with Dr. Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi. She has translated several of their books and articles from the original Italian and has written and edited various parts of the CGS core texts. Rebekah is a catechist at her parish, St. Patrick Catholic Church, and for the Missionaries of Charity atrium in Memphis, Tennessee. She serves on the formation committee of CGSUSA, as well as on the International Board for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

 

To order your copy of Life in the Vine: The Joyful Journey Continues today!  Listen to another episode with Rebekah anytime.

Purchase Advent items from the CGSUSA Online Store today.  When you shop with us, you help further the work to support catechists, parents, and others in the Church and beyond, as they grow in their understanding of the religious potential of children.

We are committed to providing resources and services int the living out of our mission to support catechists, parents, and others in the Church and beyond, as they grow in their understanding of the religious potential of children. Even while we see a decrease in income (loss of course registration fees, book sales, new memberships, and the sales of resources and materials from Shepherd’s Closet.) The Light of Our Good Shepherd sustains us in these times. May you feel inspired to help others to rejoice in His Sustaining Light please go to our website and donate today.  Thank you.

 

Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 

  

Follow us on Social Media- 

Facebook at “The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” 

Instagram-  cgsusa 

Twitter- @cgsusa 

Pinterest- Natl Assoc of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA 

YouTube- catechesisofthegoodshepherd 

 

Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 

  

Follow us on Social Media- 

Facebook at “The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” 

Instagram-  cgsusa 

Twitter- @cgsusa 

Pinterest- Natl Assoc of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA 

YouTube- catechesisofthegoodshepherd 

 

“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see…, for prophets and kings desired to see what you see…” Luke 10:23-24

 

The atrium is a place prepared for the religious life of children in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.   The atrium is also a chamber of the heart.  We have found that the heart of the child is deep and open to the loving call of our Good Shepherd.  We know that when given time and the space of an environment prepared for their religious life, children are quite content to contemplate the mysteries of the Kingdom of God.  Like Mary, in the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke, they keep all these things and ponder them in their hearts.  We have observed as well that children’s spirituality is often manifested in their artwork.  We pay special attention to this artwork of children because it can profoundly articulate their relationship with God.  Mary Mirrione returns to the podcast to dive into this mystery of the children’s artwork with us.

 

Mary Mirrione began working with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in 1992. She and a team of catechists and parents-built atria at St Anne’s in Gilbert, Arizona for their 1800 children. She has been a formation leader since 1997 serving as such at home and abroad.  She also worked with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in Honduras and Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity throughout the States as well as in Manila, Philippines Western Europe and Kolkata, India.  Mary served on the Board of the National Association and is a member of first cohort at Aquinas Institute to receive a Masters in Pastoral Ministry in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She serves as a faculty member of Kino Catechetical Institute in the Diocese of Phoenix. She is a consultant for the USCCB Subcommittee on the Catechism.  Since 2010, she serves as the National Director for the United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. For more information on this approach to religious formation with children please go to our website.

 

Artistic Expression of Children in the Atrium by Tilde Cocchini

Inspiring Art Expression in the Atrium by Marty O’Bryan -

Do You See What I See? – article about The HeART of the Child exhibit

The HeART of the Child Art Book

The HeART of the Child Video

 

We are committed to providing resources and services to aid in living out of our mission to support catechists, parents, and others in the Church and beyond, as they grow in their understanding of the religious potential of children. Even while we see a decrease in income (loss of course registration fees, book sales, new memberships, and the sales of resources and materials from Shepherd’s Closet.) The Light of Our Good Shepherd sustains us in these times. May you feel inspired to help others to rejoice in His Sustaining Light please donate today.  Thank you.

 

Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 

  

Follow us on Social Media- 

Facebook at “The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” 

Instagram-  cgsusa 

Twitter- @cgsusa 

Pinterest- Natl Assoc of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA 

YouTube- catechesisofthegoodshepherd 

“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” Psalm 96:3

 

One of the core characteristics of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is that it “can be realized in any social or cultural setting.” (32 Points of Reflection of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd). Celine Mitchell shares with us how she witnessed the universality of this work as she traveled to different countries bringing Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to all, including the Missionaries of Charity.

 

Although Celine recently retired as Director of CGS at her parish, she continues to be involved as catechist at St. Ambrose Academy where she also is a primary Montessori teacher. Celine is a recognized  formation leader in Levels I and II. She assisted numerous parishes in starting CGS in western Pennsylvania and internationally and in her "retirement" continues to do consulting for those wanting to begin Catholic Montessori. She has led formation courses in Poland and for the Missionaries of Charity in Latvia, Brazil, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and San Francisco. Celine and her husband Bob (also a CGS catechist) have 3 grown children and 6 grandchildren and live at Good Shepherd House of Prayer.  

 

The Characteristics of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: The 32 Points of Reflection

 

Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 

  

Follow us on Social Media- 

Facebook at “The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” 

Instagram-  cgsusa 

Twitter- @cgsusa 

Pinterest- Natl Assoc of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA 

YouTube- catechesisofthegoodshepherd 

“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” John 12:24

 

Why is this happening? How long will it last? What will life be like from now on? What can we do? The world is facing unprecedented loss, grief, pain, and anxiety during this time of COVID-19. The losses and the grief we share come in many forms: the deaths of families and friends, of work, health, and celebrating or worshipping in community. We seek comfort and meaning from our grief. During times of suffering, loss, and grief, each of us needs companions who console and strengthen us. As Christians, we also need to understand our experience in light of our faith. At such times, Sofia Cavalletti offered her friend Patricia Coulter such guidance and encouragement. We will all benefit from reading the excerpts from her letter to Coulter, as well as meditating on the questions and carefully selected texts from Scripture and liturgy that Coulter provides. Many people are familiar with Sofa Cavalletti's writings on the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. These books help to form catechists and give the theological and pedagogical underpinnings for that approach to the spiritual formation of children. In this book we have a rare glimpse into her personal life and her deep care for her friends, in this case, her student and friend Patricia Coulter. Her words remind us that for Christians death does not have the last word. Having faced and moved through the suffering in all these forms of darkness, Sofia offers hope and consolation with eyes of faith that look at and move toward the Light. We are challenged to “Look at the Light” when darkness of any kind seems to surround us. Michaela Tudela joins us today to reflect on this inspiring and essential book about loss and love.

 

Michaela Tudela is an editor at Liturgy Training Publications (LTP.org), an agency of the Archdiocese of Chicago. She has helped produce prayer resources for children and their families, including Children’s Daily Prayer, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, and Celebrating Sundays for Catholic Families. For the past two years, she has served as the publishing liaison between LTP and The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.  Michaela holds a BA in English Literature from Loyola University Chicago and has served as a grade 1 catechist.

 

The book Look at the Light: Words on Loss and Love from Sofia Cavalletti is available for purchase from the CGSUSA online store.

 

Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 

  

Follow us on Social Media- 

Facebook at “The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” 

Instagram-  cgsusa 

Twitter- @cgsusa 

Pinterest- Natl Assoc of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA 

YouTube- catechesisofthegoodshepherd