Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Formation Level I, Part 1

July 27- August 7, 2015

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd seeks to help adults open their eyes to the hidden riches of the child, especially to the child's spiritual wealth, so that adults will be drawn to learn from the child and to serve the child. Characteristic of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, #27.  

The National Association of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is pleased to announce two Level I courses for adults in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, one course in English and one course in Spanish at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Level I, Part 1 is is offered July 27-August 7, 2015 and Level I Part 2 is offered July 25-August 5, 2016.   

WHAT IS FORMATION FOR ADULTS IN CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD?

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd offers religious formation for children ages three to twelve years. Level I (for work with three to six year old children) is the foundation course and consists of about 100+ hours of prayer and the study of scripture, the sacraments, theology, pedagogy. It also includes practicum and material making.

WHAT IS CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD?

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is grounded in the scriptural and liturgical themes that are essential to assisting the child's faith formation. It is also based upon the observations of children by Dr. Sofia Cavalletti, a Hebrew and Scripture scholar, and her colleague, Gianna Gobbi, a Montessori trained educator, in a specially prepared atrium environment.

In their work with children, they sought to discover the face of God children most need to see in order to grow in their knowledge and love of God. This approach embraces the developmental needs of children by offering them sensorially rich materials that invite the work of their hands so they can deeply absorb the proclamations of scripture and liturgy that will guide their relationship with God. This approach is undergirded by the vision and discoveries of the child made by Dr. Maria Montessori.

OBJECTIVES OF LEVEL I FORMATION IN CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

This Level I formation is foundational for all three levels of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. The objectives are:

1. To present the guiding principles of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
2. To explore the religious nature and the most vital religious needs of the three to six year old child.
3. To see all the presentations given to three to six year old children over a three year cycle in the Level I atrium.
4. To provide an opportunity for the adult to experience and personally  reflect on the scriptural and liturgical themes that comprise the presentations.
5. To broaden the adult's ability to observe and learn from children's spirituality.
6. To offer guidelines and assistance in preparing the atrium environment, making the catechist's album of presentations, and preparing materials needed for the atrium presentations.
7. These two courses also offer an opportunity to guide catechists, church and school staff interested in establishing a bi-lingual atrium.
   

YOUR INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN LEVEL I FORMATION

You are invited to participate in this Level I Formation in English or in Spanish. These two courses will be offered simultaneously. Each course will prepare you as a catechist to work in an atrium with children ages three to six years old.

This concentrated, residential Level I course is ideally suited for anyone wishing to begin an atrium in the Fall 2015.  Level I Part 1 will give you the content needed for the children's first year in an atrium.  Level I Part 2, offered the same time next year, will provide the content for the second and third year of the atrium cycle for children. A certificate from the National Association of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd will be given upon completion of this course.  

This Level I formation will take place on the beautiful campus of the Franciscan Renewal Center, known as The Casa, in Scottsdale, Arizona. This  residential formation experience offers an opportunity to develop community among other catechists in a retreat atmosphere and respects the contemplative nature of this approach for both children and adults.

Participants in both Level I courses will have an opportunity to share celebrations and some work together, as well as address the particular gifts and challenges of helping bi-lingual children in their faith formation. There will also be an opportunity to discuss the needs for implementing CGS in a parish or school setting. This will be a wonderful time to meet with other catechists from around the country.

THE COURSE DAY

Each course day will be from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, July 27-August 6. On Friday, August 7th, the course will conclude at 1:00 pm.  Optional evening activities will be offered as well as mini-sessions for making materials. 

THE FORMATION TEAMS

Level I Formation in English will be led by:

Lynda Catalano who has been the catechist at Trinity Episcopal Church in Fillmore, California for 25 years. She works weekly in the atrium with groups of 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12 year old children. She is a recognized formation leader for the National Association of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and has led formation courses for adults throughout the United States in both English and Spanish as well as in Episcopal and Catholic parishes. Lynda serves on the National Association's Formation Leader Discernment Committee. She has recently retired from teaching first graders in a public school. Lynda has four adult children and two grandchildren.

Lynne Worthington has worked for 30 years as a catechist for children and adults at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, a multicultural Franciscan parish in Durham, NC. Since 1991, Lynne has participated in national CGS formation courses earning certificates as a catechist for all three age levels. She is recognized as a formation leader for the National Association of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Lynne holds a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies degree from Aquinas Institute of Theology. She is a Master Catechist by the Diocese of Raleigh in North Carolina. Lynne also serves on the National Association's Formation Leader Discernment Committee. At Immaculate Conception, Lynne has coordinated Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Faith Formation for both Immaculata School and the parish. Lynne lives in Chapel Hill, NC with her husband, Bill. They have three adult children.

Level I Formation in Spanish will be led by:

Claudia Margarita Schmitt was born in Santiago Chile. She received her degree in Education in Germany and her Masters in School Administration in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Claudia also holds an Education Degree in the Montessori Method from the German Academy of Developmental Rehabilitation in Munich. Claudia studied Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in Rome with Sofia Cavalletti, Gianna Gobbi and the children in the atrium for eight years where she also received her CGS certification from the Diocese of Rome. During her time in Rome, Claudia also studied under Father Mongillo at the Angelicum University. For the past 25 years, Claudia has been an international formation leader and has worked extensively with children and adults worldwide.  Currently, Claudia is a catechist working with all three age groups of children at St. Frances Xavier Catholic Church's Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Center in Phoenix. She serves as the parish Spanish Coordinator for CGS. Claudia also serves on the Formation Committee for the National Association of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

Lourdes Vazquez was born in Puerto Rico. She moved to Arizona in 1989 and began her training in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in 1996 and over the next ten years completed all three levels of training for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Lourdes is a certified catechist for the Diocese of Phoenix. She currently coordinates Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in Spanish at St. Ann's in Gilbert, AZ.  Lourdes is a recognized formation leader for the National Association of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and has traveled in the United States to give bi-lingual courses and internationally to serve as a formation leader for mission CGS courses.  Lourdes also is on staff with the national association as the Spanish Language Coordinator.

Both courses will be assisted by staff of CGSUSA. 

LEVEL I PART 1 COURSE FEES

TUITION

Tuition  for Level I Part 1 in English or Spanish is $675.00 if registered by May 22, 2015. Registration will need to be paid in full if using a credit card. Consideration will be given to those who would like to register with a deposit payable by check only of $200.00. The balance will need to be made by June 15.

Tuition for Level I Part 1 in English or Spanish is $750.00 if registration occurs after May 22 until - July 15, 2015.

LODGING AND MEALS

The Casa, Lodging and Meals - Single Room for 12 nights beginning Sunday, July 26 until Friday, August 7 is $950.00.

The Casa, Lodging and Meals - Double Room for 12 nights beginning Sunday, July 26 until Friday, August 7 will be $650.00. Please indicate your roommate choice on the registration form.

Due to the residential nature of these courses, limited space will be available to commuters for each course.

COMMUTERS

The Fee for Commuters paid in addition to Tuition is $400.00 which covers all meals & snacks during the course.

AUDITORS

If you wish to take this course and you have already completed a Level I course, you are welcomed to participate. However, all fees will apply as you will participate fully in the course, recieve all information shared, and engage in album page work along with other participants.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Partial scholarships are available through the Tina Lillig Memorial Fund. Please complete the Financial Aid Application by going to www.cgsusa.org and look under the tab for  Becoming a Member. Or you can click on this link for scholarship information.

Questions?

Please feel free to contact Karen Maxwell, karenmaxwell@cgsusa.org, 404-580-2960 .

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