Episodes

Monday Aug 28, 2023
97. The International Consiglio with Rebekah Rojcewicz
Monday Aug 28, 2023
Monday Aug 28, 2023
“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, 2023 the International Consiglio or Council for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd will be meeting in Italy. Rebekah Rojcewicz who is a member of the Consiglio joins us today to help us learn more about what this council is and its purpose in our work with children.
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.
The Characteristics of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd – The 32 Points of Reflection
Learn More about the International Consiglio
Episodes with Rebekah:
Episode 10- A Reflection on the Parable of the Good Shepherd
Episode 71- A Glimpse at Sofia
UPDATE- 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.
Learn more HERE
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

Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
96. MAPS-CGS Degree
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
“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 - Catechesis of the Good Shepherd from Aquinas Institute of Theology!
To learn more about the Aquinas MASP program click HERE
Samantha Messier is the current Coordinator for Enrollment Management at Aquinas Institute of Theology, located in St. Louis, Missouri. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from Indiana University. Prior to her current role at Aquinas Institute, Samantha’s background includes working in communications and campus ministry at St. Paul Catholic Center in Bloomington, Indiana. To schedule a meeting with Sam: https://calendly.com/messier-1/30min?month=2023-08
Carolyn Wright, MDiv., DMin serves on the faculty of Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri. She teaches in the areas of ministerial formation and Christian spirituality. Carolyn directs the Master of Arts in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (MAPS-CGS) degree program as well as the Theological Field Education program at Aquinas. Carolyn has been a longtime advocate for CGS since she completed both her Level I (2010) and Level II (2011) formations. She is available to talk further about the MAPS-CGS degree program at Aquinas (wright@ai.edu | 314-256-8879).
Hannah Turchi began her journey with The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in 2011 and is a catechist and Director of Discipleship at St. Robert Bellarmine in Flushing. She is a Level One Formation Leader and has a masters degree in Pastoral Studies and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (MAPS-CGS) from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, MO.
Melanie Beyers was first exposed to Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in 2004 as a parent assistant with her oldest child, who was three at the time. She fell in love with the method and materials, and completed her Level I formation in 2008. After serving as a catechist in her parish, Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Saginaw MI, in the Level I Atrium for 10 years, she felt it time to complete her Level II and III formation in 2018 through 2020. She continues as a volunteer catechist at her parish and at the Catholic elementary school her children attended. Melanie holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Central Michigan University and a Juris Doctor from Michigan State University Law School. She currently works for the federal government as a staff attorney/law clerk, and hopes to make Catechesis of the Good Shepherd a post-retirement focus. Melanie is currently a student in the MAPS-CGS program at the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, MO, and is about halfway through the program.
UPDATE- 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.
Learn more HERE
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

Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
95. CGS Characteristics #21 and 25 with Lynne Worthington and Marty O’Bryan
Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
“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 Characteristics of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Lynne Worthington worked for 30 years as a catechist for children and adults at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Durham, NC. She also served as the coordinator for CGS in Immaculata School and for the parish. Since 1991 she has taken part in National Formation courses for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, earning certificates as a catechist for all three levels, ages 3-12 years old. She has participated in numerous formation leadership workshops and is recognized as a formation leader by the National Association of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She holds an MA degree in Pastoral Studies from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, MO.
Lynne now lives in Ball Ground, GA and volunteers in Atria in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. She and her husband, Bill, have three grown children and two grandchildren.
Marty O’Bryan began her formation in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd with Sofia Cavalletti in 1983 and has been a catechists since 1985. She conducts adult formations at Levels I, II and III throughout the United States. A retired speech and language pathologist, Marty holds a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Studies with an emphasis on the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd from Aquinas Institute of Theology. Currently, she works with children in Level I, II, and III atria in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix.
The Meaning, Importance, and Limitations of our Catechetical Materials by Gianna Gobbi
Episode 70- Art of Observation with Lynne Worthington
Episode 61- The Roots of the Eucharist and the Easter Mystery with Marty O’Bryan
Link to a list of CGSUSA Vendors
UPDATE- 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.
Learn more HERE
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

Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
94. CGS Characteristics #17, 18, 19, and 20 with Lynda Catalano and Diane Olsen
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
“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 Catalano has been a catechist at Trinity Church in Fillmore, California for 30 years. She works weekly in the atrium with groups of 3 to 6-year-olds, 6 to 9-year-olds, and 9 to 12-year-olds. She has led Levels I, II and III catechist formation throughout the United States and internationally including serving on national formation teams. Lynda is bi-lingual in Spanish and has also offered catechist formation in Spanish. She is a member of the Formation Leader Discernment Committee and served on teams for the Formation Leader Training Courses for the United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Lynda is retired from teaching kindergarten and first graders in a public school. She has four adult children and three beautiful grandchildren.
Diane Olsen has been involved in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd since 1990. She has received all formation levels and was recognized as a formation leader in 2002. She is actively involved leading catechist formation around the country. Diane has a philosophy and math degree from St. John’s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies-Catechesis of the Good Shepherd from the Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis, Missouri. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother.
The Meaning, Importance, and Limitations of our Catechetical Materials by Gianna Gobbi
1998 – 2002 Journals of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Volume 2
Episode 5 – Material Making with Lynda Catalano
Episode 51 – Prayer of Thanksgiving with Diane Olsen
Episode 70- Art of Observation with Lynne Worthington
Episode 81- Mystery of God Meets Mystery of the Child with Lynda Catalano
Link to a list of CGSUSA Vendors
UPDATE- 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.
Learn more HERE
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

Wednesday Jul 05, 2023
Wednesday Jul 05, 2023
“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 personally worked as an apprentice with Maria Montessori in Rome. In collaboration with Sofia Cavelletti, a biblical scholar, Gianna played a primary role in applying the principles of the a Montessori method to the religious formation of children in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
1998 – 2002 Journals of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Volume 2
The Religious Potential of the Child
The Child in the Church by Maria Montessori
Link to a list of CGSUSA Vendors
UPDATE- 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.
Learn more HERE
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

Wednesday Jun 21, 2023
92. Who was Adele Costa Gnocchi with Karin Slabaugh
Wednesday Jun 21, 2023
Wednesday Jun 21, 2023
“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 worked with the youngest children for over 30 years. She has lived in Oregon, Washington and California and most recently in Italy, but if you ask her where she is from she will give you the same answer Maria Montessori gave, “I am a citizen of a star called Earth.” After moving to Italy she focused on working with newborns and their moms and is now offering courses and workshops and Montessori tours in Rome.
After earning a master’s degree in Education and an AMI diploma for birth to three, she experimented with two age groups: 3-18 months and 18-36 months. However, she was not totally satisfied with her results and sought to understand why. In 2010 Karin traveled to Rome to look for some answers and found Grazia Honegger Fresco, a student from the first class of the Montessori Assistants to Infancy School begun in 1947. This is how Karin began to research the archives of Adele Costa Gnocchi’s Assistants to Infancy School and the Montessori Birth Center, and realized that Adele Costa Gnocchi was one of Montessori’s most important students. Costa Gnocchi not only attended the very first course in 1909, but assisted Montessori with the courses in 1910, 1911, 1912 and the first International course in 1913, and many courses after these first ones. She was one Montessori selected to teach the 1939 course in Rome (alongside Maria Antonietta Paolin) that awarded diplomas with Montessori’s signature, when she was not able to come back to Rome herself because of having left for India and being detained during WWII).
Karin has now come to realize that the newborn child is no different. When a newborn’s basic needs are met, she is at peace in the environment where she finds life to be so interesting, and her caregivers to be present and available. Karin shares her knowledge with the world through a non profit project called Montessori-For-Life.org and with a course she created with Ruth Ehrhardt, a certified Professional midwife. The Basic Needs of Babies course is an adult prepared environment, offering a chance to explore what everyone’s Basic Needs are and how it feels when they are met.
Karin also works as a guide for Montessori Tours and Travel offering Montessori Study Tours about birth to three and Montessori history in Italy. In October of 2023 and June of 2024, she will be taking people through Rome to discover the rich environment where Montessori, Costa Gnocchi and Honegger Fresco lived and worked. You can sign up for one of the Study Tours or the Basic Needs of Babies course if you are interested to learn more from Karin.
https://www.montessori-4-life.org/the-basic-needs-of-babies.html (Montessori For Life non-profit website - course description)
https://montessori-for-life1.teachable.com/ (Basic Needs of Babies course)
The Child in the Church by Maria Montessori
UPDATE- 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.
Learn more HERE
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

Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
91. The Infinite Mercy of God with Patricia Coulter
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
“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 close collaboration lasted until Sofia’s death in 2011. Patricia collaborated with Sofia in formation courses, in translations of her writings, and in coauthoring various books. Patricia’s most recent words are a collection of Sofia’s writings, All if Gift: Enjoying the Presence of God and letters, Look at the Light, Words of Loss and Love from Sofia Cavalletti. Dr. Coulter received her certification in the Franciscan Internship Program in Spiritual Direction and Directed Retreats and her doctorate in ministry from the University of St Michael’s College, University of Toronto. She is the recipient of the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice cross for her pastoral ministry with adults and children.
Purchase The Infinite Mercy of God
Purchase Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God
Book Study for Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God
Podcast episodes for the chapters of Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God:
Episode 89 – Background of Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God with Patricia Coulter
Patricia’s Books:
- Like Leaven: Accompanying Children on their Spiritual Journey
- The Infinite Mercy of God
- Look at the Light: Words on Loss and Love from Sofia Cavalletti
- Drinking from the Sources
UPDATE- 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.
Learn more HERE
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

Wednesday May 24, 2023
Wednesday May 24, 2023
“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, and their friendship and close collaboration lasted until Sofia’s death in 2011. Patricia collaborated with Sofia in formation courses, in translations of her writings, and in coauthoring various books. Patricia’s most recent words are a collection of Sofia’s writings, All if Gift: Enjoying the Presence of God and letters, Look at the Light, Words of Loss and Love from Sofia Cavalletti. Dr. Coulter received her certification in the Franciscan Internship Program in Spiritual Direction and Directed Retreats and her doctorate in ministry from the University of St Michael’s College, University of Toronto. She is the recipient of the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice cross for her pastoral ministry with adults and children.
Purchase Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God
Book Study for Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God
Podcast episodes for the chapters of Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God:
Episode 89 – Background of Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God with Patricia Coulter
Patricia’s Books:
- Drinking from the Sources
- Like Leaven: Accompanying Children on their Spiritual Journey
- The Infinite Mercy of God
- Look at the Light: Words on Loss and Love from Sofia Cavalletti
AUDIO VERSION of The Religious Potential of the Child by Sofia Cavalletti, read by Rebekah Rojcewicz. CGSUSA has created a Premium Podcast Channel for this audiobook through Podbean. The cost is $29.00 and does include the audio version of all chapters of The Religious Potential of the Child, 3rd Edition all read by Rebekah Rojcewicz. We have provided both video overview instructions and written instructions on accessing this audiobook. Please use these resources. Unlike the regular podcast, which will remain free and available on many podcast players/apps, this new resource is available only on the Podbean App, which you may download from the IOS App store or the Google Play App store. Learn more here! Step by step instructions here!
Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at www.cgsusa.org
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- oneofhisheep

Wednesday May 10, 2023
89. Background of Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God with Patricia Coulter
Wednesday May 10, 2023
Wednesday May 10, 2023
“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 Relationship with God came to be!
Patricia Coulter met Sofia Cavalletti in 1975, and their friendship and close collaboration lasted until Sofia’s death in 2011. Patricia collaborated with Sofia in formation courses, in translations of her writings, and in coauthoring various books. Patricia’s most recent words are a collection of Sofia’s writings, All if Gift: Enjoying the Presence of God and letters, Look at the Light, Words of Loss and Love from Sofia Cavalletti. Dr. Coulter received her certification in the Franciscan Internship Program in Spiritual Direction and Directed Retreats and her doctorate in ministry from the University of St Michael’s College, University of Toronto. She is the recipient of the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice cross for her pastoral ministry with adults and children.
Purchase Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God
Podcast episodes for the chapters of Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God:
An episode with Betty Hissong – Episode 60
History of the Kingdom of God, Part 1: From Creation to Parousia
History of the Kingdom of God, Part 2: Liturgy and the Building of the Kingdom
Patricia’s Books:
- Like Leaven: Accompanying Children on their Spiritual Journey
- The Infinite Mercy of God
- Look at the Light: Words on Loss and Love from Sofia Cavalletti
- Drinking from the Sources
UPDATE- 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.
Learn more HERE
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

Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
“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 1984 and has been involved in Montessori education almost continually ever since. After teaching at a public Montessori school for 11 years, Dan served as a parochial school principal for three years before founding Queen of Angels Montessori School in 1998. Dan served as a principal, teacher, and catechist at the school (now named Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori, serving children ages 3-14) until retiring in 2022.
Dan began his formation in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in 1998. He is formed as a catechist at Level I, II, and III in CGS and has worked at all three levels of atria for 25 years. He began work as a formation leader around 15 years ago and has enjoyed training future CGS catechists at all three levels. Dan had the opportunity to serve as an American representative on the CGS International Consiglio for 10 years in the early 2000’s.
Dan is married to Maureen and they reside in Cincinnati, Ohio. They have seven children and two grandchildren.
Purchase Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God
Read an article from the 2012 Journal called “Old Testament Roots of the Good Shepherd Parable” by Suzanne Haraburd. Read the article online HERE
Episode 10- A Reflection on the Parable of the Good Shepherd led by Rebekah Rojcewicz
Episode 60- An episode with Betty Hissong
Episode 62- Christ the Good Shepherd and the Eucharist with Ruth Ohm Sutherland
UPDATE- 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.
Learn more HERE
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

