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 their lives and spiritual work. 

Kelly and Maureen Stone live near Indianola and attend St. John the Apostle in Norwalk, Iowa .  They married in 1979 and have five grown married children and 14 grandchildren. Kelly is an engineer and Maureen is an educator.

Maureen began a Level I Formation Course in 2002 and continued on to Level II and Level III. She has served as a catechist in local parishes for 20 years. In 2018 she had the great pleasure of attending a national seminal Infant/Toddler formation in Scottsdale, AZ. Through the years she has served on the local Shepherd Staff board which hosts Formation Courses and promotes Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in Iowa.  She worked as an assistant at School of Mary ~ Montessori in the Des Moines Metro from 2014-2018. Maureen's husband, Deacon Kelly, and four daughters, Meggan Young, Elizabeth Burghart, Mary Wolf and Ginny Rossi are Catechesis of Good Shepherd catechists. She helped coordinate the growth of CGS for a local parish for 10 years.  She is currently a volunteer coordinator for CGS at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Norwalk, Iowa

Deacon Kelly began a Level I Formation Course in 2013 after assisting in the atrium. He had spent many years prior to his Formation listening to other family members and friends speak of the joy and grace in the work! In 2014, as his Level I course was coming to an end, he heard a call to become a deacon. He was ordained to the permanent diaconate in August 2018. He is currently assigned to St. John the Apostle church in Norwalk, Iowa. He assists in CGS as a substitute catechist and material maker. He also leads baptism classes and relies heavily on "Baptism is a Beginning", edited by Rebekah Rojcewicz.

Elizabeth Burghart lives in Atchison, KS with her husband, and three children. She is a Level III catechist at St. Benedict Parish and a Primary Assistant for Holy Family Montessori Co-op. 

From Elizabeth Burghart – “When I was thirteen years old, I saw the Eucharistic Presence of the Good Shepherd presentation. I was deeply drawn to the work and I was eager to receive training. I was permitted to join an upcoming Level I Formation Course. At the time, I did not know the remarkable impact Catechesis of the Good Shepherd would have on my life.  My early years as a catechist were enriched by meeting Sofia Cavalletti and Silvana Montanaro in Rome. I soon went on to receive training in Levels II and III as well as Primary Montessori training. 

I have had the joy of serving as a Catechist of the Good Shepherd since 2008. Throughout my work, whether in parishes, Montessori schools or my own home, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd has been a strong foundation and inspiration. CGS is a “golden thread” in my life. Indeed, it is one of the greatest gifts I have received.”

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