“For the Lord gives wisdom;
 from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” ~ Proverbs 2:6 

“3. The atrium is a community in which children and adults live together a religious experience that facilitates participation in the wider community of the family, the church, and other social spheres. • The atrium is a place of prayer, in which work and study spontaneously become meditation, contemplation, and prayer. • The atrium is a place in which the only Teacher is Christ; both children and adults place themselves in a listening stance before his Word and seek to penetrate the mystery of the liturgical celebration.” - 32 Points of Reflection of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 

Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! 

Podcasts by Series 

Level One Book Study 

Level Two Book Study 

Beate and Ann discuss the variety of meanings and the importance of de-schooling as it pertains to our work in catechesis. 

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  

Beate Buescher is a wife, mother, Omi, and catechist who began her journey with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in 2003. Her educational background is in early childhood education and she is passionate about faith, learning, nature and positive parenting. When she walked into her first formation course, she felt that she had finally found her tribe! Beate is currently listening to God alongside Level 1 and 3 children and is certified in all levels of CGS, including Infant/Toddler. She is a recognized Level 1 Formation Leader. 

EPISODE 72- Characteristic of the Good Shepherd Catechesis  

Read the article Characteristics of the Good Shepherd Catechesis by Sofia Cavalletti 

2014 Consiglio Report: De-Schooling 

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 

Episode 127 – Redeeming Administration with Ann Garrido 

CGSUSA Store 

The Prepared Environment: Making Materials 

with Don Martin (The Catechist's Husband) and Lynda Catalano 

Tuesday, August 26, 2025 

7:00 - 8:30 pm EDT 

Join Don Martin, CGSUSA Vendor, The Catechist's Husband, and Lynda Catalano, CGSUSA Formation Leader, who will share her wisdom and passion for making the materials by hand. Don and Lynda's sessions will be followed by time for questions. All those present will be registered for a drawing for an atrium material from the Catechist's Husband. 

Mark your calendars for this SPECIAL EVENT. 

Registration Here! 

This is a free Zoom Session 

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: 

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. 

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