121. CGS and the National Eucharistic Congress with Mary Mirrione and Sue Stuhlsatz-Reese

The Good Shepherd and the Child

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

— John 6:35

Celebrate 40 Years of CGSUSA Registration for the 40th Celebration closes on August 1st, 2024!

FAQs about the 40th

Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE!

Watch a video about the CGSUSA at the NEC HERE!

At the National Eucharistic Congress, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the members and staff of CGSUSA came together to serve the children and families that came to the NEC by providing a space of prayer and encounter with God. Mary and Sue, who participated in this event, share with us about this unique event and how they saw God work through the presence of CGSUSA.

Sue Stuhlsatz-Reese began her formation in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in 1996 and has been formed in Levels I, II, III and Infant-Toddler. Her ongoing formation in CGS includes the Cavalletti Heritage Course at Aquinas Institute and being formed by children in the atrium. She currently works with toddlers, Level I and Level II in the atrium. Working with children in the atrium has expanded to include serving as a Level I formation leader and as Board Chair for CGSUSA. Her very favorite people include her husband, three children, and four grandchildren. Sue’s family also includes two rescued dogs.

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.

Help us prepare for the 40th Celebration:

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 [e-mail]

• 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 [e-mail].

• 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 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- catechesisofthegoodshepherd