Bearing fruit that will remain Life on the Vine with CGSUSA, Inside this issue:

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1 CGSUSA News Fall 2012 The National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd United States Bearing fruit that will remain Life on the Vine with CGSUSA, by Mary Mirrione I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit John 15:5 Inside this issue: Lavished Love page 2 Goodness and Love will follow page 3 Mucho Gusto page 4 National Formation Events page 5-6 What s so great? page 7 Servant Song page 8 A Week of Holy Joy page 9 The Online Level II Materials Manual page 11 Bearing fruit is a natural manifestation when one remains connected to the Vine. It truly is that simple! Our Association has remained in Him and with Him in the service of those He names as the greatest in His Kingdom. In doing so, we have borne fruit that will remain in the hearts of the children, in our own life and in the communities we live in. This year we have gathered together in many places, at national events, regional gatherings and local settings all around the country. We have shared our experiences and celebrated the sweetness of the fruit of this work called the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Our last three CGSUSA newsletters have focused on this parable that we share with the older children. This parable is precious to the children because of the relationship they enjoy with Jesus, the True Vine, His Father, the Vinedresser, and with the many branches they know and love, namely their family and friends. With the children, we have discovered the gift of remaining and the joy of bearing fruit. We have come to find that even though we may be separated by miles, we are all closely connected as branches that support and uphold each other because of the Life that we receive as gift from our True Vine. As members of the National Association of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, we are witnessing the sweet fruit of the children and enjoying the fruit of our labors as well. May you find in these pages of this newsletter a small taste of the sweet fruit our remaining on the Vine produces for the praise and glory of our Father, the Vinedresser. May we see each other soon! May God continue to bless your children and families abundantly!

2 See what great love the Father has lavished on us 1 John 3:1 by Kay Brizzolara This year, He who has called us to this work is indeed pouring out his love upon us. As our Association has grown and spread the knowledge of our Good Shepherd in new places and in new hearts, so too have our needs grown. From a small gathering of a dedicated group of catechists we have become an organization which offers multiple national events annually to build our growing community. Like the mysterious power at work in the growth of everything around us, this growth in our organization is not the result of our hands, but is the work of He who lavishes love upon us with such care. And in His love, God is opening hearts to provide abundantly for us through gifts of service and support. The work of loving hands has brought forth this year the gift of the Online Level II Materials Manual. We can now find not only instructions for both Level I and Level II materials, but also see photos of the materials as created by Sofia and Gianna for the children in the Rome atrium. The work of their hands as demonstrated in their materials, are handed down as gifts to us. The work of loving hearts and the generosity of volunteer hosting teams in Atlanta for the Formation Leaders Training Course Level I held in October; and in Chicago for the National Level II Course, the Servant Song Retreat and the Annual Meeting held in July, allowed hundreds of catechists from across the country to gather, to be nourished by this work, as well as to enjoy and renew friendships with one another. The work of loving collaboration has given us this year the gift of collaboration on a project that has taken 30 years to accomplish. At that time, Sofia and Gianna were asked what materials the association might offer for sale to help the many atria starting up in our country. They said that they would like to see the Little Gospels to be among the first to be offered. Sofia and Gianna had thoughtfully prepared these hardbound small books for the child using carefully chosen rich Biblical language found in translations from the Greek and Hebrew Scriptures. They were produced in a size that fit perfectly in the hands of a child. The Little Gospels were illustrated with simple, beautiful drawings by Gianna. CGSUSA and Liturgy Training Publications (LTP) are honored to announce these precious books have been translated into English and produced with restored artwork. The Infancy Narratives will be ready for Advent And now, in what we truly believe is an act of providence an offer has been made to us of a physical office location in Scottsdale, Arizona. This great gift would allow our national director, Mary Mirrione, to move the operational oversight for our national organization out of her spare bedroom and into a real office capable of sustaining the full spectrum of activities of CGSUSA. Such a facility would also greatly support our work in organizing the hosting of the International Catechist Gathering and Consiglio meeting in As a board, along with our staff, we are walking through the details of what this generous offer means for us. Please keep us, and our work in your prayers; we will keep you informed of the progress of this venture. For the abundant gifts which our Good Shepherd continues to lavish upon us, please respond with me by singing in your hearts that grace so favored of the children, All good gifts around us are sent from God above, so thank you, Lord, thank you, Lord, for all of your love.

3 Surely goodness and love will follow Psalm 23 by Patti Franz Essentiality. Of all the words that we meet as catechists, there may be none more powerful than essentiality. I remember in my first formation course scribbling this pearl of wisdom: Let the child show us what is essential. Got it. As if simply writing it down would make it so. Then I met Brian. Brian was a precocious child of four when he presented his very essential self to us in the St. Benedict parish atrium. Here was a boy who could not sit still; who could not not talk; whose attention span for any presentation lasted somewhere just past, You already know. If I had prepared to give Flower Arranging, he wanted Brass Polishing. If I was presenting The Visitation, he wanted The Cenacle. Brian showed me that to be essential, I had to let go of my carefully planned schedule and be prepared to present Baptism during Advent. And while I probably thought that I understood this core characteristic of the child, I had no idea, some 18 years ago, where my journey with essentiality would take me. Today, I am privileged to be in the Loyola Academy atrium with 26 eleven-year-old boys, many of whom are not Catholic. In fact, we are quite a diverse community of seekers. Edwin has one Christian and one Muslim parent. Samauji has never been raised with any reference to faith. Manuel s parents left the Church when he was born and now practice as Mormons. A.J. s family is devout Baptist. Brandon is Seventh Day Adventist with a penchant for quoting the books of Daniel and Revelation. So what is essential to one scholar may hold little meaning for another. But they have taken quite joyfully to communal prayer and with little modesty, they openly offer their prayers of gratitude to the Good Shepherd: for this opportunity [to go to Loyola]; for our teachers; for my mom working two jobs; for new friends; for protection; for time in the atrium, for our God-time. Essentiality. When I was elected this summer to the Boardof Trustees, I began praying hard for the gift of essentiality. Like so many fellow catechists in this work, I have a full-time job that is NOT the catechesis. How would I find time to be of service to all of them in the work of the Association? Each of us board members lives in a different state. How would we overcome the sheer geographic challenges to simply meet? And I learned quickly that this year our association faces the intimidating budget reality of expenses that exceed our association income. Essentiality. What does it mean to be essential as an association? At its core, our work as catechists is to help the child enjoy a relationship with God. Our Association seeks to serve the catechist in this effort. Do we do this best through formation courses? Publications? Scholarships? Communication? Materials resources? If our financial circumstances require us to make difficult choices, how will we discern what is essential? And so I pray. I pray that we listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd who guides us on right paths for his namesake. And I find hope in the song of David: Surely goodness and love will follow. Please consider giving a onetime gift or pledge a recurring gift to support our mission. Moreover, let's invite others to join us.

4 Our 2012 Annual Appeal Each year we send out an invitation for those who know of our work to support our mission. It is an important request that needs to be shared by all our members. In order to meet the current needs of the children and catechists in CGS atria nationwide, we must raise $80,000 before December 31 to bridge the gap between our operating expenses and revenue. We seek your help. Last year, to encourage greater support of our appeal, we were able to offer a print from artist Tomie depaola. This year, through a generous community grant, liturgical artist Dale Molnar has offered a beautiful signed print of the Empty Tomb. The Empty Tomb print was introduced at our Annual Meeting, and many there were quick to offer their support the appeal. This print is being offered to the first 100 who make a donation of $ or more to our Annual Appeal. Consider making your donation soon, before our supply of these beautiful gifts run out! Do you have a bilingual community that speaks Spanish? CGSUSA welcomes you! Mucho Gusto, por Lourdes Vasquez A ti catequista hispana, te saludamos y te damos las mas expresivas gracias por tu apoyo a la Asociacion Nacional de la Catequesis del Buen Pastor en los EU. El grupo etnico de mas crecimiento en los EU es el nuestro y agradecemos tu gran colaboracion con nuestros ninos hispanos. Sabemos que la CBP ofrece muchas herramientas para el desarrollo integral del nino dentro de un ambiente a veces tan diverso. Si de alguna forma te podemos ayudar, escribemos. Queremos saber de ti. Puedes comunicarte a lourdesvazquez@cgsusa.org Dios te bendiga. Save the date! October 1 4, 2014 Join us in the desert of Phoenix, Arizona for an International Catechist Gathering in collaboration with the International Council (Consiglio) of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd View our invitation to you on YouTube:

5 National Formation Events by Karen Maxwell, Director of Formation The National Level II, Part 2 Formation Course - July 15-27, 2012 In July, 28 catechists completed their Level II formation in Chicago at our national course. These participants had the chance to make the History of the Gifts timeline, one of the more daunting Level II materials to make since it involves gathering so many items to accompany the timeline. Rachel Faulman coordinated the purchase of card stock for the Gifts timeline, and invited participants to bring a gift item (enough for all participants) from their part of the country (or the world, as was the case for participants from India and Norway) to contribute to each person s History of the Gifts material. Brown paper sacks filled with various sized gift boxes, tins and jars were lined up on the table for each participant, allowing everyone to place their items in and around each person s bag. It was delightful to see all the treasures that were collected, such as dried codfish and reindeer pelts from Norway, flax, wool, cotton bolls, copper nuggets, stones, seashells, leaves from indigenous trees in various regions of the US, and interesting photos. Everyone was excited to place these gifts in containers and take home these treasures to compliment their Gifts material. In addition, participants of this two-week session of Level II, Part 2 also received a full week of sacramental preparation, including receiving all communion meditations and a hands-on (but abbreviated) experience of the communion retreat. Additional participants joined the course as auditors for this week. Please see special articles in this newsletter from Beth Maze, a participant in the Level II course, and Jim Berkenbaugh, an auditor for the Sacramental Preparation session, as they share their experiences at this national event. Servant Song Retreat: The Spirituality of the Catechist July 20-22, 2012 As catechists we embrace our role and continually learn how best to serve children as we help them in their relationship with God. One of the best ways for us to do this is to reflect on how Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi saw themselves as catechists. The Servant Song Retreat gave many catechists from around the country the opportunity to hear from Rebekah Rojcewicz and Claudia Margarita Schmitt as they shared their personal experiences and reflections about Sofia and Gianna as catechists. Continued on next page

6 Servant Song Retreat: The Spirituality of the Catechist, continued In addition, because of our involvement with the Missionaries of Charity, we have become even more aware of the way that our work connects to and helps the sisters who serve the least around the world. We have also become more aware of how Mother Teresa, as an unprofitable servant, can inspire our role as catechists. One of our newest catechists, Monsignor David Talley from Atlanta, Georgia, has served as retreat master for the Missionaries of Charity for many years. He shared with our retreat participants some of his insights from his experience and his understanding of how who Mother Teresa can also nourish our role as catechists. Finally, Karen Maxwell offered a reflection from Sofia s chapter in Way of Holy Joy, on The Child as Parable. How is it that the child is a parable and how does this nourish our understanding of being an unprofitable servant? There is much to contemplate with this image and the chapter is worthy of meditation. All in all, the Servant Song Retreat was a wonderful gathering of catechists who eagerly enjoyed getting to know others in our work and re-uniting with friends. Please see Patricia s Stenton s article as she shares what the experience of the retreat meant to her. Formation Leaders Training Course I September 30-October 5, 2012, Atlanta, Georgia Current Level I formation leaders and catechists active in the discernment process to be recognized as formation leaders were invited to a training specifically designed to update and better prepare them to lead Level I formation courses. The theme for the training was on a key quality of the youngest children they are essential and they receive their relationship with God essentially. Understanding this about the child s relationship with God helps us as catechists to be the best matchmaker between God, the child and the environment. It is what formation leaders need to know well in order to better form catechists in this work. The course not only guided the 51 participants to be clearer about the essentials of all the themes that comprise the Level I atrium experience for three to six year old children, but also guided participants in course protocol and practicum experiences. A new element integral to this training course for formation leaders was a focus on Montessori s vision of the human being and the practical life theory and exercises that give the young child an opportunity to construct himself or herself. This element is currently being explored as an additional component for Level I formation courses. The next Formation Leaders Training Course for Level I formation leaders is being planned for June, New Policy Regarding Registering Formation Courses All hosting communities or formation leaders beginning courses after September 1, 2012 are now assessed a Registration Fee based on the number of participants registered at the beginning of a course rather than paying a certificate fee at the end of a course. The $35 fee is based on each participant enrolled in the course and is considered a course expense paid to the Association from the hosting community. Once the course begins, the hosting community will be asked to send to CGSUSA s Course Coordinator, Marrey Picciotti, a participant roster. An invoice will be sent to the hosting community for the registration fee which is paid during the first part of the course rather than at the end of the course as previously done. Certificates will be mailed to the hosting community at the end of a course. This new policy allows CGSUSA to be a better partner with the hosting community and formation leader (s) for the duration of the course. For a CGSUSA Course Registration form, please contact Marrey Picciotti by marreypicciotti@cgsusa.org

7 "What's so great about a National Catechesis Course?" by Beth Maze, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA "What's so great about a National Catechesis course," I asked myself. "How different can it be from Regional courses?" I got on a plane to Chicago the past two summers for the National Level II Course at The Cenacle Retreat Center in Chicago. I was ready to immerse myself in the work Sofia has gifted to us. I was ready to listen, to watch, to take notes, to stay up late making materials. But I was not prepared for the expansion of my heart as catechists from Norway, India, Pakistan, South Vietnam, and all across America shared themselves with me. My priorities shifted. Gone was my angst over making a perfect "Gifts Strip." For two weeks each summer - and even the weekend in between - I lived with women (and a few good men) who understand my passion for this work because it is THEIR work. Most of us had no idea who was new to Level II, who was there for refreshment and updating, and who had been working with children for 15+ years. It never came up because each of us found the places our gifts were needed: every time we got stuck, God gave what was needed through one of us. Perhaps it's the closest I will come, as an adult, to the experience of working, singing, and praying in an atrium. On the weekend, participants arrived for the Servant Song Retreat and Annual Meeting of the Association. We who love this genuine, evolving and dynamic Catechesis of the Good Shepherd sat to listen as Sofia was made personal to us through the words and stories of Rebekah Rojcewicz, Claudia Margarita Schmidt and others who had sat with Sofia and Gianna. I came away with new dimensions of Dr. Sofia Cavalletti, who drove like a madman, had an impish sense of humor, was a Hebrew scholar, and yet counted her time with children as the most valuable of her life. These are our family stories in the work of Catechesis, and I am grateful to all who shared them. Did we learn the work of the Level II child? Yes. We unrolled the Fettuccia, laid out the Gifts Strip, told the Moral Parables and synthesized everything from Infancy Narratives to Eucharist and Baptism. We wrote and shared our album pages. We were in the "belly of the whale" together, talking about our own atria, our challenges, and the children who have taught us deeply about the heart of God - and also about war, prejudice, fear and Jesus' Maxims. The formation leaders were prepared. Their words were careful. They led us, but did not do our work for us. They encouraged creativity, but held us to the high standards of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. They kept us connected in mind and heart to the work we've been called to do. Everything was provided for us. And we were uninterrupted for two weeks. How is a National Training different from Regional Trainings? It shows best how far and wide this work we share is - and how intimately we share it. Bearing Fruit

8 Servant Song: The Spirituality of the Catechist Patricia Stenton, Midland, Ontario, Canada Catechists from all over the United States, from Norway, India and Canada gathered in Chicago at the end of July for a three-day retreat: Servant Song: The Spirituality of the Catechist. On Friday night, Rebekah Rojcewicz helped us to ponder our role as unprofitable servants as gift, saying that it's not a statement about our inadequateness, but rather points to our good fortune of having been freed of selfabsorption. She added that it's not just a being freed from, but rather a being freed for that complete joy. Saturday morning Claudia Margarita Schmitt shared with us memories of studying and working as a catechist with Gianna. She lifted up Gianna's simplicity, humility and deep inner peace. Gianna had peace, because she was full of life. She was an empty vessel overflowing with God's grace. With Claudia we reflected on the reality that our own vessels are often too full, leaving not enough room for the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. Gianna's teacher had obviously been the child. She had said, If we understood that Christ is in the child, we would give all that we have to the child. Claudia also lifted up for us the quiet service of Augusta, Sofia's housekeeper and guardian for so many years, but also a great servant to our Catechesis in countless ways. Rebekah allowed us a deeper insight into Sofia's life as catechist. Sofia never sought success or personal recognition. While CGS grew all around the world, it remained a Hidden Treasure for the most part in its home town, except for the 50th Anniversary in 2004 when all Rome parishes were invited to a Public Symposium to celebrate the fifty years of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Sofia always preferred the hiddenness of the mustard seed. She ventured into material making of various kinds, even though she did not consider herself a 'handy' person. Sofia was devoted to her One Teacher, to the Word, the Liturgy, and to hours of daily study, and of course to the child. She had the great ability to be surprised by joy, Rebekah stated. Sofia lived the life of the 'unprofitable servant' with fidelity and diligence, remaining a catechist until the very end of her life. We pondered in silence the gift each one of us had received from Sofia, then were invited to share a memory. One catechist recalled a discussion with Sofia about the Liturgical Calendar, in which he had suggested that the Feast of Christ the King should be included. Sofia's answer was, Maria Montessori created this material. I do not feel right altering her work. Rebekah summed up Sofia's virtues with a quote by A.J. Russell from the book God Calling: Humility is not the belittlement of self, but the capacity to see the greatness of the other. We were very blessed to also have Monsignor David Talley with us. On Saturday afternoon he invited us to reflect on the call and mission of Blessed Mother Teresa, of her call within a call, to proclaim the message of Christ's thirst for the love of our hearts. He related, Mother Teresa did not just read scripture, she drank it in, and described the work of the Missionaries of Charity from his personal experience, of their response to God's word to them, Be my light. Monsignor Talley also shared with us his call to CGS and the profound experience he lived at a CGS seed planting. Then Karen put on her catechist voice..., he began. The presentation of the Good Shepherd became for him an encounter with Jesus, an encounter of a depth that until then he had only rarely experienced during prolonged contemplative prayer. He was called to be simply, David, loved by God,...not the theologian, the Canon Lawyer or builder of churches, just David, called to share God's love by loving God's creature everywhere. Monsignor Talley has since become a catechist and a strong promoter of CGS where and whenever possible. At the end of our day, Karen Maxwell led us in a very peaceful reflection on The Child as Parable, based on Sofia's writings in Way of Holy Joy. On Sunday morning, after a time set aside for meditation and worship, Mary Mirrione led us in The Song of the Servant. Looking back over our retreat days Mary reminded us, The song we are singing began as a simple two-part harmony between a scripture scholar and a Montessorian. She also invited us to reflect on Sofia's words, Whenever God's invitation meets our full and free response, salvation is realized. We concluded our time together with a final meditation in small groups, and each group pondered the life and service of a particular person: Mary, the Mother of God, Blessed Mother Teresa, Sofia, Gianna, Augusta. Our retreat ended with a memorial celebration in honor of Sofia and all those unprofitable servants who have gone before us in longing for the Parousia.

9 A Week of Holy Joy Reflections on auditing the Sacramental Preparation week of the Level II Course by James Berkenbaugh, Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, USA As we were sitting in the atrium during an afternoon reflection, a catechist shared a personal experience with us. She spoke of the day that the children were receiving the sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Eucharist. The catechist saw a young girl with tears in her eyes walking back after having been anointed by the bishop. When the catechist approached her, the young girl responded, he anoints my head with oil, my cup overflows. The recent book Way of Holy Joy contains some of the writings of Sofia Cavalletti and in one of these writings she describes the adventure of the Catechesis of Good Shepherd and notes that the golden thread within the adventure is the joy with which children live their relationship with God, an intense and recollected joy which seems to touch the deepest chord in the child s spirit. There is a passage in that chapter in which Sofia writes, Young children want to point out to us that their way of going to God is different... the child seems to wish to point out to us the royal Way of holy Joy. We often think of the mystery of God and the mystery of the child, and how we as catechists are transformed by our work with the child. Our time with the children, the moments and experiences, such as the one of the young girl receiving the sacraments, remind us of this great mystery and the child s joy. We observe the child and we ourselves feel the deepest chord of our spirit touched. Last spring I saw that there would be a retreat for CGS catechists in Chicago, but I saw also an opportunity for Level II catechists to audit the final week of the National Level II Formation Course, a week that would cover Sacramental Preparation. I came so that I might take some time to ponder the spirituality of the catechist, and then to remain so that I, as an unprofitable servant, might go deeper in my study of sacramental preparation. The week was, for me, one of holy joy. Sofia has written of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd as being a gift for each catechist who finds himself or herself before two gifts, the one of listening with the child and the other which brings us into community with other catechists. I am fond of saying that I am a seven-year-old child. So I came and listened with my inner child and was brought closely into a community of catechists in Chicago. There was a rhythm to each day and to the week. Each morning I looked forward to walking along the lake, and then daily Mass with the other catechists to begin our day together. Our meals together during the days and our social times together blessed us with friendships and laughter. Early in the week we listened to special guest speakers. Claudia Margarita Schmitt spoke of her experience with the sacramental preparation of the child in the Rome atrium with Sofia and Gianna. She gave life to the handout that I had received years ago during my catechist formation course. We also heard a talk by Ann Garrido. She provided a beautiful presentation, one that I had been hoping to find. She showed us how the early church lived the sacraments and how, through the history of the church, sacramental practices have been influenced by practical concerns, the rise of monasticism, heresy, Church synods, Pope Pius X and Church councils, particularly the Second Vatican Council. She addressed the restored order of the sacraments, Baptism followed by Confirmation and Holy Eucharist that has become the practice in many places. She also reviewed canon law. She spoke of CGS within the church, in particular, the practice of the sacraments of First Confession and First Eucharist together in the Rome model and in the American models adapted from the Rome model, and reminded us that Sofia tells us that confession requires communion since the child is being reconciled for communion. As we entered into the work that the child and catechist would engage in during the weeks preceding their sacramental retreat, we meditated and reflected in small groups with formation leaders and had time for private meditation. Meditating together and listening to the parables of the True Vine, Found Coin and Found Sheep, the Forgiving Father and hearing the example of Continued on next page

10 A Week of Holy Joy, continued faith in the Healing of the Centurion s Servant, going deeper into the richness of the of the parables, we were immersed in the themes of love, communion, mercy, forgiveness, faith and the Eucharist. THANK YOU, MONTHLY DONORS! We have a continued necessity to find ways of helping us bridge the gap between what we have and what we seek to accomplish in helping others serve the religious capacities of children. There is a real need for a solid response to our request for pledges of sustained, monthly contributions at a suggested amount of $19 a month. The work of CGSUSA is of interest to many, and it is our hope that we can fully respond to those who seek the guidance and support of our Association. We are so grateful to those who have already stepped forward to support us each month with their generosity. We continued these meditations into the third day of this second course week. That afternoon we began the Sacramental Retreat, preparing our white garment, crucifix and candle for the following morning. In the atrium surrounded by this community of catechists and busy activity, it was quiet, calm and peaceful. And sitting in the silence of the atrium working on my white garment, having completed my simple white candle and crucifix, I had such a feeling of peace and anticipation. I struggled with my white garment trying an embroidery stitch for the first time, but found joy being in that company and also joy in thinking of the children who during their retreat, would be truly preparing for the celebration of the their First Confession and their First Holy Eucharist, and those children who would also be preparing for Confirmation. The children during their retreat would have time for work and prayer, daily Mass, and would have listened to the scripture readings, reflecting on them and the maxims, and they would have also had an examination of conscience. The children would have considered several questions, such as: Some of the gifts that I have received from God are? Here is my prayer of thanksgiving for these gifts and God s greatness and generosity. Some of the scriptures and prayers that help me follow the Good Shepherd and to remain on the True Vine are? I would like to ask God to remove the blocks from my branch. The children on Saturday morning would have their First Confession and then in the afternoon with closest family members present would have celebrated a Renewal of Baptismal Promises and received their white garment and Baptismal light. On Sunday they would have their celebration of First Holy Eucharist. On our fourth day together as a community of catechists we came into the atrium for Renewal of Baptismal Promises and to receive our white garment and candles. It was beautiful. On the following day, our last day together, we ended the week considering the work of the child and the work of the adult as Maria Montessori would have us consider this work. We celebrated together the Pentecost celebration and the course concluded with the certificate ceremony and those catechists who had worked over the past two summers in Chicago received their certificates. At the conclusion of the course there was joy at the completion of a good work but also farewells to friends, both new and old. The formation team had been wonderful and with the support of the local hosting team had given us a wonderful week. I left with an even deeper appreciation for this great gift that we as catechists working in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd have received. Since returning home I have shared this experience with others and often remember those moments of prayer, work and meditation, and play that filled the week. In my study I see my white garment and wonder if I will find the time to finish the fringing and there, too, is my candle and crucifix, both of them simple. All are beautiful reminders of our sacramental retreat. I remember, too, what we heard of the young girl at her Confirmation and First Holy Eucharist, and how her intense joy was reflected in her countenance. I see joy in the faces of the children here in Pittsburgh. I know that the week I had in Chicago was a gift. It was a week of holy joy.

11 Ribbon cutting at the 2012 Annual Meeting The new Online Level II Materials Manual The East Room of the Cenacle Retreat and Conference Center was filled with excitement at the CGSUSA Annual Meeting this summer when Pat Sauerman, the Materials Manuals project coordinator, and Claudia Margarita Schmitt ceremoniously cut a red ribbon tied to a laptop computer to usher in the new Online Level II Materials Manual. The team for this project was introduced: Jan Kelly, Liisa Peterson and Julie McCauley; also present were Frances Walker, Rachel Faulman and Donna Turner, who represented the Episcopal Adaptations Committee. Pat gave a virtual tour of the online manual and reminded us that this materials manual is a superb tool to help us in our work as unprofitable servant. It will help all to enter, very intimately, into the inspired work of Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi s hands. As we prepare the atrium environment, material making continues to form us and reveal to us how to better serve the child. Through color photography, in-depth research, careful translations, frequently asked questions (FAQs) and detailed directions, this new Level II Materials Manual reveals Sofia and Gianna s honesty in working with what the resources they had from priceless ancient art to simple corrugated cardboard boxes; and their humility as they taped over lovely materials with edits inspired over time by the child and the Holy Spirit. There may be some surprises in this manual you may discover the materials may look different from yours. Our research found that in some cases there are many different ways of make a particular material. Which one should we present in the materials manual? We opted to return to our roots and to Sofia and Gianna s materials. For some, this will seem like a change, but what is most important is NOT to remake the material, but to examine the material you have examine the direct aims of the presentation, return to the text of the Scriptures or Liturgy the material represents, and most of all observe the child before you. Then, determine if the material you have works, if the material from Sofia and Gianna is more appropriate if you are making it for the first time, consider making it according to what Sofia and Gianna have developed. Can a change be made simply, without remaking the entire material? We invite you to subscribe to this manual on our website. We are deeply grateful to the many hearts and hands who have diligently worked through the years to bring this gift to us. Please visit our acknowledgements page on our website to see the long list of all those who have participated in this project and join us in thanking God for all of them. For many years, a clear part of our vision has been to provide a manual at each level with accurate and most excellent plans and schematics for constructing atrium materials. We also wanted a way to offer our members updates to materials as well as information about new materials as recommended by the International Council (Consiglio). This Online Level II Materials Manual is a significant moment for us in making our vision a reality.

12 The staff of the National Association works as one office in three locations: Metro Phoenix, Arizona Mary Mirrione Pat Sauerman Lourdes Vazquez National Director, Materials Manuals & Resources Coordinator, Spanish Language Coordinator, Oak Park, Illinois (Metro Chicago) Rachel Faulman Sara Muriello Marrey Picciotti Director of Business Operations, Administrator, Course Coordinator, Marietta, Georgia (Metro Atlanta) Karen Maxwell Director of Formation, The National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Our purpose is to assist the involvement of children and adults in a common religious experience in which the religious values of childhood, primarily those values of contemplation and enjoyment of God, are predominant. Our mission is to support catechists, parents, and others in the Church and beyond, as they grow in their understanding of the religious potential of children. We bring news of our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd community to you through our newsletters, our website and our annual Journals. We give our profound gratitude to our Good Shepherd for all the people who have contributed their news, insights, and atria stories in order to preserve and pass on the work of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. P.O. Box 1084 Oak Park, IL