VOLUME 12 ISSUE 1 One Flock, One Shepherd Page 1 Volume 12 Issue 1 March 2018 Newsletter of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Association of Canada Level 1, Calgary: Susan Perna and Dorothy Burns listening to Bishop McGrattan s words of support and encouragement for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Inside this issue Level 1 Calgary...p.2 Honorary Lifetime Membership Recipient Patricia Coulter p. 4 Greetings from Whitehorse, Yukon. p. 6 St. Jude s Elementary, Vancouver..p. 7 Children s Work Level 2 p. 8 Tribute to Noreen Plante...p. 10 National Gathering October 19 th -21 st, 2018 Vancouver, BC
Page 2 ONE FLOCK, ONE SHEPHERD Reflection, Calgary Level 1 by Jasper Leung-Chau, Level 1, Calgary When we recognize that the Holy Spirit is already present in us all, then as parents and adults, we can see that our role is more to model and facilitate rather than to direct and instruct. Thus, we are indirectly forming their faith but trust that His Way is not our ways and that the heavens will always be Sr. Bibiana presenting the Nativity I am happy to share that I found the experience to be truly powerful and transformative. The delivery and content really opened my heart and mind to the Lord's almighty power and His ability to work through us. It made me realize that as a parent and adult, we really need to let go and trust that God is working through us, even through little people! L. to R. Jasper Leung-Chau, Connie Schumacher, DorothyBurns, Stephanie Ottenbreit practice and reflection higher than the earth. Also, I loved how there were different formation leaders as well, each had their own style to model and learn from. Switching from the classroom and atrium kept the energy level up, though I recognize some may have mobility challenges. Being in the atrium was so spiritual. I felt peace and calm there and wanted to simplify my life more after being there. Have more natural materials and less clutter in my life. We really need to slow down and nurture our meditative spirit, and I wished that I knew this earlier. Fortunately, I can pass this on to the next generation and emulate what matters. Murita Chua assisting with album page writing Thank you for an incredible experience. This is just a start I feel to a longer journey.
VOLUME 12 ISSUE 1 Page 3 Clearwater Academy Hosts Level 1 By Dorothy Burns Clear Water Academy in Calgary hosted Level 1 Part A February 20 th 25 th ; the third Level 1 course to be offered in Calgary since 2013. Formation facilitators Susan Perna and Heather Lampman had the assistance of Sr. Bibiana and Murita Chua who are in the process to become formation facilitators. The twenty four participants enjoyed the variety of presentation styles. Bill Tomiak, executive director for Clear Water Academy, offered words of welcome on the first day. Morning prayer, led by Susan Perna, who never leaves her cell phone on, was interrupted by a phone call from Susan s husband informing her that her mother-in-law had passed away. The Holy Spirit was certainly at work helping Susan to continue with her presentations as she worked behind the scenes to make arrangements to return to Toronto for the funeral. She used this teachable moment to model that we should always put our families first. All the participants were understanding and supportive. They were also very appreciative of the extra work this required of the remaining facilitation team. Bishop McGrattan joined us for opening prayer on Day 2 and shared some words of encouragement and support for the work of CGS. Katy Morrison, catechist at Clear Water Academy, Paula Sabatini, another Calgary catechist and their team of volunteers, worked behind the scenes to make sure everything ran smoothly, including providing delicious lunches every day and snacks. It was a joy to see so many new people on fire to be a part of this big work of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Group photo courtesy of Bandi Szakony.
Page 4 ONE FLOCK, ONE SHEPHERD Honorary Life Member, Patricia Coulter Susan Perna with Patricia National Gathering 2010 Feed My Sheep L. to R. Patricia, Fr. Thomas P. McKillop CM, Joe Tanel At the 2017 National Gathering in Ottawa, it was announced that Patricia Coulter had received honorary life membership to CGSAC in recognition of her contributions to the work CGS in Canada and beyond. Patricia has been involved in this catechesis ever since her original studies in St. Paul, MN., and at the Good Shepherd Centre of Catechesis in Rome. Throughout her long friendship with Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi, she collaborated with them in formation courses and translations of their writings, and as co-author with them and Dr. Silvana Montanaro, MD., on The Good Shepherd and the Child: A Joyful Journey. Patricia also collaborated with Sofia in Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God, and Drinking from the Sources. Her other works include Like Leaven, and Roots and Shoots. Most recently, she translated Sofia s Way of Holy Joy, and All Is Gift: Enjoying the Presence of God. Patricia received the AMI primary diploma (Ireland), and her doctorate in ministry from the University of St. Michael s College, University of Toronto. For forty years she held in different positions in the Toronto Archdiocese, and served in the Canadian Association of the Good Shepherd Catechesis at its beginning and in various ways since then as well. [Revised and abridged from All is Gift and used with permission]
VOLUME 12 ISSUE 1 Page 5 Patricia Coulter: Reflections from a Colleague By Carolyne-Marie Petch On November 14 th, 2009, as I was outgoing chair for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Association we held a one day National Gathering at Immaculate Conception Parish. - A Time to Be Nurtured was the theme and Patricia Coulter agreed to be our keynote speaker. She called me and told me she would be speaking At the end of the morning just before lunch we came back together and shared our thoughts and personal reflections on these points of her handout: How and when do I take the time I need to nurture my relationship with God? What do I find helps me keep my focus on God's love for me? What helps me listen to the Voice of Love within me? What helps me to nourish and honour the roots of my being? How can I more fully appreciate my own littleness? In what ways do I allow myself to embrace joy? What and whom do I value passionately? What is my song in this particular season of life? on "Treasures", and later that week I received an e-mail from her with a note and 9 very short reflection points starting with Take Your Time and ending with Feast on your Life.. I wasn't quite sure if this would fill the morning and fit the theme of A Time to Be Nurtured...but I was ready to trust. As the date of the Gathering drew near I received another e-mail with a handout for the participants that I had printed up and ready to put in everyone's welcome package. The morning with Patricia was wonderful. We began together as Patricia lifted up the themes and we were invited to reflect on the topics together. She then sent us off in smaller groups to discuss and reflect on our own personal "treasures". What encourages me to feast on my life as God s gift to me and to others? At this time in my life s journey, I name this as a personal treasure Thank you, Patricia for this Treasure; I pull it out every year as part of my Lenten preparations and reflections.
Page 6 ONE FLOCK, ONE SHEPHERD Whitehorse, Yukon Welcomes CGS By Caroline Knickle Greetings, brothers and sisters! We are thrilled that after years of planning, preparing, training and praying our level one atrium opened its doors on September 16, 2017! Our Good Shepherd Atrium is in the historic Our Lady Of Guadalupe House in the heart of downtown Whitehorse. This building became Maryhouse in 1954 when Bishop Jean-Louis Coudert invited Catherine Doherty to send a team of her staff to help him serve the needs of the poor in Whitehorse. This past September, Maryhouse moved next door and this beautiful historic building became available for our atrium. With the love and blessings of our Pastor, Father Szwagrzyk, and our Bishop Hector Vila, our dreams were coming true. All the materials that we had been making and gathering had a home, and we were about to begin our journey as Good Shepherd catechists for real! God is so good. Our catechists are Monica Best, Caroline Knickle and Beth Ryan. The program is held Saturday afternoons from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. There are currently 16 children, ages 3 to 6, registered and participating in the program. We hope to add level 2 in September 2018. We would like to send out a big thank you to the kind friends of CGS in Ontario who made us a beautiful Liturgical Calendar and to Susan Perna who connected our need with their talented generosity. We are so grateful!
VOLUME 12 ISSUE 1 Page 7 St. Jude s Elementary School Vancouver Level 2 children reflect on the Mystery of Faith : Le a Young, catechist Level 1 Children re-enact the infancy narratives. This is not a usual work of the atrium.
Page 8 ONE FLOCK, ONE SHEPHERD Level 2 Holy Rosary Guelph, ON Julia engages with scripture now that she is a competent reader. She had just reflected on The Hidden Treasure. Following this reflection she prayed, Lord help me find the treasure. Then she took out The Precious Pearl and worked with it reading and moving figures. She said, Jesus so wants me to find the treasure. I need to listen with both sets of ears to his voice. Did you know this when you were 8? She then made the booklet. After deepening of The Mustard Seed followed a week later by The True Vine first moment, Henry titled the picture The Kingdom of God becoming Parousia now with and in us. Broka working with the Eucharistic presence after The Hidden Treasure. During reflection there was no mention of mass even though they did mention baptism and joining the sheep in the sheepfold and getting white gown. They concluded that Jesus gives everyone a white gown because Jesus wants everyone to be all in all. Broka commented that the hidden treasure was like the mustard seed - like Jesus giving all that he had dying and rising.
VOLUME 12 ISSUE 1 Page 9 This work was done the week after Valentine s. We had been working on deepening the Mustard Seed and the Precious Pearl as well as work on the Pharisee and the Publican. Note that the card is not addressed to anyone. Therese did the timeline of gifts in fall. This picture was done after Christmas. Her comment: Christmas is the best. God gives us everything and more. Photos and Comments submitted by Dr. Debbie Zeni Save the Date! National Gathering 2018 October 19 th -21 st, 2018 Friday-Sunday
Page 10 ONE FLOCK, ONE SHEPHERD A Tribute to Noreen Plant, Catechist In a room filled with love and holy anticipation, Noreen Plant took her final breath. I overcame, I won the battle. These were Noreen s last words. Cancer may have conquered her body, but not her spirit. Noreen passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, January 25th, 2018 at the age of 72 (taken from Noreen s Obituary.) We remembered Noreen as a doer. Whatever she could do to make our atrium beautiful, she did. Even while battling cancer she finished our Empty Tomb and Good We, the catechists of Russell, are so very sad to lose our friend. The day Noreen died we gathered in the evening at the atrium to pray for the repose of her soul and to remember. We gathered again the other night to remember more. We remembered the Open House we hosted in November 2015 for our parish the night Noreen Plant first learned about and experienced a sample of CGS. She came with her husband, Gary. They meant to make a quick appearance and then leave. There was a hockey game on that Gary was hoping to watch. But Noreen was blown away. He later told us how he could see how taken she was with the work, so he didn t rush her. We remembered her telling us that CGS was exactly what she was looking for. She signed up to take Part A of the Level 1 course in Calgary in February 2016 the next available course. Joyce Vincelette flew out with her. They were quick friends. Joyce remembers how much love and pride she had in her family, how loyal and devoted she was to her husband, 6 children, 11 grandchildren, sisters, brothers and beyond. She provided taxi-like services to all in need. She travelled to every activity her grandchildren participated in that she could musical recitals, sporting events, even a cheerleading world championship (her granddaughter won first place!) We remembered how Noreen wanted CGS for her grandchildren. Throughout the spring of 2016 Noreen observed in atria wherever and whenever she could. In July 2016 she completed Part B of her Level 1 course in Ottawa. We remembered how proud she was to introduce her newly ordained son, Fr Gerard Plant to the course participants. In the fall she began assisting in the Russell atrium, as well as at St George s in Ottawa. Samaritan dioramas. Noreen also made a beautiful chasuble set for the CGSAC 2017 Gathering auction. which we did all we could to win. We are so thankful to have these little pieces of her left with us now. The children were fond of Noreen. Sometimes she would bring Gary in with his guitar, and he would play along to the songs they sang together. When the children learned she was sick, they prayed for her faithfully. And when one child, Kathleen, asked why Noreen had to die, her sister, Elisabeth, answered, God thought to himself, nope, I have waited long enough to bring you home. And then, boom! God and Noreen were together again. Diane Garvin, who worked most closely with Noreen in our atrium writes, Noreen s grace, patience and love was a gift. A gift she generously shared not only with our children in the Atrium, but with me too. We would stay after our session and reflect on the children s responses and plan for the next week. Inevitably this reflection time would turn to personal sharing time, the highs and lows of life, then a trip to the local coffee shop! We laughed together, a lot. We shared the love of God not only with the children in our group, but with each other as well. I will miss the sound of her laugh, her energy, her love, and her friendship. I will cherish these memories as a gift.
VOLUME 12 ISSUE 1 Page 11 Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish We know that we are but separated from Noreen for a time. We are consoled knowing that, as Carolyn Cogan wrote to her family, Noreen will be present to us in so many beautiful memories: her positive, upbeat outlook on life, her unfaltering faith and conviction that the Lord has everything figured out, her loving and caring words of wisdom, her sense of humour, her fierce love for her family, her courage in the midst of pain and suffering, and so much more. Noreen brought her life to The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and we know that CGS gave her life in return. We remember her as a beautiful branch of the True Vine, abiding so very close to the Good Shepherd. She received his life-giving sap, and opened her leaves wide to bring nourishment to the rest of the plant in return. The Noreen Branch bore much fruit. It continues to do so even now. Thank you, dear Noreen. Adieu! With much love, Carolyn, Cherylene, Diane, Joyce and Meghann
One Flock, One Shepherd Page 12 ONE FLOCK, ONE SHEPHERD CGSAC 18 Mountain Street Okotoks, AB T1S 1G5 E-mail: Catechesis.Canada@gmail.com Membership Renewal 2018 memberships due now! There are one- and two-year renewal options. Membership renewal forms are available on our website at: www.cgsac.ca CGSAC Board Chair/Newsletter: Dorothy Burns Formation Director/Vice-Chair: Therese Wright Treasurer: Deborah Baker Secretary: Claire Reis Membership: Murita Chua Communication: Monica Perry Level I Winnipeg: Ongoing October 2017 June 2018 Formation Facilitators: Heather Skublics-Lampman and Nancy Wood Vancouver: Level 1B - March 19-23 Formation Facilitators: Susan Perna and Nancy Wood Saskatoon: Level 1A April 22-27 Formation Facilitators: Dr. Debbie Zeni and Carolyne-Marie Petch Ottawa: Level 1A-July 9-14 Formation Facilitators: Susan Perna and Annette White Level II Vancouver: Level 2A March 14-18 Formation Facilitators: Dr. Debbie Zeni and Carolyne-Marie Petch Ottawa, ON: southeast in Russell: Part B August 13-17 Formation facilitators: Carolyne-Marie Petch and Debbie Zeni Level III Current and Upcoming Courses Guelph: July 20-27 (Part C) Formation facilitators: Lynne Worthington, Debbie Zeni and Carolyne-Marie Petch For the most up to date information on courses visit our website at www.cgsac.ca. or contact Therese Wright at formation@cgsac.ca See Contact us on our website to communicate with board members (www.cgsac.ca). Newsletter Submission Deadlines Advent/Christmas: November 30 Lent/Spring: February 28 Summer: May 30 Fall: September 30 Donations to Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Association of Canada (CGSAC) may be made through CanadaHelps.org