114. Characteristic #27 with Francesca Cocchini and Marty O’Bryan

The Good Shepherd and the Child

“Let the little children come to me; do not stop them.” Mark 10:14

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Read the article “Characteristics of the Good Shepherd Catechesis Number 27” HERE

What are the principal points which distinguish this catechesis and because of which it is called the “Catechesis of the Good Shepherd”?

We have 32 characteristics that are intended to represent the principal aspects of the catechesis as they have emerged after more than fifty years of work with children of different countries, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds. These characteristics are reflective of the constants which have presented themselves in this work and are presented here with the invitation to go deeper into them for further reflection. Read all 32 Points of Reflection HERE

In the 2020 CGS Journal Francesca Cocchini wrote an article about characteristic #27. Today we will listen to that article as well as discuss it with Marty O’Bryan. Marty also answers one of our listener’s questions about how to manage a level one atrium and still follow the child with many little ones. Read the article HERE

Characteristic #27:

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is also concerned with helping adults open their eyes to the hidden riches of the child, especially to the child’s spiritual wealth, so that adults will be drawn to learn from the child and to serve him/her. The guiding principles in this endeavor are:

• The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd does not seek success.
• It does not set about to be important or to impress others. (Isaiah 10:33-11:10)
• It is faithful to the spirit of the mustard seed. (Matthew 13: 31)
• It stands in solidarity with the least in the church.

Marty O’Bryan began her formation in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd with Sofia Cavalletti in 1983 and has been a catechists since 1985. She conducts adult formations at Levels I, II and III throughout the United States. A retired speech and language pathologist, Marty holds a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Studies with an emphasis on the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd from Aquinas Institute of Theology. Currently, she works with children in Level I, II, and III atria in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix.

Further Reading:

2020 Journal of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

The Religious Potential of the Child by Sofia Cavalletti

The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Years Old by Sofia Cavalletti

Other Episodes You Might Enjoy

Episode 94-CGS Characteristics #17, 18, 19, and 20 with Lynda Catalano and Diane Olsen

Episode 95- CGS Characteristics #21 and 25 with Lynne Worthington and Marty O’Bryan

Learn more about the 40th Anniversary Celebration of CGSUSA HERE

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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