CATECHIST FORMATION
Current Course Offering
CGS Level III: Ages 9-12
SCHEDULE
Formation Dates, Part I
June 2-5, 2027 (Wednesday-Saturday)
August 4-7, 2027 (Wednesday-Saturday)
Formation sessions meet from 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
TUITION
Part I, 2027.....................................$550
Part II, 2028....................................$550
Scholarships available through the CGS National Association, Tina Lillig Memorial Fund
LOCATION
St. Francis Montessori | Irving, Texas
Address provided to registered participants
What is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Formation?
Beginning in 1954 in Rome, Italy, Sofia Cavaletti and her co-worker Gianna Gobbi developed an approach that appealed to the profound religious intuition of younger and older children—one that evolved from the children themselves.
The Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd was formed in 1984 in North America with its main aim being that of “involving adults and children in a common religious experience in which the religious values of childhood are predominate.”
The Level 3 formation course explores with participants the general developmental and religious characteristics of the 9-12 year old child then facilitates further meditation upon the biblical and liturgical themes of the Catechesis.
The course will offer guidelines and practical assistance to catechists in setting up an atrium for 9-12 year-olds, preparing an album, and making materials.
Finally, it will deepen participants’ ability to observe and learn from children, while also exploring avenues for deepening parental and congregational ability to observe and learn from children.
Catechist Formation Leaders
Marilee Quinn is certified in all three levels (ages 3-6, 6-9 and 9-12) of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and has been working with children in the atrium since 1990. She is currently a catechist in four atria serving ages 3 to 12 in Lawrence, KS and leads CGS formation courses for adults in the Diocese of Kansas City, KS, Oklahoma City, OK and Corpus Christi, TX. She is the foundress and Director of Mary's Catholic Montessori Training Center in Eudora, KS. Marilee received a degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Kansas and an AMI Montessori certificate from Avila College. In 2008-2011, she served on the National Board of Directors of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and currently serves as a member of the National Discernment Committee of CGS; in addition, she is an advisory member for the Board of Directors of St. Francis Montessori. Marilee is a mother, a grandmother, and a full time Montessori directress.
Andrea Frank is a catechist for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for Levels 1, 2, and 3 and has been serving in the Atrium since 2008. She is recognized as a Formation Leader for Levels 1 and 2 through the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and has offered formation courses for catechists since 2017. She currently serves as a catechist at St. Francis Montessori and directs their CGS Atria. Andrea is a wife and mother of ten children. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Arts & a Master of Arts, both in English, from the University of Dallas.