The Good Shepherd and the Child

“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you” John 15:9 

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Podcasts by Series 

Level One Book Study 

Level Two Book Study 

Today Joanie helps us break open chapter 7 of The Religious Potential of the Child for 6 to 12 Years Old which speaks about the Covenant in the Parables, most especially the True Vine and the Good Shepherd parables.  

Joanie Rymsza has practiced Catechesis of the Good Shepherd since 2005, building and coordinating a large team of volunteers at Christ the King Catholic School in South Bend, Indiana, to serve over 200 children weekly in the Level I and II atria, working primarily with 6- to 9-year-olds, and retiring from that position in 2023. She served concurrently for six years as lead catechist for lower and upper elementary children at Good Shepherd Montessori School in South Bend, and was recognized by CGSUSA as a formation leader in 2012. She recently served 2-year-olds for two years in the Toddler Atrium in Highland, Indiana, along with her current group of 9- to 12-year-olds in the Level III Atrium at St. Joseph Parish in Mishawaka, Indiana. Married to Guy for 34 years and mother of three adult children with two grandchildren, Joanie holds a Bachelor of Architecture with a minor in Art History and a Master of Arts in Theology from the University of Notre Dame. 

 

 

 

Some Resources for Further Contemplation: 

On Catechesis: 

John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation Catechesi Tradendae ("On Catechesis in Our Time", 1979), #5. Vatican Website. 

On the Senses of Scripture and Interpretation: 

Catechism of the Catholic Church, #115-119 

Second Vatican Council, Dei Verbum [Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation]. Vatican Website. 

On the Parable Method: 

Cavalletti, Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God, Chs. 2 and 4. 

Cavalletti, "The Parable Method" in The Biblical Apostolate, VII/April 1977. Published in The NAMTA Quarterly, Volume 03, Number 2, Winter 1978, pp. 51-53. 

Further Commentary on the Good Shepherd and the True Vine: 

Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth, Ch. 8 

 

TODAYS LISTENER QUESTION- I became the catechist in a Catholic School this year. Ages 3 - 5th grade. The children have never been in an atrium. How do I present the Good Shepherd to Levels II and III? How are the materials used? Is it necessary to present all of the Good Shepherd parables? Should the presentations for the Good Shepherd still be one on one? 

 

Podcasts Episodes You May Be Interested In: 

Episode 160. RPC2 – Introduction and Chapter 1 with Joann Terranova 

Episode 161. RPC2 – Ch. 2 Mystery of Time with Rebekah Rojcewicz 

Episode 170. RPC2 Ch. 3 - The Globality of Biblical History with Deb Pelletier 

Episode 176. RPC2 Ch. 4 and 5 - The History of the Covenant with Stephanie Diethelm 

Episode 177. RPC2 Ch. 6 – Historical Events and the Typological Reading of Scripture with Dan Teller 

 

Books you might be interested in: 

The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Year Olds 

History of the Kingdom of God Part 1: Creation to Parouisa 

History of the Kingdom of God Part 2: Liturgy and the Building of the Kingdom 

Life in the Vine: The Joyful Journey Continues 

 

 

BECOME A CGSUSA MEMBER 

 

CGS 7 Minute Video 

 

 

CGS Atrium Locator - Please check if your church atrium in in our atrium locator.  If not, please send this link to the COORDINATOR of your CGS program to add your atrium to the locator. THANK YOU! If you have any questions please email contact@cgsusa.org 

 

Find out more about CGS: 

 
  

Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 

  

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

“I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you.” – Job 42:5 

Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! 

 

Podcasts by Series 

Level One Book Study 

Level Two Book Study 

Today Dan helps us break open chapter 6 of The Religious Potential of the Child for 6 to 12 Year Olds that speaks about historical events and the typological reading of scripture.  

Dan Teller earned a Masters in Montessori Education from Xavier University in 1984 and has been involved in Montessori education almost continually ever since.  After teaching at a public Montessori school for 11 years, Dan served as a parochial school principal for three years before founding Queen of Angels Montessori School in 1998.  Dan served as a principal, teacher, and catechist at the school (now named Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori, serving children ages 3-14) until retiring in 2022.  

Dan began his formation in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in 1998.  He is formed as a catechist at Level I, II, and III in CGS and has worked at all three levels of atria for 25  years.  He began work as a formation leader around 15 years ago and has enjoyed training future CGS catechists at all three levels.  Dan had the opportunity to serve as an American representative on the CGS International Consiglio for 10 years in the early 2000’s.  

Dan is married to Maureen and they reside in Cincinnati, Ohio.  They have seven children and three grandchildren. 

 

TODAYS LISTENER QUESTION- Would you recommend sharing presentations to the whole group at the Prayer Table?  Many new catechists are struggling with concerns that they need to get all of the presentations to all of the children under time constraints. 

Podcasts Episodes For the Beginning of the Atrium Year: 

98: Welcoming the Children (Level 1) 

122: Welcoming the Level 2 and 3 Child PART ONE 

123: Welcoming the Level 2 and 3 Child PART TWO 

 

Podcasts Episodes You May Be Interested In: 

Ch 2: The Parable of the Good Shepherd from Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God with Dan Teller

 

 

Books you might be interested in: 

The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Year Olds 

History of the Kingdom of God Part 1: Creation to Parouisa 

History of the Kingdom of God Part 2: Liturgy and the Building of the Kingdom 

Life in the Vine: The Joyful Journey Continues 

 

 

BECOME A CGSUSA MEMBER 

 

CGS 7 Minute Video 

 

 

CGS Atrium Locator - Please check if your church atrium in in our atrium locator.  If not, please send this link to the COORDINATOR of your CGS program to add your atrium to the locator. THANK YOU! If you have any questions please email contact@cgsusa.org 

 

Find out more about CGS: 

 
  

Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 

  

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

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” John 10:10 

 

Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! 

 

Podcasts by Series 

Level One Book Study 

Level Two Book Study 

Today Stephanie helps us break open chapters 4 and 5 of The Religious Potential of the Child for 6 to 12 Year Olds 

Stephanie Diethelm has been a catechist since 1998. She completed her Level 1 training with Tina Lillig, Barbara Searle and Carol Nyberg in Chicago in 1999 and says that it changed her life.  She has been a formation leader for the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd since 2005. She has worked extensively with children and adults in a variety of settings and now works with children in an atrium both at Red Mountain Community School and All Saints Episcopal Church in Birmingham, AL. She also completed the Education for Ministry (EfM) Seminar course through Sewanee: University of the South School of Theology in 2019 and has been a trained mentor for EfM Groups since 2020. She resides in Birmingham, AL and has two children, Catherine (33) and Christopher (30). 

TODAYS LISTENER QUESTION- I hear there isn't any use for the slow controlled movements of practical life in level 2 or 3.  Yet as an adult we are asked to make materials and explore practical life to slow us down.  Doesn't the 2nd plane child also need help with slowing down and contemplation? 

Podcasts Episodes For the Beginning of the Atrium Year: 

98: Welcoming the Children (Level 1) 

122: Welcoming the Level 2 and 3 Child PART ONE 

123: Welcoming the Level 2 and 3 Child PART TWO 

 

Podcasts Episodes You May Be Interested In: 

Practical Life with Sherry Mock

Grace and Courtesy for the Second Plane Child

PsychicDeviations with Maggie Radzik

Ch. 3 Helping the Child with Maggie Radzik

 

 

Books you might be interested in: 

The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Year Olds 

History of the Kingdom of God Part 1: Creation to Parouisa 

History of the Kingdom of God Part 2: Liturgy and the Building of the Kingdom 

Life in the Vine: The Joyful Journey Continues 

 

 

BECOME A CGSUSA MEMBER 

 

CGS 7 Minute Video 

 

 

CGS Atrium Locator - Please check if your church atrium in in our atrium locator.  If not, please send this link to the COORDINATOR of your CGS program to add your atrium to the locator. THANK YOU! If you have any questions please email contact@cgsusa.org 

 

Find out more about CGS: 

 
  

Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 

  

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

“I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works! My very self you know.” Psalm 139:14 

 

Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! 

 

Podcasts by Series 

Level One Book Study 

Level Two Book Study 

Montessorians Maggie Radzik and Anna Hurdle answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Practical Life across all levels! They explore the spiritual capacities developed through Practical Life, the foundational activities you might find at each level, helpful tips for presenting Practical Life activities, and so much more. Whether you are new to Practical Life or looking to deepen your understanding, this conversation offers practical guidance and thoughtful insight for every level. 

Maggie Radzik has been working in Montessori for over 35 years and has been a Level I formation leader for more than 10 years. She has served both the Montessori classroom and the atrium at all levels, Toddlers through Adolescents. She is a certified Montessorian at all levels as well. I am currently the Director of Our Lady of Guadalupe Family Life Center in Ave Maria, FL 

 

 

Podcasts Episodes You May Be Interested In: 

Practical Life with Sherry Mock

Grace and Courtesy for the Second Plane Child

Psychic Deviations with Maggie Radzik 

Ch. 3 Helping the Child with Maggie Radzik

 

 

Books you might be interested in: 

The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Year Olds 

History of the Kingdom of God Part 1: Creation to Parouisa 

History of the Kingdom of God Part 2: Liturgy and the Building of the Kingdom 

Life in the Vine: The Joyful Journey Continues 

 

 

BECOME A CGSUSA MEMBER 

 

CGS 7 Minute Video 

 

 

CGS Atrium Locator - Please check if your church atrium in in our atrium locator.  If not, please send this link to the COORDINATOR of your CGS program to add your atrium to the locator. THANK YOU! If you have any questions please email contact@cgsusa.org 

 

Find out more about CGS: 

 
  

Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 

  

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

“So that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.” John 17:21 

 

Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! 

 

Podcasts by Series 

Level One Book Study 

Level Two Book Study 

Joann joins us on the podcast again to explore the characteristics of an environment that allows for cosmic education to flourish.   

Joann Terranova: In the past Joann has served as a Pastoral Assistant for Children’s Ministry in Catholic parishes, and began her involvement with CGS in 1998.  She helped to begin the atrium at St. Michael Olympia WA, and currently serves as a Toddler Catechist.  Her ministry as a formation leader began in 2007, and she is recognized to serve Levels 1, 2, &3.   She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies and Psychology, a Master’s in Adult Christian Community Development and Master’s in Pastoral Studies with an emphasis in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. 

 

Today's Listener Questions:

We are all getting prepared to begin our atrium years soon. It would be so helpful to have a podcast dedicated to what the first month or so should look like in a Level 1 or 2 atrium with practical ideas and tools.

 

Podcasts Episodes You May Be Interested In: 

55: Cosmic Education  

Welcoming the Child (Level 1)
122. Welcoming the Level 2 and 3 Child Part ONE

Welcoming the Level 2 and 3 Child Part TWO

RPC2 – Introduction and Chapter 1 with Joann Terranova

Cosmic Education and Peace with Laura Accettullo

 

Books you might be interested in: 

The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Year Olds 

History of the Kingdom of God Part 1: Creation to Parouisa 

History of the Kingdom of God Part 2: Liturgy and the Building of the Kingdom 

Life in the Vine: The Joyful Journey Continues 

 

 

BECOME A CGSUSA MEMBER 

 

CGS 7 Minute Video 

 

 

CGS Atrium Locator - Please check if your church atrium in in our atrium locator.  If not, please send this link to the COORDINATOR of your CGS program to add your atrium to the locator. THANK YOU! If you have any questions please email contact@cgsusa.org 

 

Find out more about CGS: 

 
  

Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 

  

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