Join our 2008 WOG conference
October 24-26, 2008
at Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in
W. Hartford, CT.

Weaving Our Gifts is a conference based on a model of collegial presentations. Through the sharing of our studies or experiences as catechists, everyone will gain a rich exposure to new information. Collegial sharing offers the possibility for all attendees to be active participants. There are various ways for you to share your experiences: posters, displays, demonstrations, short presentations, longer topic exploration, and moderated discussions. So plan on participating in Weaving Our Gifts, since each catechist willing to share ideas enriches the conference.

Keynote Speaker for October 2008:
Dr. Silvana Montanaro
John Leapt for Joy!--The Spirituality of Infants and Toddlers

Dr. Montanaro has been a leading Montessori expert on the child under three since 1955, as well as a friend and collaborator to the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd since she brought her children to Sofia Cavalletti's atrium many years ago. Her keynote speech--John Leapt for Joy!--will focus on how adults can serve infant and toddler development and their life in God, and the impact of these early years on the child coming into our atriums at age three.

A second session with her will be less formal: anecdotes from the atrium in Rome with Sofia and Gianna. Silvana is an energetic and accomplished speaker, and her lectures are a feast of information about the young child.

About SILVANA QUATTROCCHI MONTANARO, MD, gained her degree in Medicine and Surgery, with a speciality in Psychiatry from the University of Rome. In 1955 she joined the staff of the Rome Montessori school for assistants to infancy, where she taught mental hygiene, child neuro-psychiatry, nutrition and obstetrics. Dr. Montanaro works in clinics and hospitals to prepare couples to nurture children under the age of three and has acted as Director of Training on Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Assistance to Infancy courses in Rome, Houston, Denver, London, Paris, Mexico City, San Diego and Yokohama. When her own children were young she brought them to Sofia Cavalletti's atrium and eventually began to collaborate with Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi in the work of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She served on the board of AMI. She has several books on the child from 0-3 to her name.

Dates: October 24-26, 2008, at the peak of New England's Fall foliage.

Place: Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, W. Hartford, Connecticut.
(Hartford is easily accessible by plane and train. Visit their website at www.holyfamilyretreat.org)

Sponsors:
The Center for Children and Theology and
The Association for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Cost:
The cost of the conferen is $375, including room and meals, and three full days of conference programming.

What is a Conference of Catechists?
This conference is based on a model of collegial presentations. Within the catechesis community, there is a breadth of knowledge and experience. Through the sharing of our studies and experiences as catechists, we gain a rich exposure to new information. Collegial sharing offers the possibility for all attendees to be active participants. There are various ways for you to share your experiences: posters, displays, demonstrations, short presentations, longer topic exploration, and moderated discussions. So plan on participation in Weaving Our Gifts. Each colleague willing to share ideas enriches the conference.

Who should attend?
YOU! All catechists working in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd will benefit from this opportunity for shared collaboration.

Collegial Presentations will be offered during sessions on Friday and Saturday. (The schedule will be posted as presenters are chosen.) Creative ideas will be shared at the time of "Show and Tell" on Saturday. Moderated discussions and liturgy will close the conference on Sunday.

Register for Weaving Our Gifts Online

Call for WOG Presenting Participants
We would like to invite experienced catechists to consider areas of expertise, that has served them as catechists, or that they have developed through their catechist experience. Here are some examples: Do you have a background in dance, art, or music? Do you have insights into serving children with disabilities or with special needs? Have you studied theology, Scripture, or liturgy? Have you fully integrated children into the weekly liturgy? Have you used CGS to serve adults or youth in your community?

Consider sharing the gift of your knowledge, skill, or expertise at Weaving Our Gifts in one of the following ways:

• 30 minute paper or presentation, coupled with a related paper by another presenters.
• 60 minute moderated discussion. You may suggest a topic and volunteer to lead the discussion, or ask us to find a facilitator.
• 90 minute hands-on workshop, mini-class, or in-depth demonstration on topics such as liturgical dance, woodworking, or cosmic education.
• Show and tell. There will be one show and tell session when catechists with something easily shared as a poster, handout or small display will set up in a space for participants to wander through. Presenters will be available to answer questions, but do not make a formal presentation.

Returning presenters are welcome to re-present the same material or a modification of it at the conference. Participants always complain that there is so many wonderful presentations going on at the same time, that it's difficult to decide which to attend!

How do I become a Presenting Participant?
Simply complete the questions below letting us know about your proposal and send it to us via email at cct@cctheo.org by March 7, 2008.

Include the following information in your email:

1. Name
2. Address
3. Email
4. Daytime Phone number
5. Denomination
6. Years of experience in an atrium
7. Topic
8. Format (paper/presentation, workshop, moderated discussion or show and tell)
9. Brief description of work to be shared for the conference program

Please send your questions or suggestions as well as your application to cct@cctheo.org.

All presenters are guaranteed a space in the conference, and registration will open in mid-April to others on a first-come first-served basis.

Presenters will begin to be chosen by April 16, 2008 and will be given priority for registration. Attendees don't have to present, but remember, the more collegial the sharing the richer the conference.

View the 2008 Conference Schedule

Please contact us with your questions or suggestions at cct@cctheo.org.