Weaving Our Gifts, organized by the Center for Children and Theology in collaboration with the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, 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 attendees. Each catechist who shares their share ideas enriches the conference.

Join our Weaving Our Gifts Facebook group,
to begin connecting to other attendees!

Weaving Our Gifts doesn't return until 2015!

In October 2014, CGSusa will be hosting an international celebration
of 60 years of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

Weaving Our Gifts will return in October 2015.

Keynote Speaker for WOG 2012

Linda Gibler, OP, PhD

Science, Religion, Human Origins, and the Role of the Catechist

Overwhelmed by the first Hubble Deep Field picture, Linda Gibler, a Dominican Sister of Houston, became enchanted with the magnificence of the Universe and intrigued by the image’s significance for a Catholic understanding of God.

In her Friday keynote address, Linda will share her wonder in the universe: Science, Religion, Human Origins, and the Role of the Catechist. The Catholic Church has a long tradition of seeing God in Creation, and learning about God through physical revelation. But now, many scientists from Darwin to Hawkins seem to challenge our understanding of ourselves, creation, and the Creator. This talk will address the interface of Science and Religion and offer Catechists a way to hold this tension creatively.

On Sunday, Linda will explore the Cosmic and Sacred History of Wheat and Grapes: from their Origins to the Eucharistic Banquet. Long before humans used bread and wine in ancient rituals, wheat and grapes were sacramental participants in an ecological community. This talk explores the ancient origins of wheat and grapes and offers a new layer of significance to their presence in our Eucharistic meal.

Linda Gibler is a Dominican Sister of Houston, TX and the Associate Academic Dean of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio. Before beginning her academic ministry, she studied in San Francisco with cosmologist, Brian Swimme at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS). In 2007 she completed a Doctoral degree in Philosophy and Religion with an emphasis in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness. Linda’s dissertation is titled, Cosmocentric Sacramentality: Water, Oil, and Fire in the Roman Catholic Celebration of Baptism.

In addition to the PhD, Linda earned a Masters degree in Philosophy and Religion at CIIS, a Masters of Arts in Pastoral Studies at Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, MO, and a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology with an emphasis in Life Science Ethics from the William Paterson College of New Jersey.

Linda delights in telling the 14 billion year story of the Universe, stars, and Earth, as well as the stories of common things that surround us. She shares her enthusiasm for Earth-centered, Catholic spirituality in lectures, workshops, and days of prayer, in which she weaves DVDs, lecture, ritual, music, and prayer. Linda’s presentations are designed to help us become more intimately aware of God in all aspects of creation.

Dates: October 25-28, 2012 at the peak of New England's Fall foliage.

Place: Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, West 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

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. 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. Creative ideas will be shared at the time of "Show and Tell" on Saturday. Linda Gibler's second session and liturgies will close the conference on Sunday.

View the Draft Schedule of presentations
from WOG 2012.

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