The History of the Kingdom of God, Part I: From Creation to Parousia


Book Description

The History of the Kingdom of God I: Creation to Parousia is a revision by Sofia Cavalletti of her earlier work, History's Golden Thread, a core text in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Another core text, Living Liturgy, has also been revised and will be the second volume, The History of the Kingdom of God II: Liturgy and the Building of the Kingdom. Together, these two volumes offer the reader insight into Scripture and Liturgy as the means to understand God's plan of salvation history, from the creation of the world, through redemption by the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus, to its culmination in the Parousia, when God will be all in all. While this first volume is essential reading for all catechists of the Good Shepherd, anyone who studies the Bible and who seeks to understand God's revelation through sacred history will be enlightened and inspired by Cavalletti's insights and scholarship. According to Rebekah Rojcewicz, the translator of both the original volume and this revision, and also a catechist herself, this revised edition is "even more essential, … a fruit of Cavalletti's more than fifty years of patient observation of and work with children in the atrium…. Essentiality is one of the strongest spiritual characteristics of even the youngest children, and it is also one of the most severe disciplines for most adults. In this book, the less is truly more, for it enables us to more readily detect the "golden thread," the plan of God that binds together the whole history of salvation.




Way of Holy Joy


Book Description

Co-founder of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and scholar of Hebrew Scriptures, Cavalletti offers her insight into the spiritual life of children.




The Good Shepherd and the Child


Book Description

Anyone familiar with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd has probably encountered the early description of this approach to the religious formation of the child in The Good Shepherd and the Child: A Joyful Journey. With major contributions by Sofia Cavalletti, Gianna Gobbi, Silvana Montanaro, and Patricia Coulter, this book has long been a “core text’ for catechists and also for parents of children in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Now there is a new edition, which reflects the changes in the presentations and the materials that Sofia Cavalletti made in the years before her death in August 2011. The original contributions of the authors are retained in Part I. In Part II, long time catechist and one of the first US catechists to study with Sofia Cavalletti, Rebekah Rojcewicz, has carefully outlined the current methods and developments in the work. This includes a selection of the key parables and scripture texts that are presented to the children. She also offers a new Introduction in which she describes the process by which the original authors and founders of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd came to recognize the child’s potential for a relationship with God and learned what nurtures that experience. The original art work by Julie Coulter-English is retained in this new edition.







Deacons: The diakon-word group in the New Testament and the ministry of the deacon


Book Description

Deacons:The diakon-words in the New Testament and the ministry of the deacon offers an in depth analysis of the concept of `deacon' in the New Testament and its significance for present day congregational practices. The essence and content of the service of the deacon within the community of God forms the focus of the study. Significant passages in the New Testament are considered in fine exegetical manner to determine the guidelines offered within the context of these NT texts. In this way different perspectives are highlighted that enrich the overall understanding of the concept of `deacon'. Obviously, this challanges some of the views held on this topic (that even influence the way several churches organise their diaconal service) and suggests some novel ideas related to the topic. Certain focal points are described, for instance, the centrality of the covenant and Kingdom in exercising diaconal service, or the interrelatedness of koinonia, diakonia and worship. This book offers a rich and responsible study of the concept of deacons in congregations, both on theoretical and practical levels. Prof Dr Jan van der Watt







The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Years Old


Book Description

Here at last is the long-awaited continuation of The Religious Potential of the Child (from 3 to 6 years old). The author, Sofia Cavaletti, founder of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, describes an approach to the religious education of children according to the methods of Maria Montessori, which has gained worldwide attention. In this book she draws on her long experience with children from diverse cultures and environments to describe the vital religious needs of the older child (6 to 12 years old). The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for the older child builds on the foundation in scripture and liturgy offered to the younger child (3 to 6 years old). The theme of the covenant between God and humankind, first revealed to the people of Israel, is expanded to include the dimension of time: all of history, from creation to the parousia. For the older child, awareness of participation in this covenant relationship leads spontaneously to a sense of moral responsibility, and of engagement with the cosmos in all its manifestations. This book will be a great help to educators and catechists who seek to understand the characteristics of the older child, particularly the child’s relationship with the mystery of God.




Life in the Vine


Book Description

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religious formation of children that is grounded in an understanding and appreciation of the child’s relationship with God through their engagement with Scripture and liturgy. In this companion to The Religious Potential of the Child 6-12 years old, author Rebekah Rojcewicz documents the decades of work and the journeys that catechists and older children, six to twelve years old, have made with Jesus the True Vine. For parents, catechists, and those who seek to take seriously Jesus’ challenge “to change and become like children” (Matthew 18:3), this book serves as an invitation to the same joyful journey.




A Year with Sofia Cavalletti:


Book Description

A Year with Sofia Cavalletti: Daily Reflections on the Spiritual and Theological Influences of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd provides a short excerpt for each day from significant theologians and scholars who informed Cavalletti’s understanding of Scripture, liturgy, and the spiritual life, as well as a question for further meditation. A brief biography of the writer introduces each chapter.