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THE CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
SCOTTSDALE, AZ · EIN 521328815 · Form 990 · FY2022 · NTEE X20Z · Religion-Related · Medium ($1M-$10M) · www.cgsusa.org
revenue
$1.9M
expenses
$976K
net assets
$1.8M
employees
12
program ratio
81%
mission · from form 990

CGSUSA'S MISSION IS TO SUPPORT CATECHISTS, PARENTS, AND OTHERS IN THE CHURCH AND BEYOND, AS THEY GROW IN THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE RELIGIOUS POTENTIAL OF CHILDREN.

profile · synthesized from sources

THE CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD (CGSUSA) supports religious education for children through a Montessori-based approach. It provides training for catechists, resources for creating "atria" (prepared environments), and materials for children aged 0-12 to foster their relationship with God. CGSUSA aims to deepen understanding of children's religious potential within various Christian traditions.

named programs · 6 · from sources

what they call their work

Atrium Development Support
Provides guidance and resources for parishes, schools, and homes to establish and maintain "atria" (prepared environments) for children's religious education, including material manuals and space planning.
Catechist Formation Courses
Offers instructional and experiential courses for adults to become catechists, covering presentations for children aged 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12, theological principles, and material creation.
Good Shepherd and the Child Podcast
A podcast offering insights and discussions related to the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
Membership Program
Connects catechists and supporters through individual, organizational, and unified memberships, offering benefits like access to resources, scholarships, and community support.
Scholarships & Grants
Provides partial scholarships for catechist formation, primarily through the Tina Lillig Memorial Fund, to CGSUSA members.
The Journal
A publication providing articles and reflections on the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
activities · 4 groups

what they do

  • Children's Faith Formation & Parental Equipping 7 activities
    • Catechist Formation and Support
      Provides adult formation courses for catechists to deepen their relationship with God through religious education, including Level I courses for children aged 3-6 and Level II courses for children aged 6-9. The organization supports over 2,500 members, offers 200 adult formation courses, and recognizes over 170 formation leaders, providing resources like materials manuals and partial scholarships.
    • Catechist Formation and Support
      Provides catechist formation courses for adults, including Level I (ages 3-6) and Level II (ages 6-9) courses, to deepen their relationship with God through religious education. The organization also offers partial scholarships for formation, provides materials manuals for handmade educational resources, and hosts plenary and workshop sessions on various CGS topics.
    • Catechist Formation and Support
      Provides catechist formation courses for adults, including Level I (ages 3-6) and Level II (ages 6-9) courses, to deepen their relationship with God through religious education. The organization also offers partial scholarships for these courses, provides access to materials manuals for creating educational resources, and hosts plenary and workshop sessions on various CGS topics.
    • Catechist Formation and Support
      Provides catechist formation courses for adults, including Level I (ages 3-6) and Level II (ages 6-9) courses, offers partial scholarships for formation, and supplies catechists with materials manuals and educational resources.
    • Religious Formation Programs for Children
      Offers a Montessori-based religious formation program for children aged 3 and older, utilizing three-dimensional wood materials representing scripture, Baptism, and Eucharist, and operating over 1,250 atria in various Christian churches across the United States.
    • Religious Formation Programs for Children
      Offers Montessori-based religious formation programs for children aged 3 and older, utilizing three-dimensional wood materials representing scripture, Baptism, and Eucharist for exploration. These programs are implemented in over 1,250 atria within Catholic, Episcopal, Orthodox, and other Christian churches across the United States, and have spread to over 65 countries globally.
    • Religious Formation Programs for Children
      Offers Montessori-based religious formation programs for children aged 3 and older, utilizing three-dimensional wood materials representing scripture, Baptism, and Eucharist for exploration. These programs are implemented in over 1,250 atria within Catholic, Episcopal, Orthodox, and other Christian churches across the United States, and have spread to over 65 countries globally.
  • Christian Digital Media Production 4 activities
    • Research and Publication
      Conducts research based on observations of children in atria to develop scriptural and liturgical themes that resonate with children's religious needs. This includes developing "32 Points of Reflection" and publishing an annual journal, with an e-book edition available for international members.
    • Research and Publication
      Conducts research based on observations of children in atria to develop scriptural and liturgical themes that resonate with children's religious needs at different age levels. The organization also publishes an annual journal, including an e-book edition, featuring articles on the history of CGSUSA and contributions from members.
    • Research and Publication
      Conducts research based on observations of children in atria to develop scriptural and liturgical themes that resonate with children's religious needs at different age levels, resulting in "32 Points of Reflection." The organization also publishes an annual journal, with an e-book edition available, featuring articles on CGS history and contributions from members.
    • Research and Publication
      Develops scriptural and liturgical themes based on observations of children in atria, publishes an annual journal featuring articles on the history and contributions to catechesis, and has developed "32 Points of Reflection" from extensive work with children.
  • Educational Resource Provision 2 activities
    • Advocacy for Children's Joy
      Advocates for children's joy, a mission that has been pursued for over 30 years.
    • Advocacy for Children's Joy
      Advocates for children's joy, a mission that has been pursued for over 30 years.
  • Uncategorized 2 activities
    • Conferences and Workshops
      Hosts plenary and workshop sessions covering topics such as the origins and history of CGS, the status of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, material making tips, preaching with children, understanding children of many languages, and implementing CGS in schools. This includes reporting on the International Council's Consiglio Meeting, covering sacramental preparation, formation courses, and global work.
    • Conferences and Workshops
      Hosts plenary and workshop sessions covering topics such as the origins and history of CGS, material making tips, preaching with children, and reports from the International Council's meetings on sacramental preparation and global work.
financials · form 990 · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$1.90M
Contributions & grants$1.46M77%
Program service revenue$210K11%
Investment income$60K3%
Other revenue$174K
expenses
Total expenses$976K
Program expenses81%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$405K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.97M
Cash$1.25M
Investments$0
Liabilities$201K
Net assets$1.77M
Liquid reserves15.4 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue +124.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MARY MIRRIONE DIRECTOR 40 $65K
board members · 7
  • CLAUDIA PETURSSON — TREASURER
  • DAVETTE HIMES — OTHER OFFICE
  • ELIZABETH BURGHART — OTHER OFFICE
  • ERIN MILLER — SECRETARY
  • KATUSHKA OLAVE — OTHER OFFICE
  • MATTHEW IRWIN — VICE PRESIDE
  • SUSAN STUHLSATZ-REESE — PRESIDENT
relationships · 26

who they work with

  • All Saints Academy Partner — Hosts a Level I course in Parsippany, New Jersey.
  • Ann M. Garrido, DMin Partner — Associate Professor of Homiletics, Director of the DMin and MAPS-CGS Programs Aquinas Institute of Theology, provided an endorsement for a book of meditations by Sofia Cavalletti.
  • Aquinas Institute of Theology Partner — Ann Garrido, a catechist in the CGS movement, taught homiletics, pastoral theology and catechetics at this institution for 25 years.
  • Ascension Catholic Church Partner — Hosts a Level I course in Melbourne, Florida.
  • CGSUSA Partner — Supports catechists through community and resource sharing.
  • Dr. Sofia Cavalletti Partner — Co-founder of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, who observed children's engagement with the Mystery.
  • Gianna Partner — Worked with Sofia Cavalletti in the original atrium in Rome.
  • Gianna Gobbi Partner — Co-founder of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, who worked with Dr. Sofia Cavalletti to observe children and provide biblical and liturgical materials.
  • Gianna Gobbi Partner — Inspiration for Infant-Toddler Catechesis through discovery of child's nature and religious potential.
  • Gianna Gobbi Partner — Montessori collaborator and co-founder who worked with Sofia Cavalletti on the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
  • Holy Spirit Catholic Church Partner — Hosts a Level I course in Mitchell, South Dakota.
  • Liturgy Training Publications Partner — Published an e-book edition of the 2025 Journal for CGSUSA.
  • Liturgy Training Publications Partner — Published an eBook edition of the 2025 Journal for CGSUSA.
  • Maria Montessori Partner — Inspiration for Infant-Toddler Catechesis through discovery of child's nature and religious potential.
  • Saint Nicholas Catholic Church Partner — Hosts a Level I course in O'Fallon, Illinois.
  • Silvana Montanaro Partner — Inspiration for Infant-Toddler Catechesis through discovery of child's nature and religious potential.
  • Sofia Cavalletti Partner — Co-founder and theologian who initiated the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd through observation of children.
  • Sofia Cavalletti Partner — Co-founder of the original atrium in Rome, with whom Augusta Poluzzi shared decades of friendship and service.
  • Sofia Cavalletti Partner — Inspiration for Infant-Toddler Catechesis through discovery of child's nature and religious potential, and expressed hope for catechesis to go younger.
  • St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church Partner — Hosts a Level I course in Houston, Texas.
  • St. James in Lakewood, OH Partner — Hosts a Level II course in Lakewood, Ohio.
  • St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church Partner — Hosts a Level II course in Fishers, Indiana.
  • St. Paul in Akron, OH Partner — Hosts a Level II course in Akron, Ohio.
  • St. Philip Neri Catholic Church Partner — Hosts a Level I course in Napoleon, North Dakota.
  • St. Thomas More Parish Partner — Ann Garrido offered a reflection for a planned Advent reconciliation service at this parish.
  • The Good Shepherd Center Memphis/St. Peter Catholic Church Partner — Hosts a Level II course in Memphis, Tennessee.