Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Catechist Enrichment -
Catholic Communities of Oak Park and Neighbors
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"Seeing the Face of Christ in the Other: Grace and Courtesy in the Atrium and Beyond" with Laura Kelley and Mary Ellen Lesniak
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Catechist Enrichment - This session is open to all adults: Catechists, Parents, and all from our community!
Saturday, November 1 at 9:00 AM in the Murphy Hall on the St. Edmund Campus - 188 S. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
It has been said that when we teach children about Grace and Courtesy, we are nurturing the foundation of a harmonious and compassionate society. Join us as we consider ways to foster these skills in the CGS atrium, offering to our children, and ourselves at any age, a path forward in civil discourse, problem-solving, and respect for each other.
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Laura Kelley - Co-Coordinator, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
As a wife and mother of two teenagers, I embrace the fullness of an active and vibrant home and work life. My two degrees from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are in Music Education, and I happily taught music for over 20 years. Children + Music + God has always equaled joy to me, so it was a perfect fit to begin working in 2022 for Spirit and Light as the Co-Coordinator of the beautiful Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. I am grateful for CGS training I've received in Levels I, II, and III, along with Level T (Toddler) formation. Leading catechists, caring for the special classrooms with their materials, and introducing children between the ages of 1 and 12 to the love of the Good Shepherd all strengthen my commitment to our Lord. Additionally, the work I do with the Moms' Faith Sharing Group, H+O+M+E Team, Lifelong Learning Committee, and Children's Liturgy of the Word, makes me excited to see how our Catholic Communities of Oak Park and neighbors collaborate to build the Kingdom near and far!
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Mary Ellen Lesniak - St. Giles Family Mass Community Liaison
I spent over thirty years as an educator, teaching fourth through eighth grades for 12 years (eight at St. Giles School) and serving as an Adult and Family Literacy instructor and coordinator for 18 years. I led a nationally recognized Family Literacy Program and consistently focused on empowering parents as primary educators.
My volunteering in Church Life and my professional experience share a core belief: parents play a crucial role in shaping their child's faith and education. Since moving to Oak Park in 1976, St. Giles Family Mass Community has supported that belief, involving the entire family in church life. Over the past 40 years, I've served on the Pastoral Team, Coordinating Board, and the Liturgy Team. My most valued role is as a catechist, volunteering from my children's grade school years through teen confirmation groups. I became Baptism Coordinator for Family Mass, and eight years ago began coordinating all Sacraments and serving as Liaison to the parish's Catechesis of Good Shepherd Program.
Last year, after completing my catechist training for Toddlers, we began the Little Lambs atrium for toddlers and their parents in St. Edmund’s Murphy Hall. I am also trained in CGS Levels I, II and III, and I serve as a catechist in the Level II and III atriums at St. Giles.
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