About the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Western Australia (Inc.)
The Western Australian Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd was Incorporated in 2011. Currently we serve the state of Western Australia through three atria and offer sacred spaces for children in Level 1, 2 and 3 (children aged 3-12). CGSWA (Inc.) also help to form other catechists in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd both in and outside of Western Australia.
Apart from the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, the association offers opportunities for adult faith enrichment through retreat days. The association also serves the wider community through Sacramental Retreats for children.
We have a board which meets throughout the year to look at the ongoing work and needs of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in Western Australia.
We are currently eagerly awaiting the completion of renovations on a new premises in Scarborough, which we hope to open in 2023.
CHAIR – Anne Diamond
Anne has been working in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd since 2001. She currently works primarily with the 3-6-year-old children in a Level 1 atrium and with the children in Immaculate Heart College in Lower Chittering. Anne also works as a formation leader and has helped to form catechists in Western Australia and in missionary work in Asia. Anne coordinates the Executive for the Australian Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and is a member of the national board.
VICE-CHAIR – Veronika Metcalf
Veronika was instrumental in bringing the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to Western Australia. She has worked as a Catechist since 2001. Currently Veronika works primarily with the 6-9-year-old children in a level 2 atrium. Veronika also serves as President of the Australian Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Veronika has served as a formation leader locally, in South Korea and in Papua New Guinea.
SECRETARY – Marie Fernandez
Marie has been working in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd since 2001. She currently works primarily with the 9-12-year-old children in a Level 3 atrium. Marie also works as a formation leader and has helped to form catechists in Western Australia, Adelaide and Malaysia. Marie serves the Australian Association as a state representative and as the editor of the Journal of the Australian Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, “Green Pastures”.
TREASURER – Christine Giuffre
Christine began her training in CGS in 2013. She has coordinated and run the atrium in parish Our Lady of Grace North Beach. Christine is able to give the board some valuable insight into setting up an atrium in a parish. Since recently giving birth to her third child, Christine has stepped back from working in the atrium but hopes to be a key person in our Infant Toddler environment which we plan to set up in the near future. Christine has taken on the role of Treasurer from the end of 2019.
Kim Metcalf
Kim has been a strong supporter of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in Western Australian since the association was formed in 2011, and has completed Level 1 training in CGS. He holds a masters degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame Australia, and is also one of the Regional Leaders for menALIVE. Kim is currently coordinating the aquisition and fitout of a permanent home for the Association.