People

Although Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Greater Sacramento is not a Diocesan agency, its board members and catechists attest in writing to their fidelity to the Magisterium and the Bishop of Sacramento.

 

Board

Like any nonprofit organization, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Greater Sacramento is governed by a board of directors. Current board members include:

  • Kathleen Chambers, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Carmichael (Regional Director - Marketing, Kaiser Permanente)
  • Will Diaz, St Clare Parish, Roseville (Manager, Physical Therapy, Sutter Health)
  • Debbie Duncan, St John the Baptist Parish, Folsom (Retired, Office of the Federal Defender)
  • Dawn Ruffing, Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, Sacramento (Retired Architectural Engineer)
  • Mike Solton, St Stephen the First Martyr Parish, Fruitridge (Retired, East Lawn Cemeteries)

Catechists

Each session is coordinated and headed by a lead catechist certified by the National Association for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, working with one or two certified or partially-trained assistant catechists. Catechists at the Greater Sacramento Atrium in Elverta include:

  • Jen Alcorn, Member of St Joseph Parish, Auburn
  • Jeanette Berrong, Member of Holy Rosary Parish, Woodland
  • Anne Coulter, Member of Presentation of the BVM Parish, Arden
  • Kim Dahlstrom, Member of St Ignatius Parish, Arden
  • Gina Goveas, Member of St Stephen the First Martyr Parish, South Sacramento
  • Selene Molina, Member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Sacramento
  • Sonia Warstler, Member of Our Lady of Grace Parish, West Sacramento

Support

The Greater Sacramento Atrium is supported by a head catechist, who coordinates the program, and by a priest chaplain, who provides spiritual direction and doctrinal guidance.

  • Head Catechist: Janette Vincent, MD, Member of Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
  • Chaplain: Father Stephen Spencer, OSJ, Oblates of St Joseph

"Parents should initiate their children at an early age into the mysteries of the Faith."

Catechism of the Catholic Church #2225

SCHEDULE A VISIT

Parents, parish staff and others say they didn't understand CGS until they saw it in person. To schedule a visit, click here to contact us.

TRAIN AS A CATECHIST

We normally begin training new CGS catechists in the spring. For details, click here.

PARTICIPANT RESOURCES

Participants in the Greater Sacramento Atrium can click here for documents.