Introducing the 2025 Board Nominees

These fine ladies (biographies below) have accepted nomination to the CGSAC board. Please pray for them as they prepare to begin their service on the 2025/2026 CGSAC board.

Shelley Timmons

The Good Shepherd brought me to my first atrium in Winnipeg in 2017 for an Assistant’s training. I have to admit, in my first visit in the atrium, Practical Life did not inspire me with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so I almost walked away from training! Thankfully later, at a Catechist’s retreat, I was shown the Eucharist Presence of the Good Shepherd which spoke to my heart. Eucharistic Adoration was a pivotal encounter for my own adult conversion, and I finally knew the atrium was the vehicle Jesus desired for the children. It was a time of transition; I had just released from the Royal Canadian Navy after serving 26 years. In the Navy, I served as a Logistics officer, carrying out a variety of workplace admin and coordination duties. With a science degree in Nutrition, I worked in Supply and Food Services, making sure the ship’s personnel had the beans and bullets they needed to complete the operational mission. While I wasn’t entirely sure what to do with myself when my Navy service was done, the Lord brought me to Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in our home parish in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and it seemed to be a good fit, and I completed my first CGS level 1 course there.

A year later, we moved to Saskatoon and a catechist found me and asked me to help build a new atrium in St Paul’s Co-Cathedral downtown. Since then, I have been working in an atrium, moving to another parish when the original atrium flooded. I now serve as a level 1 and 2 catechist at St Philip Neri parish, and this work keeps me grounded in Christ.

I have enjoyed serving the CGS community in Saskatoon, and I have decided that serving the CGSAC Board is the next step to keep this precious vine growing in the country. I joined the CGSAC Board on completion of the AGM in Calgary 2024, and for the last year, I have been serving the board as secretary. I believe I will be versatile on the board, providing administrative skills and a variety of other talents as required to equip catechists across the country to expand the sheepfold.

Thank you for this opportunity to serve this tremendous program!

Melanie Toohey

“We must look to the children as a vehicle for bringing change to humanity.”

Maria Montessori

Quote for 30 January 2022, The 1946 London Lectures, p. 108

It is my pleasure to begin membership in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS).  I am grateful to Sister Emily Lepage, who invited me to participate in this sacred work of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.  I have been a parishioner at Sacred Heart Church in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, for more than 20 years. I have also enjoyed the pleasure of teaching in Catholic schools since 1991. A desire to know, love, and serve God has resided in me from a very early age, and my involvement in Catholic Schools has helped to nurture my faith immensely. As I am near retirement from teaching, I embrace the opportunity to be involved with CGS.  As I learn more about the experience gained through CGS, I am reminded of my fondest teaching memories. Memories that highlight young people’s openness to Jesus as they navigate daily life. The influence of Jesus’ work with the Holy Spirit, as students explore a variety of themes, is tremendous.  Over the course of 34 years of teaching and parenting, I have come to trust that morning coffee in the living room with family, class conversations, conflict resolutions, gatherings, and meetings run smoothly when Jesus is called to be present.  Jesus’ intervention, without fail, results in the shared understanding of powerful forces at work to create resolution, new learning, and deep understanding. 

 I am blessed to have a marriage of 36 years to my husband William.  We have four children who are all thriving and have great respect for the influence of faith in their lives.  My 3 daughters, 1 son and I all attended school together.  My husband and his six siblings are alumni in that school. Over the years, within our family and professional lives, Bill and I have recognized the blessings we have been granted through catholic school and parish involvement.  Our family is enriched because of our faith.  Although my years working in the school setting may be nearing an end, I treasure the skills honed over many years. My contributions to young people and my parish will take on a different focus.  My education degree was earned with a diploma in early childhood education, and my studies on the works of Maria Montessori have been extremely influential in developing my educational philosophy.  I hope that through involvement in CGS, I may contribute, facilitate, and collaborate with other caring adults to arrange increased opportunities for young people to encounter Jesus in atria in Canada.   

Sincerely, 

Melanie Toohey

Deborah Patrick Larmour

Deborah Patrick Larmour is the mother of six grown children and is relatively new to CGS having started by bringing and helping out in the atrium with two granddaughters and continuing to be involved with grandchildren in the atrium. I love the atrium as it is designed not only to teach them about the Good Shepherd but to introduce them to Him and the great love he has for each of us. I have a background in law, philosophy, theology and canon law. In my spare time I do  work for the Archdiocese of Edmonton Marriage Tribunal as an advocate and judge. I reside in Saskatoon Sk with my husband and two dogs.