CGS Catechists
01. Margaret Zochowski
CGS Director and Catechist
I have been a Catechist for 20 years, a wife for over 30 years and I am a mother to 5 wonderful children. My husband Jack and I came to Canada from Poland in our early twenties and are now Canadian Citizens. We have been parishioners of St.Patrick’s Parish for the past 12 years. For the past 5 years I have been on this beautiful journey being formed in Catechesis of Good Shepherd. CGS has been a huge gift in my life and I would like to share that with all the children that come to learn about Jesus.
I have been a Catechist for 20 years, a wife for over 30 years and I am a mother to 5 wonderful children. My husband Jack and I came to Canada from Poland in our early twenties and are now Canadian Citizens. We have been parishioners of St.Patrick’s Parish for the past 12 years. For the past 5 years I have been on this beautiful journey being formed in Catechesis of Good Shepherd. CGS has been a huge gift in my life and I would like to share that with all the children that come to learn about Jesus.
Andrea Powell
Catechist
Andrea Powell is married to Brett and together they have 8 children, two grandchildren and another grandchild on the way. Brett and Andrea grew up in Saskatoon Saskatchewan before moving to Vancouver, BC to begin Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO)at SFU. For 18 years, Andrea, along with Brett were lay missionaries with CCO. There she participated in Bible Studies, led small faith studies, was a speaker, and became a trained spiritual director. In 2012, she returned to teaching and has a passion for teaching John Paul II's Theology of the Body and presenting the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to children.
Andrea Powell is married to Brett and together they have 8 children, two grandchildren and another grandchild on the way. Brett and Andrea grew up in Saskatoon Saskatchewan before moving to Vancouver, BC to begin Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO)at SFU. For 18 years, Andrea, along with Brett were lay missionaries with CCO. There she participated in Bible Studies, led small faith studies, was a speaker, and became a trained spiritual director. In 2012, she returned to teaching and has a passion for teaching John Paul II's Theology of the Body and presenting the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to children.
Delia Molina
Catechist>
In my journey as a Catholic I have been blessed to participate in pastoral formation as a catechist, youth leader, and young adult leader. I have worked with children preparing for First Communion and Confirmation. Currently, I am one of the Grade Seven teachers at our Parish School. My hope for students is that they develop a close relationship with our loving God by trusting in His mercy and responding to His invitation to live in joyful union with Him. I look forward to supporting your children in their journey of faith and growth.
In my journey as a Catholic I have been blessed to participate in pastoral formation as a catechist, youth leader, and young adult leader. I have worked with children preparing for First Communion and Confirmation. Currently, I am one of the Grade Seven teachers at our Parish School. My hope for students is that they develop a close relationship with our loving God by trusting in His mercy and responding to His invitation to live in joyful union with Him. I look forward to supporting your children in their journey of faith and growth.
Denyse Hay
Catechist
Born in the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago, I have been a parishioner at St. Patrick’s since moving to BC in 2010. Over the years, it has been my privilege to find ways to serve the parish, first as a TOC for St. Patrick’s Elementary School then as a volunteer for Vacation Bible School, PREP, Children’s Liturgy and now as a trained Level I and Level II CGS catechist. I am currently a Lector at the Saturday evening mass. I greatly enjoy being with the CGS children each week and have learned much from being with them, listening to their insights and observations. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is such a wonderful way of sharing the faith with young minds. Along the way, it has helped me to also deepen my own faith. With gratitude and humility I ask that the Holy Spirit continue to bless our time in the atrium, and move us ever closer to God’s deep love for us all.
Born in the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago, I have been a parishioner at St. Patrick’s since moving to BC in 2010. Over the years, it has been my privilege to find ways to serve the parish, first as a TOC for St. Patrick’s Elementary School then as a volunteer for Vacation Bible School, PREP, Children’s Liturgy and now as a trained Level I and Level II CGS catechist. I am currently a Lector at the Saturday evening mass. I greatly enjoy being with the CGS children each week and have learned much from being with them, listening to their insights and observations. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is such a wonderful way of sharing the faith with young minds. Along the way, it has helped me to also deepen my own faith. With gratitude and humility I ask that the Holy Spirit continue to bless our time in the atrium, and move us ever closer to God’s deep love for us all.
Emma Steele
Catechist
Born and raised here in Maple Ridge I spent my youth sharing my faith through volunteering for parish religious ed, youth group and vacation bible school. I had the privilege of experiencing the personal and merciful love of my Heavenly Father very early in my life which has guided me to life here at St.Patrick's, to the vocation of marriage and motherhood and to the gift of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. I began my formal training as a CGS Catechist in late 2021 and completed my level II CGS training in July of 2023. I will always enjoy the gift of CGS, the opportunity to sit in wonder and awe with the children as we meditate on scripture and the liturgy. My favourite presentation is the Mingling of the water and the wine which shows with great simplicity the beauty of God's unity with us.
Born and raised here in Maple Ridge I spent my youth sharing my faith through volunteering for parish religious ed, youth group and vacation bible school. I had the privilege of experiencing the personal and merciful love of my Heavenly Father very early in my life which has guided me to life here at St.Patrick's, to the vocation of marriage and motherhood and to the gift of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. I began my formal training as a CGS Catechist in late 2021 and completed my level II CGS training in July of 2023. I will always enjoy the gift of CGS, the opportunity to sit in wonder and awe with the children as we meditate on scripture and the liturgy. My favourite presentation is the Mingling of the water and the wine which shows with great simplicity the beauty of God's unity with us.
Kristina McBride
Catechist
I am a teacher at St.Patrick's Elementary School with a Bachelor of Education, an M.A. in Theology and an M.A. in Catholic Educational Leadership. I delight in sharing the beauty of our Catholic Faith with my students and enjoy learning alongside the children in the Atrium as we ponder together the mysteries of God's love for us. In my free time I enjoy hiking, spending time with family and friends, and baking.
I am a teacher at St.Patrick's Elementary School with a Bachelor of Education, an M.A. in Theology and an M.A. in Catholic Educational Leadership. I delight in sharing the beauty of our Catholic Faith with my students and enjoy learning alongside the children in the Atrium as we ponder together the mysteries of God's love for us. In my free time I enjoy hiking, spending time with family and friends, and baking.
Lisa Cheah
Catechist
Hello, I’m Mrs. Cheah. I’m a mother of 3 littles and I teach part time at St. Patrick’s school. I am a level 1 CGS Catechist, currently training to be a level 2 catechist. In my spare time (ha ha) I have a podcast for little listeners called “Cheah Pets Audio Stories” where I narrate children’s stories.
“I'm a little pencil in the hand of a writing
God, who is sending a love letter to the world" - Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
Hello, I’m Mrs. Cheah. I’m a mother of 3 littles and I teach part time at St. Patrick’s school. I am a level 1 CGS Catechist, currently training to be a level 2 catechist. In my spare time (ha ha) I have a podcast for little listeners called “Cheah Pets Audio Stories” where I narrate children’s stories.
“I'm a little pencil in the hand of a writing
God, who is sending a love letter to the world" - Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
