Recruiting Catechists – Check Out My Video

I have a new “weapon” in the ongoing battle to recruit new catechists! Click on this picture:

 

video

 

Recruiting catechists is one of the most difficult challenges that catechetical leaders face! We catechists know that the invitation to become a catechist, while flattering, can also be intimidating. We’re not sure if we are qualified or capable of forming others in the faith. As a result, we often come into this ministry with a pinch of reluctance.

Once we have established ourselves as catechists, however, we develop a confidence that we can now use to encourage others to join us in this ministry. With that in mind, I put together this short video clip with the help of my son, Mike (the videographer) that I hope will encourage people to accept the invitation to serve as a catechist. 

After you view it, let me know what you think. If you are considering the call to serve as a catechist, I hope it gives you something to think and pray about. If someone you know is considering the call to serve as a catechist, pass the link along to them. If you are a catechetical leader or you know of a catechetical leader who is recruiting catechists, tell them about this brief video so that they encourage their prospective catechists to view it.

The best recruitment message is the testimony of a current catechist who enjoys this ministry! If that’s you, send in your comments!!!

About Joe Paprocki 2758 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

16 Comments on Recruiting Catechists – Check Out My Video

  1. Joe, the video was wonderful. I have forwarded it to my current RE Staff and will send it to new Catechists as well. Thanx A Bunch & God Bless! Patrick

  2. Joe, what chuch was featured on your video? Was it Queen of All Saints Basilica?

    I thought the UTube video was great. I will share it with my catechists.

    Peace!

  3. Ruth Ann, thanks! I honestly don’t know what Church that is in the video clip. That footage is from my out-of-print video Empowering the Catechist (Twenty-Third Publications). The scenes of catechists are from St. Mary of the Assumption parish where I used to work. However, the shots of the Church from the outside were taken elsewhere…perhaps even out east where Twenty-Third is located.

  4. Joe,
    Viewed your video clip as I am considering the call to become a catechist in my Parish in New South Wales Australia.As you would be aware we have just had the Final Mass with Pope Benedict XVI and this past week WYD08 had been amazing. The young Catholics have been so excited ,refreshing and so committed to their faith. I think this will be an inspiration for many to connect with their faith again and also for others to grow in theirs. Thankyou for your insight.

  5. Jillian, how exciting! First, that I’m communicating with someone from halfway around the world! Second, that you’re thinking of becoming a catechist and my video may play a role in that. And third, that you have just experienced WYD08! Thanks so much for your comments and I wish you well as you continue to ponder the call to serve as a catechist. I think it would be great to have your vocation as a catechist linked to the visit of the successor of Peter! Many blessings and keep in touch to let me know how things unfold.

  6. Thank you, Joe!
    I just happened to be searching for new ideas on recruiting for catechists and came across your Top Ten List. What a great idea! I asked my returning catechists to come up with a list that we presented about a month ago (including the flying notecards like Letterman. LOL) It was something new and attention grabbing. It also put the catechists in front of the congregation so their faces were seen and opened up conversation during our Coffee hour. We had great results!

  7. Margie, that is so cool about your catechists doing the top ten list in front of the congregation! Thanks for sharing.

  8. Hey Joe,

    I thought your video was fantastic. I was researching on tips on how to recruit catechists when i stumbled upon it.I hope you don’t mind if I present the reasons in your video, to the congregation at our church cuz i thought they were gr8 stuff! 😉

    Thanks!

  9. Sam, I’m so glad you found the video helpful. By all means, use the material in whatever way you can do assist your recruitment efforts. I’m glad I can help!

  10. What a great tool for recruiting catechists! Can we use your Top 10 Reasons to be a Catechist in our weekly bulletin this week?

    Thank you!

  11. Hi Joe,
    I can’t figure out how to access the video on recruiting catechists.
    I clicked on catechist recruitment but didn’t find the video.
    Everything you do is so helpful. I really appreciate all of the resources you freely offer to us.
    I am a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa and minister as the dre at St. Luke in River Forest, IL. My first mission as a young sister was 2nd grade at St. Barnabas in 1967!

    Keep on keeping on, Joe!
    Sister Colleen
    Sister Colleen

  12. Aloha Joe,

    Thank you for posting this article/video again. May I post this in our RE Facebook Page? We have parents in RE who are educators by trade and I hope they will consider educating our children in the faith. Wonderful video.

    Julia

    • Aloha Julia! Yes, by all means, post this in your RE FB page and good luck recruiting/calling forth catechists!

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