Comments on: Online Catechist’s Retreat – Week 4: An Openness to the World

By: Anne

Anne — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 13:16:04 +0000

In the beginning of the school year, I have my 2nd graders fill out a simple questionnaire . Name , age and such , but then we get to the heart of it and ask:
Whats your favorite movie, food, tv show..if God were here right now what would u ask him ( always a great one )..what did you learn last year in CCD and what did u like to do while in class ( always an eye opener ).. This is how I begin to learn about the kids and their interests, sometimes about their home-life and how I will begin to engage with the class based on some of the answers I receive.
Sometimes it takes awhile for the kids to open up about their individual needs, BUT the key to every new class is to listen carefully each week , the needs do come to light and I usually try to focus as they do..

By: Ali

Ali — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:45:28 +0000

We see many here, too, who drop off for CCD then run to other activities instead of attending Mass. I really wish that would change. Some of the littles coming in don’t know the seemingly simplest things like how to make the Sign of the Cross.

#4 Regarding what they are most concerned with — Hannah Montana! LOL I have be careful to not roll my eyes to far when they go overboard with her So I guess that leads into Reflection #10 — I will act more like I like Hannah Montana

(Sorry, I know I’m a bit behind. Week # 3 was so good I kind of got lost in it).

By: Denise

Denise — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:17:17 +0000

Bernie, I think we’re alike in our views on technology and religious education. I use the computer to help me in planning or in finding resources for others. There have been times when I wished I had computer access and a big screen available to use computers in class, whether for Powerpoint presentations or Web videos or whatever. But it’s so important that we give the students time and space and permission to be quiet sometimes and unconnected to media. It’s in the quiet that God speaks, after all—though God is using us to bring his message through the media in interesting ways these days!

That said, it’s important to be aware of what the kids are being exposed to, and what they’re not being exposed to (what does the Church really say, for instance), and plan classes accordingly. We can’t keep up with all of the current fads, but if we make an effort, that’s important and kids can respond to our efforts.

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:09:38 +0000

Greg, what a fascinating experience. Thanks for sharing the insight.

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:02:26 +0000

Joe, you mentioned the situation of going to a foreign country where English is not the primary language. My wife is from Poland and we go there every few years. Once, I ventured out to Mass alone (a rather safe venture for any Catholic I’d say…even in a foreign language) and because I don’t speak Polish (and many Poles in the areas we were in don’t speak English), I paid so much attention to different things in the Mass. The look on the priests face at the consecration, the intonation of people voices throughout the Mass. The singing. It was like losing one of my senses and enhancing all the others…..a great experience. Anyway, that’s a great point you make about being somewhere that no one speaks your language.

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:53:31 +0000

Question 6, the greatest need of those I teach. I think it is giving them a “space” where they can freely express their opinions without embarassment. I’m shocked at what 7th graders know about our faith….I just have to pull it out of them and it does take time. I keep telling myself to keep up the energy level as much as I can in class because, at the very least, I’m hoping it rubs off on even a couple students and they may share that excitement with their parents. In our secular society, it seems like kids (and now adults) are almost embarassed to talk about Jesus in public. Getting rid of that embarassment is a huge need.

I was with a group of coworkers the other day in a social setting and someone joked about not talking about religion or politics (we’ve all heard that one) and someone else said “why the heck not!?”. It was great. He said maybe that is EXACTLY what we should be talking about. Definitely something to ponder.

Question 9. How can being open to the world make me a better catechist. I’ve thought about this for a few days now. Maybe openness to the world doesn’t mean I have to have a PC in class. For me, maybe it means I’m a little more up on the teen scene with regard to issues….and not being afraid to bring them up in class. I did some “moral dilemma” exercises last year and I know I could go a lot deeper on some of those topics. I guess it’s not all about technology but, rather, focusing on what these 12-13-14 year olds face today…..more thought needed on that one but just sharing where I’m at right now.

By: Bernie

Bernie — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:23:54 +0000

I personally am very big on technology. My lesson plans are all on my computer and I consult the web for supplementary materials (especially Catechist’s Journey!) for my class. I would be lost if my only tool in class was the text that we use. That being said, I think that it is important for my class of 7th grade Religious Ed students who seem almost overwhelmed with cell phones, Ipods, MP3 players, texting, sports and their normal school classes to be able to come into our class to quiet all of the outside distractions and discover through discussion how whatever topic we are studying that evening applies to them. My hope is that they will take some portion of whatever we have discussed and carry it into their everyday lives.

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:17:12 +0000

No problem.

By: Barb

Barb — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:04:25 +0000

The Parish Priest did read all the reports each week. For the Priest, they were able to see if the point they were making was understood. For the students it was a way to make sure the parents had them attending mass. It still was not 100 percent attendance but better than it had been.

By: Barb

Barb — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:58:44 +0000

Thanks again Joe for e-mailing me the questions