Keeping it Simple

I plan on keeping things very simple for today’s class for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, we are experiencing brutally cold weather with wind chills of -20 so I have a feeling I’ll be missing a few students tonight. Secondly, we need time to process last weeks’ learning stations on the Sacraments of Initiation, so I intend to just gather with them on the floor and talk through each of the sacraments, asking them to recall what they did at each station and then explaining the meaning in detail. I plan to greet them at the door with the following quiz to get them started.

Sacraments of Initiation Quiz

Here’s the answer key to the quiz. (Know that the answers do not need to be in order but simply must appear under the correct heading.)
Baptism (1-4) – b, d, e, g
Confirmation (5-8) – a, e, i, j
Eucharist (9-12) – c, f, h, k

I plan to finish up with a guided meditation on Advent. I’ll let you know what I either find or come up with to use. Keep warm wherever you are!

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.

2 Comments on Keeping it Simple

  1. I tried the activity last night at 7:00 pm with my 10th grade Confirmation class! I set it up as a “large group” activity in the school cafeteria using 12 round tables. Three separate classes participated. Total number of students were 28 (due to absences). Each student received 3 bags stapled together with a label that said “Start at Table 1” or “Start at Table 2”, etc. This way the kids rotated around the tables in “pairs”. I had about 8 adult volunteers to cover at least 8 of the 12 tables. I played Christmas music in the background. They finished all the tables in about 45 minutes and I had the chance to “review” what they just experienced. Since we only meet with them once a month, I will email this quiz to them and offer a “bonus” to those who complete it and send it back to me! It was a great night – even my adults learned a lot!! THANKS for the inspiration….

    • Mrs. Tracy, thanks so much for telling us about your successful session! I love how you adapted it to your own unique circumstances…very effective! I’m glad I was able to provide this as a resource for you.

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