What’s Your Story? Touching the Sacred

Here’s a beautiful story from Jean about how a moment when she felt touched by the presence of God in her catechetical ministry.

Shortly before my class was to make their first Communion, one of the mothers said she did not believe her son was ready since he was unable to answer the questions in the Baltimore Catechism. I explained that we had used a different book and approach to teaching. She was dubious so I asked Andy if he knew what Communion was. With wide eyes he replied, “At Mass God gives the priest the power to change a piece of bread into Jesus’ own body so we can receive him.” “Do you want to receive Jesus in Communion?” I asked. “Oh yes!” he answered enthusiastically, and then, after a brief pause reflected soberly, “I don’t know why my mother never goes [to Communion].”

Andy did make his first Communion with his class – and his mother was with him! An added gift was seeing both of them in the Communion line on subsequent Sundays.

What’s your story? Take a moment to describe a time when you really and truly felt the presence of God (the power of the Holy Spirit) in your work as a catechist. Share a brief story with us (click here) – just one or two paragraphs – that describes a moment when you felt the Holy Spirit actively at work in you and in those you teach.

Week Three: Touching the Sacred

Don’t miss the great stories from weeks one and two!

* All stories posted become property of Loyola Press and may be used in future publications
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.

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