In this segment of Catechists in Action, we see 7th grade catechist Dan Ward talking to his class about Advent and the introduction of the Roman Missal changes. Watch for the following as Dan…
- directs the young people to open their text books and look at the liturgical calendar
- talks about Advent as the beginning of the Church’s new year
- asks the young people about their experience of the changes in the Mass
- invites a young man to talk about how the experience was “weird” and thanks the student for being so honest
- talks about “flubbing” the response “and with your spirit” at the Gospel
- explains that the changes are universal for english-speaking countries
- emphasizes how “neat” it was to pay closer attention to the prayers
- encourages the young people to go to Mass during Advent
That was terrific. Lots of questions keep the kids engaged; adjusts to kid-sourced shift in topic without losing the thread; puts out enough energy, but not so much as to dampen the kids. Lets them have plenty of chances to talk within the confines of the subject matter. Uses the book as an aide, not a crutch. Exercises benevolent control without being a martinet.
Very well done.
I agree, Christian…Dan is a good role model and an effective catechist.