The other day, I drove past a Protestant church whose marquee read “He is Risen!” I joked with my wife that “they’re a week early!” And yet, of course, we know that Jesus is Risen. As we proceed through this Holy Week, we reflect on the suffering and death of Jesus through the lens of the Resurrection. We don’t pretend this week that we don’t know how the story ends. Good Friday is not a wake service for Jesus. We are not re-enacting…we are entering into Jesus’ Paschal Mystery which brings suffering, death, and new life together. We are striving to conform our lives to Jesus and to unite our suffering to his so that we may also be united with him in the Resurrection.
Tonight, I’ll be taking my class to the church for the Living Stations of the Cross. We may have 15-20 minutes afterwards in the classroom, I’m not sure. If we do, I’ll use the time to go over the Passion reading from Mark’s Gospel, using the Looking for Clues activity I posted a while back.
After posting 40 Lenten ideas (activities) in 40 days, I admit to being a bit “spent!” 
It was fun and I greatly appreciate all of the feedback and suggestions that y’all sent in. To give my brain a little “rest” and as a way of honoring the holiness of this week, I will not be posting the remainder of this week.
With that in mind, my wish for you and for all those you teach is for a blessed Holy Week and a jubiliant Easter!
See you back here on Easter Monday!
Hosanna in the highest!!!
I realize that a lot of DREs regularly visit Catechist’s Journey, so I thought I would ask for some help.
I’m piecing together a chart of what a DRE is thinking about/doing at various times throughout the year in a traditional religious education program (realizing that today there are numerous catechetical models being employed throughout our parishes).
Please note that I am NOT including seasonal liturgical celebrations such as Advent prayer service, Lenten Stations of the Cross, etc.) That’s a separate chart!
I would love some feedback on the chart below. What have I missed? What suggestions would you make?
I’m not trying to be scientifically accurate…just looking for “generalities” (i.e. I list First Reconciliation as taking place in January…it could be any number of other months)
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JANUARY
· Evaluate & research catechetical textbook materials
· Celebrate First Reconciliation
· Ongoing catechist formation
|
FEBRUARY
· Begin recruitment of catechists for next year
· Host parent meeting for First Communion
· Celebrate Confirmation
· Celebrate Rite of Election with RCIA
· Ongoing catechist formation
|
MARCH
· Interview/evaluate existing catechists
· Continue recruitment of catechists for next year
· Celebrate sacraments with RCIA
· Ongoing catechist formation
|
|
APRIL
· Continue recruitment of catechists for next year
· Ongoing catechist formation
· Pre-registration for next year
|
MAY
· Continue recruitment of catechists for next year
· Celebrate First Communion
|
JUNE
· Continue recruitment of catechists for next year
· Vacation Bible School
|
|
JULY
· Order Bibles for classrooms
· Order classroom materials
· Continue recruitment of catechists for next year
· Vacation? Time for renewal
|
AUGUST
· Host new catechist meeting
· New catechist training
· Host returning catechists
· Plan for Catechetical Sunday
· Send letter to parents about RE program dates, etc.
· Registration of students
·
|
SEPTEMBER
· Catechetical Sunday (3rd Sunday)
· Host parent meeting for all parents
· Registration of students
|
|
OCTOBER
· Host confirmation parents meeting
· Ongoing catechist formation
|
NOVEMBER
· Host parent meeting for First Reconciliation
· Celebrate Rite of Welcoming with RCIA
· Ongoing catechist formation
|
DECEMBER
· Host Christmas celebration/appreciation party for catechists
· Ongoing catechist formation
|
by Joe on February 14, 2009
“Our sense of excitement and anticipation [about Lent] will grow more easily if we begin to imagine what God want to give us. Something is coming that we can truly look forward to. If we focus too much on what we are going to do or not do, we risk missing out on the gift God wants to give us. Lent is about God’s great desire to bless us. What we want s to receive what God wants to give us.” (Andy Alexander, SJ; Maureen McCann Waldron, Praying Lent: Renewing Our Lives on the Lenten Journey)
by Joe on February 4, 2009
I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to fellow author and blogger, the highly respected Amy Welborn, on the sudden and tragic death of her husband Michael.
http://amywelborn.wordpress.com/2009/02/03/michael-dubruiel/
Please join me in praying for and with Amy at this very difficult time.
Eternal rest grant unto Michael,O Lord,
And let perpetual Light shine upon him.
May his soul
And the souls of all the faithful departed
Through the mercy of God
Rest in peace.
Amen.
