Checking On Prayers Taken to Heart

I mentioned a while back that I will be taking the young people aside one at a time to check whether or not they have taken to heart the prayers outlined in the parish curriculum. I begin tonight. (As I do this, Patti will be conducting the lesson). 

I’m going to do this in a prayerful manner. Before we begin, I’m going to ask each of them if there is someone or some need they would like us to be praying for. Together, we’ll pray the Sign of the Cross and then we will pray together the Our Father and the Hail, Mary (I will pray the 1st part of each and ask them to pray the 2nd part). Then, we’ll enter into a prayerful discussion about the Mysteries of the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross, giving me the opportunity to see how well they know these. Then, we’ll do the same with the remaining prayers that are outlined. Finally, I’ll offer the opportunity for them to ask any questions they may have and I will offer a little feedback as well. We’ll close by praying together the Glory Be, again with me praying the first part and them praying the second part.

My hope is that they will not feel like they are being tested but rather “coached” (I would use the word “discipled” but I doubt that they would think in those terms.)

I’ll let you know how things are going with this over the next few weeks. If you have any similar experiences, please share them.

About Joe Paprocki 2742 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

  1. Prayers are much more to be memorized, they should also be written on our hearts. It sounds like a wonderful way for you to gauge both. By having an exchange like you described, I can only imagine it will be as rewarding for you as will be helpful for the children.

    I am duly impressed 😉

  2. Ali, you’re right on target. That’s why I like to use the term “take to heart” rather than “memorize.”

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