Letter from the DRE

Yesterday, I received a letter from my DRE reminding us about our first catechist meeting on August 27. In the letter, she included the following which I thought I’d share with you.

Gifts for you to give to your students:

  • CARE – Before beginning your planned lesson, ask your students about their week and how they’re doing. Listen carefully and caringly.
  • HOPE – Tell your students about the good things that are going on in our world. From news in your parish community, your own life, or in the world, share examples.
  • PRAYER – There are 2 special gifts here: your own prayer for your students, and your efforts to teach them to pray.
  • IMAGINATION – Introduce your students to the power of their own imagination. Read Luke’s accont of the visit of teh shepherds to see the infant Jesus lying in a manger (Luke 2:15-20) and ask your students to imagine themselves as one of the shepherds.
  • PRESENCE – When you gather with your students, set aside distractions and other agendas.
  • ENTHUSIASM – You are sharing the exciting and life-giving message of the Good News. Let it show!
  • COMMUNITY – your classroom is a small community within the larger faith community of your parish. Give your students the gift of experiencing the loving community that surrounds them.
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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