For tonight’s class, which is our last, we will celebrate the Eucharist followed by a pizza party. In between, I will gather my troops one last time for a few last words and then will present them with a small gift that I purchased at a Catholic church goods store named Heaven Sent. They are small flat stones (about the size of a half-dollar) with a dove symbol on one side and the following inscription on the other: “Grow in faith and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.” I thought this was very appropriate and they each cost only a couple of bucks. With a thin black marker, I was able to write the name of each student on the stone and sign my name as well. I’ll let you know how the farewells go!
About Joe Paprocki
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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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