I realize that, in the midst of providing my 40 Lenten activities in 40 days, I’ve not updated you on my own Monday evening classes.
Actually, last night was the first time I saw my 8th graders in 3 weeks! Last week, I was doing a parish mission at another parish and needed a sub. The week before that was a day off (Pulaski Day in Illinois). So last night was an opportunity to get “re-acquainted.” My 8th graders were confirmed last weekend and all but one were back for class (and the one absence was a sickness). Kudos to our DRE, Arlene, for making it clear to the kids and their parents that Confirmation is NOT graduation!
Since I only have about 4 more classes left in which I actually teach them, I’m using this time to focus on the Ten Commandments and Catholic morality. I want them to have a good foundation for making choices in life and hoping I can provide a little bit of that in the time I have left with them.
Last night, we engaged in discussion on some moral dilemmas as an opportunity to just begin thinking about the many choices they will face in life. They handled discussion fairly well (they can be pretty tight-lipped when it comes to discussion!) and they were particularly interested in the stories I shared from my own adolescent experience (e.g. observing a “friend” shoplift, being asked to help a “friend” cheat on a test, finding myself at an underage drinking party, etc.) A helpful resource for engaging young people in moral dilemmas came to me from another catechist earlier this year…check out that post and the link to her script.
Finally, I led the young people in a guided reflection on the Ten Commandments (using a CD from the Finding God program). As usual, they love going to their “sacred space,” they take a while to calm down (and I have to be vigilant to put out “little fires” of misbehavior as the reflection unfolds), and in the end, they are quiet, resulting in a good experience overall (although never easy!).
Next week, I plan to delve into the Ten Commandments in earnest.
Joe,
What validation it is for me (a newer catechist) to read your post about your own class! Thanks for sharing your own class with us….and making me realize that most junior high aged kids are just like the ones in my class!
Thanks
Greg
Greg, I try to paint as realistic a picture as I can about my classes. After many years of being a catechist, I feel a great degree of success, however, it is no piece of cake! Kids are a challenge and there are no “quick fixes” – just diligence, patience, and innovation on the part of catechists!
Dear Joe,
As a 9th Grade Catechists, I was excited when you left the first ‘blog’ on the first three commandments, Relationship with God, but I never found the second blog on the remaining seven commandments, relationships with Our Neighbor. Can you direct me to where I mught locate it?
Hi Lawrence. I’m actually going to post that Monday morning. If you need it before then, let me know. (the next one will be on commandments 4, 5, and 6).