September 2010 - Page 2 of 3 - Catechist's Journey

Celebrating Catechetical Sunday in Mobile, Alabama!

I had the enjoyable privilege of celebrating Catechetical “Sunday” in Mobile, Alabama, today as guest speaker at their archdiocesan Catechist Celebration Day! As always, the Southern hospitality was extraordinary and I enjoyed meeting so many wonderful catechists, catechetical leaders, and youth ministers, not to mention the great folks from the archdiocesan office of Religious Education and Archbishop Rodi, who celebrated Mass with us and had lunch with a Q & A session with the DREs, […]

God Is Our Father

Joe Paprocki

Here’s what I’m planning for this coming Monday’s session: Theme (from textbook) – God is Our Father Big Idea: We can trust God our Father to protect us The session focuses on how Jesus taught us to call God our Father and how we pray for the coming of the Kingdom. A king is someone who leads and protects his people. We can trust God to lead and protect us from sin. God arms us […]

Testing the 4th Grade Waters

Joe Paprocki

As part of my lesson this past Monday, I wanted to emphasize how human beings are the greatest part of God’s creation and I wanted to incorporate the use of the Internet in my classes for the first time. I located a brief YouTube video that shows images of babies growing in the womb. I made sure that the video did not have any images relating to the act of sexual intercourse or the fertilization […]

More About Monday’s Class

Joe Paprocki

As I mentioned in my last post, I taught my first 4th grade RE class on Monday and really loved it. Here are some more details about the ups and downs of that first class: I arrived 45 mins early only to find out that the doors don’t open until 30 mins before class begins. I’m such a dork! 🙂 For the early session, the kids kind of straggle in over a 10 min. period […]

My First 4th-Grade Class: I LOVE IT!!!

Joe Paprocki

This evening I enjoyed my first 4th grade religious education class and I have to say that I LOVE IT!!! These kids are so darn cute! I have 16 kids (8 boys and 8 girls) and I have to say that they were really good: energetic, fun-filled, smart, and cooperative. Because of the size of the group and being in a different room that has desks instead of tables and chairs, I chose to seat […]

First Class Tonight & Recording of Webinar Part 2 Now Available

Joe Paprocki

I’m looking forward to my first class tonight (I should say this evening, since I begin at 5:30 pm now!) with my 4th graders! I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide me to be an effective catechist tonight and always! Also, here is the recording of Part Two of my Getting Started as a Catechist Webinar:

God Creates the World

Joe Paprocki

So, I’ve been doing some planning for my first class with my 4th graders! Here’s a look at what I hope to accomplish this coming Monday: Theme (from the text book) – God Creates the World My BIG Idea: We Care for God’s Gift of Creation ENGAGE STEP (10-15 min) As the students arrive, I will greet them at the door and hand them a worksheet that invites them to identify the names of some famous beautiful locations […]

A SHOUT OUT to Cedar Rapids, IA!

Joe Paprocki

A great big SHOUT OUT to the wonderful folks of the Cedar Rapids Diocore (Diocesan Council of Religious Education) of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa, who came out in strong numbers last night to spend the evening with me learning about The Bible Blueprint! We had a great time at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Hiawatha, IA, and I was so inspired by the enthusiasm of these catechists and their catechetical leaders as they […]

Catechetical Sunday: September 19, 2010 – Selfless Love

Joe Paprocki

Catechetical Sunday is right around the corner: Sunday, September 19, 2010, with a theme of “Matrimony: Sacrament of Enduring Love.” Here’s my take on that theme and what it means for us in catechesis. http://www.loyolapress.com/catechetical-sunday-2010.htm

Anyone Starting RE Class THIS Week? Anyone Already Started?

Joe Paprocki

Most parish religious education programs begin after Labor Day, so I’m sure a number of you are beginning classes this week. My first day is next week, Monday, September 13! When do you begin and how do you feel leading up to this year’s first class? Anyone already started? How’s it going so far?