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Comings & Goings

Delighted to Be in Duluth!

I’m enjoying my first visit to Duluth, MN, and I have to say that it is simply one of the most beautiful lakefronts I have ever seen! I had a wonderfully relaxing afternoon here yesterday, topped off by a nice 5-mile run along the lake walk. Lots of nice quiet time last evening in the hotel room to get some writing done. Today, I will do a presentation at the Minnesota Catholic Education Association Conference. […]

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Getting Started as a Catechist

Webinar Follow-Up: Q & A

During our Webinar on Wednesday evening, many catechists sent in some excellent questions. Here’s a sampling along with my responses. There’s more to come in the days ahead! Dawn Q: ­where can we get the opening prayer that you used?­ A: I adapted the prayer from Catechetical Sunday prayers which you can find at the U.S. Bishops’ Web site: http://usccb.org/catecheticalsunday/2010/catechists-prayer.pdf and http://usccb.org/catecheticalsunday/2010/prayer-for-catechists.pdf  ________________________________________________________________  ­Julie Q: ­I teach kids under the age of 10 and I […]

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Getting Started as a Catechist

Getting Started as a Catechist Webinar – Part TWO!

Here’s the full information about the upcoming PART TWO of my Webinar: Getting Started as a Catechist! Facilitator: Joe Paprocki, DMin Brought to you by Loyola Press, A Jesuit Ministry Thursday, September 2, 2010: Part Two 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. (CST)[Find out what time this is for you.] Becoming a catechist is exciting and, let’s face it, somewhat intimidating! New catechists are eager to learn some basic teaching skills to help them gain confidence as […]

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Comings & Goings

A Day in Dubuque – The Bible Blueprint

A great big shout out to all of the Catholic school teachers in Dubuque, IA, with whom I spent the day today, exploring The Bible Blueprint. We had a wonderful time together talking about how to integrate Scripture into the life of the Catholic school and make it more prominent in the formation experience of Catholic school children. Thanks to the good folks who made the day so much fun and so engaging and I […]

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Newsworthy

Ideas for Activities

With the catechetical year about to begin for so many of us, I thought it would be a good time to remind you about a couple of resources that can help you bring some variety into your classroom and complement and bring to life the themes you’re teaching no matter what textbook you are using . Both of the following are products that I can proudly say I played a small part in developing. Follow the links […]

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Joys and Frustrations

One Word That Describes How You Feel About Teaching This Year

At my recent workshop in Dallas, I asked the crowd of catechists to think of one word that describes how they feel about the upcoming catechetical year. As expected, the responses ran the gamut. Here’s a small sampling: excited privilege challenge anxious called scared opportunity growth curious faith What one word best describes how YOU feel about the upcoming catechetical year?

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Comings & Goings

A Hot Time in Dallas!

Dallas was HOT! But oh what a wonderful time we had there Saturday! A crew of us from Loyola Press swept in to spend the day with nearly 600 catechists looking at The Role of the Catechist. I did the English segment (seeings how I’m learning to speak that language pretty good) and my talented and charming friend and colleague Miguel Arias did the Spanish segment. A great big THANKS to all of the wonderful […]

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Comings & Goings

Off to Dallas…Remember My Webinar!

I’m off to Dallas, TX (as if it’s not hot enough in Chicago!) to spend a day with a few hundred catechists talking about The Role of the Catechist. I’ll be there with mis amigos Miguel Arias and Luis Ramirez who will be doing the Spanish track that day. Don’t forget to register and tell others about my Webinar coming up on August 19: Getting Started as a Catechist! (Part One)

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Comings & Goings

Thank You, St. Louis!

Today, I had the pleasure of speaking to a sizeable group of catechists at the St. Louis Archdiocesan Religious Education Institute which took place on the campus of St. Louis University. I presented on The Catechist’s Toolbox. I was impressed with how many veteran catechists were on hand still looking for more tools to increase their effectiveness. One woman said she has been a catechist for 47 years! (I told her she must have started […]