Tonight, I’m the “Tech Guy!” – Lenten Reconciliation Prayer Service

Joe Paprocki Approaches/Techniques, Technology in Catechesis

Believe it or not, tonight I play the role of the “tech guy” for the Lenten Reconciliation prayer service taking place in church! I will be on hand for both the early and the late sessions, manning the laptop and LCD projector for the following video elements included in the prayer experience:

Thanks to my DRE, Arlene, for providing me the opportunity to try these approaches. I think it will help the children to participate. It’s frustrating when we try to sing a song with no instrumental accompaniment and the children don’t pick up the hymnals to sing along…I think the video songs with lyrics on the screen will help. Likewise, children often tune out during an examination of conscience that is words alone, so helpfully the video examination will help. Pray that all goes well!

1935 ... head turned into pop-corn maker!

[photo by James Vaughan via Compfight

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About Joe Paprocki 2742 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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9 Comments

  1. So glad to see such a reconciliation service! It really does help, especially with students, but with almost anybody now.
    Would you be willing to share the examination of conscience in PowerPoint format? We do not have internet access in our church, so the Youtube version won’t work. Thank you.

    Reply

  2. And Jesus amazed people by His words and actions.
    No videos, power points, and musical background.

    We are the ones who fail the children because we don’t
    help them use their minds and imaginations to listen,
    think, feel, and then respond. We rush them.

    Put them in a quiet Church, sitting apart from each
    other, and let them be in God’s Hands.

    Slowly go over the Examination of Conscience, using
    examples they will understand.

    It takes time for them to quiet their minds and hearts
    and yet, people continue to use things that stimulate
    them – music, videos, computers, etc.

    The Holy Spirit seeks moments when we may actually
    “hear” Him, that is more likely to happen when we are
    listening, not singing.

    Please rethink these Prayer Services in the future.

    Reply

    • Thanks for your thoughts Kathleen. While I understand what you are saying, I disagree with you. The Holy Spirit can speak through any medium and our young people today are accustomed to communicating through electronic media. I believe that the use of these elements will actually quiet them and engage them. Jesus used the media of his time – stories and parables – to engage his audiences. His words continue to reach people today in a variety of ways. The New Evangelization calls for us to use new methods of proclaiming the Gospel to people and that is what we are doing.

      Reply

  4. I am also interested in a Power Point format of the examination of conscience. I will send you an email with the request. Thank you for the ideas.

    Reply

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