Pics from Bible Basics Learning Stations

Here are some pics from Monday’s Bible Basics Learning Stations (notice how there’s one boy in each group: divide and conquer!). Also, as much as possible, I avoid having kids sit at desks so it doesn’t feel like school. They are still carpet-crawlers at heart!  

VIRTUAL Pilgrimage, Day 4: Vatican City and the International Conference for Catechists

Ciao! As we move into Day 4 of our VIRTUAL Pilgrimage to Italy, we focus our attention on the symbolic center of the Church: VATICAN CITY and, in particular, the following sites, before beginning our participation in the International Conference of Catechesis and returning in the evening to our hotel for dinner and overnight. The Vatican Museum httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3-qdFXxRQ0 Michelangelo’s Restored Frescoes in the Sistine Chapel httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nA2gui7DdE St. Peter’s Basilica httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni7pS7kRtsU The “Pieta” httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOCfryMkfEM Share your thoughts […]

Summary of Session Two (9/24/13) – Mass and Bible Basics

First of all, thanks to those folks who were concerned because they thought I actually flew home from Italy to teach my class and then fly back! I guess a few folks missed my emphasis on the word VIRTUAL in reference to the pilgrimage to Italy! I’m not on the actual pilgrimage but am conducting a VIRTUAL pilgrimage so that we can, in some small way, share in the experience of those pilgrims who actually […]

VIRTUAL Pilgrimage, Day 3: Siena

Hope you’re ready for another full day of traveling as we continue our VIRTUAL pilgrimage of Italy! This morning, we journey north through the Italian countryside arriving in the magnificent city of Siena, which invites us to stroll through its Gothic streets. After we celebrate Mass (if available) at the Dominican Church commemorating St. Catherine, we take the escalator down to the famous Piazza del Campo, the public palace, which dates back to 1250. We […]

Session Two – September 24, 2013: Mass and Bible Basics

Wow! I had to rush home from my VIRTUAL Pilgrimage to Italy to get ready for my class tonight! Thankfully, cyberspace was pretty clear so I made good time! This evening will be my 2nd class with the 6th graders at St. Cajetan. One new feature that the parish is trying this year is to bring the young people to church once per month for Mass. This is a wonderful way to initiate young people […]

VIRTUAL Pilgrimage to Italy, Day 2: Rome

I can tell that some of you are dealing either with jet lag from the long flight yesterday or with a hangover from too much vino last night! Rise and shine! Today, as we continue our VIRTUAL pilgrimage to Italy, we arrive in Rome where we tour her sites, including the following for which I have provided brief video clips: The Roman Fora (3:20) httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfW551dxpVU&list=PL1YibWnqVd1wUbRAIfYr52GyZxcJ_DbjZ&index=18 The Coliseum (3:30) httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnUG09CjfWQ The Arch of Constantine (3:19) httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joR1LfQlduQ The […]

Come Fly with Me on a VIRTUAL Pilgrimage to Italy! Hurry, Our Virtual Plane is Leaving!

Arrivederci! We’re off to Italy today as we begin our VIRTUAL Pilgrimage to join in the celebration of the “Day for Catechists” during the Year of Faith in Rome. The nice thing about a virtual pilgrimage is: NO CONNECTING FLIGHTS! Sit back and enjoy the beautiful view of the ocean (I think our plane could use a little altitude!)   What’s your choice of in-flight meal? Linguine con Cozze (Fresh mussels steamed to perfection and […]

Pope Francis and a Change of Tone and Balance

Recently, my stereo just didn’t sound right: I was playing good music but it wasn’t coming across well. Then I realized some of the settings needed adjustment: the tone and balance were off kilter. Once they were re-set, the sound came through beautifully. In much the same way, Pope Francis’ recent remarkable interview is not calling for a change in doctrine but for a change in tone and balance. When the Holy Father said, ““We […]

Reminder: VIRTUAL Pilgrimage to Italy Begins Monday!

I hope you have your virtual bags packed and your virtual tickets in hand as we get ready to embark on a VIRTUAL Pilgrimage to Italy, beginning Monday, September 23! As part of the Year of Faith, Pope Francis is hosting a Day for Catechists at the Vatican during the last week of September, 2013, culminating in the International Conference of Catechesis. A delegation of religious educators will be attending via a pilgrimage sponsored by […]

Contemporary Versions of Traditional Hymns

When it comes to playing music in class, I am always torn between my desire for children to hear and learn hymns they will hear in church and songs that have more “pop” to them: a more contemporary sound. I like some Christian rock, but I feel that if I rely only on that, the kids are not being catechized for the liturgy, which is an important part of our role. With that in mind, […]

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