October 2014 - Catechist's Journey

Celebrating 50 Years of my Alma Mater, the Institute for Pastoral Studies

Last Saturday, my wife and I enjoyed a wonderful celebration at Loyola University’s Water Tower Campus here in Chicago as we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Institute of Pastoral Studies. I graduated from the IPS in 1984 with a Masters in Pastoral Studies (I’m featured here on their alumni page and I’m also featured on their Books Written by IPS Graduates page). Here’s the summary from the IPS Web site: It was a sold out […]

The Spiritual Life of Catechists, Part 4: Dedication to the Evangelizing Mission of the Church

Joyce Donahue

Editor’s Note: Several of our new Catechist’s Journey contributors will be familiar to those of you who read DRE Connect. Today, we share with you one article in a series by Joyce Donahue. This post originally appeared on DRE Connect. This is the fourth article in a series about the spiritual life of catechists, inspired by the list of characteristics in the National Directory for Catechesis. In the film The Blues Brothers, the main characters, […]

Recording of Webinar Now Available: A New Catechesis for a New Evangelization

Joe Paprocki

Thanks to the quick work of my colleagues Nick Yonto and Rosemary Lane, the recording of last week’s webinar, A New Catechesis for a New Evangelization is now available!

First Reconciliation Parent Session

Joe Paprocki

Earlier this week, I had the privilege of facilitating the First Reconciliation Parent Meeting at Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Evergreen Park, IL, where I served as a catechist for a number of years. I had been the presenter at this meeting several times in the past, however, I was not comfortable just delivering a talk in the church to the parents who sat passively throughout. I worked with the DRE, Lori Kennedy, to create a […]

Actively Waiting for Advent—Free Prayer Packet

Joe Paprocki

We wait at the doctor’s office. We wait in traffic. We wait in line at the coffee shop. We wait our turn. We wait for a sign from God. We wait to be heard. We wait. Advent is waiting, also, but not in the listless, zoned-out way like we might wait at the local coffee shop, nor in the anxious, bored way we might wait at the doctor’s office or in traffic. Advent is active […]

The Spiritual Life of Catechists, Part 3: Personal Prayer

Joyce Donahue

This is the third article in a series about the spiritual life of catechists, inspired by the list of characteristics in the National Directory for Catechesis. Catechists are called to a strong prayer life, having not only a habit of regular personal prayer but a living relationship with God. The Catechism describes prayer as God’s gift, a covenant relationship, and communion of life in Christ. Through it, we discover God, who dwells in each human […]

The Spiritual Life of Catechists, Part 2: Authenticity of Life

Joyce Donahue

This is the second article in a series about the spiritual life of catechists, inspired by the list of characteristics in the National Directory for Catechesis. Have you ever encountered truly genuine people, those about whom you can say, “With (name), what you see is what you get”? That’s essential for catechists. The NDC calls this, “a coherence and authenticity of life.” It is “characterized by [the catechist’s] faithful practice of the faith in a […]

Adults Sharing Faith – Kids Listen In

Joe Paprocki

Last week, we hosted an evening of adult faith formation at St. Cajetan parish that featured 5 adults forming a panel to share their stories of faith connected with the Rosary. While the event was sparsely populated (I’ve yet to solve the mystery of getting parents to attend faith formation while their children are in class…still working on it!), a bonus feature was that the 7th grade catechist brought his students over to “listen in.” […]

The Spiritual Life of Catechists, Part 1: Finding and Sharing Love and Joy

Joyce Donahue

Editor’s Note: Several of our new Catechist’s Journey contributors will be familiar to those of you who read DRE Connect. Today, we share with you the first article in a series by Joyce Donahue. This post originally appeared on DRE Connect. This is the first article in a series about the spiritual life of catechists, inspired by the list of characteristics in the National Directory for Catechesis. One aspect of a catechetical leader’s responsibilities is […]

New Contributors to Catechist’s Journey

Joe Paprocki

Last week I announced that we’d be welcoming some new contributors to Catechist’s Journey. Today I’m happy to share with you who these new voices are and a little bit about each of them. Joyce Donahue, MA, MPS, serves as Catechetical Associate in the Diocese of Joliet Religious Education Office. A former parish DRE and liturgy director, she currently volunteers as parish catechist and musician at St. John the Baptist Parish, Joliet, IL. She blogs […]