How Will You Grow This Coming Year?

plant growingI’m enjoying watching all the new life bursting forth from the earth this spring—a reminder that nature seeks to grow! As part of God’s creation, it is in our nature to grow as well. Unlike plant life, however, we can be tempted to ignore that natural tendency. Such is the nature of the deadly sin of sloth: it is not just laziness; it is spiritual laziness. Sloth causes us to be distracted from that which is most important in our lives: growing closer to God.

As catechists, we cannot afford to give in to this temptation. We, of all people, should be models of growth. Catechist formation is not something we do just to check it off of a list, nor is it just a hoop to jump through in order to satisfy diocesan guidelines. Catechist formation is an expression of your desire to grow closer to the Lord. It is an expression of your desire to deepen your discipleship and to sharpen your skills at inviting others to do the same.

Whether it be a workshop, a conference, a seminar, a webinar, a podcast, a DVD, or a good old-fashioned book, you have countless opportunities to grow as a catechist beginning in the summer months.

So what will you do in the coming months to grow as a catechist?


Loyola Press nurtures the spiritual life of catechists and supports them in the classroom with resources throughout our catechist guides, and catechists will find many opportunities through their teaching to learn more about their own formation of faith.

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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