Inspiration for a Worried Teacher

worried woman

If you’re feeling nervous about the approaching new catechetical year, you’re not alone. Read and pray with this excerpt from A Catholic Woman’s Book of Days by Amy Welborn. And let’s pray for each other as we prepare to meet our students.


“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained.”
—2 Timothy 2:8–9

Like any new teacher, I was initially awed by my responsibility. So much to teach, so little time! And I worried about the example I was setting. I was a religion teacher, and if I was short-tempered, even for a second, wouldn’t my students lose their faith forever? Quite a heavy load for a twenty-five-year-old, bearing the salvation of all those souls.

In time, though, I learned. I had to balance the truth that my witness is important with the knowledge that God is still God—so I don’t have to be. He isn’t limited by anything—either by chains of metal or by the limitations of being human.

Lord, help me trust that you are not limited by my limitations.

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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