Some years before my mom, Veronica, passed away, I videotaped her sharing stories of her life so that we could preserve them. My siblings, children, nieces, and nephews now all have copies of a DVD we call Ronnie’s Story. Family stories are sacred, and they pass along memories, values, and identity. In this episode of Pop-Up Catechesis, we explore the value of sharing family stories, especially from the elderly members of our families.
For more information about the power of sharing stories, take a look at these resources:
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.
2 Comments on Pop-Up Catechesis: Sharing Family Stories
Dear Joe, Our Grandparent’s Ministry in Berwyn, PA, blessedly sent the link to connect with your site. My only (well, maybe not my only)question is, why haven’t we connected before? For nearly twenty years the Catholic Grandparents Association has worked tirelessly to encourage and support Grandparents in passing on their faith, realizing too, that children need encouraged, while they can, to ask reach out to their Grandparents and the Elderly.
These days, Grandparents are often the only practicing Catholics in the family. They want, more than anything, to pass on their treasured Gift of Faith to their Treasures. Thank you for adding to our cookie jar and tool box. May the blessings of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, parents of Mary, Grandparents of Jesus, be with you and your family today and always. God Bless, Marilyn Henry, Catholic Grandparents Association, Grandmother of eleven/International Ministry Coordinator
Marilyn, thanks so much for your wonderful and thoughtful comment and for sharing about the Catholic Grandparents Association! What a great and much-needed ministry…thanks for all that you do. Blessings!
Dear Joe, Our Grandparent’s Ministry in Berwyn, PA, blessedly sent the link to connect with your site. My only (well, maybe not my only)question is, why haven’t we connected before? For nearly twenty years the Catholic Grandparents Association has worked tirelessly to encourage and support Grandparents in passing on their faith, realizing too, that children need encouraged, while they can, to ask reach out to their Grandparents and the Elderly.
These days, Grandparents are often the only practicing Catholics in the family. They want, more than anything, to pass on their treasured Gift of Faith to their Treasures. Thank you for adding to our cookie jar and tool box. May the blessings of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, parents of Mary, Grandparents of Jesus, be with you and your family today and always. God Bless, Marilyn Henry, Catholic Grandparents Association, Grandmother of eleven/International Ministry Coordinator
Marilyn, thanks so much for your wonderful and thoughtful comment and for sharing about the Catholic Grandparents Association! What a great and much-needed ministry…thanks for all that you do. Blessings!