Pop-Up Catechesis: Pentecost and Our Need for an Advocate

Joe Paprocki Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit

Pop-Up Catechesis with Joe Paprocki

Some years ago, when I was serving as a catechist for an eighth-grade faith formation group, I was blessed to have an outstanding catechist aide. Let’s call her Mrs. Kelly. As it turns out, Mrs. Kelly was a nurse at nearby Advocate Christ Hospital. When it came time for us to teach about the coming of the Holy Spirit—our Advocate—on Pentecost, I asked Mrs. Kelly to describe her work as a nurse in pediatrics and how she acts as an advocate for her patients. She did a wonderful job of explaining the many ways that she and other nurses and medical personnel advocate for patients. When she was done, I told the young people, “When you think of the Holy Spirit, I want you to think of Mrs. Kelly and how she advocates for her patients, who are children like you. That’s what the Holy Spirit is like.” In this episode of Pop-Up Catechesis, we look at the Holy Spirit—our Advocate—as we prepare to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost.

For more information about Pentecost and the Holy Spirit, check out the following links:

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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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