Catechists Are Incarnational Ministers

Joe Paprocki Holidays

Nativity - Christmas

As we await on the doorstep of Christmas—the celebration of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ—I’d like to take this time to wish all of my Catechist’s Journey readers a very blessed Christmas! This is the season in which we celebrate the very heart of our faith: our knowledge that God has drawn near to his people; the Word became flesh and dwelt among us!

In Jesus Christ, the invisible and intangible God became visible and tangible for us finite human beings. As catechists, we participate in an “incarnational ministry.” Our job is to invite those we teach to see, hear, smell, touch, and taste the Lord. Through our efforts and in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ continues to become visible and tangible to those we teach.

May this Christmas season re-affirm us in our ministry, and may we bring the nearness of God to all those we encounter, especially to those we teach. God bless you, and Merry Christmas!

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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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