Articles by Joe Paprocki

About Joe Paprocki

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.

Exploring the Examen: A Webinar with Ignatian Friends

An Examen Webinar to Help You Lead Others to Find God in All Things

Joe Paprocki

One of the hallmarks of Ignatian prayer and spirituality is the daily Examen—a prayerful way to review the day to recognize God’s presence and movement in our everyday lives. We tend to think of this prayer as an adult exercise; however, many catechists and school teachers have found that this prayer is easily adaptable to children and can serve as a great tool for introducing young people to the contemplative aspect of our spiritual lives. […]

Catechetical Sunday 2023: The Role of Invitation in Evangelizing Catechesis

Joe Paprocki

Think of the invitations that you have received in your lifetime—invitations that have made a difference and perhaps even changed your life. It’s possible that an invitation led to a friendship, a new hobby, your present job or career, your significant other, or choosing to live in the part of the world you do. As a catechist, you are most likely serving because of the invitation of another, whether the catechetical leader, the pastor, or […]

Living the Mass the Other Six Days of the Week: The Communion Rite

Joe Paprocki

As the National Eucharistic Revival continues, we reflect on the parts of the Mass and what each part is calling us to do and be the other six days of the week. Our inspiration is my book, Living the Mass: How One Hour a Week Can Change Your Life, co-authored by Fr. Dominic Grassi. Today, we look at the Communion Rite and reflect on how it helps us to begin the work of acknowledging that God alone sustains […]

Making Faith Portable, Shareable, Adaptable, and Replicable

Joe Paprocki

My good friend and colleague in ministry, Julianne Stanz, wisely reminds us that our faith is and must be “portable, shareable, and adaptable.” I couldn’t agree more! I’ve always used the word replicable with reference to catechesis, meaning that those we teach should be able to pass along or share with others what we have shared with them. The word catechesis means “to echo!” An echo is a replication of a sound, and those we […]

I’m Back in the Trenches Again: Family Catechesis at St. Barnabas Parish

Joe Paprocki

Over the years that I’ve been writing this blog, Catechist’s Journey, I have served as a catechist for different age groups: intermediate (fourth and sixth grade) and junior high (eighth grade). I also have enjoyed sharing my experiences with you! Typically, I have posted my plans for upcoming sessions followed by summaries of what really happened. Eventually, my travel commitments made it too difficult to teach a weekly session, and then, of course, the pandemic […]

Forming Disciples: The Dynamics of Discipleship

Joe Paprocki

We continue devoting some attention to the concept of discipleship by turning to Fr. Brice Higginbotham, author of Remaining with Jesus: Discipleship in the Gospel of John. Fr. Higginbotham recorded short videos while he is pursuing a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. In this segment, Fr. Brice helps us understand the dynamics of discipleship. For more information about discipleship, check out the following links: Remaining with Jesus: Discipleship in […]

Poll Question: Who Invited You to Be a Catechist?

Joe Paprocki

Of course, all of us catechists were called by Jesus! However, Jesus most often uses others as his instruments and messengers. With that in mind, I’m curious to see just who Jesus is using these days to call others to serve as catechists. Below, please answer the poll question: Who invited you to be a catechist? Perhaps this will inspire you to invite someone else to serve as a catechist!

Pop-Up Prayer: Guest Jaqueline Romo

Joe Paprocki

I tend to be a “word” person: writing blog posts, articles, and books. Thus, it stands to reason that, for all the years that I kept a prayer journal, I filled it with words. It never occurred to me to express myself in other ways beyond words. In this episode of Pop-Up Prayer, my guest is Jaqueline Romo, campus minister at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago. She talks about creative journaling, which invites […]

The Catholic Parents' Survival Guide: Straight Answers to Your Kids' Toughest Questions by Julianne Stanz - author pictured next to book cover

Supporting the Domestic Church: The Catholic Parents’ Survival Guide

Joe Paprocki

Being a parent in today’s world is challenging. Now, add to that the job of being Catholic parents trying to raise children with Catholic values in a world where such values can be thought of as countercultural, and we’re talking about a major challenge. This is why we, as a Church, must do all we can to support parents in their efforts to make their home a domestic church. Thankfully, help has arrived in the […]

Pop-Up Catechesis: Understanding Holiness

Joe Paprocki

I think that holiness is one of the most misunderstood concepts in spirituality. That’s unfortunate, because holiness is something that we are all called to! Too often, holiness is equated with being pious. While I have nothing against piety, it is mostly thought of as being “devoutly religious,” which usually translates into “someone involved in a lot of church activities.” The problem with that is it confines holiness to the church campus and makes it […]