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.

Getting Started as a Catechist Webinars (Archived)

Joe Paprocki

For those who are beginning their ministry as catechists, take advantage of the recorded Webinars available here on my blog: Getting Started as a Catechist. There are four 60-minute recorded Webinars tailor-made to your needs: Getting Started as a Catechist of Primary Age Children Getting Started as a Catechist of Intermediate Age Children Getting Started as a Catechist of Junior High and High School Students Getting Started as a Catechist of Adults And, if you […]

Combatting the “Drop-Off” Mentality

Joe Paprocki

This afternoon, I met with Deb Breakey, the DRE of St. Cajetan Parish in Chicago, to brainstorm a new way to kick off the catechetical year this Fall designed to combat the “drop-off” mentality that so many parents have when it comes to their children’s faith formation. We are working on designing an experience on the first night of religious education that, in essence, will be an intergenerational event. Parents will be asked to gather with […]

“Meet the Staff” Day at St. Barnabas!

Joe Paprocki

Today I had the pleasure of meeting with the staff at St. Barnabas Parish in Chicago where I will be assisting in adult faith formation! They were very warm and welcoming and we enjoyed spending about an hour together during which time I introduced myself to them and articulated my goals for working with them on adult catechesis and reporting on my blog. We then engaged in some give and take as they asked some […]

Nice Book Review for Under the Influence of Jesus!

Joe Paprocki

While on vacation, I caught wind of this very nice review of my book, Under the Influence of Jesus. The review was written for CatholicPhilly.com by Eugene J. Fisher, a professor of theology at St. Leo University in Florida. Thanks, Dr. Fisher! Here’s a sample of the review: This book is a spiritual meditation on what it means to be a Christian in one’s daily life. Written on a popular level, it makes use of […]

Time to Get Serious…About Adult Faith Formation!

Joe Paprocki

I hope you enjoyed my “summer chuckles” while I was on vacation! Fr. Jim Martin, SJ, reminds us that “our relationship with God — like any relationship — can use some humor from time to time.” Now that I’m back, it’s time to get serious about my focus for the upcoming year: adult faith formation! As I mentioned in a previous post, this year, instead of teaching a grade of elementary age religious education, I […]

Tell Me What You Think of Catechist’s Journey

Joe Paprocki

As we prepare for another year of faith formation, I would like to know how Catechist’s Journey can better serve you. Please take a minute and share your feedback and ideas in this brief but important survey. Your honest comments will help the wider catechetical community. Thank you. Click here to take the survey.

Iced Coffee Catechesis – A Well-Built Faith

Joe Paprocki

I’ve already mentioned to you the Lawn Chair Catechism being hosted by CatholicMom.com which is using my book, A Well-Built Faith: A Catholic’s Guide to Knowing and Sharing What We Believe, this summer. Now, I find word that a parish in Andover, MA, is also using AWBF for what they call “Iced Coffee Catechesis!” Here’s their blurb: Iced Coffee Catechesis Pope Francis reminds us that joy is ours in Christ – a joy ever new – […]

Meet Generation “Z”

Joe Paprocki

Now that “Millennials” are coming of age, a lot of attention is turning to the next generation. Here is an interesting slide presentation about the generation of kids we are teaching today – in this presentation, referred to as “Generation Z” – those born from 1995 to the present. Meet Generation Z: Forget Everything You Learned About Millennials Personally, I think the subtitle is a bit of hyperbole – I don’t think the next generation […]

What Grade Will Joe Teach Next Year? Drum Roll Please…

Joe Paprocki

At this time of the year, I get many questions from people asking what grade I will be teaching next year. The last couple of years, I taught 6th grade. Before that, I did a year of 4th grade and previous to that, I did several years of 8th grade Confirmation. So, just what WILL I be teaching next year? Drum roll please… ADULT CATECHESIS!!! I am so excited to be turning my attention to […]

Under the Influence of Jesus in Brownsville, TX!

Joe Paprocki

Here’s a great big shout out to all the wonderful folks who attended the catechetical conference in the Diocese of Brownsville, TX, this past Saturday. The conference was organized by Mr. Luis Espinoza, the Director of the Office of Catechesis, who chose to use the title of my book, Under the Influence of Jesus, as the theme for the conference. I was honored to deliver the English keynote and two breakout sessions at the conference and […]