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.

Thank You, Rochester, NY!

Joe Paprocki

I spent a wonderful day in Rochester, NY, yesterday. In the afternoon, I met with about 100 catechetical leaders and in the evening with about 40 catechists – both times focusing on the concept of sacramentality and how our sacramental preparation efforts can be more evangelizing. Thanks to Jonathan Schott, Consultant for Catechist Faith Formation for the Diocese of Rochester, and to all of the staff of the catechetical office for organizing the events and […]

9 Advent Attitudes – #2: Lightness of Being

Joe Paprocki

Advent is, above all else, a season of hope – a virtue that is all too rare in our world. To live as a person of hope is to behave in such a manner as to draw suspicion that we are behaving somewhat erratically as far as worldly norms go. This new type of behavior – what some may even call erratic behavior (the behavior that led people to conclude that the Apostles were “under […]

Why Would God Do Bad Things?

Joe Paprocki

I could use your help! In tonight’s session, as we learned about the Ten Plagues, one of the young ladies asked, “Why would God do bad things?” I responded that, first of all, Pharaoh and the Egyptians were doing something very wrong – enslaving the Hebrew people, and that God’s purpose was to bring about an end to the oppression. My wife added that God always gave Pharaoh an opportunity first to repent but, since […]

Session 11 (Dec. 3, 2013) – God Leads His People from Slavery in Egypt to Freedom

Joe Paprocki

Here is my plan for this evening’s session. BIG IDEA: God Leads His People from Slavery in Egypt to Freedom PRELIMINARY (10 mins) Begin with opening procession to O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Aaron Shust). Bell ringer = Maddie Opening prayer ritual (final collection for Catholic Relief Services – Philippines) Instead of sharing petitions, sit quietly and listen again to O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, reflecting on how/where we need God to come into our […]

9 Advent Attitudes – #1: Uninhibited Selflessness

Joe Paprocki

Understanding the Holy Father’s Apostolic Exhortation – Evangelii Gaudium

Joe Paprocki

By now, I’m sure you know that Pope Francis issued an extraordinary document last week, an Apostolic Exhortation – Evangelii Gaudium (ee-van-JEH-lee-ee GOW-dee-um). If you get a chance to read it on your own, I encourage you to, however, it is rather long. With that in mind, I thought I would give it a good read and then provide you with a summary, which you can access below. Evangelii Gaudium Summary by Joe Paprocki Also, […]

9 Advent Attitudes – Our Advent Journey Begins

Joe Paprocki

I’m happy to announce that I will be doing an Advent series (Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) here on my blog, Catechist’s Journey, beginning Monday, December 2, 2013: 9 Advent Attitudes: How to Dispel the Darkness with Uninhibited Hope Advent is a season of HOPE…something our world desperately needs. To live as a person of hope is to behave in such a manner as to draw suspicion that we are out of touch with reality! And […]

As the Month of All Souls Draws to a Close…

Joe Paprocki

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Virtual Wall of Remembrance, a special way to remember those who’ve gone before us during the month of November. Here are photos of your loved ones. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Session Ten (11/26/13) – Getting Ready for Advent

Joe Paprocki

Last evening was our scheduled monthly Mass in church which was moved from 6:15 to 6:45 PM to give us one solid block of teaching before Mass (6:00 – 6:40) rather than a brief one before Mass (6:00 – 6:10) and another short segment after Mass (7:10 – 7:30). This worked out very well because Mass still went about an hour but didn’t take away from class time! I don’t think parents minded that the […]

Santa Clara Faith Formation Conference

Joe Paprocki

A great big THANK YOU to all the good folks who came out to the Santa Clara Faith Formation Conference this past weekend and especially to those who sat in on my presentations! It’s always a delight to travel to California (especially when it’s cold in Chicago!) and to share faith with you. I also had a chance to get together with my cousin Mike and his wife Mary Kay who live in San Jose…it […]