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.

Save the Date: April 27, 2014 for the Canonization of JPII and JohnXXIII

Joe Paprocki

The BIG day has been set: Pope Francis will canonize (raise to sainthood) two of his predecessors: Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII on April 27, 2014! Here are the details from Deacon Greg Kendra at The Deacon’s Bench. This will be a great opportunity for catechists to teach about sainthood, the canonization process, the papacy, and the many issues that both of these great men stood for, fought for, and spoke about. […]

Final Installment from Dr. Joe Bound, Our Pilgrim Reporter in Italy

Joe Paprocki

Over the course of this past week, we’ve been blessed with firsthand reports of the Pilgrimage to Italy and the International Conference for Catechesis from Dr. Joe Bound, the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Green Bay; a man dedicated to sound catechesis. Thanks, Dr. Joe, for your excellent reports! We appreciate you taking the time to share your summaries as well as your impressions of the experience of the pilgrimage! Safe travels […]

VIRTUAL Pilgrimage to Italy: Time to “Fly” Home!

Joe Paprocki

My how the time has flown! It seems like just yesterday that we arrived in Italy for our VIRTUAL pilgrimage and now, here we are, packing our virtual bags and getting ready for our virtual flight home! I hope you’ve enjoyed this little journey! It’s been nice traveling with you. Before we leave, we will celebrate a wonderful liturgy with our Holy Father, Pope Francis and then one more exquisite dining experience! Today, we’ll gather […]

VIRTUAL Pilgrimage to Italy, Day 6: The Tomb of St. Peter

Joe Paprocki

After all of the VIRTUAL walking we did on the first several days of our VIRTUAL pilgrimage to Italy, my VIRTUAL feet were a tad tired! It was nice to sit yesterday at the International Conference for Catechists and to soak up so much wisdom concerning the catechetical ministry. Wasn’t Pope Francis wonderful? I love his comment about not keeping Jesus to ourselves lest we become like statues in a wax museum “and we have […]

Update from Dr. Joe Bound – International Conference for Catechists

Joe Paprocki

Our “roving reporter,” Dr. Joe Bound, sent in this superb summary of the first full day of the International Conference for Catechists taking place at the Vatican (he’s REALLY there!). Take it away, Dr. Joe! Hi Joe, Here is what happened today, Saturday, September 27, 2013: This morning after breakfast, the four of us hopped on the bus to the Vatican for a full day of talks on catechesis. After going through security, we entered […]

VIRTUAL Pilgrimage to Italy, Day 5: Getting Down to Business

Joe Paprocki

Up to this point, our VIRTUAL Pilgrimage to Italy has been filled with lots of sight-seeing which has been wonderful. Today, things get a little different as we jump headlong into the International Conference for Catechesis, the centerpiece of this whole experience to mark the Year of Faith with an emphasis on catechesis. Here’s our itinerary for the day (be sure to bring a notebook and pen with you…looks like lots of opportunities to take […]

More Updates from Italy Pilgrimage: Dr. Joe Bound

Joe Paprocki

Here are more updates from Dr. Joe Bound, who has been kind enough to send along reports of his participation in the pilgrimage to Italy over the course of this week. Thanks, Dr. Joe! Wednesday, September 26 This morning right after breakfast at our hotel we took a cab to the Vatican Museum. We had made arrangements for a 3 hour tour of the Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Bascilica which started at 9am. […]

Updates from a REAL Pilgrim: Dr. Joe Bound

Joe Paprocki

I mentioned how some folks had been confused, thinking that I was truly on the pilgrimage to Italy when, in fact, I am home in Chicago, leading a VIRTUAL pilgrimage here on my blog! To confuse matters more, now I’m happy to pass along reports from a Joe who is ACTUALLY on the pilgrimage in Italy! His name is Dr. Joe Bound, and he is the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Green […]

Pics from Bible Basics Learning Stations

Joe Paprocki

Here are some pics from Monday’s Bible Basics Learning Stations (notice how there’s one boy in each group: divide and conquer!). Also, as much as possible, I avoid having kids sit at desks so it doesn’t feel like school. They are still carpet-crawlers at heart!

VIRTUAL Pilgrimage, Day 4: Vatican City and the International Conference for Catechists

Joe Paprocki

Ciao! As we move into Day 4 of our VIRTUAL Pilgrimage to Italy, we focus our attention on the symbolic center of the Church: VATICAN CITY and, in particular, the following sites, before beginning our participation in the International Conference of Catechesis and returning in the evening to our hotel for dinner and overnight. The Vatican Museum httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3-qdFXxRQ0 Michelangelo’s Restored Frescoes in the Sistine Chapel httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nA2gui7DdE St. Peter’s Basilica httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni7pS7kRtsU The “Pieta” httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOCfryMkfEM Share your thoughts […]