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 40 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.

A Husband and Wife Reflect on Being Called as a Catechist

Joe Paprocki

Here are a couple of nice reflections about the call to serve as a catechist: Are You Being Called? My Wife Replies to “Are You Being Called?” Both were featured on Patheos.

A Session Planning Form – For Your Convenience!

Joe Paprocki

So, as it turns out, my first session of religious education for this evening was canceled due to the excessive heat here in Chicago! It is in the mid to upper 90s during this 2nd week of September! Well, that’ll give me more time to polish my own lesson which will now take place next Tuesday! In the meantime, I’ve put the finishing touches on a resource I think you’ll find helpful. It is a Session […]

3-Minute Retreat: Chosen to Love

Joe Paprocki

Now before another busy week begins, take a quiet moment to pray for your ministry and for your fellow catechists. When I was a kid, we were always choosing sides to play games, usually baseball. I was always hoping to be chosen by my cousin Mona who could crush a softball farther than any of us! It felt so special to be chosen by someone that I admired and looked up to. How affirming it […]

Looking Over My Teaching Space

Joe Paprocki

I had the opportunity today to get into the room in which I’ll be teaching 6th grade religious education this year! It is on the 2nd floor of St. Cajetan school…a nice spacious room with carpeted floor and dry erase boards! I’m looking forward to my first session this Tuesday evening!

A “Cornhusker” Weekend!

Joe Paprocki

I had a great weekend in the State of Nebraska, speaking at the Nebraskaland Festival of Faith. Thanks to our host, Don Kurre, the Director of the Catechetical Office for the Diocese of Grand Island, who has contributed so much to the catechetical ministry over many decades! I had the pleasure of meeting Bishop William Dendinger who, to his credit, was present for the entire 2-day conference…that is such an affirmation for catechists to have […]

Forming a 3-Dimensional Catechist Webinar: Another Way to Access the Recording

Joe Paprocki

It appears that some folks are having trouble accessing the recording of my Webinar, Being, Knowing and Doing: Forming a 3-Dimensional Catechist which I posted last week. To make things easier, here is another format by which you can access the recording. If you experience any problems, let me know! Thanks!

3-Minute Retreat: We Are on a Mission

Joe Paprocki

As we start the month of September and look forward to Catechetical Sunday and a new year of faith formation, I’ll be sharing my reflections on several 3-Minute Retreats the next few weeks. Please add your own reflections on this retreat in the comments. Now before another busy week begins, take a quiet moment to pray for your ministry and for your fellow catechists. Relationships have a way of changing us. Perhaps that’s why we […]

Special Needs: Adaptive Kits for First Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Now CONFIRMATION!

Joe Paprocki

One of the challenges we face in catechesis is reaching out to those with special needs to help them encounter Christ in a meaningful way. Loyola Press is proud to be contributing resources to this effort, namely, the Adaptive Kits for First Eucharist and Reconciliation. Now we have proudly added a kit for Confirmation! The Adaptive Confirmation Preparation Kit was designed to help individuals with autism and other special needs enter fully into the faith experience, […]

Webinar Recording is READY! Forming a 3-Dimensional Catechist

Joe Paprocki

I’m happy to report that the recording from my Webinar – Forming a 3-Dimensional Catechist – IS NOW READY! Click on the link below and you’ll be taken to the recording which you can view after providing a little information. Recording of Free Webinar – Forming a 3-Dimensional Catechist Likewise, here is a form you can use to submit to your catechetical leader or diocesan catechetical office if you are seeking credit for viewing the […]

The “Poor Man’s” Laminator

Joe Paprocki

One tool that I encourage every catechist to invest a couple of bucks in is a 2 inch roll of clear shipping/packaging tape. I call it the “poor man’s” laminator and I use it constantly to “laminate” things for my sessions in order to extend their life. For example, this year, I have decided that for my closing prayer for each session, we will pray the Confiteor (“I confess to Almighty God…”) from the Penitential […]