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.

Catechetical Issues & Topics

Preparing for the Jubilee Year of 2025: Getting to Know the Four Constitutions of Vatican II

Joe Paprocki

With each passing day, we are inching closer to the celebration of a Jubilee Year in 2025, with the theme of “Pilgrims of Hope.” As I have mentioned here previously, in preparation for the Jubilee Year, Pope Francis is asking Catholics to prepare by dedicating time in the following manner: 2023: Study the documents of the Second Vatican Council. 2024: Focus on prayer. To assist with a study of the documents of the Second Vatican […]

Pop-Up Catechesis: Actual Grace and Sanctifying Grace

Joe Paprocki

Did you know that the Church teaches us that there are two kinds of grace? Indeed, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (#2000) speaks to us of actual grace and sanctifying grace. Grace, of course, is God’s life within us. The Church teaches that we encounter this grace in two unique ways. In this episode of Pop-Up Catechesis, we explore the Catholic understanding of actual grace and sanctifying grace. For more information about grace, check […]

Understanding Discipleship: A Webinar with Fr. Brice Higginbotham

Joe Paprocki

In Catholic circles, we hear the word discipleship mentioned more and more. However, what exactly is discipleship? What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? How do we make disciples of Christ? Where do we go to learn more about what discipleship looks like? To explore these and other questions related to the concept of discipleship, join me for a webinar with Fr. Brice Higginbotham. Understanding Discipleship A Webinar with Fr. Brice Higginbotham […]

Pop-Up Catechesis: Going to Mass Every Sunday

Joe Paprocki

Why, exactly, do we have an obligation to go to Mass every Sunday? Does the Eucharist “wear off” after a certain number of days? Of course not. At the same time, as human beings, we are in constant need of reinforcement. We go to Mass weekly for the same reason that people seeking recovery from an addiction attend meetings “religiously”: we stand a better chance of recovery if we attend regularly. And, the truth is, […]

Catechetical Formation Series by Loyola Press

Grow as a Catechist This Summer with Accessible, Practical, and Affordable Formation

Joe Paprocki

With summer almost upon us, it is a good time to think about what we can do as catechists to find enrichment and renewal that will help us to deepen our faith. Summer is also a great time for new catechists to prepare for this exciting venture! Too often, catechist formation is either impractical (doesn’t speak to actual needs), inaccessible (difficult to attend or to fit into one’s calendar), or expensive (costs too much). In […]

8 Steps to Energize Your Faith video series

8 Steps to Energize Your Faith, Step Seven: Share Generously and Selflessly

Joe Paprocki

One of the most well-known Gospel verses is John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This passage captures one of God’s most defining attributes: generosity and selflessness. What an incredibly generous and selfless act on God’s part to give us his only Son, Jesus, who, in turn, gave his life for us on the […]

Pop-Up Prayer: Guest Amy Welborn

Joe Paprocki

In this episode of Pop-Up Prayer, Amy Welborn, popular blogger, speaker, and writer, shares her insights about praying with traditional prayers. Amy is the author of many books, including The Words We Pray and her most recent book, the Loyola Kids Book of Seasons, Feasts, and Celebrations. Here, she shares about what St. Paul means when he writes, “We do not know how to pray as we ought.” (Romans 8:26) For more information about […]

8 Steps to Energize Your Faith, Step Six: Make Repairs

Joe Paprocki

Some people fix things for a living: cars, teeth, HVAC systems, plumbing, legal issues, electrical problems, and so on. Many others repair things as a hobby: furniture restoration, auto repairs and restoration, gardening, sewing, and so on. There is something innately pleasing about either repairing something or seeing something get repaired. It’s as if something is restored to the “way God intended it to be!” The truth is, God has spent (and continues to spend) […]

Living the Mass the Other Six Days of the Week: The Presentation of the Gifts

Joe Paprocki

We continue to journey through the National Eucharistic Revival and 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. In this episode, we look at the Presentation of the Gifts and reflect on how it helps us […]

Eucharistic Hymns Activity - text, music notes, and screenshot of activity sheet

What Eucharistic Hymns Teach

Joe Paprocki

Lead an activity about Eucharistic hymns to reach young people who are musically inclined, tapping into their musical/rhythmic intelligence. This activity is great for the National Eucharistic Revival or a sacraments review session for older children. Catechists may choose to make this an ongoing activity by recording findings on a chart throughout the year. Extend young people’s learning about Jesus as the Bread of Life by leading a Bible study with Six Weeks with the […]