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.

Last but Not Least…Advice for Catechists of Adults

Joe Paprocki

Adult Catechesis is last on my list of webinars but certainly not least! In fact, the General Directory for Catechesis reminds us that Adult Catechesis is the primary form of catechesis!With that in mind, what advice would you offer to someone who is going to be a catechist of adults (e.g. RCIA, Bible study, adult faith sharing, Adult Confirmation prep, etc)? In particular, how is teaching adults different from teaching children? What learning needs to […]

Thanks for Participating in the Webinar!

Joe Paprocki

A great big THANK YOU to all the folks who participated in tonight’s Webinar, Getting Started as a Catechist – Primary Grades!!! As always, it was wonderful to be able to spend time with you looking more closely at how we can grow in our effectiveness as catechists. Good luck to all you primary grade catechists! Next up is my Webinar for catechists of intermediate grade children (grades 4, 5, and 6) on Wednesday, August […]

Countdown to Webinar – Download a Note-Taking Handout

Joe Paprocki

We’re into the final countdown for the free Getting Started Webinar for Catechists of Primary Grade Children (grades 1, 2, and 3). Wednesday, August 17, 2011, 7:00 pm (CDT) There’s still time to register…just click here. In anticipation of the Webinar, here is a convenient Note Taking Handout that you can download! We cover so much information in these Webinars that some folks have told me they have trouble keeping up and taking notes…this should […]

Webinar this Wednesday! P.S. Thanks Atlanta!

Joe Paprocki

This Wednesday, August 17, 2011, will be the first of a series of free Webinars I’m offering titled Getting Started as a Catechist. This first one focuses on catechists of Primary Grade children (grades 1-3). To register, click here. I’m really looking forward to spending time with you looking at some basic tools that can help us be effective catechists! P.S. I big shout out to the Archdiocese of Atlanta for hosting such a successful […]

Teaching Jr High & High School Youth – What’s Your Advice?

Joe Paprocki

Here’s what Bernie has to say about teaching junior high and high school youth: I am starting my sixth year of teaching 7th graders and last year I was surprised to realize how much my students enjoyed a bit of quiet time to encounter God. With their heavy schedules of school, sports, choir, and other extra curriculars, some of these children are constantly on the run. Towards the end of class, I tried to incorporate […]

Next Up: Advice for Catechists of Jr High/High School Youth

Joe Paprocki

Thanks to everyone for sharing such great advice for catechists of intermediate age children. Now, we move on to the next group which is catechists of junior high and high school youth (grades 7 through12). Let’s hear from the army of intrepid catechists out there who labor in the vineyard with these unique creatures we call pre-adolescents and adolescents! What advice, wisdom, and strategies do you have to offer? Just type in your comments below…I’ll […]

The Latest from the Dogma Dogs

Joe Paprocki

Here’s a little something from the Dogma Dogs which provides songs of Catholicism for kids. Whattaya think? I have their CD but have never used it in class yet.

One More Try – Advice for Catechists of Intermediate Age Children

Joe Paprocki

In anticipation of the Getting Started as a Catechist Webinars that I’ll be doing in just a few weeks, I’m gathering the wisdom of veteran catechists to share with those who are beginning catechists. In particular, I’m seeking your wisdom on teaching to various age groups. I received some great feedback and suggestions for teaching to primary age children but I’m coming back to you one more time for your insights about teaching to intermediate […]

Teaching the Roman Missal Changes to Children – Easy as 1, 2, 3!

Joe Paprocki

We’ve talked alot about the Roman Missal changes set to begin in Advent and how we can best understand them and embrace them as catechists. I’ve offered a series of articles as well as a webinar to assist in making that happen. All along, people have been asking me, “What about actually teaching these changes to children? Will you have something available to help us?” I’m happy to say YES! Several months ago, I met […]

Getting Started as a Catechist – Free Webinars!

Joe Paprocki

As the new catechetical year approaches, catechists are focusing their attention on how to best engage their students in faith formation. In the United States alone, roughly 150,000 catechists are new to the job each year! With that in mind, I will once again be hosting a series of free Webinars through Loyola Press called “Getting Started as a Catechist.” This year, I’m offering a new twist: I will be hosting four webinars in the series, each focused on […]