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Joys and Frustrations

7 + 7 = 14

I enjoyed our catechist meeting last night, especially getting the chance to meet my aide and my fellow 4th-grade catechists. It was also nice to see the 8th grade catechists with whom I teamed these past several years. They needled me about leaving their team and we had a good laugh about it. My aide is a mom who has served in the program for a few years and I believe one of her children […]

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Catechetical Leaders

Catechist Meeting Tonight!

Our new catechetical year gets off to a start tonight with our first catechist meeting! This will be an opportunity for me to meet the other 4th grade catechists that I’ll be working with as well as my aide. There’s always a sense of excitement at this meeting, as we all look forward to the challenges and opportunities of the coming year. I’m honored to have been asked by Arlene, our DRE, to speak to […]

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Joe's Comings and Goings

Big News! I’m Moving to 4th Grade!!!

I let the cat out of the bag during my last Webinar but it is true…I am moving from 8th grade to 4th grade this year! I saw in our DRE’s spring newsletter that she was in search of a 4th grade catechist. I became intrigued by the idea of teaching a new grade (I’ve never taught 4th graders in my life!) and a new topic (the focus of 4th grade is on Morality and […]

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Miscellaneous

Congratulations on Posting the 3000th Comment on My Blog!

Since beginning my blog about 3 years ago, I’ve been blessed with many people sharing comments from time to time. It just so happens that we recorded the 3000th comment to my blog yesterday and it is from Fr. Duane Pribula (pastor of Our Lady of the Pines parish in Nevis, MN) who attended my workshop on The Catechist’s Toolbox in Duluth, MN, on Monday, August 23, 2010. Yes, that’s right, a pastor sat there […]

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Getting Started as a Catechist

Webinar-palooza!

Today’s post is all about Webinars! First, here is a link to the recording of last week’s Webinar, Getting Started as a Catechist, Part One. Second, here is a link to register for Getting Started as a Catechist, Part Two, which will take place on Thursday, September 2, 2010. Finally, continuing our follow-up from Getting Started as a Catechist, Part One, here are some more Q & A: _______________________________________________________________ Sue Q:  Do you have suggestions […]

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Getting Started as a Catechist

Getting Started as a Catechist, Part One

For those of you who missed it, want to view it again, or just love the sound of my voice (just kidding!), here’s the recording of last week’s Webinar, Getting Started as a Catechist, Part One. Don’t forget to register for Part Two which takes place on Thursday, September 2, 2010.

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Joe's Comings and Goings

Thanks, Duluth!

I had a great time Monday afternoon with a wonderful group of DREs, catechists, and pastors at the Minnesota Catholic Education Association. I did a 3-hour stranded session (tiring!) on The Catechist’s Toolbox. One of the most interesting ideas that came out of our discussion was a catechist who was teaching the concept of Church to her class. She arranged to take them on a field trip of sorts. She pre-arranged with 5 families in […]

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Comings & Goings

Delighted to Be in Duluth!

I’m enjoying my first visit to Duluth, MN, and I have to say that it is simply one of the most beautiful lakefronts I have ever seen! I had a wonderfully relaxing afternoon here yesterday, topped off by a nice 5-mile run along the lake walk. Lots of nice quiet time last evening in the hotel room to get some writing done. Today, I will do a presentation at the Minnesota Catholic Education Association Conference. […]

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Getting Started as a Catechist

Webinar Follow-Up: Q & A

During our Webinar on Wednesday evening, many catechists sent in some excellent questions. Here’s a sampling along with my responses. There’s more to come in the days ahead! Dawn Q: ­where can we get the opening prayer that you used?­ A: I adapted the prayer from Catechetical Sunday prayers which you can find at the U.S. Bishops’ Web site: http://usccb.org/catecheticalsunday/2010/catechists-prayer.pdf and http://usccb.org/catecheticalsunday/2010/prayer-for-catechists.pdf  ________________________________________________________________  ­Julie Q: ­I teach kids under the age of 10 and I […]

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Getting Started as a Catechist

Getting Started as a Catechist Webinar – Part TWO!

Here’s the full information about the upcoming PART TWO of my Webinar: Getting Started as a Catechist! Facilitator: Joe Paprocki, DMin Brought to you by Loyola Press, A Jesuit Ministry Thursday, September 2, 2010: Part Two 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. (CST)[Find out what time this is for you.] Becoming a catechist is exciting and, let’s face it, somewhat intimidating! New catechists are eager to learn some basic teaching skills to help them gain confidence as […]