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.

My Favorite Lenten Joke

You probably haven’t come across too many Lenten jokes, but here’s one that I enjoy! A bartender notices that every evening, without fail, one of his patrons orders three beers. After several weeks of noticing this pattern, the bartender asks the man why he always orders three beers. The man says, “I have two brothers who have moved away to different countries. We promised each other that we would always order an extra two beers […]

Thanks, Detroit!

I spent a wonderful day with about 75 catechetical leaders in Detroit today at a gathering sponsored by the Detroit Society of Catechetical Leaders. We talked about A Well-Built Faith and how we can help our catechists (and those they teach) to be able to grasp their faith and be able to talk about it with greater ease. Thanks for your hospitality and best wishes to all of you in the Detroit Archdiocese!

Detroit Society of Catechetical Leaders

Greetings from Detroit where I’m spending the morning with the Detroit Society of Catechetical Leaders talking about A Well-Built Faith! Luckily I did not have to miss one of my Monday night sessions with my 8th graders since yesterday, March 1, was Casimir Pulaski Day in Illinois, a state holiday, so we had no class. This coming Sunday is  Confirmation and for once, I have the opportunity to actually attend the Confirmation Mass to see […]

A Lenten Poll

Now that we are into our second full week of Lent, I thought it would be good to pause and take stock of our efforts to practice the Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Take a moment to complete the poll below and, remember, you’re welcome to send me a confidential email once per week to let me know in more detail how you are doing with your Lenten practices and I’ll respond personally. […]

More Lent Ideas

My friend and colleague Denise, who is also a catechist, has drawn my attention to a creative Website named Catholic Icing, run by Lacy a wife and mother who dabbles in Catholic art. One great idea in particular that Lacy shares is a Stations of the Cross Box. As we head into the 2nd Sunday of Lent, here’s a reminder to check the following: Sunday Connection for 2nd Sunday of Lent, year C Recording of […]

What it Means to Pick Up Your Cross

I had the pleasure of attending an evening of reflection at the McDonough Chapel of Saint Xavier University last night to listen to Dr. Barbara Reid, OP, Professor of New Testament Studies, Vice President, and Academic Dean at the Catholic Theological Union at Chicago. Barbara did a wonderful job of helping us to reflect on the meaning of the Cross of Jesus, very appropriate for the Lenten season. She talked about how most people will respond to […]

Catechesis and Latino Culture

My friend and colleague, Santiago Cortés-Sjöberg, is doing a presentation at NCCL in April titled Latino Culture and Catechesis 101 and he is interested in hearing from catechists and catechetical leaders who have experience ministering to and catechizing Latinos to talk about the unique challenges and opportunities involved. If you have such experience, would you be willing to take a few moments to compose an email to send to Santiago to share some thoughts about your experiences […]

Stations of the Cross Resources

I spent some time looking up some good resources on the Stations of the Cross. Some are online resources, some are downloadable, some are especially for children, others are for general audiences. I hope these are helpful as you plan on praying the Stations of the Cross with your group during Lent. The Stations of the Cross with Mary – Then and Now (Creighton University) – four-page handout The Stations of the Cross (Creighton University) – […]

Reconciliation – The Light is ON for You

Tonight, our 8th graders will be going to the church to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the season of Lent. I see that in the Archdiocese of Boston, Cardinal Sean O’Malley has launched an effort titled “The Light is On for You” to encourage people to receive the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation. In essence, every parish and chapel in the Archdiocese of Boston will be open on Wednesdays during Lent from 6:30-8:00 pm for confessions. […]

A CALENDAR of 40 Lenten Activities!

I couldn’t resist offering one more Lenten calendar for you! This one comes to us courtesy of my Loyola Press colleague Linnette Mathys who thought it would be a good idea to arrange my 40 Ideas for 40 Days into a calendar! Thanks, Linnette…this is very cool! I’m very lucky and blessed to be surrounded by so many talented and creative people whose work ends up somehow making ME look good! Click here for an […]

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