How sad that certain voices have chosen to pass judgment on the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Times like this call for compassion, not judgment. As catechists, we can help those we teach to shape their/our response according to Catholic principles. With that in mind, I offer the following thoughts. How Catholics Can Talk About and Deal with the Tragedy in Haiti The tragedy of the earthquake in Haiti calls us to respond according […]
What are some of the ways you are helping those you teach to respond to the crisis in Haiti? How are you making this a catechetical moment?
I had the most wonderful time in Bridgeport, CT, yesterday, spending the day with about 150 of the nicest people in the world (I know, I always say that, but HEY, catechetical ministers are some of the nicest people in the whole world!). Thanks to Carol Pinard (director of the catechetical office) and all the good folks of Bridgeport for their hospitality! Here’s a peek:
For this evening’s Confirmation Intensive, we are doing the same session we did last year but with a new twist. The session focuses on SEVEN: 7 Deadly Sins, 7 Virtues, and 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit. The kick to the whole evening is that we explore all of these topics through popular music! We had a lot of fun doing this last year and we’re keeping the same songs at least for this year […]
Of course, that’s the classic Beachboys tune – I Get Around – that I’m invoking as I draw your attention to my updated calendar for 2010 (at the bottom of the About Me page). The traveling begins in earnest next week when I fly to Bridgeport, CT to spend a day with about 100 catechetical leaders! Perhaps some of us will have a chance to meet at these various events around the country! I’ve met a number […]
At the end of Monday evening’s session, I asked each of the kids to share one thing they learned that evening: spiritual and corporal works of mercy, social justice, service, and living the Beatitudes. I was struck by how many of the young people referred to the poverty quiz that they took in the social justice session with Chris. Many of them pulled the quiz out and quoted a fact or figure about poverty in […]
For last night’s session, we had the kids assemble Works of Mercy mini-booklets as you see pictured here. Depending on the time available, you can either have the kids assemble the pages of their booklets or you can do this ahead of time. Given the short time that I have for the mini-sessions, I chose to assemble the (blank) pages of the booklets at home. I made 60 of them in about a half-hour while listening to […]
Happy New Year everybody!!! I hope, pray, and trust that this year will be filled with many blessings for you in your role as a catechist! Tonight, when I teach, I plan to wear my Blackhawks jersey, which I’m wearing here in this picture at last night’s Hawks’ victory (my daughter Amy’s first Hawks game). I want to point out that we make a statement by what we wear. I’ll then ask the kids to […]
I’d like to take this opportunity, before signing off for the holidays, to wish each and everyone of you a very blessed Christmas! May Jesus be born again in each of our hearts and, as catechists, may we help others to experience the birth of Christ in their lives. Here are a few words from our Holy Father that we can all take to heart: “Today, as in the time of Jesus, Christmas is not […]
Here is my latest contribution to The Busted Halo Question Box: Why are the non-canonical gospels not considered valid? Also, here’s the link to my radio interview yesterday with Relevant Radio…click on Hour 2.
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