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.

Teaching About Mary on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Here is an idea for teaching about Mary on this Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It’s from The Sunday Connection: Tell the young people that some people benefit from having connections in high places. Invite them to imagine to whom they wish they had a connection. Distribute index cards to the young people and have them complete the following sentence: I wish I knew someone who… (Example: I wish I knew someone who could get […]

An Advent Examination of Conscience

Tonight, our 8th graders will be celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the church. Advent is indeed an appropriate time to celebrate this sacrament, making straight the path to the Lord. I found the following examination of conscience which is based on the scripture passage of the Visitation and the Magnificat (Luke 1:39-56) which makes it quite appropriate as an Advent examination of conscience. Advent Examination of Conscience

An Advent Retreat!

Here’s another opportunity for you to find enrichment during this wonderful Advent season. Loyola Press is hosting an Advent retreat on the Days of Deepening Frienship Web site. The retreat features a new Advent article each week written by some pretty talented authors! November 30: James Martin, SJ, shares tips on going from the secular to the spiritual in our Christmas preparations and celebrations. December 7:  Liz Kelly will share some insight on Advent rituals […]

An Evening of HOPE

Last evening’s class went very nicely. I was especially grateful for the very relaxed rapport that the 8th graders seem to have developed with me. They are upbeat and pleasant, smiling and talking with one another and with me. They genuinely seem to enjoy being there and we seem to be very comfortable with each other. With Advent beginning, our focus was on the theme of HOPE. Because of the good vibes, we were able […]

A Light Shines in the Darkness

Happy Advent! I hope that your Thanksgiving weekend was an opportunity to enjoy family, friends, and some recreation and renewal! Well, it’s back to “work” for me tonight, wrapping up the short unit on Church history. Here’s my plan: As the kids enter, I’ll give them pages from daily newspapers and set them to work finding examples of “bad news.” Each of the kids will share their examples of bad news stories with the group and I’ll talk […]

Advent Webinar Recording is NOW AVAILABLE!

For those of you who missed it live, the recording of my Advent Webinar is now available for your convenience! You can watch this on your own or get together with a group of catechists/DREs for viewing. Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1813DAB131E26FEE

A Catechist's Litany of Thanks

As we approach Thanksgiving, I thought it would be a good time to pause and give thanks for those blessings that are specifically related to my (our) role as a catechist. To the following, I/we pray, “Thank you, Lord!” What would you add? For my vocation as a catechist… For the many people who formed me in faith… For those I am privileged to teach… For those I have taught in the past… For my […]

Thinking Advent: Webinar Tonight!

Advent is only 10 days away! With that in mind, I’m pleased to be hosting an Advent Webinar TONIGHT! Hope you can join us live…if not, a recording of the webinar will be made available right here on my blog within a week. Come, Lord Jesus! (I’m practicing!) Facilitator: Joe Paprocki, DMin Brought to you by Loyola Press, A Jesuit Ministry Wednesday, November 18, 2009 7:15 – 8:15 pm (CST) Advent begins on Sunday, November […]

Phenomenal Philly!

I had the privilege of being the keynote speaker at the Philadelphia Catholic Life Congress this past Saturday, November 14, and it was a phenomenal experience! From the moment I entered Archbishop Carroll High School where the event was held, I could feel a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation for the day. People were happily scurrying about, making last minute preparations for the conference, all while smiling and greeting each other with great affection. […]

Learning from Our Past

Tonight, we begin our unit on Church History. We kick off this unit by bringing all five eighth grade classes together for a PowerPoint presentation on Church history to give them a sweeping overview of major events in Church history over the past 2,000 years. Each of the five catechists “narrates” a period of Church history and the kids take notes on a fill-in-the-blank note-taking sheet we provide. It’s an engaging way to introduce a […]

1 217 218 219 220 221 276