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.

Pop-Up Prayer: Guest Todd Williamson

Joe Paprocki

We continue our series, Pop-Up Prayer—brief interviews on the topic of prayer with prominent people in pastoral ministry and spiritual authors. In this episode, Todd Williamson talks about understanding the nature of communal prayer. Todd is the Director of the Office for Divine Worship for the Archdiocese of Chicago (a position he has held for 22 years!). He is also a speaker, author, and liturgist whose ministerial experience includes teaching and parish pastoral ministry. Be sure […]

Our 15th Anniversary Giveaway: Six Weeks with the Bible

Joe Paprocki

We continue our year-long celebration of the 15th anniversary of the launch of Catechist’s Journey and publication of The Catechist’s Toolbox. Our celebration continues today with the chance to win five copies for your small group of Amos/Hosea/Micah: A Call to Justice, part of the Six Weeks with the Bible series. The prophets Amos, Hosea, and Micah convey in no uncertain terms what God thinks about oppression, injustice, and neglect of the poor. The blunt […]

Advent: A Season of Anticipation

Joe Paprocki

Years ago, a TV commercial effectively used Carly Simon’s song, “Anticipation” to accompany images of thick, rich ketchup slowly making its way to the opening of the bottle before being generously slathered on mouthwatering burgers and crispy French fries while a voice says, “Think of how good it’s gonna taste when it finally gets there!” The commercials ended with the claim that this ketchup has “the taste worth waiting for.” I can’t help but think […]

Pop-Up Catechesis: An Advent Jesse Tree

Joe Paprocki

With the season of Advent soon upon us, I want to share about a great Advent tradition that you can do as a family: the making of a Jesse tree. The Jesse tree, named after the father of King David, helps us to connect the custom of decorating Christmas trees to the events in our salvation history that lead to Jesus’ birth. It is, in essence, Jesus’ family tree. We adorn a Jesse tree with […]

Institution of the Eucharist - sedmak/iStock/Getty Images - rosary icon by bortonia/DigitalVision/Getty Images

The Luminous Mysteries: The Institution of the Eucharist and an Excellent Choice

Joe Paprocki

Today, we focus on the fifth and final Mystery of Light, which is the Institution of the Eucharist. In this mystery, we recall how Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples, sharing bread and wine with them and establishing the Sacrament of the Eucharist. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take […]

Pop-Up Prayer: Guest Bob Burnham

Joe Paprocki

In this episode of Pop-Up Prayer, Bob Burnham talks about there being no right way or wrong way to pray, just “your” way. Bob is a Secular Franciscan, spiritual director, catechist, popular speaker, Loyola Press editor, and the author of two wonderful books, Little Lessons from the Saints and Little Lessons from the Mystics.

Transfiguration of the Lord - sedmak/iStock/Getty Images - rosary icon by bortonia/DigitalVision/Getty Images

The Luminous Mysteries: The Transfiguration and Our Desire for the More

Joe Paprocki

We reflect on the fourth Mystery of Light: the Transfiguration of Jesus. In the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–9), we, along with Peter, James, and John, get a glimpse of Jesus revealed in all his glory—a glimpse of what awaits at his Resurrection. Each of us is walking around with a vision of a hoped-for reality—an alternate reality—for ourselves, for those we love, for our community, and for our world. We imagine a world that exists […]

Pop-Up Prayer: Guest Vinita Hampton Wright

Joe Paprocki

In this episode of Pop-Up Prayer, Vinita Hampton Wright talks about the role of emotions in prayer. Vinita is a spiritual director, retreat leader, author, and an editor for over 32 years. Her books include Small Simple Ways, Days of Deepening Friendship, and Simple Acts of Moving Forward.

Jesus Teaching on the Seashore - Photos.com/Getty Images - rosary icon by bortonia/DigitalVision/Getty Images

The Luminous Mysteries: The Proclamation of the Kingdom and Another Way of Being Human

Joe Paprocki

Let’s explore the Third Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God. The concept of the kingdom of God (also referred to as the kingdom of heaven or the reign of God) is the very heart and soul of Jesus’ message. It is what Jesus is all about. It is who Jesus is. If Jesus were running a campaign for public office, his official motto would be “Repent! The kingdom of God is at […]

Living the Mass: A Eucharistic Revival Webinar

Joe Paprocki

The National Eucharistic Revival, taking place now through 2025, presents us with an excellent opportunity to deepen our understanding of and devotion to the Eucharist and to foster full, active, and conscious participation in the Mass. With that in mind, I am excited to announce that I will be doing a webinar with Fr. Dominic Grassi based on our book, Living the Mass: How One Hour a Week Can Change Your Life. Living the Mass: […]