Joe Paprocki, Author at Catechist's Journey

Online Retreat for Catechists: The Spirituality of the Catechist

Beginning on Monday, June 8, 2009, I invite you to join in an Online Retreat for Catechists that I will be hosting right here at Catechist’s Journey! This will be an opportunity for you to spend some time this summer, reflecting (at your own convenience and in the comfort of your own home) on the spirituality of the catechist. It will be an opportunity for you to share thoughts and join in online discussion with […]

Keep Those Stories Comin'!

Joe Paprocki

Great stories and comments being shared about becoming a catechist in response to my May 26 post Becoming a Catechist: What’s YOUR Story? Please join in!

Becoming a Catechist: What's YOUR Story?

Joe Paprocki

At this time of the year, many people are being asked to consider the possibility of becoming a catechist for next year. This is a monumental responsibility of the catechetical leader: to discern which individuals God may be calling to this privileged vocation. By the same token, those who are invited to serve as catechists are faced with discerning whether or not this is their vocation. Part of that discernment is listening to the stories […]

May Crowning

Joe Paprocki

I just heard from a colleague of mine, a DRE who was a student at Quigley South High School when I taught there back in the 1980s! Patrick says, “Hello Joe! All is well at the parish. We finished a great year on May 3 with a May Crowning with all of the students.” Yes, May Crownings still happen! I remember with great fondness the May Crownings of my childhood…nothing said “spring is here” more […]

Arts Contest

Joe Paprocki

Here’s an idea for engaging young people in grades 7 through 12 around the Church’s social teaching, helping them to recognize the root causes of poverty and injustice. It is the 2010 Catholic Campaign for Human Development Mulit-Media Arts Contest. Schools and parish religious education programs can participate in this as a tool to help young people engage in Catholic social action. The 2010 contest theme is “Empowering Neighborhoods, Uprooting Poverty.” The contest invites all […]

Spring Enrichment – Albany, New York

Joe Paprocki

I’ll be doing a couple of presentations at the Spring Enrichment conference for the Diocese of Albany, New York. As always, I look forward to meeting catechists from another part of God’s world! I’ll be speaking about the Catechist’s Toolbox and about God’s Library (Scripture). I’ll be flying there on “Cloud 9” – that’s where I am following the Chicago Blackhawks’ big win last night!!!

Discussion Starters/Breaking the Ice

Joe Paprocki

When we gather with our young people for religious education classes, it’s not always easy for them to make the transition from their day into “the sacred.” One strategy is to emply some discussion starters to break the ice: questions that are non-threatening, fun, and substantive. I recommend a product created by my friends Tom McGrath and Bret Nicholaus called The Meal Box. The Meal Box is a set of 52 cards featuring questions designed […]

"What Have You Learned, Dorothy?"

Joe Paprocki

Near the end of the great movie, The Wizard of Oz, there’s a wonderful moment when the key players in the story reflect on what they’ve learned: The Tin Man: What have you learned, Dorothy? Dorothy: Well, I – I think that it – it wasn’t enough to just want to see Uncle Henry and Auntie Em – and it’s that – if I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look […]

catechist with children at doorway - Maskot/Getty Images

10 Little Things That Can Make a Big Difference for Catechists

Joe Paprocki

Over the years, I have picked up a number of handy suggestions from catechists—little things they do in their classes that I think make a big difference. Here are 10 things that you can do on a regular basis to help you become a more effective and engaging catechist right now—without adding tons of additional planning time. Greet your students at the door each week with a task they need to complete. For example, hand […]

End-of-the Year Reflection

Joe Paprocki

This evening is our end-of-the-year catechist meeting. I was asked by our DRE, Arlene, to lead the other catechists in a reflective prayer (meditation). I will be using a meditation that I wrote a couple of years ago for this very blog. You’re welcome to use this for your own reflection or with a group of catechists. We often tell our learners to use their imaginations. Now it’s your turn. Use your imagination to reflect […]