Catechists in Action Archives - Page 2 of 7

Catechists in Action – Marge Invites RCIA Team Member to Discuss the Gospel

In this segment of Catechists in Action, Marge Garbacz invites Bernie, one of her RCIA team members to read aloud the Gospel for the upcoming Sunday and then to share some thoughts on it. Watch for the following: Marge clearly announces what is to take place next, the proclamation and discussion of the Gospel for the upcoming Sunday, and then turns it over to Bernie…a nice sharing of responsibility and utilization of the gifts of […]

Catechists in Action – Marge Invites the RCIA Participants to Introduce Themselves

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists In Action, we see Marge Garbacz, DRE at St. Symphorosa parish in Chicago, IL, inviting the RCIA participants (catechists, sponsors, catechumens, candidates) to introduce themselves to us as we prepare to watch segments showing their learning experience. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jg9XhmE4gs

Catechists in Action – Marge Leads Opening Prayer

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, Marge Garbacz welcomes her RCIA participants and invites them to prayer. Watch for the following: Marge greets the participants with great enthusiasm, letting them know how welcome they are and how enthusiastic she is to be spending time with them Marge gives instructions for the prayer and invites the group to pray a prayer written for the parish RCIA process and used over many years at the parish. […]

Catechists In Action – Meet Marge Garbacz, Catechist of Adults

Joe Paprocki

Welcome to the final installment of Catechists in Action, a feature that has enabled us to be a “fly on the wall” of a number of catechists in this past year. In this final installment, we meet Marge Garbacz, Director of Religious Education at St. Symphorosa Parish in Chicago, IL. Among the many hats that Marge wears (including “parish carnival coordinator”!) is the coordinator of the parish RCIA process. Marge has assembled an impressive team […]

Catechists in Action – Len Astrowski Shares His Planning Techniques

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, 7th grade catechist Len Astrowski shares some details about how he prepares for his lessons. Watch for the following: Len explains that he has all of his lessons on computer and makes adjustments each year as needed Len shows the outline that he develops for class each week and emphasizes that it is not “cast in stone.” Len shows how he follows the 4 steps of the catechetical process […]

Catechists in Action – Len Astrowski Talks About His Vocation as a Catechist

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, 7th grade catechist Len Astrowski talks about what he likes about his students and what it means to him to be a catechist. Watch for the following: Len talks about the great job his kids do of settling in to his class after a long day at school Len says that he really doesn’t have discipline problems with this group other than a little talking here and there […]

Catechists in Action – Len Astrowski’s Students Offer Him Feedback

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, 7th grade catechist Len Astrowski gets to hear what his students like about him! Watch for the following: kids respond immediately, commenting that he is friendly, answers all their questions, is very caring, prays for their needs, etc. Len welcomes the opportunity for the kids to give him constructive criticism (almost falls down!) and then promises he won’t hold anything against them. one girl says he could give […]

Catechists in Action – Len Astrowski Teaches About the Sacraments of Initiation

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, 7th grade catechist Len Astrowski discusses the Sacraments of Initiation with his class. Watch for the following: Len asks if anyone can recall the 3 Sacraments of Initiation a student responds correctly Len joyfully and enthusiastically affirms her correct answer!!! Len reviews other important points from the chapter, explains them in his own words, and asks students to explain their understanding. This is a good example of informal […]

Catechists in Action – Len Astrowski Discusses the Eucharist

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, seventh-grade catechist Len Astrowski leads a discussion on the Eucharist. Watch for the following: Len reviews the main points of the chapter on Eucharist with his students, asking them to identify the main points that were covered. Notice how Len gently pushes the student responding to take his answer further. Len talks about the fast-food phenomenon and uses that to contrast with the importance of the Eucharist. Len […]

Catechists in Action – Len Astrowski Invites 7th Graders to Pray

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, 7th grade catechist Len Astrowski prepares his 7th graders for a short prayer experience in the middle of his session on the Resurrection of Jesus. Watch for the following: Len invites the young people to turn to the page with the prayer Len assigns roles for the prayer…this is a crucial step for catechists. Catholics pray communally which means that everyone has a part and their are various […]