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Catechists in Action

Catechists in Action – Steve Lascola Tells the Story of the Prodigal Son

In this segment of Catechists in Action, 3rd grade catechist Steve Lascola tells the story of the Prodigal Son in preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Watch for the following: Steve introduces the story of the Prodigal Son as a love story To keep their attention from wavering, Steve continually pauses to add his own thoughts, to restate things in his own words, and to ask questions of the children. Steve summarizes the story and […]

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Catechists in Action

Catechists in Action – Steve Lascola Teaches About the Lord’s Prayer

In this segment of Catechists in Action, 3rd grade catechist Steve Lascola teaches about the Lord’s Prayer and forgiveness as he prepares the children for the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. Watch for the following: Steve reads some thoughts about the Our Father from a book about Our Lady of Medjugorje. (Steve agreed with me afterwards that this was above the kids’ heads and that things we personally find edifying may not always connect with […]

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Catechists in Action

Catechists in Action – Steve Lascola Talks About Forgiveness

In this segment of Catechists in Action, 3rd grade catechist Steve Lascola talks to the children about forgiveness. Watch for the following: Steve invites the kids to color in the word forgiveness; Steve asks how many of the kids know the Lord’s Prayer; Steve recites the Lord’s Prayer and asks the kids to write down any lines that deal with forgiveness; Steve reviews the kids answers and concludes that the Lord “likes it” when we […]

Catechists in Action
Catechists in Action

Catechists in Action – Steve Lascola the Storyteller

In this segment of Catechists in Action, 3rd grade catechist Steve Lascola tells the children the story of Zaccaheus as part of their preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Watch for the following as Steve: asks for extra special attention reads the story slowly, pausing to comment as he goes along explains why Zacchaeus was not liked by others invites the children to think about a time when they had a fight with a friend […]

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Catechists in Action

Catechists in Action – Steve Lascola Begins Class With Prayer

In this segment of Catechists in Action, we see 3rd grade catechist Steve Lascola’s aide leading the children in an opening prayer. Watch for the following: Steve’s aide asks the children for prayers for a member of the catechetical family who has passed away and shows her own emotions over losing a friend…a very moving and appropriate witness of the love that is present in the parish family. Steve welcomes the children after the prayer […]

Catechists in Action
Catechists in Action

Catechists in Action – Meet Steve Lascola

Welcome to another edition of Catechists in Action where we have an opportunity to watch real-life catechists teaching their weekly religious education sessions. Today, we meet Steve Lascola, a 3rd grade catechist at Most Holy Redeemer parish in Evergreen Park, IL. Steve’s “day job” is coaching so we have another opportunity to see how a guy with a coaching mentality translates that into catechetical ministry. It is especially unique to see a guy like Steve […]

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Catechists in Action

Catechists in Action – Katie Elwood’s Class Tours the Church

In these last segments of Catechists in Action with Katie Elwood’s 2nd grade class, we observe her pastor, Fr. Hyland, taking the kids on a tour of the sanctuary and sacristy. Watch for the following: Fr. Hyland shows the children the sacred oils and relates them to the sacraments One of the children blurts out “Oh yeah, we talked about that in class!” when Fr. Hyland mentions the Anointing of the Sick Fr. Hyland patiently […]

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Catechists in Action

Catechists in Action – Katie Elwood Takes Her Class to Church for a Tour

In these segments of Catechists in Action, we watch as 2nd grade catechist Katie Elwood takes her children (along with the other 2nd grade classes) to the church for a tour led by the pastor, Fr. Hyland. In the first segment… Katie leads her 2nd graders into the church and has them bless themselves with holy water Fr. Hyland welcomes the children into the sanctuary Fr. Hyland explains the baptismal font to the children httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DaOnTT1o7I […]

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Catechists in Action

Catechists in Action – Katie Elwood Teaches 2nd Graders About Their Parish Community

In this segment of Catechists in Action, 2nd grade catechist Katie Elwood explains to her class what it means to be a member of a parish community. Watch as she… directs the children to fill out a page in their book about where they were baptized. talks about what a parish community is calls the kids back to attention when their attention wavers (she does so firmly but without losing her enthusiastic  and friendly voice) […]

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Catechists in Action

Catechists in Action – Katie Elwood Teaches How to Spread God’s Word

In this segment of Catechists in Action, 2nd grade catechist Katie Elwood teaches her class about how to spreak God’s Word. Watch as she… transitions by inviting the kids to stand up and give praise to God invites the children to read from their text book relates what they read to a previous discussion about sharing good things with others explains how we are called to spread the good news about the Holy Spirit to […]