Being a Catechist Archives - Page 91 of 142

Fidelity Oaths for Catechists?

One of the stories in Catholic news recently is the issue of some dioceses requiring catechists and religion teachers to take an oath of fidelity. In particular, the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, has been in the news after some teachers and catechists quit rather than submit to taking the required oath of fidelity. The oath, which is to be signed and publicly administered on Catechetical Sunday, basically asks catechists to state that they, “with firm faith, belive […]

Another Plea for Help

Joe Paprocki

OK, friends, another colleague of ours has sent out a plea for help! This one comes from a catechetical leader named Steve. Please offer your advice, thoughts, comments, and questions in the box below under Leave a Reply and thanks in advance for so generously sharing your wisdom. Joe, Last year I had several problems with some middle school kids who were unable to change behavior on their own. In several instances I had a parent […]

Thinking of Becoming a Catechist?

Joe Paprocki

I have an exciting new page to share with you titled Becoming a Catechist which consists of numerous links to posts, videos, articles, and other resources from my blog that can help someone to discern if they wish to accept the call to serve as a catechist. The page includes my popular Top Ten Reasons to Become a Catechist, stories from current catechists about their calling and dedication to this ministry, videos from my Catechists […]

Preparing for a Year of Faith – Online Retreat and Webinar!

Joe Paprocki

As you know by now, we will be celebrating a Year of Faith beginning this October, 2012, through November, 2013. I’m happy to announce that I will be offering 2 very important opportunities to prepare for the Year of Faith in the coming months. Online Summer Retreat: Preparing for a Year of Faith – Beginning Monday, July 30, 2012 (on the eve of the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola!), I will be offering an […]

Catechists in Action – Marge Concludes RCIA Session with Prayer

Joe Paprocki

In this final segment of Catechists in Action, Marge Garbacz leads her RCIA group in a concluding prayer and musical meditation. Watch for the following: Marge introduces the concluding prayer and connects it with the theme of human dignity. Marge directs the participants to their parts in the prayer and goes over the flow of the prayer so that everyone knows what is happening, how, and when. Marge introduces the musical meditation, Love Never Fails […]

Catechists in Action – RCIA Participants Take Ownership of Discussion

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, Marge Garbacz continues facilitating a discussion with her RCIA about Catholic Social Teaching. Watch for the following: Marge summarizes the discussion so far and poses a question for discussion. Participants begin talking about examples and strategies for practicing the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. Marge takes a back seat to the discussion and allows it to progress, enabling the participants to take ownership of the discussion and converse […]

Catechists in Action – Applying Catholic Social Teaching to Current Events

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, Marge Garbacz continues her introduction to Catholic Social Teaching by inviting the participants in her RCIA to apply the 7 themes of Catholic Social Teaching to current events in the news. Watch for the following: Marge distributes copies of breaking news stories from local Chicago newspapers. Marge identifies one of the news stories and invites participants to look over the themes of Catholic Social Teaching and apply them […]

Catechists in Action – Marge Introduces Catholic Social Teaching

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, Marge Garbacz introduces her RCIA to the concept of Catholic Social TEaching. Watch for the following: Marge welcomes the group back from break…she is always SO hospitable! She introduces the concept of the “best-kept secret” of the Catholic Church and invites one of her team members to identify that as Catholic Social Teaching Marge expounds a bit on CST and then invites participants to find the 7 themes […]

Catechists in Action – RCIA Participant Shares Moving Insight

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, Marge Garbacz prepares to move on to the next segment of the RCIA discussion on Human Dignity but pauses to invite a participant to share a thought. Watch for the following: Marge notices that one of the participants looks like he wanted to say something so she interrupts herself and invites him to do so. Mauricio, one of the RCIA candidates, shares his thoughts on the idea of […]

Catechists in Action – Marge Continues RCIA Discussion on Human Dignity

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, we see Marge Garbacz continue to lead discussion with her RCIA group on the topic of Human Dignity. Watch for the following: Marge asks who some of the people are in our lives who tend to be “invisible” participants offer various examples of people who are too often ignored and forgotten by society examples include quieter people, children, the elderly, the disabled Marge offers affirmation and feedback on […]