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Catechists in Action

Catechists in Action – Marge Continues RCIA Discussion on Human Dignity

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 […]

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Creative Moments

Winners of Finding God Video Contest Announced!

Here’s a chance to see some of the creativity of young people as they put together videos to visualize the meaning of finding God in their everyday lives. Congratulations to the winners! The videos entered in this contest showed creativity as students and teachers worked together to visualize the meaning of finding God in their daily lives. The Winners of the 2012 Finding God Video Contest are the following: First Place Finding God at St. […]

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Catechists in Action

Catechists in Action – Marge Leads Discussion

In this segment of Catechists in Action, Marge Garbacz leads her RCIA group in discussion about the Catholic approach to human dignity. Watch for the following: Marge offers comments on the “Mr. Cellophane” song that the group just viewed. The group offers their reactions and experiences of feeling “invisible” or treating others as though they were invisible. Notice how Marge pulls back and allows discussion to flow and how she asks if anyone else has […]

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Catechists in Action

Catechists in Action – Marge Introduces the Theme for the Session

In this segment of Catechists in Action, Marge Garbacz introduces the theme for the evening’s RCIA session (Human Dignity), drawn from Practice Makes Catholic. Watch for the following: Marge nicely ties in the theme for the evening, human dignity, with the Gospel reading just reflected on (the Man Born Blind). Marge describes how I introduce the theme of human dignity in Practice Makes Catholic by talking about a song from the musical Chicago: Mr. Cellophane to emphasize […]

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Catechists in Action

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 […]

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Catechists in Action

Catechists in Action – Marge Leads Opening Prayer

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. […]

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Catechists in Action

Catechists In Action – Meet Marge Garbacz, Catechist of Adults

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 […]

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Catechists in Action

Catechists in Action – Len Astrowski Shares His Planning Techniques

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 […]

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Catechists in Action

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

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 […]