Being a Catechist Archives - Page 96 of 142

Catechists in Action – Dan Ward Segment 5: Dan Teaches Reconciliation

In this segment of Catechists in Action, seventh-grade catechist Dan Ward teaches the young people about the Sacrament of Reconciliation in preparation for celebrating the sacrament the following week. Watch as Dan: deals with the reality that few of his students go to Reconciliation outside of R.E. class. talks about how important it is to “bring our sins to the table.” explains the nature of sin and personal responsibility. introduces an examination of conscience and […]

Catechists in Action #4 – Dan Ward Explains Roman Missal Changes

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, we see 7th grade catechist Dan Ward talking to his class about Advent and the introduction of the Roman Missal changes. Watch for the following as Dan… directs the young people to open their text books and look at the liturgical calendar talks about Advent as the beginning of the Church’s new year asks the young people about their experience of the changes in the Mass invites a […]

Spiritual but not Religious – Love Jesus but Hate Religion

Joe Paprocki

More and more today, we hear people saying that they are spiritual but not religious, meaning that they believe in God but choose not to encounter him within the context of the institutional church. One young man has chosen to post a video on YouTube in which he recites a poem about how he loves Jesus, but hates religion. I applaud him for taking the initiative to talk publicly about his faith. I couldn’t disagree more […]

Catechists In Action #3 – Dan Talks About Advent/Christmas Preparations and the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, we watch as 7th grade catechist Dan Ward talks with his students about preparing for Christmas and the coming of Christ and about preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation the following week. Watch for the following as Dan: multi-tasks: teaching while also distributing materials pauses and shushes students when they get innattentive gives the students a writing activity to do but creates a sense of urgency by […]

Catechists in Action – Dan Ward Leads His Class in Prayer

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, we see 7th grade catechist Dan Ward leading his class in a brief opening prayer. Watch for the following: Me settling my camera down! 🙂 Dan gently inquiring with one of his students about a special prayer intention. What I’ve been referring to as Dan’s “coach approach” – he talks to the kids as though he’s preparing them to “get into the game.” Dan expounds a bit on […]

Catechists In Action – Meet Dan Ward!

Joe Paprocki

It’s time to get back to our Catechists in Action series where we get to be a fly on the wall, observing everyday catechists performing their ministry. I’d like you to meet Dan Ward, a 7th grade catechist at Most Holy Redeemer parish in Evergreen Park, IL. Dan is a high school teacher and coach in the Chicago Public School system. I’ve been talking recently about the image of the catechist as coach and Dan personifies […]

A Sign of the Times

Joe Paprocki

Here’s a good example of how times have changed and how catechists need to be aware of how kids will respond to something. As I was observing a second grade class last evening, the catechist was asking the kids to name the 7 Sacraments and giving them clues to help them recall each of them. When it came to the Sacrament of Matrimony, the catechist offered a clue inviting the kids to complete the sentence […]

Tim Tebow, Sports, and Prayer

Joe Paprocki

Sports is HUGE with kids, so no doubt, kids are interested in the success of Tim Tebow and all the talk about the “miracles” associated with his success, including yesterday’s stunning overtime victory in the NFL playoffs. In case you’re not up-to-date on the whole Tebow phenomenon, here’s a quick summary. For kids, the question that the whole Tim Tebow experience raises is whether or not God answers our prayers when it comes to things […]

More on the “Coach Approach”

Joe Paprocki

The other day, I posted on the parallels between coaching and serving as a catechist. That stirred up the following conversation between a DRE and one of her catechists who is indeed also a coach. Enjoy! Hi Joe! In response to your latest Catechist’s Journey email, I asked one of my catechists if he saw a connection between coaching and being a catechist. Scott coaches basketball and then “cleans up” and comes to teach […]

The Catechist as COACH

Joe Paprocki

I’m always amazed at how many men I see coaching their kids’ soccer, football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and even lacrosse teams! And yet, so few men feel called to serve as a catechist when, in my mind, it is another form of coaching. Perhaps too many men view being a catechist as a feminine/nurturing role that they are not comfortable with. Fortunately, a growing number of men are discovering how to serve as catechists in […]