Catechetical Issues & Topics Archives

National Eucharistic Revival - bread and wine wheat and grapes

The Eucharistic Revival and Inclusion

As we journey deeper into our Eucharistic Revival, let’s be mindful of our responsibility to call all of God’s people to the Table of the Lord, especially those with disabilities! Recently, the National Community of Catechetical Leaders (NCCL) hosted an online conference that focused on inclusive catechesis that engages learners of differing abilities. One session in that conference featured the work of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) and was presented by the Executive […]

Pop-Up Prayer: Guest Jonathan Schott

Joe Paprocki

Young adults in college are seekers in so many respects. They are seeking for identity, relationships, careers, and for meaning in their lives. Prayer is a relationship, and relationships thrive on communication: talking and listening to one another. In this episode of Pop-Up Prayer, we turn to Deacon Jonathan Schott, Assistant Director of Campus Ministry at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY. Jonathan enlightens us about the need to encourage young people to talk […]

Living the Mass the Other Six Days of the Week: The Eucharistic Prayer

Joe Paprocki

We continue to journey through the National Eucharistic Revival and reflect on the parts of the Mass and what each part is calling us to do and be the other six days of the week. Our inspiration is my book, Living the Mass: How One Hour a Week Can Change Your Life, co-authored by Fr. Dominic Grassi. In this episode, we look at the Eucharistic Prayer and reflect on how it helps us to begin the work of […]

Parts of the Mass Word Puzzles

Joe Paprocki

Practice vocabulary related to the Catholic Mass with a crossword puzzle and word search. The word search includes words related to the Order of the Mass, and the crossword puzzle invites exploration of what we see and what is happening when we go to Mass. The puzzles are available as printable worksheets and as online games. Use them in sacramental preparation classes or as a review in faith formation sessions across grade levels. Explore more […]

Preparing for the Jubilee Year of 2025: Getting to Know the Four Constitutions of Vatican II

Joe Paprocki

With each passing day, we are inching closer to the celebration of a Jubilee Year in 2025, with the theme of “Pilgrims of Hope.” As I have mentioned here previously, in preparation for the Jubilee Year, Pope Francis is asking Catholics to prepare by dedicating time in the following manner: 2023: Study the documents of the Second Vatican Council. 2024: Focus on prayer. To assist with a study of the documents of the Second Vatican […]

Pop-Up Catechesis: Actual Grace and Sanctifying Grace

Joe Paprocki

Did you know that the Church teaches us that there are two kinds of grace? Indeed, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (#2000) speaks to us of actual grace and sanctifying grace. Grace, of course, is God’s life within us. The Church teaches that we encounter this grace in two unique ways. In this episode of Pop-Up Catechesis, we explore the Catholic understanding of actual grace and sanctifying grace. For more information about grace, check […]

Pop-Up Catechesis: Going to Mass Every Sunday

Joe Paprocki

Why, exactly, do we have an obligation to go to Mass every Sunday? Does the Eucharist “wear off” after a certain number of days? Of course not. At the same time, as human beings, we are in constant need of reinforcement. We go to Mass weekly for the same reason that people seeking recovery from an addiction attend meetings “religiously”: we stand a better chance of recovery if we attend regularly. And, the truth is, […]

Pop-Up Prayer: Guest Amy Welborn

Joe Paprocki

In this episode of Pop-Up Prayer, Amy Welborn, popular blogger, speaker, and writer, shares her insights about praying with traditional prayers. Amy is the author of many books, including The Words We Pray and her most recent book, the Loyola Kids Book of Seasons, Feasts, and Celebrations. Here, she shares about what St. Paul means when he writes, “We do not know how to pray as we ought.” (Romans 8:26) For more information about […]

Living the Mass the Other Six Days of the Week: The Presentation of the Gifts

Joe Paprocki

We continue to journey through the National Eucharistic Revival and reflect on the parts of the Mass and what each part is calling us to do and be the other six days of the week. Our inspiration is my book, Living the Mass: How One Hour a Week Can Change Your Life, co-authored by Fr. Dominic Grassi. In this episode, we look at the Presentation of the Gifts and reflect on how it helps us […]

Pop-Up Catechesis: The Eucharist Is One Choice You’ll Never Regret

Joe Paprocki

When eating out at a restaurant, we have so many choices to make from the menu! Unfortunately, we sometimes make choices that we later regret. In a similar way, life offers us many choices for satisfying our spiritual hunger. Some of the things we say “yes” to, however, are not always the best choices, and we end up regretting them later. When we go to Mass, the priest, deacon, or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion […]