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Newsworthy

Beatification of Pope John Paul II

In just a few weeks (May 1, 2011), the Church will celebrate the Beatification of Pope John Paul II. To celebrate this event, Loyola Press has put together some resources that you’ll want to take a look at. http://www.loyolapress.com/pope-john-paul-ii-1920-2005.htm

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A Good Way for Catechists (or Anyone!) to Pray

Many catechists are eager to deepen their own prayer life so that they in turn can help those they teach to do the same. I’d like to recommend an extremely helpful and valuable little book that just came out: A Simple, Life-Changing Prayer: Discovering the Power of St. Ignatius Loyola’s Examen. I read this book on the train the other day (yes, it’s that brief – 82 pages – that you can read it in one […]

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Newsworthy

Spiritual Direction for Catechists – Online!

A friend of mine who is a spiritual director is now offering spiritual direction online via Skype, Ichat, Google Talk or ooVoo. Check it out! http://www.spiritualdirectiononline.com/Spiritual_Direction/Distance_Spiritual_Direction.html I’ve talked here before about the benefit of spiritual direction for catechists…this might be an opportunity for you to look into!

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Singing Grace Before Meals

At the Being, Knowing, and Doing workshop I did in Newark, NJ, last week, we prepared to eat lunch. We were invited to pick up a little prayer card on our tables and to sing the following, using the melody of the Old One Hundreth (Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow). I love it! Perfect for Thanksgiving! Be present at our table, Lord Be here and everywhere adored. Thy creatures bless and grant that […]

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Creative Moments

A Gift from Jesus

At the end of my workshop In Hartford, CT, on Saturday (speaking on leading guided reflections), a priest came up to chat with me. I hesitate to call him an elderly priest because, although he was obviously up there in years, he had such a youthful attitude that it made him seem quite young. Anyway, the priest was telling me how he’s been doing guided reflections in catechesis for many years and that one thing […]

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Ideas for Activities

With the catechetical year about to begin for so many of us, I thought it would be a good time to remind you about a couple of resources that can help you bring some variety into your classroom and complement and bring to life the themes you’re teaching no matter what textbook you are using . Both of the following are products that I can proudly say I played a small part in developing. Follow the links […]

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We Have Our Work Cut Out for Us

This is nothing that we didn’t already know, but a new 2010 survey (8000 respondents) compiled for the strategic planning process of the Archdiocese of Chicago identifies some key challenges that we face in the areas of evangelization and catechesis. Here are just a few findings (a complete summary is forthcoming)… Most Catholics who leave the faith do so by age 24. Further, in our survey, the one factor that correlated by far the most […]

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The 4 Pillars of Our Faith: Prayer

This week, I’m featuring short excerpts from my book, A Well-Built Faith, focusing on the 4 pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Here’s a brief look at the fourth pillar: Prayer. A survey conducted years ago asked people in successful marriages to identify the top ten qualities of a healthy marriage. One might think that sex, given all the attention it is given in our culture, would have been the number one quality. […]

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Newsworthy

Thanks from Nancy!

Last week, a catechist from Puerto Rico, Nancy, asked for some help with regards to info about tuition and fees charged for parish religious education programs. Your response was very generous and helpful. Thanks from me and here’s thanks from Nancy! Thanks to all of you!!!  You have been a great help!!! Love always – from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico!! Nancy

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Newsworthy

Vocations Website

For Your Vocation, a new Web site, is an initiative of the Bishops of the United States, and is meant to be a resource for men and women in discernment, as an aid for promoting a vocation culture within the home, and a range of tools for educators, youth leaders and vocation directors. The bishops’ goals for this site are To help individuals hear and respond to the call by God to the priesthood or […]