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Comings & Goings

A Shout Out to Brooklyn!

Whereas last week, I was in the warmth of Southern California, these past couple of days, I was shivering in Brooklyn, NY! Luckily, I was warmed by the great folks who turned out last evening for my presentation, 9 Characteristics of Evangelizing Catechesis…about 150 hearty souls! Thanks to everyone for a great evening and special thanks to the staff of the Office for Faith Formation in the Diocese of Brooklyn, headed by Director Ted Musco […]

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Catechetical Leaders

How Do We Speak in the Kingdom of God? My Article in RTJ’s Creative Catechist Magazine

The current issue of RTJ’s Creative Catechist Magazine features an article that I wrote titled “How We Speak in the Kingdom of God” and describes how First Eucharist is an ideal time to introduce what I call a “language of mystery” to those we teach. Here’s a PDF of the article: How We Speak in the Kingdom of God – Joe Paprocki article in RTJ’s Creative Catechist Magazine

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Books

I’m Just Getting Warmed Up!

Yesterday, I told you about my new book, Beyond the Catechist’s Toolbox, which you can pre-order (available February, 2013). Well, I’m just gettin’ warmed up!!! I’ve got lots more to tell you about. I’ve been a busy little catechist and writer this year and I’m happy to share with you 2 new resources that I am very proud of and that will help to meet a pressing need in catechesis (catechizing children who are “out […]

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Approaches/Techniques

Pre-Order My New Book! Beyond the Catechist’s Toolbox

You can pre-order my new book, available in February, 2013! Beyond the Catechist’s Toolbox: Catechesis That Not Only Informs but Also Transforms ISBN 978-0-8294-3829-1 5 x 7 Paperback 64 Pages $7.95     Joe Paprocki, best-selling author of The Catechist’s Toolbox series, has written the first, step-by-step book that demonstrates how to teach a 75-minute catechetical session with practical techniques that expand upon the textbook to create a more prayerful climate in the classroom. Beyond […]

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Comings & Goings

Indiana Conference for Catechetical Leadership – Hoosier Catechesis!

I was privileged to spend a wonderful day with nearly 100 catechetical leaders from across the great State of Indiana at the Indiana Conference for Catechetical Leadership in Indianapolis. They invited me to be their keynote speaker and to do a couple of breakout sessions and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to spend the day looking at how we can set hearts on fire during this Year of Faith. My deepest thanks and congratulations […]

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Joe's Comings and Goings

North Woods Catechesis

I enjoyed the last couple of days in Northern Wisconsin with 100 catechetical leaders looking at how we proclaim the story of salvation through a Catholic lens. We had a wonderful time together and I hopefully set the stage for my long-time friend and colleague, Carole Eipers, to take over and carry the gathering through tomorrow. The event was organized by the Wisconsin Directors of Religious Education Federation (WDREF). I had the pleasure of seeing […]

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Books

Check Out a New Online Course on Bible Basics!

I was honored to write a new course for the University of Dayton Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF). It is called Bible Basics and the required text for the course is my book, The Bible Blueprint: A Catholic’s Guide to Understanding and Embracing God’s Word. Thanks to Richard Drabick, the Assistant Director of the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives for inviting me to write the course and to Sr. Angela Ann Zukowski, MHSH, the Director […]

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Comings & Goings

Talking About The New Evangelization on A Nun’s Life

Tonight (6:00 – 7:00 pm CT), I’ll be engaged in conversation about the New Evangelization and the Year of Faith with Sr. Julie Vieira, IHM and Sr. Maxine Kollasch, IHM of A Nun’s Life as part of their In Good Faith podcast. You can join in at www.aNunsLife.org/LIVE. I had the pleasure of working with Sr. Julie at Loyola Press for several years before she moved on to take on A Nun’s Life as a full-time ministry […]

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Being a Catechist

Happy Catechetical Sunday!

On this Catechetical Sunday, my hopes and prayers are with all catechists and catechetical ministers as we seek to be agents of the New Evangelization! Personally, I’m marking the occasion here in Louisville, KY, where I spent a wonderful day with 100+ catechists and catechetical leaders yesterday exploring Catholic identity and strategies for more effective catechesis. Thanks to the good folks of Louisville for a wonderful experience!

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Comings & Goings

A Shout Out to Powell, Ohio!

I had a wonderful afternoon with nearly 400 catechists who gathered at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Powell, Ohio, for their kick-off for the year. I was honored to speak on Practice Makes Catholic! Thanks, folks, for a great afternoon!