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Comings & Goings

Christmas, er, CATECHESIS in Connecticut

I had the most wonderful day yesterday at the Religious Education Congress in Hartford, Connecticut! First, I was priveleged to do the keynote presentation. My topic was: “Do I Look Fat in This? Putting on Christ: A Perfect Fit” in which I explored the six tasks of catechesis (as outlined in the General Directory for Catechesis) that help us to put on Christ. I had the honor of meeting Archbishop Henry Mansell who attended my […]

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Books

Sweet Home Chicago!

I had the honor and privilege of doing the keynote presentation today with my friend Fr. Dom Grassi at the Chicago Catechetical Conference held at the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont! Our topic was “Living the Mass: How We Go Forth Rejoicing FROM the House of the Lord.” Of course, Fr. Dom and I drew heavily from our book, Living the Mass: How One Hour a Week Can Change Your Life. It was wonderful […]

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Comings & Goings

Jammin’ in Joliet!

Thanks to all the folks who spent the day with me today at the St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center in the Diocese of Joliet, IL, for a Being, Knowing, and Doing workshop. We had a wonderful day looking at how we can provide formation for catechists that includes these 3 dimensions. Special thanks to Tom Quinlan, the Director of the Religious Education Office, and Joyce Donahue, Catechetical Associate. I was also honored to have in attendance 2 representatives […]

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Comings & Goings

BKD in Omaha, NE

I’m on my way home from a very nice day and a half in Omaha, Nebraska (my first time in this lovely state) where I did a Being, Knowing, and Doing workshop for about 35 catechetical leaders. We enjoyed a very nice day together looking at ways we can take better care of our catechists and provide formation for them that includes all 3 dimensions: being, knowing, doing. Here’s a big SHOUT OUT to the […]

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Joe's Comings and Goings

A Shout Out to Peoria!

Here’s a great big SHOUT OUT to the many wonderful catechists I met last night in Peoria, IL!!!  Peoria is about a 2 1/2 hour drive from the south suburbs of Chicago where I live so it was a very nice peaceful ride. A number of parishes banded together to gather over 80 catechists for a great night of enrichment that included a delicious dinner. I enjoyed the evening with you and look forward to […]

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Comings & Goings

Shout Out to Eastern Penn DREs!

These are just some of the happy faces at the 28th annual Eastern Pennsylvania DRE Gathering which took place over the past few days at the Golden Inn in Avalon, NJ. I was privileged to be the presenter for the event, offering 3 presentations over a couple of days, focusing on the theme of “Immersed in Christ – Proud to be Catholic.” What a wonderful event. Over 100 DREs gather for this formational and fun getaway […]

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Comings & Goings

Autumn in New York

New York is indeed beautiful in Autumn! I spent the last couple of days in the Dutchess/Ulster County area and the fall colors are already showing in such splendor, especially along the Taconic State Parkway. I did two Being, Knowing, and Doing professional development workshops for catechetical leaders in the region and had a very nice time visiting with these hard-working and dedicated folks. So here’s a SHOUT OUT to all the folks I met […]

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Comings & Goings

Celebrating Catechetical Sunday in Mobile, Alabama!

I had the enjoyable privilege of celebrating Catechetical “Sunday” in Mobile, Alabama, today as guest speaker at their archdiocesan Catechist Celebration Day! As always, the Southern hospitality was extraordinary and I enjoyed meeting so many wonderful catechists, catechetical leaders, and youth ministers, not to mention the great folks from the archdiocesan office of Religious Education and Archbishop Rodi, who celebrated Mass with us and had lunch with a Q & A session with the DREs, […]

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Intermediate Grades

First Class Tonight & Recording of Webinar Part 2 Now Available

I’m looking forward to my first class tonight (I should say this evening, since I begin at 5:30 pm now!) with my 4th graders! I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide me to be an effective catechist tonight and always! Also, here is the recording of Part Two of my Getting Started as a Catechist Webinar:

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Comings & Goings

A SHOUT OUT to Cedar Rapids, IA!

A great big SHOUT OUT to the wonderful folks of the Cedar Rapids Diocore (Diocesan Council of Religious Education) of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa, who came out in strong numbers last night to spend the evening with me learning about The Bible Blueprint! We had a great time at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Hiawatha, IA, and I was so inspired by the enthusiasm of these catechists and their catechetical leaders as they […]