Growing as a Catechist Archives - Page 4 of 9

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The Spiritual Life of Catechists: Missionary Zeal

Have you ever met someone who was “on fire” for God? When you encounter someone who speaks about faith with contagious enthusiasm, that’s missionary zeal. It’s memorable—and contagious. Zeal is not a word we use much today. The dictionary defines zeal as “great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective,” but in Scripture it has a deeper meaning. It can describe a fierceness against those who oppose God (see 1 Kings […]

The Spiritual Life of Catechists: Dedication to the Evangelizing Mission of the Church

Joyce Donahue

In the film The Blues Brothers, the main characters, trying to raise money to keep their Catholic school open, proclaim: “We’re on a mission from God!” That’s not a bad motto for any Catholic. Like Jake and Elwood, all of us are on a mission: to evangelize. Go and Make Disciples (USCCB, 1992) cites Pope Paul VI, who wrote that, “The Church exists to evangelize.” The bishops continue, defining evangelization: “At its essence are the […]

The Spiritual Life of Catechists: Personal Prayer

Joyce Donahue

Catechists are called to a strong prayer life, having not only a habit of regular personal prayer but a living relationship with God. The Catechism describes prayer as God’s gift, a covenant relationship, and communion of life in Christ. Through it, we discover God, who dwells in each human heart (CCC 2558–2565). A catechist with a well-developed prayer life will naturally be a better teacher and leader of prayer, so it is very important to […]

The Spiritual Life of Catechists: Authenticity of Life

Joyce Donahue

Have you ever encountered truly genuine people, those about whom you can say, “With (name), what you see is what you get”? That’s essential for catechists. The National Directory for Catechesis calls this, “a coherence and authenticity of life.” It is “characterized by [the catechist’s] faithful practice of the faith in a spirit of faith, charity, hope, courage, and joy.” (229) Coherence and authenticity mean there is no disconnect between a person’s public actions and his […]

The Spiritual Life of Catechists: Finding and Sharing Love and Joy

Joyce Donahue

One aspect of a catechetical leader’s responsibilities is discerning whom God is calling to the vocation of catechist and planning refreshment (formation) for those whom God continues to call. A catechist is called to holiness with “a particular urgency” (National Directory for Catechesis, 229), and there are, the NDC tells us, important characteristics of the catechist’s spiritual life. The first characteristic is a love of God (Trinity), of the Church, the pope, and God’s holy […]

A Catechist’s Bill of Rights – The Right to Formation and Training

Joe Paprocki

Today we hear a lot about people demanding their rights! Fortunately, we live in a country that guarantees those rights according to the Constitution. If there were a “catechist’s bill of rights,” one of those rights would be training and formation and I wish that more catechists would speak up, demanding this right. I’ll never forget my friend Brian Lemoi, Director of the Catechetical Office in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, FLA, telling me that, […]

Stumbling Into Catechesis

Joe Paprocki

Here is a wonderful article by Jeffrey Essmann that appeared in America Magazine recently about how Jeffrey “stumbled” into the role of catechist. “Stumbling Onward” by Jeffrey Essmann Stumbling Onward I have come to trust my stumbles. Philosophically, I believe stumbling to be the natural human gait and that humanity’s steady march of progress has, indeed, genera… View on www.americamagazine… Preview by Yahoo

Recruit and Reenergize Your Catechists!

Joe Paprocki

The Church of Mercy, Pope Francis’s first book detailing his vision for the Church, encourages each of us to ignite the flame within to help share the light of Christ and revitalize the Church. Ask any DRE and they’ll tell you that passionate catechists are the fuel to that flame. The Heart of a Catechist shares Pope Francis’s message that is directly focused on catechists and emphasizes their importance and value to the New Evangelization, […]

What Grade Will Joe Teach Next Year? Drum Roll Please…

Joe Paprocki

At this time of the year, I get many questions from people asking what grade I will be teaching next year. The last couple of years, I taught 6th grade. Before that, I did a year of 4th grade and previous to that, I did several years of 8th grade Confirmation. So, just what WILL I be teaching next year? Drum roll please… ADULT CATECHESIS!!! I am so excited to be turning my attention to […]

YouTube Videos as Supplemental Resources for Jr Hi and HS Faith Formation

Joe Paprocki

The General Directory for Catechesis states clearly that NO resource, no matter how well-tested or glitzy, “can dispense with the person of the catechist in every phase of the catechetical process.” (156) Some faith formation programs would have you believe that their resources, whether a textbook or a series of DVDs, will do all the work and that all a catechist needs to do is to facilitate the turning of pages in a book or […]