Spiritual Growth Archives - Page 14 of 30

Spirituality of the Catechist: Online Retreat for Catechists

A Recipe for Success: Coherence and Authenticity of Life

My husband Tim has a knack for creating magnificent meals. In the early years of our marriage, we spent equal time in the kitchen. Even though we had access to the same utensils, appliances, ingredients, and cookbooks, Tim’s cooking skills quickly surpassed mine. What really distinguishes his skills from mine is his flair for regional cuisines. He can prepare authentic-tasting dishes from regions around the world. He once prepared a smorgasbord that included home-made gravlax […]

The Spirituality of the Catechist: A Coherence and Authenticity of Life (Online Retreat Week 5)

Joe Paprocki

Welcome again to our online retreat, the Spirituality of the Catechist. For this week, our topic will be: A Coherence and Authenticity of Life. Before we jump into today’s post, let’s recall the last few weeks, during which we’ve looked at the openness that we catechists are called to incorporate into our spirituality: an openness to God, to the Church, and to the world. If you haven’t already, share some thoughts about the retreat in […]

7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness: What Scratches Your Itch?

Cindy Coleman

Editor’s note: This post is one in a series inspired by Joe Paprocki’s book 7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness. In the book, Joe introduces each key with a fun or thought-provoking question. Each Friday we’ll share an excerpt from 7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness that poses a question, followed by a response by a catechist or catechetical leader. What scratches your itch? On a spiritual level, we all have an itch. It’s that chronic, gnawing sense of discomfort that […]

Solidarity and an Openness to the World

John Gonzalez

This reflection is part of the Spirituality of the Catechist Online Retreat. As a director of social ministry, I am responsible for encouraging social advocacy in my parish. I would usually offer workshops on Catholic social teaching and the USCCB document Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. Unfortunately, these workshops often resulted in ideological debates and partisan arguments. I concluded that this was not the most effective approach to persuade parishioners to engage in social advocacy. […]

The Spirituality of the Catechist: An Openness to the World (Online Retreat Week 4)

Joe Paprocki

We come to Week Four of our online retreat, the Spirituality of the Catechist. In this week, we explore the third characteristic of a catechist’s spirituality: An Openness to the World. You can join this retreat at any time, starting with today’s post or going back to catch up on earlier weeks. You might also like to return to a previous week to share some thoughts in the comments section. Your sharing makes this retreat […]

7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness: What’s Your Security Blanket?

Kathy MacKenzie

Editor’s note: This post is one in a series inspired by Joe Paprocki’s book 7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness. In the book, Joe introduces each key with a fun or thought-provoking question. Each Friday we’ll share an excerpt from 7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness that poses a question, followed by a response by a catechist or catechetical leader. What’s your security blanket? For young children security blankets and other such comfort objects are healthy things. They are “transitional objects” […]

Openness to the Church

F. DeKarlos Blackmon

This reflection is part of the Spirituality of the Catechist Online Retreat. Some of the greatest years of my life have been spent catechizing in parochial religious education programs and teaching theology at a Catholic college preparatory school in the Diocese of Birmingham. In my teaching, I have always strived to pass on the Deposit of Faith by being an authentic witness of the saving power of God. Catechists possess an awesome responsibility to carry […]

The Spirituality of the Catechist: An Openness to the Church (Online Retreat Week 3)

Joe Paprocki

Welcome once again to the Spirituality of the Catechist, our online retreat. Remember that you can join in at any time, starting with today’s post or going back to catch up on earlier weeks. In this Week Three, we look at the second characteristic of a catechist’s spirituality: An Openness to the Church. Whether you are a long-time catechist or starting for the first time this fall, your stories are inspiring as we share with […]

7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness: Is That Your Final Answer?

Megan Arteaga

Editor’s note: This post is one in a series inspired by Joe Paprocki’s book 7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness. In the book, Joe introduces each key with a fun or thought-provoking question. Each Friday we’ll share an excerpt from 7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness that poses a question, followed by a response by a catechist or catechetical leader. Is that your final answer? That’s the question asked of every contestant on the television quiz show […]

Don’t Chase God; Be Caught Instead

Jayne Ragasa-Mondoy

This reflection is part of the Spirituality of the Catechist Online Retreat. Craig, Janice, and their two young daughters could always be counted on to participate in parish family life programs. By all accounts Craig was the super-Catholic dad: a humble man of faith; a role model for other dads. After a particularly long afternoon of family-ministry activities, I noticed Craig sitting in a far corner of the church lawn. I wandered over, sat beside […]