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Online Retreat for Catechists – Week 6: Missionary Zeal

Welcome to the 6th week of our online retreat focusing on the spirituality of the catechist. Last week, we looked at the characteristic of an authenticity and coherence of life. Thanks so much for all of your wonderful and inspiring comments! This week, we focus on the 6th aspect of our spirituality: missionary zeal. If you’re just joining us, you can go back and “catch up” and then come back to jump in to week […]

An Online Retreat for Catechists – Week 5: An Authenticity and Coherence of Life

Joe Paprocki

Welcome to the 5th week of our online retreat focusing on the spirituality of the catechist. Over the last few weeks, we’ve looked at the unique openness that we catechists are called to incorporate into our spirituality: an openness to God, to the Church, and to the world. Thanks so much for all of your wonderful and inspiring comments! This week, we focus on the 4th aspect of our spirituality, what the Church refers to […]

Online Catechist's Retreat – Week 4: An Openness to the World

Joe Paprocki

Welcome to Week 4 of our Online Catechist’s Retreat (The Spirituality of the Catechist) as we take a look at the third characteristic of our spirituality: An Openness to the World. Thanks so much for insights posted last week on the theme of our openness to the Church! It is so enjoyable and enriching to read your thoughts and to converse with you. If you’re just joining us, you can go back and “catch up” and then come […]

Online Catechist's Retreat – Week 3: An Openness to the Church

Joe Paprocki

Welcome to Week 3 of our Online Catechist’s Retreat (The Spirituality of the Catechist) as we take a look at the second characteristic of our spirituality: An Openness to the Church. Thanks so much for insights posted last week on the theme of our openness to God! Your stories were very inspiring as we venture forth in this retreat. If you’re just joining us, you can go back and “catch up” and then come back to […]

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10 Little Things That Can Make a Big Difference for Catechists

Joe Paprocki

Over the years, I have picked up a number of handy suggestions from catechists—little things they do in their classes that I think make a big difference. Here are 10 things that you can do on a regular basis to help you become a more effective and engaging catechist right now—without adding tons of additional planning time. Greet your students at the door each week with a task they need to complete. For example, hand […]

End-of-the Year Reflection

Joe Paprocki

This evening is our end-of-the-year catechist meeting. I was asked by our DRE, Arlene, to lead the other catechists in a reflective prayer (meditation). I will be using a meditation that I wrote a couple of years ago for this very blog. You’re welcome to use this for your own reflection or with a group of catechists. We often tell our learners to use their imaginations. Now it’s your turn. Use your imagination to reflect […]

40 Ideas for 40 Days – Lenten Activities: Holy Week Basket

Joe Paprocki

This Lenten activity is an opportunity for catechists to connect Holy Week and the end of Lent to the celebration of Easter. Holy Week Basket We are all familiar with Easter Baskets. This activity takes the Easter Basket and transforms it into a Holy Week Basket in preparation for the celebration of Easter. Place a traditional Easter Basket (filled with that fake green grass!) in the center of the room. In the basket, place a number […]

40 Ideas for 40 Days – Lenten Activities: Scenes From Holy Week

Joe Paprocki

Onto our next Lenten activity – Scenes from Holy Week – an opportunity for catechists to help their young people to focus on some of the dramatic events in the life of Jesus that take place during Holy Week. Scenes from Holy Week This activity is based on a Blackline Master from the Finding God program, Grade 5. Invite the young people to imagine that they have been invited to draw the cover for the parish bulletin […]

40 Ideas for 40 Days – Lenten Activities: Palm Crosses

Joe Paprocki

This is another Palm Sunday/Holy Week Lenten activity. For this one, we go to a Web site called King of Peace and learn how to make palm crosses. Palm Crosses This activity comes to us from King of Peace Episcopal Church in Kingsland, Georgia. This is something that can be done with children and families right after Palm Sunday Masses or at religious education classes held during Holy Week. For this activity, click here. You may […]

40 Ideas for 40 Days – Lenten Activities: Triduum Triptychs

Joe Paprocki

Here’s another Lenten activity that is a good opportunity for catechists to prepare young people for Holy Week. It is from the Christ Our Life series (grade 8). Triduum Triptychs Have the young people fold a sheet of construction paper into three equal parts. While the paper is folded, have them cut the top of it into the shape of an arch. At the top of each section, have them write the name of the […]