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Pop-Up Catechesis: Blessing Your Children and Other Family Rituals

In today’s episode of Pop-Up Catechesis, we look at the practice of blessing your children and other family rituals. Ritual actions have a way of conveying the sacred that words alone are incapable of. Children especially love rituals, because they communicate a sense of comfort and security, which can be particularly important during uncertain times such as this COVID-19 crisis. For more information about the power of rituals and especially rituals in the home, see the […]

Pop-Up Catechesis: Spending Time in Quiet

Joe Paprocki

In today’s Pop-Up Catechesis episode, we explore the value of spending some time in quiet. During this time of sheltering-at-home, the isolation we are experiencing may tempt us to surround ourselves with noise and stimulation. And while it is good to be engaged in activity, let’s not lose sight of the fact that this is an opportunity to cultivate the practice of encountering God’s presence in the quiet. It is especially important for us to […]

Pop-Up Catechesis: Praying the Rosary as a Family

Joe Paprocki

In today’s episode of Pop-Up Catechesis, we look at the practice of praying the Rosary as a family. Here are some resources to help you get to know the Rosary better: Praying the Rosary Reflecting on Praying the Rosary Rosary Beads Mysteries of the Rosary Marian Resources Praying the Rosary Interactive Tool Mary, Our Mother Plush Figure How to Pray a Family Rosary Pope Francis suggests praying at the end of the Rosary, two prayers […]

Pop-Up Catechesis: First Eucharist Retreat at Home

Joe Paprocki

With the ongoing pandemic and shelter-in-place restrictions, almost every aspect of our lives has changed, including major events such as graduations, showers, birthday parties, Confirmations, weddings, and First Holy Communions. For many children, a First Eucharist retreat is part of their preparation at the parish. Since the present crisis precludes such gatherings, I offer some suggestions for doing a First Eucharist retreat at home, in today’s episode of Pop-Up Catechesis. Here are some resources to […]

Pop-Up Catechesis: May Crowning at Home

Joe Paprocki

In this episode of Pop-Up Catechesis, we take a look at how to do a simple May Crowning at home. Here are some links to help you in planning your own May Crowning at home. Remember, keep it simple! Don’t think you must include every option. Reflection on the devotion of May Crowning Marian Hymns: “Sing of Mary,” “Hail, Holy Queen,” “Hail Mary: Gentle Woman,” “Bring Flowers of the Rarest,” “Immaculate Mary” Pope Francis’s Prayer […]

Pop-Up Catechesis: Praying at Mealtime

Joe Paprocki

In today’s episode of Pop-up Catechesis, we look at the notion of eating meals together (rather than in front of the TV) and praying before meals. For more about the importance of sharing family meals, see the following: The Power of Family Meals by Tom McGrath Prayer and the Family Meal: 7 Fresh Ideas for Mealtime Prayer

Pop-Up Catechesis: Reading the Bible as a Family

Joe Paprocki

In today’s episode of Pop-Up Catechesis, we look at how to read the Bible together as a family with a focus on the Scripture readings for the upcoming Sunday, using the Sunday Connection. For more on reading the Bible as a family, check out the following: Using the Bible in Family Prayer: Praying with Young Children Leading Young Children in Prayer with the Bible Exploring the Good Word This Week as a Family

Keeping the Triduum at Home

Joe Paprocki

This year, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancelling of church services, families have the opportunity to observe the Triduum—the three days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday—at home. Here are some ideas: Holy Thursday On this day, we recall the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, and the agony in the garden. To recall the institution of the Eucharist, the […]

Preparing for Holy Week at Home

Joe Paprocki

I find it strangely ironic that, as catechists, we have always expressed a desire for parents to be more involved in their children’s faith formation and now, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, parents have been thrust into this role. The problem is, parents can feel as though they’ve been thrown into the deep end of the pool unless we provide them with the support they need and deserve to form their children in faith. One such […]

Catechetical Formation Series by Loyola Press

Announcing a New Online Catechetical Formation Series!

Joe Paprocki

Recently on Catechist’s Journey, we invited readers to participate in a poll indicating their preferences for catechist formation formats (reading a book, watching a video, attending a workshop or class, or online). Thanks to the many who responded! It is interesting to note how 22% (as of 3/12/2020) of those responding indicated a preference for online learning. And with the coronavirus keeping many of us at home, the option of online learning is helpful. With […]