Catechists in Action: Dan Ward Archives

Catechists in Action – Dan Ward Reflects on Having a “Breakout Year”

In this final installment of Catechists in Action featuring Dan Ward, Dan reflects on what he was hoping to be his “breakout year” as a catechist. Listen as Dan reflects on… what he means by having a “breakout year.” his frustrations that have prevented him from doing so. the fact that now he no longer “beats himself up” when things don’t go as he had hoped. his plan to have a Mass in the classroom […]

Catechists in Action – Dan Ward Reflects on His Experience

Joe Paprocki

We’ve had the privilege of watching 7th grade catechist Dan Ward in action over the past week or so…thanks Dan for inviting us into your classroom! Listen now as Dan reflects on his experience, especially… his frustration with kids not going to Mass his goal of doing the Mass Flip-books and his frustration at not being able to do it because of a change of schedule running out of time to do a mock confession […]

Catechists in Action – Dan Ward Segment 7

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, 7th grade catechist Dan Ward runs into a bit of a time snag. Because of the Advent prayer service that took place in church, he has no time to complete the activity he had planned which was a Mass flip-book. Watch as Dan… shows samples of Mass flip-books made by previous classes asks and encourages his students to complete the project on their own explains how they can […]

Catechists in Action – Dan Ward Segment 6

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, 7th grade catechist Dan Ward continues to work with his students to prepare them for Christmas. Watch as Dan… invites his students to take 3 minutes to think of what they need to do to prepare for Jesus’ coming invites volunteers to share their ideas shares an idea of how he and his family are going to prepare for Christmas httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2SlSHFTlvs

Catechists in Action – Dan Ward Segment 6 on Reconciliation

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, 7th grade catechist Dan Ward continues to prepare his students to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation the following week. Watch as Dan… talks about a definition of a saint as a “sinner who keeps on trying.” explains the steps of going to confession tells a story about one of his own experiences of going to confession invites the young people to pray the Act of Contrition together aloud […]

Catechists in Action – Dan Ward Segment 5: Dan Teaches Reconciliation

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, seventh-grade catechist Dan Ward teaches the young people about the Sacrament of Reconciliation in preparation for celebrating the sacrament the following week. Watch as Dan: deals with the reality that few of his students go to Reconciliation outside of R.E. class. talks about how important it is to “bring our sins to the table.” explains the nature of sin and personal responsibility. introduces an examination of conscience and […]

Catechists in Action #4 – Dan Ward Explains Roman Missal Changes

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, we see 7th grade catechist Dan Ward talking to his class about Advent and the introduction of the Roman Missal changes. Watch for the following as Dan… directs the young people to open their text books and look at the liturgical calendar talks about Advent as the beginning of the Church’s new year asks the young people about their experience of the changes in the Mass invites a […]

Catechists In Action #3 – Dan Talks About Advent/Christmas Preparations and the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, we watch as 7th grade catechist Dan Ward talks with his students about preparing for Christmas and the coming of Christ and about preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation the following week. Watch for the following as Dan: multi-tasks: teaching while also distributing materials pauses and shushes students when they get innattentive gives the students a writing activity to do but creates a sense of urgency by […]

Catechists in Action – Dan Ward Leads His Class in Prayer

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, we see 7th grade catechist Dan Ward leading his class in a brief opening prayer. Watch for the following: Me settling my camera down! 🙂 Dan gently inquiring with one of his students about a special prayer intention. What I’ve been referring to as Dan’s “coach approach” – he talks to the kids as though he’s preparing them to “get into the game.” Dan expounds a bit on […]

Catechists In Action – Meet Dan Ward!

Joe Paprocki

It’s time to get back to our Catechists in Action series where we get to be a fly on the wall, observing everyday catechists performing their ministry. I’d like you to meet Dan Ward, a 7th grade catechist at Most Holy Redeemer parish in Evergreen Park, IL. Dan is a high school teacher and coach in the Chicago Public School system. I’ve been talking recently about the image of the catechist as coach and Dan personifies […]