Confirmation Archives - Page 3 of 7

Catechists in Action – Chris Brett Discusses the 8th Graders’ Confirmation

In this segment of Catechists in Action, 8th grade catechist Chris Brett talks to his students about their recent Confirmation. Watch for the following: Chris asks them about Fr. Matt’s visit the previous week Chris asks about their Confirmation: the bishop’s homily, his vestments, whether everyone showed up, etc. Notice how relaxed and free-flowing the conversation is. Occassionally, Chris needs to “shush” them but it is just a gentle reminder to not all talk at […]

Catechists in Action – Meet Chris Brett

Joe Paprocki

We’re heading into the last quarter of our Catechists in Action series. Today, we meet 8th grade catechist Christ Brett (Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Evergreen Park, IL). I had the pleasure of being on the 8th grade team with Chris for several years and was always inspired by his enthusiasm. In this episode, we meet Chris who is welcoming his 8th graders back for their first session after Confirmation – always a question mark as […]

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 […]

The Catechist as COACH

Joe Paprocki

I’m always amazed at how many men I see coaching their kids’ soccer, football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and even lacrosse teams! And yet, so few men feel called to serve as a catechist when, in my mind, it is another form of coaching. Perhaps too many men view being a catechist as a feminine/nurturing role that they are not comfortable with. Fortunately, a growing number of men are discovering how to serve as catechists in […]

5th Anniversary Celebration – Guest Blogger #6: Lisa Hendey

Joe Paprocki

Today’s guest blogger hosts one of the most popular blogs in the Catholic blogosphere! Lisa M. Hendey is the founder and editor of www.CatholicMom.com and the author of A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms and The Handbook for Catholic Moms. She hosts the Catholic Moments podcast and actively speaks around the country on faith, family life and social media topics. In an email to me, Lisa said, “I am not a catechist (and never have […]

What’s Your Story? “Not Bad, If I May Say So Myself!”

Joe Paprocki

“Not Bad, If I May Say So Myself!” Bernadette shares some wonderful thoughts about a very successful lesson she taught: I was one of the facilitators at a weekend retreat for a small group of Confirmation candidates. The theme was”Who am I?” In the introductory session I invited them to play a simple game. As they sat in a circle we pinned the names of well know people (local & international) on their backs. Their […]

What Age to Confirm?

Joe Paprocki

I was quoted in an article in the current issue of the National Catholic Reporter, talking about the issue of what age to confirm. What are your thoughts about this issue? (pictured: Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo, N.D., and Fr. Luke Meyer, chancellor, talk with children at St. John Catholic Church in Wahpeton prior to their April 23, 2010, confirmation and first Eucharist Mass. (Diocese of Fargo/Tanya Watterud)

Success with Learning Stations (Sacraments of Initiation)

Joe Paprocki

Last evening’s session featuring Learning Stations on the Sacraments of Initiation was a great success! The kids were highly engaged in an activity that invited them to explore the rich symbols of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. I have a complete summary with more pictures below, but I might add here that the only real drawback I experienced was a lack of time (is that any surprise for a catechist?) to be able […]

A Mixed Bag

Joe Paprocki

So last evening’s class was kind of a mixed bag. The main focus was on the “Ten Commandments Two-Minute Drills” that I wrote about yesterday. Here’s the scoop: All ten students were present and in good spirits. During opening prayer, one of the boys prayed for Brian Campbell, Blackhawks’ defenseman, who suffered a broken collar bone and cracked ribs as a result of a vicious hit by Alex Ovechkin on Sunday. I thought that was […]

Ten Commandments – Two-Minute Drills

Joe Paprocki

I’m pretty excited about this one! I want to do something to reinforce the Ten Commandments as we move in to this last unit on Morality. I also want to place more responsibility on the kids now that they are confirmed, so that they sense a difference between how I taught them before Confirmation and how they are learning now. As a result, I’ve come up with something I call The Ten Commandments Two-Minute Drills! […]