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Comings & Goings

From Albany to Atlanta

A great big THANK YOU to all of the good folks in Albany, NY, who participated in my workshops at the Spring Enrichment conference! We had a great time exploring ways to grow as catechists and how to make our classes more “Catholic.” After a couple of days to catch my breath, it’s off to Atlanta for the NCCL Conference where I’ll be doing a couple of presentations on catechetical leadership…always an honor to speak […]

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Comings & Goings

A Mile High!

I just spent a wonderful morning with a number of catechetical leaders and catechists about an hour out of Denver in beautiful Colorado Springs, CO! I am especially grateful that everything worked out because just about 36 hours ago, I was in bed with a fever and a cough that had me barking like a dog. Luckily, I was able to see the doc on Tuesday, get some meds, rest up, and fly out Wednesday […]

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Comings & Goings

Surrounded by Cheeseheads! (And I say that affectionately!)

I enjoyed spending the day yesterday with about 50 “Cheeseheads” which of course is the nickname given to Green Bay Packers’ fans. As they celebrate their Superbowl victory, they were gracious enough to welcome this Chicago Bears fan into their midst for a Being, Knowing, and Doing professional development workshop. We had the most wonderful day together and talked about so many ideas and strategies for taking care of our catechists. Thanks to Gary Pokorny, […]

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Comings & Goings

BKD in NJ

Thanks to the 75-80 catechetical leaders who spent the day with me Wednesday in Newark, New Jersey, exploring ways of forming catechists in the dimensions of Being, Knowing, and Doing. It was a wonderful day and I enjoyed meeting so many of you and talking with you about all things catechetical. Thanks to Ron Pihokker (Director of the Catechetical Office) and to Associate Directors Betsy Foer, Joe Silvoy, and Gene Tozzi, for their hospitality and […]

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Comings & Goings

Bucks and Montgomery Counties, PA

A great big THANK YOU to all the good folks (nearly 300 of ya’s from Bucks and Montgomery Counties) who came out on Thursday night in Bucks County, PA, for A Catechist’s Night Out! I was honored and privileged to have the opportunity to spend the evening with you talking about the catechetical process and creative ways of keeping kids engaged in religious education. Here I am with one of PA’s finest ladies, Marie Scanlon, […]

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Comings & Goings

Christmas, er, CATECHESIS in Connecticut

I had the most wonderful day yesterday at the Religious Education Congress in Hartford, Connecticut! First, I was priveleged to do the keynote presentation. My topic was: “Do I Look Fat in This? Putting on Christ: A Perfect Fit” in which I explored the six tasks of catechesis (as outlined in the General Directory for Catechesis) that help us to put on Christ. I had the honor of meeting Archbishop Henry Mansell who attended my […]

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Comings & Goings

BKD in Omaha, NE

I’m on my way home from a very nice day and a half in Omaha, Nebraska (my first time in this lovely state) where I did a Being, Knowing, and Doing workshop for about 35 catechetical leaders. We enjoyed a very nice day together looking at ways we can take better care of our catechists and provide formation for them that includes all 3 dimensions: being, knowing, doing. Here’s a big SHOUT OUT to the […]

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Joe's Comings and Goings

A Shout Out to Peoria!

Here’s a great big SHOUT OUT to the many wonderful catechists I met last night in Peoria, IL!!!  Peoria is about a 2 1/2 hour drive from the south suburbs of Chicago where I live so it was a very nice peaceful ride. A number of parishes banded together to gather over 80 catechists for a great night of enrichment that included a delicious dinner. I enjoyed the evening with you and look forward to […]

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Comings & Goings

Autumn in New York

New York is indeed beautiful in Autumn! I spent the last couple of days in the Dutchess/Ulster County area and the fall colors are already showing in such splendor, especially along the Taconic State Parkway. I did two Being, Knowing, and Doing professional development workshops for catechetical leaders in the region and had a very nice time visiting with these hard-working and dedicated folks. So here’s a SHOUT OUT to all the folks I met […]