Pope Francis Archives - Catechist's Journey

On Retreat with Pope Francis: A Webinar with Austen Ivereigh

Often in life, certain dreams we have remain just out of our reach. I always wanted to see the Beatles perform live; however, after John Lennon’s tragic death, I realized this would never happen. Seeing Paul McCartney perform live a few years ago was the next best thing! I’ve no doubt that many of us would dream about the chance to go on a personal retreat with Pope Francis. However, for most of us, that […]

Happy Anniversary, Pope Francis! - text next to drawing of Pope

Celebrating Pope Francis’s 10th Anniversary

Joe Paprocki

Do you remember where you were on March 13, 2013? I was sitting in class for my Doctor of Ministry program at the University of St. Mary of the Lake (Mundelein Seminary), when the seminary’s chapel bells started to ring; a new pope had been elected! It’s hard to believe that was already ten years ago, and here we are, celebrating Pope Francis’s 10th anniversary as pope! This occasion is a great opportunity for catechists […]

Love Inspires Evangelization

Joe Paprocki

The primary reason for evangelizing is our love for Jesus, which we have received, as well as the experience of salvation, which urges us to love him more and more. What kind of love would not feel the need to speak of the beloved, to point him out, to make him known? If we do not feel an intense desire to share this love, we need to pray insistently that [Jesus] will once more touch […]

grandparents with granddaughter reading on park bench - aldomurillo/E+/Getty Images

Celebrating the First World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Joe Paprocki

I wish I could remember who told me this, years ago, but I have never forgotten it: “The closest we will ever come in this life to seeing the face of God is seeing the face of our grandparents.” And yes, I came across this statement long before I myself became a grandparent! Grandparents can play a significant role in the lives of children. In recognition of this very important place that grandparents have in […]

Pope Francis Announces Major Recognition of Lay Catechists

Joe Paprocki

Pope Francis has announced that the role of catechist will now be recognized as a formal instituted ministry in the Church! While many, if not most Catholics, already considered the role of catechist to be a ministry, the Pope’s announcement in the apostolic letter Antiquum Ministerium raises it to a level of official recognition by the Church as an instituted ministry. The Pope’s letter making the role of catechist an official ministry in the Church is not […]

Pope Francis Says… Posters

Joe Paprocki

Decorate your learning space with the inspiring words of Pope Francis. Phrases encouraging joy, prayer, and sharing are paired with vibrant illustrations on a set of posters you can print for your classroom walls. Words and images are from Pope Francis Says… and El Papa Francisco dice…, charming children’s books from Loyola Press. The posters are available in English and in Spanish. Suggestions for Using the Posters Read Pope Francis Says… or El Papa Francisco […]

woman sitting on bench - text of quote: "It is good that we ask questions about our faith, because in this way we are pushed to deepen it." -Pope Francis in On Faith

Asking Questions About Our Faith

Cindy Coleman

Questions are important, but I have never been someone who asked questions. Rather, I have always been eager to answer questions. Whether in a classroom as a child, in college, or as an adult, I readily raise my hand to answer an instructor’s question. I am always ready to answer Jeopardy questions aloud to my television, respond to questions in Facebook groups, or join my friends on most Tuesdays for our weekly trivia quiz night. By […]

Sharing the Wisdom of Time - book that inspired the Netflix series Stories of a Generation with Pope Francis

Cherishing the Wisdom of Our Elders

Joe Paprocki

One of the things that I love about the Jesuits is that they never “retire.” When a Jesuit becomes elderly or infirm, he is given a new assignment by his Provincial, namely, to pray for the success of the mission and ministries of the Society of Jesus at one of the Jesuit assisted-living facilities. The message is clear: every member of the Jesuits, no matter what age, is still valued and considered an integral member of […]

Honoring (and Learning from) Our Elders

Joe Paprocki

When I began in parish ministry, I inherited an RCIA team that included one very unique member, Theresa, who was 85 years old. I was told that Theresa’s job was to bake and bring the snacks for every session—something that she was renowned for. (Her cookies were to die for!) But Theresa did more than just bring homemade cookies and pastries to our sessions. She sat in on every session and added her two cents. […]

Celebrating five years with Pope Francis

Happy Fifth Anniversary Papa Francesco!

Joe Paprocki

I remember just five years ago, sitting at my desk here at Loyola Press, and excitedly watching along with the rest of the world as we were introduced to our new Pope, Francis, who humbly asked us to pray for him. In these five short years, we have come to know this great man as a truly holy follower of Jesus Christ. As a Jesuit ministry, Loyola Press is particularly proud to be associated with our […]