A rousing “Happy Catechetical Sunday!” to all of my fellow catechists!!! Today is a day to celebrate our ministry and to pray that we may be inspired by the Holy Spirit to help those we teach to encounter the Living Christ!
Most of us catechists would prefer to “preach to the choir.” In other words, we tend to hope that our classes will have good participants who are enthusiastic about faith formation. I know I do. Today’s Gospel reminds us that Jesus came to seek out the lost. This Gospel challenges us catechists to pay special attention to those participants in our group who are “lost.” I pray that this week as I teach, I will keep an eye out for those participants who may be “lost,” with the knowledge that Jesus is already desperately in search of them.
I had a wonderful time in Peosta, Iowa, with over a hundred catechists, talking about the skills and knowledge that we need to be effective in our ministry. Thanks to all for the warm hospitality!
I had a chance to visit the Field of Dreams Movie Site in Dyersville! It was like a dream come true. This is one of my favorite movies of all time and it was so much fun to be there and to run the bases and walk into the cornfield. Here’s a few pics for you to enjoy!
I’m off to Peosta, Iowa, to meet with about 200 catechists from the Dubuque archdiocese! I look forward to talking with them about catechetical skills and strategies from The Catechist’s Toolbox. I’m glad I have a session of religious education under my belt so that I have some fresh experiences to draw on.
While there, I plan to visit the “Field of Dreams”….the baseball field built in the middle of a corn field for the movie Field of Dreams. I guess it’s only 15-20 minutes away from where I’ll be. Great movie!
“Is this heaven?” “No…it’s Iowa.” (rent the movie to see what I’m talking about)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! I am blessed with a wonderful group of 8th graders!
Tonight’s first class (I couldn’t wait till the morning to write this post!) went like a dream. I have 15 eighth graders - 8 boys and 7 girls - and from the moment they walked in, I could tell they were going to be a good group. They were polite and friendly, very outgoing, and very respectful. I was absolutely thrilled with their level of maturity. We accomplished every part of the lesson that I planned and I was able to recall all of their names without looking at the list by the end of class!
I’m also thrilled to have such a wonderful aide, Kris, who is a professional 3rd grade teacher. Her presence in the class is simply outstanding and I think the kids will perceive her as a co-catechist rather than an aide.
I know this is only one class but I can tell you that the difference between this year’s class and last year’s is like night and day. The chemistry just wasn’t there last year and that made it very hard to achieve any level of depth.
I look forward to the opportunity to walk with these kids this year on their spiritual journey and I thank the Lord for this privilege and responsibility.
Now…on to week 2!
Here’s a copy of the e-mail I sent to my catechist aide, Kris, outlining the “game plan” for our first session which takes place this evening:
Hi Kris,
Fasten your seatbelt..opening day is here!Here’s the plan for tomorrow:
- We’re in room 24
- I’ll be there by 6:40 itching to get into our room
- First one there (you or me) should pick up our bin and bring it to the room
- I’ll also pick up a CD player from the office
- I have seating arrangements (name tents) all worked out
- We’ll set up the room as soon as we can get it
- We’ll greet the kids as they enter and give them a small card on which they are to write down what gift they would put on their Christmas wish list
- You and I will introduce ourselves briefly
- you can fill in the attendance chart and put it in the holder outside of the room
- We’ll have them introduce themselves telling us their names, school, and sharing what they wrote on their card about the gift
- I’ll talk about how when we receive a great gift, we take good care of it.
- Since our faith is a gift, we need to take care of it…with that in mind, we’ll introduce the covenant
- We’ll have a prayer experience whereby they come forward one at a time, receive their book, sign the covenant, and bless themselves with holy water.
- Then, we’ll do the first page of chapter 1
- The biggest chunk of time will be having them read and work on the 2 main articles in the chapter and the Paired Interview…you and I will oversee this…just follow my lead.
- We’ll finish with a prayer that encourages them to share the gift of creation with others and we’ll have them trace their footprints on the prayer cloth If there’s room, otherwise, hands!) and sign their names
Lots to do on this first night! I’m looking foward to working with you and to meeting the kids. See you Monday evening! -joe
This coming Monday is my first session (I don’t like to use the word “class”) with my 8th graders this year. I have 7 boys and 7 girls! How nice!
Of course, this means that I’ll be spending a few hours this weekend planning my session.
There’s always so much to do on the first day. My goal will be to be welcoming and engaging, to focus on getting to know their names, to lay the foundation for a prayerful climate, and to establish some basic groundrules to ensure effective learning.
More than anything, I want the young people to know that I am dedicated to their spiritual well-being and that what we are about to embark on can be life-changing if they allow it to be so.
May the Holy Spirit guide and inspire me and all of us catechists to use our gifts in service of the Gospel!
In today’s world, the concept of “coaches” has really grown. Now, we not only have coaches for sports, but we have business coaches, relationship coaches, life coaches, and so on. (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, just Google life coaches and you’ll see what I mean)
I like to think of catechists as “faith coaches.” I used this term last night when I spent the evening with the 6th grade families at St. Julian Eymard in Elk Grove Village. The DRE made a plug for one more 6th grade catechist and she encouraged the dads who were present to consider serving as a catechist. As I began my presentation, I added a plug, telling the folks that I was an 8th grade catechist and making the following comment to the dads: “I think a lot of us guys are more comfortable volunteering for coaching positions. We feel confident coaching sports: baseball, football, basketball. Well, I like to think of catechists as “faith coaches!” We are training our young people to learn the art of living as disciples of Jesus. We are teaching skills and concepts for a way of life. So I encourage you to consider this invitation…these kids need you.”
I’m not sure what kind of response the DRE got but I know that a number of the parents and especially the dads appeared to be listening intently as I shared this comparison. Perhaps it was a new way of thinking about the concept of serving as a catechist that shifted the emphasis from nurturing to empowering.
The term coach originally was used solely to refer to a carriage: a buggy that carried people…a form of transport. In 18th century England, specifically at Oxford University, the word coarch came to be used as a slang term to refer to someone who “carried” students through exams. As catechists, we “carry” those we teach through the challenges of life which test one’s faith. Let us pray that we “carry” well!
I’m fulfilling my civic duty today: reporting for jury duty. I’ll be back tomorrow (unless I’m on some sequestered jury!)
Elton John had a song some years ago titled “Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word.” He’s right and this morning I learned the hard way.
While parallel parking this morning near the train station, the woman parked in front of me suddenly started waving her arms and yelling, while pointing at her bumper, “YOU HIT ME!!!” I’ve parallel parked thousands of times and I know when I “hit” someone. I told her I hadn’t bumped her car but she insisted all the louder and began pleading her case to passers-by. After a few minutes of verbal exchange (we both refrained from obscenities) I realized that I was in a no win situation and returned to my car. I also realized that, although I was confident I had not even tapped her car, perhaps I could have been mistaken.
So, I got back out of my car and said, “M’am, I apologize for tapping your car. I didn’t think I had, but I can see you’re upset and I’m sorry.”
She hesitated for a second and did her best to keep on being angry and accusatory and expressing how frustrating this was. I said, “I know, that’s why I’m offering a sincere apology…I’m sorry.”
She blustered for a moment but then realized that she had no recourse but to let go, especially with a few people standing around watching and listening. She never said she accepted my apology but stomped off to get on with her day.
I did not want to apologize. I still don’t think I even tapped her car. However, something told me that it was the only recourse. I found it very difficult to say the words “I’m sorry” because I felt as though I were the one being wrongly accused.
In the end, the situation was diffused and I was able to move on from the scene knowing that I had conducted myself properly. I can only pray that the woman, as she reflects on the experience, will be able to let go of her anger and accept my apology.
I can see myself sharing this story with my class someday when most appropriate. To say, “I’m sorry” is a very humbling experience. Yet, it is a powerful way of re-establishing relationship. I think that the more we can share our own real-life stories and struggles, the better equipped our learners will be to practice Gospel values.
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