Archive for the 'Growing as a Catechist' Category
This past Monday evening was our first catechist meeting of the year and it came off very well. It was nice to see the other catechists on the 8th grade team as well as some of the other catechists from other grade levels that I’ve met over the years.
The highlight of the meeting, however, was the pastor’s comments at the very beginning. He issued a challenge to all of us catechists saying that each of us, when planning our lessons, should ask the question: “how will the children/young people encounter Christ in this session?” He placed such a great emphasis on the importance of a real encounter with the Lord that I think he made a profound impression on all of the catechists.
I think this is so critical for us to remember. At times, we can get caught up in thinking, “in this session, I’m going to be sure that the kids learn the precepts of the Church” or some other doctrinal formulae. There’s nothing wrong with that, unless, that is, we are teaching them those precepts without helping them to encounter Christ. Therein lies the challenge - and a critical and most worthwhile challenge indeed!
Kudos to the pastor!
Tonight is our first catechist meeting of the year - an opportunity to “report for duty” and to get the scoop on what this year holds in store for us. Yes, we’ll get our class lists tonight so I can see how many kids I have (our DRE is very good at keeping class size no larger than 15) as well as their family information and special needs, if any. I’ll also find out what room I’m assigned to and who my aid will be. The pastor is usually there to say a few words of inspiration, guidance, and affirmation as well as appreciation. The DRE always puts together a nice prayer service to set the tone and to place our ministry within a context of prayer. I look forward to tonight’s meeting and I’ll post on it tomorrow.
Best wishes to fellow catechists who also have their first catechist meeting this week!
Albert Einstein once offered the following as a definition for insanity: “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Too often, in catechesis, we fall into this trap.
I was recently speaking with a junior high catechist who was lamenting the fact that last year, her kids were so quiet (not shy but recalcitrant) that it was painful to teach them. They refused to speak, save for one student. I was talking to her about trying to use a variety of cooperative learning techniques and she felt very hesitant to do so thinking that such activities wouldn’t work a with a class like last year’s. Her solution seemed to be to do more of the same…read and discuss (or at least try to discuss).
As a result, we often find very sane people (catechists) experiencing insanity!
The catechist I was speaking with is quite sane! She is very sharp and very dedicated to her ministry. Unfortunately, she, like many of us, are hesitant to think outside the box when it comes to catechetical methodolgies. My question is, would you rather continue trying to “pull teeth” by leading discussions with kids who don’t want to be there (thus putting ALL of the pressure on yourself) or re-direct the focus so that greater expectations are placed on the kids to “perform?” Junior high kids need to take on more responsibility in their learning. They need to be more actively involved. So what do we mean by cooperative learning (I prefer to call it “active learning”)? Here’s an example:
- If you’re going to be reading a chapter in the text book (or a section of a chapter), read it over ahead of time, and select a number of key terms and/or key people that you want the kids to focus on.
- Take some small index cards and write these key terms/people on them.
- Try to come up with enough cards so that each child has at least one, possibly two or three.
- Mix them up and distribute them randomly.
- Use a poster board to create a Reading Summary Board or Chart. For example, if the chapter is about the Seven Sacraments, the poster can be arranged in such a way that the names of the sacraments and their signs, symbols, and related gestures are to be listed. These would be the terms listed on the index cards.
- As you read the chapter aloud with your class, have the students call “TIME OUT!” whenever they recognize a term that is on one of their cards.
- If a young person fails to call “TIME OUT!” when one of their key words is read, require them to stand up until the next “TIME OUT!” is called.
- When they call “TIME OUT!” they can then come forward and, using a glue stick, afix the card on the Reading Summary Board in the space you’ve designated.
- This simply allows you to turn the reading of the textbook into a more active-learning activity that involves visuals and manipulatives.
- When you’re done reading the chapter, you now have a visual summary to review with the class.
Here’s another idea called “Paired Interviews”
- If you have a rather large chunk of text to cover in your textbook, divide the class into 2 groups and have group 1 read (independently) a part of the text and group 2 read (independently) the other part of the text. Put a time limit on the reading of the text (always give less time then is really needed to create a sense of urgency).
- Then, pair up students, one from each group, and have them take turns interviewing one another about what they read. Have the interviews ask questions such as:
- Explain what the main idea of your text was in a few sentences
- What is one quote (sentence) from your text that you would put on a poster to inspire a group?
- What are some specific things your text helped you to learn or realize about the Catholic faith?
- Based on your text, name some specific things we, as Catholics, need to know, do, or believe in order to live as followers of Jesus
These questions can be written on the board or you can create an interview sheet. You can also adjust the questions to fit your grade level. Again, set a time limit for each interview: 3-5 minutes for each interview (6 to 10 minutes total). Each student should record the answers to the interview questions that their partner provides. As all this is going on, walk about, keeping students on task and announcing how much time they have.
When they are finished interviewing, call on some students to report on what their partner learned from the text they read. Take notes on the board about important concepts they touch on. Then, fill in the cracks, so to speak, about anything they missed and elaborate on key concepts.
The result is that the material is covered but the spotlight is on the students who do most of the work allowing you to facilitate.
LET’S STOP THE INSANITY!!!
I’ll be meeting tonight with 30-40 catechists in Munster, Indiana, to help them get to know the new textbook series they’ve adopted (Christ Our Life, 2009). Becoming familiar with a new textbook and the catechist manual is a crucial step in your planning and preparation process. If you are using a textbook/catechist manual for the first time this year, here are a few pointers that may be helpful:
- Read through the children’s book first…get to know its content, its flow, its “flavor,” and its various components.
- read through the introductory material in your catechist manual. In general, publishers do a very nice job of providing a thorough overview of the program and its components as a type of orientation.
- Pick a chapter…any chapter…and go through the catechist manual and the children’s book to get a feel for a lesson and the catechetical process being used. Look at the catechist notes and suggestions in the manual and determine how you can best utilize them.
- Get a feel for time constraints. Many catechetical textbooks provide more material than can be covered in an hour session. Why? Because some programs have much longer time frames and some books are designed to be used either by RE or by a Catholic school (which means that the school teacher needs enough material for 4-5 sessions per week). You can’t do it all. Determine what you CAN do and commit to doing a very good job of it. Better to do a few things very well than a lot of things poorly.
- Most catechist manuals provide a profile of the age group you are teaching. Look it over to gather insights into your students’ age group.
- Look for those parts of the catechist manual that provide catechist background. A good catechist manual should first speak to you as an adult and help you to better embrace your faith and THEN show you how to communicate it to the age group you are teaching.
- Begin writing notes in the margin or use post-its to add your own thoughts and ideas to lessons in the catechist manual.
- Look through the catechist manual and children’s book to locate additional resources that you can turn to if you finish a lesson and still have time left or if you just want to embellish a lesson. Look for things like a glossary, seasonal lessons, special features on saints, and a reference section featuring Catholic beliefs, practices, and prayers that are suitable for the age you are teaching.
- Check to see if the catechist manual comes with Blackline Masters and determine how you can best utilize these.
- Working with your catechetical leader, plan a schedule/syllabus for the year.
- Focus on finding the BIG IDEAS that are being taught in each lesson. We sometimes strive to teach so many things that the kids come away remembering little. Focus on a few BIG IDEAS and hammer them home throughout your lessons. A good way to do this is to look for LEARNING OUTCOMES in the catechist preparation pages of your catechist manual.
- Look to see how prayer is handled in the children’s book and catechist manual. Be sure to plan how you will incorporate prayer into your lessons.
Finally, visit your publisher’s Web site to find more help. Talk to your catechetical leader or another catechist if you are having some difficulty getting comfortable with the textbook and/or the manual…often another person can show you the “key” to a particular program’s logic.
Other suggestions?
The other day, I offered some quotes and reflective questions on the Church’s catechetical documents. I thought it might be good to follow-up with a little annotated bibliography of sorts, describing just what these various documents are about. In the weeks before many religious education prorgrams begin, you may want to read one or several of these documents (the shorter ones of course…if you wanted to read the Catechism, the General Directory for Catechesis or the National Directory for Catechesis before the program year begins, you should have started reading long ago!).
|
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)
A catechism is a written summary of the church’s understanding of God’s word as revealed through Scripture and Tradition. In a sense, a catechism is the what of our beliefs as Catholics. For many centuries, it was customary for children to “learn their catechism.” This was often done using a question-and-answer format known as the Baltimore Catechism. Today, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992) is the official source for Catholic teaching, intended as the principle resource for bishops and catechetical ministers.
4 “Pillars”: Creed, Sacraments, Morality, Prayer
For the average adult Catholic, the bishops of the United States have provided the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2005—a synopsis of the Catholic faith in a question-and-answer format reminiscent of the Baltimore Catechism, but for adults) and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults (2006—an adaptation of the CCC with stories, teachings, sidebars
|
|
The General Directory for Catechesis (GDC)
Catechesis is the process of transmitting the Gospel. To help us understand this process, the church has given us the General Directory for Catechesis (1997) This document helps us to understand the how of catechesis. The GDC provides religious educators, teachers, and catechists with a single point of reference for all aspects of catechetical instruction. (“replaced” the 1971 GCD)
|
|
The National Directory for Catechesis (NDC)
The NDC (2005) is an adaptation of the GDC for the church in the United States. (“replaced” the 1979 NCD, “Sharing the Light of Faith”)
|
|
Catechesi Tradendae (On Catechesis in Our Time) – (CT)
Catechesi Tradendae (1979), Pope John Paul II’s first apostolic exhortation was on catechesis or religious instruction. It followed on the fourth general assembly of the Synod of Bishops held in October, 1977, which Pope John Paul attended before his election. The exhortation emphasizes the “Christocentricity” of all catechesis and the need for lifelong catechesis. This document laid the groundwork for subsequent catechetical documents, especially the GDC.
|
|
Evangelii Nuntiandi (On Evangelization in the Modern World) – (EN)
Evangelii Nuntiandi (1975) is an Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Paul VI on the 10th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council focusing on making the Church better fitted for proclaiming the Gospel to the people. It is considered by many to be the “Magna Carta” on Catholic Evangelization.
|
|
Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us (A Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the United States) – (OHWB)
OHWB (1999) is the basic plan for evangelization in the United States, centered on 3 goals:
· Invite and Enable Ongoing Conversion to Jesus in Holiness of Life.
· Promote and Support Active Membership in the Christian Community.
· Call and Prepare Adults to Act as Disciples in Mission to the World.
|
|
Go and Make Disciples (A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States) – (GMD)
Renewal of the Catholic Church in the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) brought intense focus on Jesus’ command to “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) as a duty of the Church and its members “so that people can believe and be saved,” wrote Pope Paul VI in 1975. In 1992, the U.S. bishops responded with a national plan for Catholic evangelization to help Catholics to live their faith enthusiastically, share it freely, and bring gospel values to everyday life.
|
|
Guidelines for Doctrinally Sound Catechetical Materials (GDSCM)
In this 1990 document, the U.S. bishops provide guidelines for producing catechetical materials that are consistent with church teachings.
|
|
Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry (RV)
Issued by the U.S. bishops in 1998, this document provides all who minister to young people with an effective blueprint for building a truly meaningful ministry. This document builds on a 1976 document (A Vision of Youth Ministry) by emphasizing personal discipleship, evangelization, and leadership.
|
|
Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions
In this 1998 document, the U.S. bishops identify 7 key themes or principles of Catholic social teaching: life and dignity of the human person; Call to family, community, and participation; Rights and responsibilities; Option for the poor and vulnerable; The dignity of work and the rights of workers; Solidarity; and Care for God’s creation.
|
|
To Teach as Jesus Did
Issued in 1972, this was the first pastoral letter of the U.S. bishops devoted to the concern of Catholic education, using the language emerging out of the Second Vatican Council.
|
|
Vatican II: The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents
The Second Vatican Council, which took place from 1962-1965, produced sixteen documents which are compiled in this book without commentary or additional documentation. Of those documents, the following are key for the catechetical ministry:
· The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum concilium), December 4, 1963 - Basic document for understanding liturgy, a blueprint for ongoing liturgical reform in the Church
· Declaration on Christian Education (Gravissimum educationis), October 28, 1965 - Basic document on Catholic Schools
· Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Dei verbum), November 18, 1965 - Basic document on the Catholic interpretation of scripture
· Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People (Apostolicam actuositatem), November 18, 1965 - Basic document on the ministry of lay people in the Church
· Decree on the Church’s Missionary Activity (Ad gentes divinitus), December 7, 1965 - Basic document for understanding the scope of the Church’s missionary activity
|
|
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
In 1988, the restored initiation process was promulgated in the United States in The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. This is a liturgical rite marking the deepening conversion of adults being led to baptism – a process that includes catechesis over 4 stages: inquiry (pre-catechumenate); the catechumenate; the period of purification and enlightenment (Lent); and mystagogia.
|
Whether you are a beginning catechist or a returning catechist, it is good to be familiar with the Church’s documentary tradition when it comes to catechesis. Over the years, the Church has provided us with numerous resources to guide and inspire the ministry of catechesis. Here are just a few of what I consider to be some of the most inspiring lines from these documents (this list is not intended to be definitive…if there are excerpts from documents that you’d like to share, by all means, please send them along!). As you prepare for the upcoming year, use these excerpts (and the questions I’ve provided) to reflect on your call to serve the ministry of catechesis.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
“The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for.” (#27)
· How is God drawing you to himself?
· In your own search for truth and happiness, what paths brought you closer to God? What paths steered you in the wrong direction?
· What messages from society/our culture are leading those you teach down the wrong path as they search for truth and happiness?
The General Directory for Catechesis
“This comprehensive formation includes more than instruction: it is an apprenticeship of the entire Christian life…” (#67)
· Who apprenticed you into the Christian life? How did he/she/they do this?
· How can you apprentice those you teach into the Christian life?
· What does it mean to you to think of your teaching as more than instruction but as an apprenticeship?
The National Directory for Catechesis
“Catechesis must make it clear that the person of Jesus Christ offers a realistic alternative to immediate gratification and the satisfaction of personal needs.” (#4C)
· How can/do you invite those you teach to encounter the person of Jesus, not just the idea of or memory of Jesus?
· What factors in society/culture encourage the concepts of immediate gratification and the satisfaction of personal needs?
· How can/do you present Jesus as an alternative to these?
Catechesi Tradendae (On Catechesis in Our Time)
“The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch, but also in communion and intimacy, with Jesus Christ.” (#5)
· What in your life fosters communion and intimacy with Jesus Christ?
· What can you offer to those you teach to put them in communion and intimacy with Jesus Christ?
· What factors foster communion and intimacy in human relationships? How can these be applied to our relationship with Jesus Christ?
Evangelii Nuntiandi (On Evangelization in the Modern World)
“Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists in order to evangelize, that is to say, in order to preach and teach…” (#15)
· How do you understand the word evangelize? What does it mean to evangelize? How is catechesis related to evangelization?
· If evangelization (preaching and teaching) is the Church’s deepest identity, what does that say about the importance of your role as a catechist?
· As a catechist, how can/do you evangelize those you teach?
Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us (A Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the United States)
“We are entering a period of new vitality for the Church, a period in which adult Catholic laity will play a pivotal leadership role in fulfilling the Christian mission of evangelizing and transforming society. For adults to fulfill their roles in this new era of the Church, their faith formation must be lifelong, just as they must continue to learn to keep up in the changing world.” (#29)
· How is your role as a catechist helping/challenging you to keep up with a changing world?
· How is your role as a catechist contributing to your own lifelong formation?
· How can you encourage those you teach to see that faith formation is a lifelong task?
Go and Make Disciples (A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States)
“This is crucial: we must be converted—and we must continue to be converted! We must let the Holy Spirit change our lives! We must respond to Jesus Christ. And we must be open to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit who will continue to convert us as we follow Christ. If our faith is alive, it will be aroused again and again as we mature as disciples.” (#14)
· How are you experiencing conversion at this time in your life?
· How does serving as a catechist foster your own conversion?
· How do you call those you teach to change their lives?
Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions
“Central to our identity as Catholics is that we are called to be leaven for transforming the world, agents for bringing about a kingdom of love and justice.”
· In what ways do you see yourself a being a “leaven for transforming the world?”
· How can you call those you teach to become agents for bringing about a kingdom of love and justice?
· What does it mean to say that working for justice is central to our identity as Catholics? What implications does this have for you ministry as a catechist?
Guidelines for Doctrinally Sound Catechetical Materials
“Effective catechesis…requires that the Church’s teaching be presented correctly and in its entirety, and it is equally important to present it in ways that are attractive, appealing, and understandable by the individuals and communities to whom it is directed.” (II – Guidelines for Presenting Sound Doctrine)
· What are you doing to ensure that you are presenting the Church’s teaching correctly?
· How can/do you make the Church’s teaching attractive? Appealing? Understandable?
· Considering the age level you teach, what is needed to make the Church’s teaching attractive, appealing, and understandable?
Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry
“Renewing the Vision takes up the Holy Father’s challenge by focusing the Church’s ministry with adolescents on three essential goals: (1) empowering young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today; (2) drawing young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the faith community; and (3) fostering the personal and spiritual growth of each young person.”
· How can/do you empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today?
· How can/do you draw young people to responsible participation in the parish community?
· How can/do you foster personal and spiritual growth of those you teach?
Thanks to the folks at Good News Daily for providing the following positive review of my new book, A Well-Built Faith!
| New Book Helps Catholics Nail Down the Facts of Their Faith |
|
CHICAGO, (Christian Newswire) - The Catechism of the Catholic Church is over nine hundred pages long, so it comes as no surprise that many Catholics think of their faith as complex–and certainly too complex to share with others! In A Well-Built Faith: A Catholic’s Guide to Knowing and Sharing What We Believe (Loyola Press, 156 pp, $9.95, 0-8294-2757-0), best-selling author Joe Paprocki makes it easy and flat-out fun for any Catholic to know what they believe and to feel confident in sharing those beliefs with others.
This highly practical book is developed around a construction theme, making it accessible to all readers. Following the structure of the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Joe takes otherwise difficult topics about the Catholic faith and makes them relevant to the lives of average Catholics without compromising the rich depth of Catholic teaching and tradition.
“Can you imagine your pastor asking you to represent him at a meeting of non-Catholics who wanted to learn more about the Catholic faith?” asks Paprocki. “I’ve asked this question to numerous groups of Catholics, especially catechists, and the number of people who feel they would have the right tools to represent the Catholic faith properly is extremely low.”
A Well-Built Faith serves a broad audience of individuals who want to deepen their own knowledge of the Catholic faith. It can be used effectively with RCIA candidates, catechists, parents, adult faith- formation groups, pastoral council members, and anyone else who is eager to learn more about their faith.
|
To be a catechist is to have a vocation - a call from God. This means that if you are contemplating becoming a catechist, you need to involved God in the decision-making. We call this discernment. Here are a few tips I’ve written on the practice of discernment:
Many choices we face in life are very complex. How do we know what God wants us to do? What is God’s will for us? This is where discernment comes into play. Discernment refers to the process of aligning ourselves with God’s will in order to learn what God is calling us to. Discernment is needed in, not only immediate decisions (do I say something to my best friend about his drinking?), but also in decisions about the overall direction of our lives (do I want to accept this promotion even though it means relocating?). In both cases, the decisions we make have everything to do with God and the kind of person God is calling us to be. Every choice we make, no matter how small, is an opportunity to align ourselves with God’s will. Here are some tried-and-true pointers that can help you discern God’s will.
Take some alone time with God.
Take some to recognize God’s presence—sit with Scripture or a sacred image; spend some time getting in touch with nature; find a quiet spot, such as a chapel, that can help you recognize God’s loving presence in your life.
Search your feelings.
Ask yourself two important questions: When do I feel as though I’m drawing closer to God or walking with God? When do I feel like I am moving away from God? Your responses can help you figure out where you stand with God and help you make good decisions about the direction you are going.
Beware of temptation.
Knowing your temptations helps you be more careful so you don’t get caught off guard. Sometimes it is helpful to talk to someone you trust and ask for help in facing temptations.
Be conscious of your conscience.
Your conscience is that inner compass that helps you to judge the morality of your actions. It guides you to follow God’s law by doing good and avoiding evil.
Get help from the “network.”
You’re not alone. In addition to the grace of God, we have the Bible, the Church, and the Communion of Saints to help us. We can read stories about the ways that Jesus and the saints made decisions for God and how they dealt with temptations.
Check out the fruits.
Discernment is ongoing. After you make a decision, prayerfully evaluate it. If the fruits (outcomes) of your decision—your words, actions, and behaviors—are good, then it is a good indication that the decision you made is good. If the fruits are “rotten,” then that is a good indication that you may need to alter your course. True discernment results in good fruit (even if it’s something we wouldn’t normally pick out for ourselves).
Discernment can help you when you face decisions. Even though making good decisions can be difficult at times, trust that the Holy Spirit is with you to guide you and help you choose what is good and true.
What an amazing world we live in that a catechist in North America (me) can somehow connect with a potential catechist in Australia, some 10,000 miles away! I received the following comment from a prospective catechist in Australia after she viewed my catechist recruitment video.
Joe,
Viewed your video clip as I am considering the call to become a catechist in my Parish in New South Wales Australia.As you would be aware we have just had the Final Mass with Pope Benedict XVI and this past week WYD08 had been amazing. The young Catholics have been so excited ,refreshing and so committed to their faith. I think this will be an inspiration for many to connect with their faith again and also for others to grow in theirs. Thankyou for your insight. - Jillian
Thanks, Jillian. You will be in my prayers, hoping that you will join the worldwide “army” of catechists!
Have you marked your calendar for Catechetical Sunday? It officially takes place September 21, 2008. Of course, check with your parish DRE…some parishes celebrate on a different date because of conflicts in their local calendar (it’s not a liturgical feast, so parishes can celebrate it whenever they want).
Be sure to check out http://www.usccbpublishing.org/client/client_pages/catsun.cfm
