Archive for the 'Joys and Frustrations' Category
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!!!
Many people, including myself, see great parallels between athletics and the spiritual life. To me, the greatest parallel is that both require discipline. The biggest difference, however, is that, while in athletics, one needs discipline in order to achieve something, in the spiritual life, one needs discipline in order to receive something! Of course, we do not earn or achieve grace as if striving to earn or achieve a gold medal. On the other hand, we can most certainly discipline ourselves in order to become more receptive to the grace and salvation that God is offering to us. Without discipline, we run the risk of allowing obstacles to God’s grace to enter into our lives.
By the time many of us begin teaching religious education classes this Fall, the summer Olympics will already be a “distant” memory. However, we can draw upon the enduring images that come out of the Olympics to inspire our young people to put forth their best efforts to seek the prize that is offered to each of us - salvation in Jesus Christ.
“I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.” -Eric Liddell, Chariots of Fire
“You came to see a race today. To see someone win. It happened to be me. But I want you to do more than just watch a race. I want you to take part in it. I want to compare faith to running in a race. It’s hard. It requires concentration of will, energy of soul. You experience elation when the winner breaks the tape - especially if you’ve got a bet on it. But how long does that last? You go home. Maybe you’re dinner’s burnt. Maybe you haven’t got a job. So who am I to say, “Believe, have faith,” in the face of life’s realities? I would like to give you something more permanent, but I can only point the way. I have no formula for winning the race. Everyone runs in her own way, or his own way. And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end? From within. Jesus said, “Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you. If with all your hearts, you truly seek me, you shall ever surely find me.” If you commit yourself to the love of Christ, then that is how you run a straight race.” -Eric Liddell, Chariots of Fire
Yesterday, I had the wonderful opportunity to enjoy a family reunion with nearly 50 relatives, many of whom I hadn’t seen in years. We picnicked and shared memories, telling stories from back in the day. I came away with a very deep sense of knowing that my life is taking place within the context of a very loving family and for this I am deeply grateful. I know that so many of those we teach do not have this happy experience to draw from. Let’s pray that we, as catechists, can make them feel at home and help them to experience a loving “family” within their own parish faith community.
I’m the tall dorky guy standing, 3rd from the right in the back row! 
One of the biggest frustrations that catechists have is the fact that so many of our students are not attending Mass (because their parents are not attending). Here is a helpful resource I recently came across titled, “8 Reasons to Bring Your Child Regularly to Mass.” It is in a parent “magazine” called “Together: Preparing at Home for First Eucharist” ((written by Tom McGrath) that is a part of the God’s Gift: Eucharist program (Loyola Press).
8-reasons-to-bring-your-child-to-mass-regularly
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!
Lots of stories in the sports pages today about Brett Favre getting the “itch” to return to football after announcing originally that he planned to retire.
Around this time of the summer, I get the “itch” for the religious education year to begin! Being off (from teaching) for May and June and having a wonderful vacation in Marco Island, Florida, works wonders for restoring one’s energy. Don’t get me wrong…I still look forward to having July and August off from teaching. However, the “itch” is a general urge to be “in the game” again. I look forward to growing as a catechist in the coming year and trying new things. Of course, I’ll talk about those experiences here and I hope to hear from you about your experiences as well.
I hope you are enjoying your summer. Anyone want to offer some advice for summer reading especially for catechists?
It’s vacation time for me, my friends! Time to allow the brain to lie fallow. That means no posting for a couple of weeks. I’ll post again right after the Fourth of July weekend (July 7 to be exact). I hope you enjoy the start of summer and I’ll see you back here in a few weeks. Peace. -joe
Lots of Catholics are talking about the controversy over Fr. Michael Pfleger’s politically and racially charged talk last week at Trinity United Church. Unfortunately, lots of knee-jerk reactions are happening. I have met Fr. Pfleger on a number of occasions over the years and have great respect for the way he has taken the Gospel to the streets. On the other hand, I also have many reservations about his tactics. It’s important for us as Catholics to turn to our teachings for guidance in forming our opinions in this matter. In this particular case, I think it is imperative that we explore the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit (especially since the community of Saint Sabina, Fr. Mike’s parish, takes pride in being “dependent upon the Word of God and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit”), the Virtues, and the concept of prophecy.
The power and presence of the Holy Spirit is beyond our ability to control or harness. Jesus told us that the “wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8). Too many people have interpreted this passage as describing a Spirit-filled person rather than the power of the Spirit himself (no gender implied). Being Spirit-filled does not grant one license to do or say as one please. Too often, people jump to the conclusion that, to be a Spirit-filled person, means that you can do or say whatever you want and that the “rules” do not apply. It’s not that simple. For example, on the one hand, a Spirit-filled person must rely on the Gift of fortitude to challenge conventional thinking. By the same token, however, he or she also must rely on the Gift of Counsel which provides him or her with the ability to see the best way to follow God’s plan when we have choices to make. Fr. Pfleger has always been known for his fortitude which is admirable. In this most recent situation, however, I dare say that Fr. Pfleger lacked counsel. His mockery of Hilary Clinton is clearly not the best way to follow God’s plan as we make choices in this election.
A Spirit-filled person exemplifies the Fruits of the Holy Spirit as well. One of these traits is faithfulness which describes the conviction that one has in respect to the Gospel. At the same time, Spirit-filled people exemplify the fruit of self-control, i.e. the act of allowing God’s love to overcome our compulsive need for security, affection, esteem, power, and status. Fr. Pfleger is to be admired for his faithfulness to the Gospel…his convictions are deep and strong. Unfortunately, in this latest instance, he lacked self-control, allowing his need for affirmation from a congregation to cloud his thinking and to block God’s love from coming through. Not to mention the lack of the following Fruits of the Spirit in his talk: charity, kindness, and gentleness.
Finally, we can turn to the Virtues for guidance. The Virtues are attitudes or ways of acting that enable us to do good. In particular, we can look at the cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. A Spirit-filled person no doubt is called to practice these virtues. Fr. Pfleger is well-known for his commitment to justice and the fortitude that he draws upon in the face of injustice. In this latest episode, it would seem quite clear, however, that he lacked prudence (the ability to carefully and thoughtfully consider one’s actions) and temperance (self-control, restraint in both actions and speech).
I have no doubt that Fr. Pfleger is Spirit-filled. This does not mean, however, that he is free to do and say as he pleases when it comes to preaching the Gospel. Quite the contrary, the Spirit frees us to speak the truth but also makes us prisoners of Christ which means that we are bound to think and act in ways that are pleasing to Christ.
Finally, I don’t know where we have gotten this notion that a person who is seen as prophetic is incapable of speaking untruth. I believe that we have less to fear with the concept of papal infallibilty than we do with what seems to be this popular acceptance of “prophetic infallibility.” People defend Rev. Wright and Fr. Pfleger by saying that they are prophetic, as though somehow they are immune to preaching erroneously. A prophet is someone who is called to speak the truth of God and to communicate God’s will in order that people may be led back to the Covenant that God made with humankind. Just because a person’s “career” has been characterized by prophetic work and words does not excuse or justify momentary lapses of judgment. Fr. Pfleger laments the fact that his reputation to many in this country will now be based on a short YouTube snippet rather than on his years of prophetic acting and speaking. This is indeed unfortunate but it does not exonerate a serious lapse in judgment. My wife and I continuously remind our kids (now college age and beyond) that all it takes is one slip up - one momentary lapse of judgement - such as getting behind the wheel after a few drinks, to damage all the good you’ve done up to that point. The fact is, preaching and living the Gospel is like cultivating a garden. You cannot hope to nurture a small patch of weeds off in the corner that (you hope) few will see. (I borrowed that idea from Stephen Covey’s book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People)
Fr. Pfleger has offered an apology which is the appropriate action and that apology should be accepted. He must now work to show his contrition and that may involve humbly accepting the consequences that are handed to him by Cardinal George.
I just want to take this opportunity to offer congratulations to all of this year’s graduates that catechist’s are involved with in any way! From students we teach in Kindergarten, 8th grade, senior year high school and college to members of our own families who are graduating to all of the catechists who are completing formation programs and achieving certification by their dioceses! Praise God for these accomplishments and for the grace that enabled(s) all of us to achieve them!
