Download - The Catechist’s Tool Box
The Catechist’s Tool Box
Getting Started with the Basics
Objective: Give you tools to creatively engage in catechesis
Understanding what it is What you need How you do it What resources you have
Guide: The Catechist’s Toolbox by Joe Paprocki, DMin
www.catechistsjourney.com
KatecheinThe Greek word “to echo” “to sound again”
Catechistfacilitates the process of faith formation, first by echoing the word of God in one’s lifesecond by helping others to do so
1. Knowledge of the faith.
2. Liturgy and the sacraments.
3. Moral formation in Jesus Christ.
4. Prayer.
5. Community and the Church.
6. Mission to the world and society.
Parents are the primary educators (CCC2223)
Job of the entire communitythrough liturgy, our parish life
Our responsibility from Baptism Bishop is the primary catechist We help him in his role
Not a job– but a vocation a calling from the Holy Spirit, conferred as a mission by the church. The Lord Jesus invites men and women, in a special way, to follow him, teacher and formator of disciples” (GDC 231)
A desire to grow in and share faith
Awareness of God’s grace & desire to respond to God’s grace
Commitment to the Church, especially the sacraments & teachings
Patience, responsibility, creativity Generosity, inclusion, hospitality
A basic understanding of Catholic teaching, Scripture, & Tradition
Honest, caring relationships with children
Effective teaching techniques, strategies
Ideal person– Jesus ChristNot perfect, but committed to
deepening faith and understanding of faith
Goal– to become formed in both the teachings of the church AND the techniques
Become a certified catechist
Look to your ‘vanilla’ sheetCertified Catechist– 90 hours Big ‘PUSH’ By Diocese and ParishToday + Curriculum Night = 5 hours
Top BoxUD Ministry Conference PromotionWhat counts?– back
What is your power source?
How do you recharge
your battery?
Time in awareness of God ‘Listening’ ‘Talking’ ‘Being With’ "a friendship with the One
who we know loves us." “a friendship,
a permanent relationship with Someone”. Your job– helping children know your
friend!
How’s your friendship?Ask God for help!Take your planning to adorationGive thanksRemember—
In case of a loss in cabin pressure the air masks will deploy.
If you are traveling with a child, please put your mask on first. Then help your child with the mask.
Is Not Is
-Frosting on the cake
-Bookends to open & close
-The ‘yeast’ that makes the dough of our lessons come to life
-The extension cord to plug into our source: God
-Part of the content and doctrine of our lessons
“Because catechesis seeks to lead persons and communities to deeper faith, it is oriented to prayer and worship.” National Directory for Catechesis, 34
Friendship skills– Acknowledging someoneSmilingConversationBeing with
Praying skillsLeading others into prayer is skill, tooUse your leading skill to help their
prayer skill
Key ideas Prayer space, Bible enthronement p.
58 Traditional prayers p. 59 Assign Roles Early, song p. 63 Silence, Sign of Cross, Invitation p.64 Ritual gesture (Holy Water, blessings)
shared prayer p.65 Leading others not easy, Be patient,
Don’t skip p. 69
Really read p. 57 -70 Focus on small steps
1. Preparing a prayer center2. Enthroning the Bible3. Taking traditional prayers to heart4. Silence (start in small increments)
Build children’s comfort level Never lead a prayer style that
you aren’t comfortable with.
Why?Designates this as specialFocus attention Come into awareness of God
How?We provide muchYou can personalize
prayer cloth and items from home
Reflect the lessons
Items
Prayer cloth
Ribbonsnames, key wordsfavorite Bible verses (pick from list)
Kids personalizeYou glueSew 3 seams across
Muslin base Iron transfer
we have someor provide your own
Fringe edgesWrite namesKids pick beadsYou tie on later
On special fabricwe have some use your own
Have kids pick buttons
we have some Grandma’s Bag @ Michael’s
Something Simple Muslim Transfer Signatures
Muslim squaresMarkers, etc.Glue or sew
Metallic Iron onCan add on
Iron on transferSignaturesMuslin squares
Planning NightPut Supplies OutBring your own IronsSewing MachineReturn what not usedFocus
It is your vocation. It can impact your faith life.The Holy Spirit can use you
to form others.
Lord Jesus, Word made flesh, thank you for inviting me to proclaim your Word to others. Thank you for filling my life with your Word. Help me to speak a language of faith that will help others to recognize you in their lives and deepen their relationship with you. May your Word echo within my heart and within the hearts of those that I teach. Amen
The Catechist’s Toolbox, p. 6