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