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

 Katechein The Greek word “to echo” “to sound again”  Catechist facilitates the process of faith formation, first by echoing the word of God in one’s life second 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 community through 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 Christ  Not 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’ sheet  Certified Catechist– 90 hours  Big ‘PUSH’  By Diocese and Parish  Today + Curriculum Night = 5 hours Top Box  UD Ministry Conference Promotion  What 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 adoration  Give thanks  Remember— 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 someone Smiling Conversation Being with  Praying skills  Leading others into prayer is skill, too  Use 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  Focus on small steps 1. Preparing a prayer center 2. Enthroning the Bible 3. Taking traditional prayers to heart 4. 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 special Focus attention Come into awareness of God  How? We provide much You can personalize prayer cloth and items from home Reflect the lessons

 Items  Prayer cloth

 Ribbons names, key words favorite Bible verses (pick from list)  Kids personalize  You glue  Sew 3 seams across

 Muslin base  Iron transfer we have some or provide your own  Fringe edges  Write names  Kids pick beads  You tie on later

 On special fabric we have some use your own  Have kids pick buttons we have some Grandma’s Michael’s

 Something Simple  Muslim  Transfer  Signatures

 Muslim squares  Markers, etc.  Glue or sew

 Metallic Iron on  Can add on

 Iron on transfer  Signatures  Muslin squares

 Planning Night  Put Supplies Out  Bring your own  Irons  Sewing Machine  Return what not used  Focus

 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