1. This PowerPoint is a self-directed experience of the first session of Into the Fields To begin, click on “Slide Show” tab and then “View Show”. Simply hit the enter key to continue after each section or slide

2. To Begin Read Sunday’s Gospel (found at www.usscb.org) www.usscb.org Look up the Question of the Week (found at www.intothefields.org)www.intothefields.org Consider the Question of the Week – what is your response? Share your response with a spiritual advisor, spouse, friend, pastor or other person.

3. Play the first song on the CD: Beyond the Moon and Stars Turn to page 2 in your book. Read and reflect as directed in the book until page 5

4. Turn to page 6 Read the instructions regarding the colloquy. It may help your focus if you play the song again as you write – or play some other reflective music. Take as long as you like to complete the prayer.

5. Growing Faith Project The Growing Faith Booklet covers Articles 26 – 49 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Spend some time reading and doing the reflections as found in the booklet.

6. Growing Faith Booklet #1 What does your heart desire? key points : We are religious beings by nature. We are made to live in communion with God. Being with God is the only way to find happiness. When we listen to the message of creation and to the voice of conscience, we can arrive at certainty about the existence of God

7. Where have you been? What has struck you so far in this session? Think about the song, the reflections and the material from the catechism. What resonates in you? Sit with that and when ready, move to the next slide

8. Tools for Teaching – The Call to Be a Catechist or Teacher The goal of The Call to Be a Catechist or Teacher is to help deepen your understanding of your calling, which means knowing and following Christ and leading others to him. Objectives: To better understand the nature of catechesis To emphasize and teach that discipleship is the outcome you seek in catechesis To take the catechumenate as a model for fuller initiation into the life of Christ and the Church Skill: Sacrifice yourself as a catechist or teacher, working selflessly for your learners.

9. The Christian faith is, above all, conversion to Jesus Christ. GDC 53

10. Importance of This Session How does a person experience a vocation or calling to be a teacher, catechist, youth minister or catechumenate team member?

11. Read pages 8 – 13 of your book When finished, continue with the following slides.

12. What is Catechesis? Create a list of characteristics from the Gospels that resemble the attitude of Jesus and leads us to understand what self-sacrifice is like. Carrying one’s cross: Washing feet EXAMPLE:

13. Discipleship Go back over your last project. For each item on your list, suggest ways that you might use to grow in your own live and live this attitude of Jesus more fully Make them doable and practical. EXAMPLE Carrying one’s cross: Prayer to accept the daily giving required for my ministry Being more aware of the needs of those around me

14. The Catechumenate as Inspiration for Catechetical Ministry The catechumenate is an ancient practice of the church that has been restored in modern times at Vatican II When we speak of it being the model and basis for everything we do in catechesis we mean that each of us is always “becoming a new Christian” – always being “initiated” into the faith anew. Each time we receive Eucharist, we experience a “new beginning.”

15. Jot some notes about these questions? How do your learners and you, yourself, experience new beginnings? How does the church aid in this? What new beginnings are needed now? What concrete steps can you take to create a learning environment that does this?

16. Summary and Close Ask yourself: “What did I see and hear in this session? What did I learn that I can use in my ministry session?” Replay the song and read your colloquy from page 6 Complete your Personal Plan for Growth in My Catechetical Ministry form