Reading: 1 Kings 3:4-13 Mark 6:30-34Drawing Near: In today’s Gospel, I call my disciples to come and rest awhile. As a catechist, you are my disciple. Come. Rest with me awhile.
To view the complete Gospel reading, click here.
Feb 04
Daily Scripture Reflection: Saturday, Feb. 4
Reading: 1 Kings 3:4-13 Mark 6:30-34Drawing Near: In today’s Gospel, I call my disciples to come and rest awhile. As a catechist, you are my disciple. Come. Rest with me awhile.
To view the complete Gospel reading, click here.
Jan 23
Idea of the Month: January
Finding Secret Valentine Messages in the Bibleby Patricia Banner
Are you looking for a fun project for Valentine’s Day? Invite children to make valentine puzzles with secret messages from the Bible.
Catechist Patricia Banner uses these valentine puzzles to teach children how to find passages in the Bible. And here’s how she does it.
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Dec 30
Idea of the Month: December
Traveling Vocation Tote Bags
by Donna Stachulski
Vocation Tote Bags are the invention of DRE Donna Stachulski and are intended to increase vocation awareness at St. Linus Parish in Dearborn Heights, MI. Eight Vocation Tote Bags travel throughout the year to families of the children in the religious education program at St. Linus.
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Dec 09
St. Juan Diego Wooden-Spoon Puppets
by Sr. Vivian Giulianelli, S.A.Make these charming wooden-spoon puppets with your students. The objective of this activity is to learn about Our Lady of Guadalupe (whose feast day is December 12) and St. Juan Diego (whose feast day is December 9) and to have students retell the story with their puppets. Continue reading "St. Juan Diego Wooden-Spoon Puppets" »
Nov 21
Idea of the Month: November
Prepare Your Hearts—An Advent Prayer Service*by Sister Jenada Fanetti, SDS
In this prayer service, Jeremiah, Ruth, and John the Baptist come to life and share their stories to urge children to prepare for Jesus’ coming by finding everyday ways to follow him.
Sister Jenada Fanetti, SDS, pastoral care minister for St. Isidore Congregation in Mount Calvary, WI, has written scripts for each of these biblical figures. She wants children to see that God continues to send prophets to prepare the way for the Savior. Sister Jenada has played the roles of all of the biblical figures. But you may wish to ask adult leaders or older students to take the parts of Jeremiah, Ruth, and John the Baptist.
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Nov 17
The Empty Manger
Empty and Welcoming Heartsby Jeanne Heiberg
The empty manger is a strong symbol of the longing
of the human heart for something noble and great.
The empty manger represents simple and humble
hearts that are ready to welcome Jesus when he
comes. To help your students experience Advent as
a time of longing for Jesus and preparing for his
coming, have them make mangers to keep on your
classroom prayer table or to put in their family
creche at home. If you have a class creche, put
the students’ mangers in and around it. Continue reading "The Empty Manger" »
Nov 15
Bits O' Wisdom: A Woman Clothed in the Sun
by Cullen SchippeWhat is so darn fascinating about royalty? For a democratic people, we seem to have an inordinate love of all things royal. I am not talking about just kings and queens, princes and dukes. I include our passion for celebrity. We enjoy peeking into the homes and lifestyles of the rich and famous. Magazines that let us ogle the private lives of celebrated people fly off the shelves. Just about everyone has a few “star sightings” to share—at the drop of a hat.
In the liturgical year, forming a bridge between the Sundays in Ordinary Time and the Advent and Christmas Seasons are feasts that actually focus our attention on royalty. One is the Feast of Christ the King and another is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe—Queen of Heaven and Patron of the Americas.
Continue reading "Bits O' Wisdom: A Woman Clothed in the Sun" »
Nov 08
Start with Prayer!
by Eric RuszalaNo part of any curriculum is more important than prayer. If I teach my students everything there is to know about the Catholic faith but have not taught them to be aware of God, to go to God, to talk to God, and to listen to God, I have failed as a catechist.
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Nov 02
10 Techniques for Teaching the Bible
by Kate RistowThe fifth graders were called forth from the pews after the homily. As catechists called names, the children went to the pastor and received a Bible. When each child had a copy of the Sacred Scriptures, the pastor invited the children to face the assembly. He asked several questions about how they would treat God’s Word. He then encouraged the assembly to extend our hands and join him in blessing the Bibles and the children.
As the children returned quietly to their places, I couldn’t help but think, “What will happen to these Bibles now? How will catechists help the kids ‘get into’ the Scriptures?”
Here are some strategies for working with the Bible in your classroom and enabling your students to recognize God’s Word as a lifelong resource for growing in faith.
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Oct 24
Saintly Stewardship
by Kathy CarlisleEach year, our students participate in a stewardship drive to identify ways they can commit their time, treasures, and talents to the parish and broader community. We added a new element of faith to this topic by incorporating the saints.
Associating Saints
I present one lesson on the lives of saints who are often paired together, such as Joachim and Anne, Perpetua and Felicity, and Peter and Paul. I offer basic information about each saint and explain the virtues that each one demonstrated in his or her life of service and faithful living. If time permits, I have students spend a few weeks
researching these saints.
Continue reading "Saintly Stewardship" »
