Feb 24
by Cullen Schippe
Choosing catechetical materials need not be an onerous process. It is a process that goes on every year in parishes across the land. In the choice of a new series or new sacramental preparation programs, a lot of the work has been done for you already.
You'll find all the resources you need plus specific, simple criteria that will help you make a wise choice of catechetical material.
Continue reading "The Art of Selecting Catechetical Materials" »
Feb 16
Kindergartners Learn Each
Is a “Child of God”
Dorothy DiGiovannantonio
Each child in Dorothy DiGiovannantonio’s
kindergarten class can look forward to
his or her own week to be recognized
as a “Child of God.” Because Dorothy
wants to be sure the children know
they are each special and unique in
the eyes of God, every child gets an
opportunity during the year to be
highlighted in this way.
Continue reading "Idea of the Month: February" »
Feb 15
by Judith Costello, OCDS, MA
Before leaving church after Mass, very few people stop to pray before the tabernacle, that special dwelling place for Jesus.
I wondered if our young students could lead the way to a church-wide change so that the tabernacle would become a focus for us. We began by creating personal “tabernacles” with special paper hosts to place inside. The children are also placing prayer requests inside their tabernacles.Preparing Our Hearts
The tabernacle is a wonderful symbol for students preparing to receive the Eucharist. Mary is referred to as the first tabernacle for Jesus. She carried Jesus inside her pure body for nine months.
Continue reading "A Dwelling Place for Jesus" »
Feb 14
Reading: Genesis 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10 Mark 8:14-21
Drawing Near: I caution my disciples in today’s Gospel to watch out and guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod. What is the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod in your life?
To view the entire Gospel reading, click here.
Feb 12
by Jerry McGrane
In eight years of teaching a Sacraments course, I have struggled with teaching the Eucharist. How can I capture such an immense part of our faith and still have time to cover anything else? How can I keep students engaged?
I finally developed a strategy that concisely presents a broad picture of the Eucharist and allows students to “grab on” to the aspects of Eucharist that resonate most with them.
Continue reading "Teaching the Eucharist" »
Feb 10
by Cullen Schippe
Memories are the breadcrumbs that mark a trail through life. Sights, smells, sounds, and feelings can conjure up memories and bring the past into sharp focus.
Memory is an art. People who are artists of memory are able to enjoy the good times and learn from the bad times. Armed with their memories, they are alive for the present and hope for the future.Nostalgia, on the other hand, turns the fine art of remembering into the false sense that the past was always better than the present and that the future is the enemy.
Continue reading "Bits of Wisdom: Artists of Memory" »
Feb 09
Reading: Genesis 2:18-25 Mark 7:24-30
Drawing Near: In today’s Gospel, a Greek woman, “a Syrophoenician by birth,” begs me to drive a demon from her daughter. What do you learn about faith in me from my response to the woman in today’s Gospel?
Feast: The Memorial of St. Scholastica, virgin
To view the entire Gospel reading, click here.
Feb 06
Help your learners appreciate the deep and abiding joy of Ordinary Time by celebrating the season with some of the same symbols and glad tidings with which we celebrate Christmas.
Decorate an Ordinary Time tree. Write Ordinary Time words to the tune of a well-known Christmas carol and sing it with great joy. Send Ordinary Time greeting cards and give Ordinary Time gifts. Plan and Ordinary Time party. Brainstorm about what Ordinary Time decorations would look like and how everyone can share their Catholic faith in the ordinary things they do every day.
