Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1-7, 11-13
Luke 6:27-38

Drawing Near: Today’s Gospel is especially
challenging: Love your enemies. Who is your
enemy? Let my grace help you love that person
today and always.

Feast: The Memorial of St. Peter Claver, priest

To view the entire Gospel reading, click here.

Reading: Micah 5:1-4 Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

Drawing Near: In today’s Gospel, you hear
of my genealogy and of Joseph’s faithful
response to God’s plan for him in salvation
history. Let Joseph and my mother, Mary, be
your patrons always.

Feast: The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

To view the entire Gospel reading, click here.

Five winners were randomly chosen from the 775 entrants who answered all five questions correctly to receive a set of 4 reproducible activity books from Pflaum Publishing Group.

August Catholic IQ Winners
Tracy Clark, Franklin, TN
Luke Swantek, Arlington, VA
Geraldine Schwatrz, Pottsville PA
Toni Colombo, San Diego, CA
Barbara Richter, Madisonville, TX

Click on 'Continue Reading' below to see the answers to the August questions.

Watch for a new What's Your Catholic IQ? contest in October!

Continue reading "And the winners of the August Catholic IQ contest are ..."

by Tom Quinlan

As a catechist, you are important to the life of the Church and the fulfillment of its mission to evangelize. In the name of Jesus, you catechize in order to “put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ."* Here are ways to be an effective, evangelizing catechist.
Continue reading "Be an Evangelizing Catechist!"

by Victoria Giulianelli

Our parish's Faith Formation Open House for grades K- 5 was a big success. We chose as our theme: “We are on a mission to change one heart at a time.” This theme clearly states the focus of our ministry: The heart of the child is at the center of the catechetical process. This article explains how we applied the theme to create a memorable experience for the children and their parents and catechists.


Continue reading "How to Create a Successful Parent Open House"

by Lee Danesco

You can direct pre-class enthusiasm into the faith-sharing experience of the day through activity. Here are some creative ways to move from chatter to lesson using prayer, art, or word games.

As young people arrive for the week’s faith-sharing session, you can tell from the pleasant hum in the room that the group is in a good mood. You’re feeling upbeat yourself and looking forward to the day’s lesson. But as you continue to listen to the group’s cheerful chatter, you become concerned about how to begin in a way that won’t throw a wet blanket over this spirited group of young people and the lesson you have planned.

Continue reading "From Chatter to Lesson: Getting Class Started"

by Jeanne Heiberg

The beginning of the school year is a good time to remind ourselves and our students of the importance of listening well -- really paying attention to what others are saying. Help your students to understand the gift of listening with this fun puppet-making activity, skit, and listening prayer.



Continue reading "Let's Begin with the Gift of Listening"

by Jeanne Heiberg

As catechists, teachers, and parents, we
know the power of words to motivate,
engage, and affirm children, to help them
celebrate their gifts, to let them know they
are loved even when they try our patience.
The start of the school year is a good time
to remember this. You can help students
realize the power of words and learn how to use that power for their own good and the good of others with this Wonderful-Words Poster activity and accompanying prayer service.

Continue reading "Healing Words for the School Year"

by Daniel Abben

As a novice catechist, I was unsure how to respond to the behavior issues that arose during classes.

After serving as a catechist for a few years,
I realized that each group of children has its
own “personality.” I also realized that there
are a few basic principles that can be used
for every group. When I follow these six
principles, there are fewer instances
of unacceptable behavior.
Continue reading "6 Principles for Managing Successful Faith Formation Sessions"

by Dan Thomas

There is a real value in getting a sense of what
your students have comprehended and retained
from previous years so that you know what to
emphasize in the new learning year. You might
also have students who are new to your program.
You'll want to have a sense of what their faith
formation has involved in recent years.

Here are several ways of exploring what your
students know.

Continue reading "Quick and Easy Start-of-the-Year-Review Ideas"

by Joe Paprocki

Every catechist, no matter what curriculum
he or she is using, could easily integrate a
number of small but significant elements from
the liturgy into every catechetical session.
Here are 10 simple suggestions.
Continue reading "10 Ways To Make Your Lessons More Liturgical"

by Jeanne Heiberg

As long as you have 8-1/2” x 11” copy paper, you have the makings of fun and easy crafts you can use with your students to reinforce your lessons.

Make greeting cards for any occasion
Fold a sheet of paper in half, top to bottom. Then fold in half again, left to right. Hold with folds to the left or at the top; this is the “front” of the card. Design or decorate the front and open the card to write a greeting inside. Add more designs or decorations. You might even want to write on the back of the card “This card especially designed for you by …” and sign your name.

Continue reading "Copy Paper Crafts for Kids"

by Michael J. Daley

Connecting objects from a classroom with
our faith may seem odd at first but it becomes
quite natural in the end. This is because as
Catholics, we have a way of seeing the world.
We have a sacramental imagination that finds
God in all kinds of ordinary people, places,
and things.
Continue reading "Classroom Invitations to Ponder Our Faith"

The Prize Box
Tina Klare

Congratulations to Tina Klare of Crescent Springs, KY, on being chosen as the August Idea of the Month winner! Tina won $100 for sharing how she uses the Prize Box as a way to hold her students' attention and encourage retention of the day's lesson.

Continue reading "Idea of the Month: August"

by Janet Schaeffler, OP

Our ministry as catechists and catechetical
leaders is in partnership with others—with
many others, since the passing on of our faith
is the responsibility of the entire community.
Primary to our partnership are the parents of
the young members of our faith communities.
Here are 12 ways to involve parents in your
parish program.

Continue reading "12 Ways to Partner with Parents"