To register or for further information contact the course administrator, Sister Angela Ann Zukowski, MHSH, D. Min at angela.zukowski@notes.udayton.edu or call 937-229-3126.

About the 2008-2009 University of Dayton Catechist Formation Series

With the disciple in Luke's Gospel (11:1), we ask: Lord, teach us to pray." Despite our fallen and limited human nature, we hunger for intimacy with the One who calls us into being-and much to our joy, God tirelessly calls each one of us to that mysterious encounter known as prayer" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2567).

As Catholic Christians, our practices of prayer directly affect how we live our faith. In a life of prayer, virtue is increased; suffering is linked to Christ's passion, Resurrection, and our eternal salvation; and we grow to celebrate the divine in our human experience.

The 2008-2009 University of Dayton Catechist Formation Series explores the critical role of prayer in our Catholic faith. The series offers readers a clearer understanding of what prayer is; an appreciation for the rich tradition of prayer in the Catholic faith; explanations about forms of prayer; practical insights for prayer in catechesis; inspiration to pray through the life and prayer of great Catholics; and a treatment of the very prayer that Jesus himself gave us: The Our Father.

Prayer: Our Human Desire for God
Outline

September 2008: Prayer: Conversion and Communion
Jesus taught us how to pray-to direct our prayer passionately and intimately to God our Father. This launch" article for the series will explain prayer in the context of conversion" and communion," emphasizing humility (CCC, n. 2559), and discussing prayer as a covenant relationship between God and man in Christ" (CCC, n. 2564).

As a Catechist: The Catechist's Amen: Emphasize the importance of prayer in the life and mission of the catechist-ending with just exactly what the word amen means.

October 2008: Our Catholic Tradition of Prayer
God eternally calls us to prayer. This article will explore prayer in salvation history, from Adam and Eve; to Abraham and Sarah; to Moses, David, the prophets, and the Psalms; to Jesus, Mary, and the Apostles. It will treat the teachings of Jesus on prayer, Jesus at prayer, and our own prayer to Jesus. It might also comment on Mary's prayer, fiat" being Christina prayer-to be wholly God's because he is wholly ours" (see CCC, n. 2617-2619).

As a Catechist: Classroom Prayer: List the essentials of praying with students (i.e., atmosphere, location, focus/theme, trust).

November/December 2008: Forms of Prayer
The Church's prayer is formed by the Spirit, founded on the faith of the Apostles, grounded in charity, and fed by the Eucharist. This article will describe the prayer of personal and communal blessing, adoration, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, and praise, with an emphasis on the prayer of the Eucharistic assembly.

As a Catechist: Those Pesky Distractions: List difficulties (i.e., worries; feeling not heard; not enough time) and antidotes (perhaps something like the power of a mantra).

January 2009: Prayer in Catechesis
The Christian family is the first place of education in prayer" (CCC, n. 2685). This article will begin with an emphasis on the importance of prayer in the daily life of the catechist. It will explain ways to teach prayer through human experience (faith sharing and personal reflection), memorization, and the habit of prayer in the family-with awareness to the diverse and multigenerational nature of family. (Also, reference CCC, n. 2688: The catechesis of children with regard to prayer.)

As a Catechist: Do We Teach Prayer or Prayers-or Both or Neither? Take this question literally and present a concrete response.

February 2009: A Witness of Prayer
The witnesses who have preceded us into the kingdom, especially those whom the Church recognizes as saints, share in the living tradition of prayer by the example of their lives" (CCC, n. 2683). This article will give readers a glimpse of the prayer of great pray-ers" of today's Church (not necessarily recognized and/or canonized saints) whose very lives were prayer. The following selection is offered ONLY as an example of how the article might be developed:

Thea Bowman: The Prayer of Unity

Teresa of Calcutta: The Prayer of Compassion

John Paul II: The Prayer of Our Lady

Thomas Merton: The Prayer of Contemplation

Joan Donovan: The Prayer of Courage

Dorothy Day: The Prayer of Justice

As a Catechist: Without Ceasing? Really?: Briefly explore what Paul means when he says Pray without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17).

March 2009: Prayer of the Whole People of God: Liturgy of the Hours
In the Liturgy of the Hours, the entire day, every day, is recognized and celebrated as holy. This article will explain the Liturgy of the Hours as the public prayer of the Church" (CCC, n. 1174), emphasizing it as an extension of the Eucharist (CCC, n. 1178). This article-within the body of the article or in a sidebar-will explain lectio divina.

As a Catechist: A Prayer for All Seasons: List the liturgical seasons and briefly name an appropriate prayer focus (adoration, thanksgiving, penitential, etc.).

April/May 2009: The Lord's Prayer: The Prayer of All Christians
Both Luke (11:2-4) and Matthew (6:9-13) give versions of the Our Father. This article will focus on Matthew's text, which is the primary text that the Church has preserved in its liturgical tradition. It will explain why the Our Father is considered the most perfect of prayers" (Aquinas, CCC, n. 2763) and how it is the summary of the whole gospel" (Tertullian, CCC, n. 2774).

As a Catechist: Revealing Me, Revealing God: Explain the statement at CCC, n. 2783: The Lord's Prayer reveals us to ourselves at the same time that it reveals the Father to us."