The Catechist's Backpack


Book Description

Catechists spend their time guiding children and adults in deepening thei Catholic faith. But who's guiding the catechists on their spiritual journey? While there are many books about what catechists should know and what they should do, there is very little on the spirituality of being a catechist. This book gives catechists the resources that speak to the spiritual dimensions of their call to share the Catholic faith. --Book cover.




The Catechist's Toolbox


Book Description

Written specifically for any catechist who is new to the job or has never had any formal training, The Catechist's Toolbox features an invaluable collection of catechetical tips, techniques, methodologies, and advice. Throughout the book, master teacher Joe Paprocki shares the wisdom he has gleaned in two decades as a catechist, high school teacher, and religious educator. Employing the metaphor of a homeowner's toolbox, Paprocki explains how a new catechist is like a do-it-yourself builder who needs the right collection of tools to do the job; he then explains what the tools are, what they can do, and how to use them skillfully and effectively. Also available in Spanish! La caja de herramientas del catequista




Beyond the Catechist's Toolbox


Book Description

Joe Paprocki, best-selling author of The Catechist’s Toolbox, has written the first step-by-step book that demonstrates how you can teach a 75-minute catechetical session with practical techniques that expand upon the textbook to create a more prayerful and experiential climate in the classroom. While textbooks are an essential tool for catechists to present the teachings of the Catholic Church in a clear and accurate manner, Beyond the Catechist’s Toolbox gives you the framework to guide your students toward personal transformation. By using Catholic rituals, prayers, and the Liturgy of the Word, Paprocki provides suggestions on how to get catechesis to resemble Mass more than class. Reading a textbook can help children know about God, and Beyond the Catechist’s Toolbox helps them know God personally as they prayerfully become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ. Also available in Spanish! Más allá de la caja de herramientas del catequista




Handbook for Today's Catechist


Book Description

Everyone can teach the faithful about God's love, and "Handbook for Today's Catechist" examines basic principles for catechists and how parents are the first and most influential teachers of their children. This handbook helps provide answers and support for volunteer catechists, religion teachers, and parents when teaching their children about Catholicism. This wonderful resource explores many aspects of the role of catechist in a classroom setting, at home, and in the parish community. In an easy to understand format, this handbook provides an overview of the Bible, the life and teaching of Jesus (Christology), the mission of the Church in continuing Jesus' ministry, liturgy, and sacrament, and how to be a moral example to those we teach. An up-to-date guide for the catechist, this book looks at the challenge of catechizing children in the age of computers and electronics and how to identify good or misleading information on the Internet. "Handbook for Today's Catechist" offers guidance on speaking and living the faith and the necessity of sacramental spirituality, as well as suggestions to avoid burnout and some basic "dos & don'ts" associated with teaching the faith. This book is a must-have for everyone who has answered God's call to be a catechist. View sample pages. The material in this book is compliant with The Roman Missal, third edition, with the exception of page 56. To bring this book into compliance, we have revised and updated page 56. Click here for the revised page. "Paperback" Ginger Infantino's awareness and grasp of the multifaceted interconnections necessary for effective catechetical ministry are abundantly evident. As past Diocesan Director of the Office for Catechesis and Evangelization in the Diocese of San Diego, in her writings, in her workshop presentations, and most especially, in her person, she exudes wisdom, grace and depth of experience that confirms she is a woman of faith who is a true catechist. Whether you encounter her in person on in her writing, savor the sage counsel developed through a life time of prayer, faithful commitment to Jesus Christ and His Church and her large, loving family. Diana Dudoit Raiche NCEA Department of Religious Education Available for the Amazon Kindle:




Start with Jesus


Book Description

2019 Best Book Awards, Finalist: Religion—Christianity 2020 Catholic Press Association, 3rd Place: Future Church 2020 International Book Awards, Winner: Religion—Christianity Take a moment and ask yourself: does every activity in my parish point more deeply to Jesus? Julianne Stanz wants to help you and your parish community make sure the answer to this question is a resounding, "Yes!" Serving parishes in her diocese as the Director of New Evangelization, Stanz has recognized a practical and motivational way to restructure a parish's mission – start with Jesus. Start with Jesus is a book about people, process, and culture, rather than an emphasis on quick fixes or unsustainable efforts. She aims to help regular people be transformed from the inside out by growing in relationship with Jesus Christ through individual and group experiences, thus transforming our parish communities. Start with Jesus will be an essential resource for decision-makers and thought-leaders in parishes, but its true strength lies in its value for the countless Catholics longing for peace, healing, and hope in the context of our parish communities. It will be an inspiration to Catholics who come to Mass each week, parents trying to instill the faith in their children, leaders searching for an effective and sustainable approach to parish renewal, and to all who are curious about developing a relationship with Jesus. ​




Braving the Thin Places


Book Description

This guide for modern-day spiritual seekers draws wisdom from Celtic spiritual practices and leads readers through a pilgrimage of the soul to create space for grace.




Saint Mary's Press Glossary of Theological Terms


Book Description

Provides a simple and easy-to-understand definition of words. "Helped me understand the relevant issues in class." "The terms are relevant and it was nice to have a compact resource readily available." These are just a few of the outstanding comments from students who class-tested a prepublication version of Saint Mary's Press(R) Glossary of Theological Terms at schools such as The Catholic University of America, Marquette University, Seattle University, and Loyola Marymount University. This handy guide gives students the basic knowledge of Catholic theological terminology they need for further academic study and for a good, solid general understanding of the Catholic faith. This glossary is the ideal resource for college instructors faced with introducing undergraduate students to Roman Catholic theology--and a highly useful companion for students who find introductory theology and religious studies confusing and challenging--and it is the logical first step toward Catholic theological literacy. Here students get beginning definitions or working explanations that serve as the basis for helping them become involved in genuine theological dialogue, discussion, and discovery. The perfect supplement or companion for many different introductory theology and religious studies courses, the glossary is: comprehensive in its inclusion of terms concise in its definitions very user-friendly The entry for each term includes: a reference to the language origin an indication of the theological content a summary statement of the contemporary meaning An indispensable guide to the theological terms students will encounter as they begin--and continue--their studies, the Saint Mary's Press(R) Glossary of Theological Terms is today's answer to the pressing need for improving Catholic literacy in today's beginning theology students.




Becoming a Parish of Intentional Disciples


Book Description

"It is not the same thing to have known Jesus as not to have known him, not the same thing to walk with him as to walk blindly, not the same thing to hear his word as not to know it.... We know that with Jesus life becomes richer."-Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel In her first book, Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus, Sherry Weddell, cofounder of the Catherine of Siena Institute, captured the attention of Catholics across the globe as she uncovered the life-changing power that accompanies the conscious decision to follow Jesus as his disciple. Now, in the groundbreaking Becoming a Parish of Intentional Disciples, she has gathered together experienced leaders and collaborators whose exceptional field-tested wisdom and enthusiasm for transforming Catholic parishes into centers of discipleship and apostolic outreach is both inspiring and practical. The authors consider: The role of intercessory prayer in parish transformation How "fireside chats" can help a pastor connect with his parishioners and call them to personal discipleship and mission The co-responsibility of lay people andpastors in the work of making disciples The revolutionary impact of a discipleship approach to youth ministry How one parish successfully fostered a culture of intentional discipleship, and much more As Sherry asks in her own chapter, "Are we willing to answer the call and pay the price necessary to become a new generation of saints through which God can do extraordinary things in our time?"




A Well-Built Faith


Book Description

Nail down the facts, tear down the barriers! The Catechism of the Catholic Church is over nine hundred pages long, so it comes as no surprise that many Catholics think of their faith as complex—and certainly too complex to share with others! A Well-Built Faith—cleverly developed around a construction theme—makes it easy and flat-out fun for any Catholic to know what they believe and to feel confident in sharing those beliefs with others. The eighteen-chapter book—at times profound, at times humorous, always practical—follows the structure of the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Creed, Sacraments, Morality, and Prayer). Taking otherwise difficult topics about the Catholic faith and making them accessible and relevant to the lives of average Catholics, acclaimed author and teacher Joe Paprocki does so in a way that never compromises the rich depth of Catholic teaching and tradition. From the Trinity to the seven sacraments, from the Ten Commandments to the Lord's Prayer, A Well-Built Faith will help Catholics nail down the facts of the faith and tear down the barriers keeping them from sharing their beliefs with others.




Cultivating Your Catechists


Book Description

EFFECTIVE CATECHISTS don’t simply walk into a classroom and instinctively know what to do. To be successful, they require careful training and development. For that reason, recruiting high-quality candidates to the vocation of catechist, providing them with proper formation and training, and nurturing their vocation every step of the way is perhaps the highest priority for the successful catechetical leader. This fourth volume of The Effective Catechetical Leader series delves into the specific qualities and skills to look for when recruiting catechists; how to supervise, evaluate, support, and affirm your catechists; how to facilitate spiritual growth and transformation for the catechists in your care; and so much more. The Effective Catechetical Leaderseries, developed in conjunction with the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership and written by some of the top catechetical leaders in the country, is the only series to encompass all the various aspects of catechetical leadership. This series provides the practical skills, strategies, and approaches that ensure successful parish faith formation in an evangelizing manner, which leads directly to a vibrant Church. From best practices to new approaches for proclaiming God’s word in a rapidly changing world, this groundbreaking series will empower catechetical leaders to excel at everything from administrative duties to effectively catechizing people of all ages within our diverse Church.