The Catechist’s Tool Box
Getting Started
with the Basics
Objective: Give you tools to creatively engage
in catechesis
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Understanding what it is
What you need
How you do it
What resources you have
Guide: The Catechist’s Toolbox by Joe Paprocki, DMin
www.catechistsjourney.com
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Katechein
The Greek word “to echo” “to sound again”
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Catechist
facilitates the process of faith formation,
first by echoing the word of God in one’s life
second by helping others to do so
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1. Knowledge of the faith.
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2. Liturgy and the sacraments.
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3. Moral formation in Jesus Christ.
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4. Prayer.
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5. Community and the Church.
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6. Mission to the world and society.
Parents are the primary educators (CCC2223)
Job of the entire community
through liturgy, our parish life
 Our responsibility from Baptism
 Bishop is the primary catechist
 We help him in his role
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Not a job– but a vocation
a calling from the Holy Spirit, conferred as a mission
by the church. The Lord Jesus invites men and women,
in a special way, to follow him, teacher and formator
of disciples” (GDC 231)
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A desire to grow in and share faith
Awareness of God’s grace &
desire to respond to God’s grace
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Commitment to the Church,
especially the sacraments & teachings
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Patience, responsibility, creativity
Generosity, inclusion, hospitality
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A basic understanding of
Catholic teaching, Scripture, & Tradition
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Honest, caring relationships with children
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Effective teaching techniques, strategies
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Ideal person– Jesus Christ
Not perfect, but committed to deepening
faith and understanding of faith
Goal– to become formed in both the
teachings of the church AND the techniques
Become a certified catechist
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Look to your ‘vanilla’ sheet
Certified Catechist– 90 hours
Big ‘PUSH’
By Diocese and Parish
Today + Curriculum Night = 5 hours
Top Box
UD Ministry Conference Promotion
What counts?– back
What is your
power source?
How do you
recharge your
battery?
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Time in awareness of God
‘Listening’
‘Talking’
‘Being With’
"a friendship with the One
who we know loves us."
“a friendship,
a permanent relationship with Someone”.
Your job– helping children know your friend!
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How’s your friendship?
Ask God for help!
Take your planning to adoration
Give thanks
Remember—
In case of a loss in cabin pressure the air masks will deploy.
If you are traveling with a child,
please put your mask on first.
Then help your child with the mask.
Is Not
Is
-The ‘yeast’ that makes the
dough of our lessons come
to life
-Frosting on the cake
-Bookends to open & close
-The extension cord to plug
into our source: God
-Part of the content and
doctrine of our lessons
“Because catechesis seeks to lead persons and communities to deeper faith, it is
oriented to prayer and worship.”
National Directory for Catechesis, 34
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Friendship skills–
Acknowledging someone
Smiling
Conversation
Being with
Praying skills
Leading others into prayer is skill, too
Use your leading skill to help their prayer skill
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Key ideas
Prayer space, Bible enthronement p. 58
Traditional prayers p. 59
Assign Roles Early, song p. 63
Silence, Sign of Cross, Invitation p.64
Ritual gesture (Holy Water, blessings)
shared prayer p.65
Leading others not easy, Be patient,
Don’t skip p. 69
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Really read p. 57 -70
Focus on small steps
1. Preparing a prayer center
2. Enthroning the Bible
3. Taking traditional prayers to heart
4. Silence (start in small increments)
Build children’s comfort level
Never lead a prayer style that
you aren’t comfortable with.
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Why?
Designates this as special
Focus attention
Come into awareness of God
How?
We provide much
You can personalize
prayer cloth and items from home
Reflect the lessons
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Items
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Prayer cloth
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Ribbons
names, key words
favorite Bible verses
(pick from list)
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Kids personalize
You glue
Sew 3 seams across
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Muslin base
Iron transfer
we have some
or provide your own
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Fringe edges
Write names
Kids pick beads
You tie on later
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On special fabric
we have some
use your own
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Have kids pick
buttons
we have some
Grandma’s Bag
@ Michael’s
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Something Simple
Muslim
Transfer
Signatures
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Muslim squares
Markers, etc.
Glue or sew
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Metallic Iron on
Can add on
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Iron on transfer
Signatures
Muslin squares
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Planning Night
Put Supplies Out
Bring your own
Irons
Sewing Machine
Return what not used
Focus
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It is your vocation.
It can impact your faith life.
The Holy Spirit can use you
to form others.
Lord Jesus, Word made flesh, thank you for inviting me to proclaim your
Word to others. Thank you for filling my life with your Word. Help me to
speak a language of faith that will help others to recognize you in their lives
and deepen their relationship with you. May your Word echo within my
heart and within the hearts of those that I teach. Amen
The Catechist’s Toolbox, p. 6