What Place for Parents in Religious Education?
Joanne McPortland, no stranger to religious education, writes here about “What’s Wrong with Religious Education? Everything.” I don’t agree with all her assertions, but she circles in on a point I’ve been meaning to address: Where are the parents? I love teaching the Catholic faith, and I’ll teach anyone, anytime, anywhere. I’ve spent a lot […]
Seeking a Relationship
In Melanie Bettinelli's new posting series Seeking Curriculum for First Communion Preparation and Religious Education? she addresses (what I believe) to be the ultimate problem in our Catholic religious education programs: "I don’t think books are … [Read More...]
What the Olympics Can Teach You About Evangelization
I'm not a big sports fan. But I love to watch the Olympics. Even the obscure sports are so much fun. I mean, who normally gets excited about curling? But even with the more popular sports like figure skating--I don't normally sit up on a … [Read More...]
Lenten Warm-up for Catechists & Other Christians
Last summer I wrote a short column here that you might think of as "A Faith Formation Examination of Conscience." In it we surveyed the four ways of loving God mentioned in the Great Commandment, and looked at how each might make its appearance in … [Read More...]
Not the Fist, the Fingers
This article is at best indirectly catechetical. I post it to encourage catechists not to be limited by the existing Religious Ed system in which they find themselves. This book may graciously remind us that substantial catechesis-evangelization is … [Read More...]
Mass Explained App Review
I was recently contacted by Dan Gonzalez and asked to check out his new iPad app, Mass Explained. As someone who loves both the Church and technology, I was so happy he did! I have gone through a dozen or more "apps" in the last couple of years … [Read More...]
Marriage Only Has Meaning if It’s a Lifelong Commitment
Adriana Cohen at the Boston Herald surveys all the heartbreak in the world, and proposes that marriage licenses be issued for ten years, renewable. This is my reply. Prayers for a blessed Valentine's Day, Adriana. Dear Adriana, This past … [Read More...]
Preparing For Intimacy
Since it's almost Valentine's Day, I wanted to re-post this article I wrote last year: “And so I take (my wife) not for any lustful motive, but I do it in singleness of heart. Be kind enough to...bring us to old age together.” Tobit 8:7 “..Now, … [Read More...]
Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius
hinge Each year in Wednesday Night Sunday School we spend a few minutes on the fun parts of Isaiah 22. I play the role of King Hezekiah and two volunteers play Shebna and Eliakim. When we get to Matthew 16 a couple of months later, we recall Isaiah … [Read More...]
