About William O'Leary

I've been sharing the faith since I was in high school and I have been a catechist in one form or another since 1991. I received my BA and MA in Theology from Franciscan University. I have a passion for passing on the Catholic Faith. I am currently the Director of Religious Formation for a parish of approximately 2800 parishioners. Catechist Formation is a joy and passion of mine because I love the opportunity to share with others what I know and what I've learned. I pray that together we catechize the next generation of students so they may come to know and love Jesus Christ and His Church more and more! Check out my blog @ http://catechesisinthethirdmillennium.wordpress.com.

Got Lent On My Mind

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Lent will be here before you know it!  It feels like we just finished Advent.  I’ve been wondering what I can do to grow as a catechist but even more importantly as a disciple of Jesus this Lent.  I recently heard it said that we don’t have a crises of priesthood today, but a crises of discipleship.  The more people that are growing to as faith-filled disciples of Christ the more holy our world will be.  The world longs for holy witnesses.

Since Lent is around the corner it’s worth taking some time to consider how you might grow in your relationship with God this year.  Lent is often seen as a time to “give up” something, but too often it doesn’t make a lasting impact beyond the 40 days of Lent that we had hoped for. It is something like saying, I’m going to diet for 40 days and then gain all the weight back after those 40 days.  How can this year be different?

Here are a few things to consider as we approach Lent:

1) Nothing is more important to the happiness we long for than growth in our spiritual lives.  What can you do during Lent this year to grow in your spiritual life?  Some ideas are to pray 15 minutes a day, go to Mass one more day other than Sunday, keep the radio off in the car and pray instead, be positive toward everyone instead of complain, etc.

2) Focus on a virtue each week (consider the cardinal (moral) virtues of Temperance, Fortitude, Justice, and Prudence or a theological virtue: Faith, Hope and Love.  Growth in virtue is key to growing in our prayer life and relationship with Christ.

3) Less is more… take the attitude of eating less, watching less TV, being on the internet less often.  In their place help out more at home, be more attentive to the needs of others, spend more time with family and friends and/or pray more.

 

These are just a few preliminary considerations as we prepare for the upcoming Lenten Season.  Being an amazing catechist depends on our own personal spiritual growth.  It’s not easy in our busy world and it can be very challenging, but I promise it’s worth it!  May Christ be with each of you!!!!

 

 

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Forgiveness Day – First Reconciliation Preparation

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Each year at our parish we have an annual day of reflection for our 2nd graders preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  We call it “Forgiveness Day”.  It is from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM.  Students rotated through 8 different stations each focusing about an aspect of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Here is a little bit about each station:

1) Priest Station – one of our priests talks with the students about the Sacrament of Reconciliation, shows them one of the “Reconciliation Rooms” or Confessionals and answers any questions the kids have.

2) Game Station – A station where there is a board game that students play answering various questions about the Sacrament.

3) Snack Station – A snack is served and kids do a word search related to reconciliation.

4)Movie Station – A brief video about Reconciliation and discuss some of the details from the video with the students.

5) The Quiz Station – Students are posed various questions that they are asked to answer.

6) The Story Station – A story is read about forgiveness and then discussed with the kids.

7) The Heart Station – Students decorate a heart, cut out of felt, which has their name on it. This is then put on a large banner and put in our gathering space for Reconciliation.

8) Activity Station – Students played a “hands on” interactive game with a reconciliation theme.

The parents who help out share with us how much they enjoyed the experience.  We also find even parents who did not help out share with us how much their child enjoyed it and how they talked about the experience the rest of the weekend.  Forgiveness Day is a great way to prepare students and help them feel comfortable about making their First Reconciliation.

Does your parish do any kind of retreat for the 2nd graders preparing for their First Reconciliation?  I’d love to hear what you do!

 

This was originally posted on my blog: catechesisinthethirdmillennium.wordpress.com

 

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Offering Gifts throughout 2012

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The Feast of the Epiphany is a great reminder of the gifts we are called to offer Christ. Pope John Paul II in preparation for World Youth Day in 2005 wrote:

The gifts that the Magi offered the Messiah symbolized true worship. With gold, they emphasized His Royal Godhead; with incense, they acknowledged Him as the priest of the New Covenant; by offering Him myrrh, they celebrated the prophet who would shed His own blood to reconcile humanity with the Father.

My dear young people, you too offer to the Lord the gold of your lives, namely, your freedom to follow Him out of love, responding faithfully to His call; let the incense of your fervent prayer rise up to him, in praise of His glory; offer Him your myrrh, that is your affection of total gratitude to Him, true Man, who loved us to the point of dying as a criminal on Golgotha.

 

I recently gave a reflection to students about how we can offer our gifts of Gold, Fankincense and Myrrh.  It made me think also of how we can offer these kinds of gifts to Jesus throughout the year.  Consider offering Jesus the Gold of your life (your talents and gifts) this year.  Offer Him the Frankincense of a life devoted to prayer.  Turn off your electronics and take a little more time each day this year to be in relationship with Jesus.  And, finally, Myrrh- we can offer Him our little sacrifices that help us to die to ourselves so we can model His death on the cross.

I pray that your 2012 is filled with many blessings and graces for you, your ministry and your family!  The Feast of Epiphany is a great way to reflect on how we can live this whole year by giving ourselves to Christ and our neighbor.

 

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The Pope’s 3 Wishes for Christmas

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I love that Pope Benedict XVI revealed what he wants for Christmas.  I’m not surprised that they are not material but spiritual things/wishes he desires.  They are worth reflecting on for a few moments:

1. ”My first wish, therefore, is that our gaze, that of our minds and our hearts, not rest only on the horizon of this world, on its material things, but that in some way, like this tree that tends upward, it be directed toward God. God never forgets us but He also asks that we don’t forget Him.”

2. “My second wish is that we recall that we also need a light to illumine the path of our lives and to give us hope, especially in this time in which we feel so greatly the weight of difficulties, of problems, of suffering, and it seems that we are enshrouded in a veil of darkness. But what light can truly illuminate our hearts and give us a firm and sure hope? It is the Child whom we contemplate on Christmas, in a poor and humble manger, because He is the Lord who draws near to each of us and asks that we receive Him anew in our lives, asks us to want Him, to trust in Him, to feel His presence, that He is accompanying us, sustaining us, and helping us.”

3. “This great tree is formed of many lights. My final wish is that each of us contribute something of that light to the spheres in which we live: our families, our jobs, our neighborhoods, towns, and cities.”

 

Source: Zenit.org

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Be Illuminated By His Coming

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A couple of years ago Pope Benedict XVI shared in a general audience before Christmas something that continues to come back to me in Advent:
“In the night of the world, let us still allow ourselves to be surprised and illuminated by this coming, by the Star which, rising in the East, has inundated the universe with joy.  Let us purify our minds and our lives from everything that contrasts with this coming – thoughts, words, attitudes and actions – spurring ourselves on to do good and to help bring peace and justice to our world for all men and women, and thus to walk towards the Lord”.
Catechesis for Today:
~ The Advent and Christmas season will come and go but being illuminated and lead by Christ must be a constant goal for followers of Christ.  In our catechesis may we always seek to bring that wonder and joy that helps illuminate the riches of our Catholic Faith.
~ This image of purifying our minds and our lives from everything that contrasts with His coming is key for every Christian disciple.  May we spiritually seek to do this not only as we welcome into our hearts the Savior at the remembrance of His birth, but know that he will come again and we must be purified and ready!  There will be great spiritual benefit assisting those we catechize understand this.
~ Bringing peace and justice into the world for most of us is on the grassroots level – in our homes, work places, and our interactions with those in our community.  We bring not just peace from war but peace that is from God drawing others closer to Christ and His law of love.  Justice needs to be worked for and for most of us, seeking to love as Christ loves, seeking to serve as He would serve, seeking to treat others with respect, gratitude and joy is what will help us live justly.
“In the Night of the World…Be surprised and illuminated by his coming!”

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Advent Ponderings

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Here is a great quote I found that I think is great as journey through Advent.

Have you slipped? Rise up.

Have you sinned? Cease.

Do not stand among sinners, but leap aside.

For when you turn away and weep, then you will be saved.

–Saint Basil

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Give Thanks

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A song I remember when in college went:

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give Thanks because He has given
Jesus Christ His son [2]

And now let the weak say I am strong
Let the poor say I am rich
Because of what the Lord
Has done for us. [2]

Give Thanks.

As we approach Thanksgiving in less than a week let us consider the many blessings that surround us.

We have so much to thank God for and thank those we love. As catechists helping our students “give thanks” in their lives is so important in a world that is thankless and has little time to consider God’s blessings. After all, God is at the root of all our blessings.

3 Ways to Give Thanks

1) Have your students make a Blessings Poster that expresses all the things they can be thankful for.

2) Cease the opportunity over Thanksgiving dinner for everyone to share 3 things they are thankful for.

3) Encourage your students to pray a Litany of Thanksgiving with their families over the holiday weekend (and beyond).

 

As we approach Thanksgiving 2011 let us give thanks with a grateful heart!

 

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Initiating Into Christ

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Recently I had a great conversation with Fr. Erbin Fernandez, a priest in the Diocese of Singapore who has had a great impact on the catechetical renewal going on in his diocese.  It sounds very exciting!  I really like the way Fr. Erbin has outlined a method of passing on the faith.  I had the opportunity to share it at my catechist in-service last night.  It goes like so (also see chart below):

We want to approach passing on the faith with a lens that goes deeper than what we find in a typical school classroom environment.   Our goal is initiating others into Christ.  We have to make our meeting spaces more than a “classroom” and draw those we catechize into prayer.  Having a prayer space is very important.  It helps cultivate a distinct environment in a classroom or meeting room.  The prayer space or sacred space should not merely be off to the side but should be more central and at the center of where you as a catechist are presenting and gathering your students.  Next we see in a typical classroom teaching situation students have a “teacher”.  When initiating into Christ, the catechist is more than a teacher but a “steward” of the mysteries of faith.  In addition, in a typical school setting you have “students”.  In Catechesis we want to initiate “seekers”.  Cultivating an environment where those you are passing the faith onto are seeking more and wanting to grow in faith is essential to truly drawing them into a relationship with Christ and His Church.  Next, we see that imparting “knowledge” to others is important but not sufficient in a faith environment – “faith” must be fostered and renewed.  The books that are used in classes to help students in a regular school know that subject are a good tool but the most important of books is the Bible.  The Bible is God’s living Word which speaks of his loving plan which He has revealed to us.  It also goes without saying that we are also passing on the Apostolic Tradition that was not written down but handed on through the preaching of the apostles and their successors.  Next, the “instruction” given in a typical school is necessary, but we as catechists are doing more than instructing, we are initiating seekers into Christ.  What is vital for initiating others into Christ is an initiation into the mystery of Christ and all that that entails.  We desire nothing greater than to initiate and draw others into a way of life and a way of being.  Finally, in a school setting the way students learn is through various “subjects”.  In a catechetical setting we cover different topics from week to week which should be in the context of the “liturgical year”.  The story of our salvation and how God has love, moved, worked and acted is remembered and celebrated though the liturgical year.   Here is what Fr. Erbin from the Diocese of Singapore sent me regarding how we should approach our catechesis.

The more we “initiate” those we catechize the more they are not only drawn into a greater love of their faith but also able to encounter faith, encounter joy, encounter friendship, grace, love and mercy from the one who is our all in all: Jesus Christ.  What a gift we have to share and what a joy it is to witness and celebrate it!

What do you think?  I would love to hear your thoughts!

 

This was previously posted on http://catechesisinthethirdmillennium.wordpress.com

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The Spirituality of A Catechist

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Catechists are more than a volunteer because to be a catechist is a “calling”.  The Church sees the ministry of a catechist as an apostolate (the dictionary defines this word in two ways: 1. The office, or responsibilities of an apostle. And 2. A group of people that exists for the spreading of religious doctrine.). This is significant when we consider the importance of passing on the Catholic faith to our students.

The National Directory for Catechesis articulates 6 characteristics that are central to the spiritual life of a catechist (the italics indicate what the Directory says – Page 229):

1. A Love of God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and of Christ’s Church, Our Holy Father, and God’s holy people.  Many in my parish are catechists because their child is in the class they teach and this may be true in your parish as well.  However, it is essential to help each catechist see that their authentic witness of the love they have for God, for His Church, the Holy Father and God’s people be evident in their lives. No knowledge, natural talent or charm as a catechist can replace a true love for God or the other people mentioned.

2. A coherence and authenticity of life that is characterized by their faithful practice of the faith in a spirit of faith, charity, hope, courage, and joy. The true mark of a disciple is an authentic and genuine witness of life.  Do others see a spirit of faith, charity, hope, courage and joy in us? Pray for the grace to witness these virtues in your life.

3. Personal prayer and dedication to the evangelizing mission of the Church. Personal prayer is foundational to our spiritual lives.  It is essential to our spiritual life.  Through your personal encounter and experiences with God you will be able to draw your students into a deeper faith.  If they don’t see that it is personal for you then it won’t be personal for them. Also, a dedication to the evangelizing mission of the Church is the calling of every baptized follower of Christ. The Church exists to evangelize.  Evangelize what or who? The Good News of the Gospel Message to every soul in the world. The Church’s mission is to reveal God’s plan of salvation to everyone and to help them respond to God’s plan.  We ought to catechize our students with this in mind – that we are helping them know and experience God’s plan of salvation for them.

4. A missionary zeal by which they are fully convinced of the truth of the Catholic faith and enthusiastically proclaim it. Even if we are only missionaries within our own parish there is a great need to have the zeal of a missionary who is “fully convinced” of the truths of the Catholic faith and desires to pass that on with an enthusiasm. After all, our Faith is dynamic and we ought to be compelled to share it in all its fullness and beauty.

5. Active participation in their local parish community, especially by attendance at Sunday Eucharist. Even though it happens, it is hard to understand how anyone would be able to stand in front of their students week after week without participating in the life of the parish – especially at Sunday Mass. The Sunday liturgy is at the heart and center of the Christian life.

6. A devotion to Mary, the first disciple and the model of catechists, and to the Most Holy Eucharist, the source of nourishment for catechists. Look at the saints – all of them had a devotion to Mary and the Holy Eucharist. Mary is our model and the Eucharist is our spiritual food that truly sustains us.

Consider these 6 characteristics as you grow spiritually as a catechist.  Christ is calling you and the Holy Spirit is pouring out the graces you need to be the light of the world.

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3 Themes to Thread into Each Class

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Are there any key themes that should be a part of any classroom regardless of the topic of the day?  In 1973, the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops in their document “Basic Teachings For Catholic Religious Education” spoke of three themes which should “carry through all religious education” (pg. 3).

 

1. The Importance of Prayer

“This teaching will take place through experiences of prayer, through the examples of prayer, and through the learning of common prayers(pg. 3).”  Consider focusing on the following:
a. The example of prayer (how is prayer modeled by the catechists)
b. learning common prayer (by memorization)
c. Experiences of prayer (opening and closing each session in prayer, praying the Scriptures, prayer services, intercessory prayer)

2. Participating in the Liturgy

The Bishops documents states, “Liturgy itself educates.  It teaches, it forms community, it forms the individual.  It makes possible worship of God and a social apostolate to men.  The Mass, the Church’s “great prayer,” is the highest, most noble form of the Church’s liturgy.  Effective instruction will therefore help every Christian participate actively in the Eucharistic celebration of his own witnessing faith community (pg. 4).”   Without  connecting students and adults to the liturgy we will struggle to draw people into participation and the very life of the Church.

3. Familiarity with the Holy Bible

At the heart of passing on the Faith is the use of the Scriptures.  The document goes on to say, “The Word of God is life giving.  It nourishes and inspires strengthens and sustains.  It is the primary source, with Tradition, of the Church teaching.”…The words of St. Paul should describe the Catholic students of religion: “From your infancy you have known the Sacred Scriptures, the sources of the wisdom which, through faith in Jesus Christ, leads to salvation (2 Tim. 3:15) (pg. 4-5).”  Using Scripture in the classroom to allow the students to become familiar with the Bible as well as showing them how God reveals His plan to us cannot be underestimated.

 

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