My Way is Not Always The Answer
I Did It My Way….. We all know the story of how Abraham and his wife Sarah tried to sidestep God’s promise that they would have a child despite their old age ( Gen[Read More…]
Latest Stories
Recent Stories
3 Ways to Create A Catechetical Environment
In many parishes the religious education/faith formation meetings/sessions are in school classrooms. While the classroom probably has a crucifix in it and possibly other religious items, it still feels like a classroom. It is important[Read More…]
Book Review: 10 Promises of Jesus by Marge Steinhage Fenelon
My video review of this book is available on youtube at the Home Catechesis YouTube Page (CLICK HERE!) One of the most common objections to Christianity is not rooted in philosophy or doctrine but[Read More…]
Making Recitation a Tool for Success, Part 1
Introduction I have previously written about the importance of restoring the use of recitation within Religious Education Programs, referred to in the catechetical tradition as “Catechism.” With the near disappearance of this essential tool within[Read More…]
The Silence of Christmas Speaks Loud and Clear
In his wonderful book, The Power of Silence: Against The Dictatorship of Noise, Cardinal Robert Sarah tells us Without silence, God disappears in the noise. And this noise becomes [Read More…]
5 Ways to Wait with Purpose
Advent is a perfect liturgical season to apply what we have learned and understand about the spirituality of waiting – its purpose and gift for us from God. Because taking a lofty spiritual concept can[Read More…]
Advent #GIVEAWAY and Interview With #aromaRosary Inventor, Chantal Howard
Beloved Readers, we have an exciting and unusual #giveaway: an Our Lady of Guadalupe rosary bracelet that diffuses essential oils, as you pray!!! Talk about awesome! #freestuff #Catholic #HolyRosary
What is Advent, anyway?
The season of Advent begins this Sunday, December 2nd. For some of our readers, especially RCIA candidates, the meaning and traditions of this Season may be a brand new experience. For others, you may not[Read More…]
Advent Tips: Manage Time, Reduce Stress, and Have a Happier, Healthier Christmas
How are we supposed to enjoy Advent, when we’re more rushed and more stressed than ever before in the history of humanity? 5 tips will make this a joyful and healthy season for you and your family!
This Just In: God Wants Us to Re-Gift!
The recent Gospel on the poor widow’s mite ( MK 12: 38-44) reminds us that loving God means giving Him everything we have at all times. The 3 poorest folks in Christ’s time were the[Read More…]
Seven Ways to Observe Advent with Children
Perhaps you too have had the experience of preparing for Christmas, only to realize that amongst the candy-making, the letter-writing, the present-purchasing, the tree-trimming, and more, you never got around to spiritual preparation, even though[Read More…]
Passive Waiting and Suffering Well
We established that no one likes to wait and that a small fraction of our waiting experiences is what we term active, or Advent waiting. What, then, comprises the majority of those periods of life[Read More…]
Love For God = Love For Neighbor
Last Sunday’s Gospel Mark 12:28-34, is a challenge for us to examine what it means to love the other and also what it means to love our God. In 2018, we have many opportunities to love[Read More…]
Interview With Catholic Speaker, Hudson Byblow
“There are a few specific linguistic nuances that I think are more important than ever: first, speaking about attractions as something people experience instead of something people “have.” The reason is that the word “experience” embeds the nuance of non-permanence. For many people, becoming aware of that nuance is life-changing.” –Hudson Byblow
Courageous Choices; Conversations about Same Sex Attraction
I recently had the opportunity to hear a speaker at a youth event from Courage International. Courage is a Roman Catholic Apostolate, “whose members are men and women who experience same-sex attractions and who have[Read More…]
Classroom Management with Eager Children
We have all been there. We, the Catechist, ask a question in the classroom. Several eager students raise their hands in a manner that sounds like a miniature version of the clamoring shoppers on Black[Read More…]
Gaze Upon Jesus – Book Review
A review of the newest book edited by Kelly M. Wahlquist of WINE. Deanna Bartalini thinks it would be great for Advent reading.
The 4 Key Questions for Lesson Plans
I. Introduction: Planning It has been my experience that the two most common pitfalls for Catechists, for myself and others, are prayer and planning. I will only speak briefly on prayer since this article is[Read More…]
A Case for the Restoration of Catechetical Recitation
Over the last fifteen years I have heard numerous individuals share about their experiences as the “last real Baltimore Catechism Generation.” Some express that the formal catechism recitation, comprised of a question and answer dialogue,[Read More…]
The Joy of Expectant Waiting
There are so many beautiful words to describe active waiting: expectancy, joy, pregnancy, anticipation. It’s what we tend to experience during the Advent season. Active waiting (also called Advent or expectant waiting) evokes incredible hope[Read More…]