Amazing Catechists

Teaching and learning the faith together

Menu
  • Home
  • About
      • About Amazing Catechists
      • Patron Saint of Amazing Catechists
      • Donations
  • Topics
      • Art
      • Campus Ministry
      • Catechetics
      • Catechism
      • Catechist Training
      • Catholic Spirituality
      • Church Documents
      • Columnists
      • Culture
      • Elementary School
      • Evangelization
      • Family Life
      • Featured
      • Games
      • General
      • Grief Resources
      • High School
      • Homeschooling
      • Liturgical
      • Mary
      • Middle School
      • Music
      • New Age
      • NFP/Chastity
      • Prayer
      • RCIA & Adult Ed
      • Reader Suggestions
      • Sacraments
      • Scripture
      • Special Needs
      • Spiritual Warfare
      • Technology
      • Theology
      • Therapeutic
      • Video
      • Vocations
  • Contributors
      • Alice Gunther
      • Amanda Woodiel
      • Cay Gibson
      • Christian LeBlanc
      • Christopher Smith
      • Deanna Bartalini
      • Dorian Speed
      • Elizabeth Ficocelli
      • Elizabeth Tichvon
      • Ellen Gable Hrkach
      • Faith Writer
      • Father Juan R. Velez
      • Gabe Garnica
      • Jeannie Ewing
      • Jennifer Fitz
      • Justin Combs
      • Karee Santos
      • Lisa Mladinich
      • Marc Cardaronella
      • Maria Rivera
      • Mary Ellen Barrett
      • Mary Lou Rosien
      • Maureen Smith
      • Msgr. Robert Batule
      • Msgr. Charles Pope
      • Pat Gohn
      • Peggy Clores
      • Robyn Lee
      • Rocco Fortunato
      • Sarah Reinhard
      • Steve McVey
      • Tanja Cilia
      • William O’Leary
      • Alex Basile
  • Shop
  • Contact us

In The Darkness

By Alex Basile

Another year has flown by and another Christmas has passed. The excitement that spread while we decorated, baked, entertained and shopped has vanished into the frigid wind. As we plunge into January, we put away the decorations and the world suddenly seems a little darker. We return to the normal unexciting routine.

It becomes a challenge for the catechist to find inspiration from January to March. We leave our homes in the dark and return after the sun has set. Some of us may feel a bit melancholy. As I taught my class in this first week of the year, the students could not seem to get the dust out of their eyes. Their exhausted bodies resisted any kind of real thinking. They trudged on through the week and moaned every time I mentioned the word “homework.” The bleakest days of winter can consume the most faithful souls with doubt. I know exactly how they feel. During this time of the year, I quickly grow tired of the sound of my own voice. I often wonder if I am making any sense. I do anything to put some energy into my lessons.

Whether you teach religion full-time or volunteer at your parish religious education program, the battle against the culture never ends. The media piles the garbage higher than ever in these days when we are left with little else to do than watch television. We are told about the latest celebrity to enter rehab; how the New York City Mayor’s office sent out pamphlets on how to “safely” prepare heroin; the music superstar who accepted an award while intoxicated. The lunacy snowballs as the days proceed. Our students are rendered blind and deaf to the message of Jesus Christ. Dysfunction has become the new “normal”. People who find consolation in God are left in the cold. Pope John Paul II spoke to educators and students in a homily on September 10, 2000 about our obligation:

“As scholars and teachers who have opened your hearts to Christ, your vocation is that of living and bearing witness in an effective way to this relationship between the individual branches of knowledge and that supreme “knowledge” which concerns God, and which in a sense coincides with him, with his Word made flesh and with the Spirit of truth given by him.”

His words are easy to forget this time of year. It is difficult to teach the faith when we are not inspired. We forget why we initially came to the noble profession. Even though you may be tired, these are not the days to rest. As you enter your classroom, demonstrate Christ to your students. Illuminate their ever-darkening world with His light. Do not be afraid to bear His witness in the heart of the storm. As Jesus said to the deaf mute “Ephphatha, be opened!” (Mk 7:34) We must awaken our students to His truth. They have been sucked in by a culture that is not willing to let them go. Remember that the Truth will set them free! Stay strong and draw your power from the Master Teacher.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

If you make a purchase via a link on this site, we may receive a small commission. There will be no added cost to you. Thank you!

Read all posts by Alex Basile Filed Under: High School Tagged With: Alex Basile

About Alex Basile

Alexander J. Basile - joined the faculty of Kellenberg Memorial High School in 1996 as a member of the Religion Department. While teaching at Kellenberg, he earned an M.A. from the Religious Education and Religious Studies Program at Fordham University. He currently serves as an assistant to the Chaplain and as the Religion Department Chairman at Kellenberg. Alex has written four books, available at St. Paul’s/Alba House: The Complete Christian: A Guide To Living, Lessons from the Master: Living Like Jesus, Finding Faith in a Godless World: A Catholic Path to God, and The Gentle Road To Jesus: Bringing Christ to Every Classroom and Home. Alex formed the pop/Irish group, The Irish Mist – and together they have performed on the New York music scene since 1990. Alex brought his music experience to Kellenberg and has produced sixteen CDs for Kellenberg’s Saint Cecilia Recording Studio. Alex is married and resides in Lynbrook, New York with his wife Allison and their two children. Alex is available for speaking engagements. He can be contacted directly at: alexbasile21@gmail.com or at website: https://alexbasile.net/www.alexbasile.net/Welcome.html

Search

Follow Us!

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Sign up for our Newsletter!

Join our email list and get immediate access to the free guide 'High Impact Lesson & Classroom Management Tips'.

Help us to serve the Church by patronizing our affiliates.

FTC Disclosure: If you make a purchase via a link on this site, we may receive a small commission. There will be no added cost to you. Thank you!

Sock Religious

That One Sheep Shirts

That One Sheep Shirts

Stickers

Stickers

The Catholic Store

Catholic Bibles

Catholic Bibles

catholic-jewelry

Catholic Religious Jewelry

Holy Heroes

holy-heroes

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright © 2023 Amazing Catechists. · Log in