Amazing Catechists

Teaching and learning the faith together

Three reasons to take a course with the LiveNotLukewarm community

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3 Reasons +1

  • One, content is delivered live and group discussion is encouraged but not required.
  • Two, materials are developed and delivered by Deanna and Deacon John, so we know what the answer ought to be!
  • Three, you will come away with a deeper knowledge of who Jesus is and how to live out his teachings.
  • Bonus reason: combined we have over 100 years’ experience.

A New Liturgical Year

A new liturgical year begins on Nov 28, 2021, with the start of Advent. At Sunday Masses, Cycle C will be used for the readings. FYI: there are 3 cycles, A, B, and C. The Gospel used in cycle C is Luke. Luke was written sometime between 80 and 90 AD, for Gentiles. The same person who wrote Luke wrote the Book of Acts, as a continuation of the Gospel. Luke is believed to have been an associate of Paul.

Much of the material of Luke comes from Mark and the Q source, with some material specific only to Luke. His Gospel includes an infancy narrative, uses many agrarian and fishing references and features many meals in his writings. We are excited to begin learning more about the Gospel of Luke with you!

Course Details

Beginning in October, Deanna & Deacon John at LiveNotLukewarm.com will offer a course on the Gospel of Luke. You have the option of Wednesday morning or evening. Sessions are offered live via Zoom and recorded so you can access it if you miss a session or want to watch it again. This link will provide more information and you can register for the course.

Grow in your faith at Inform, Engage, Inspire

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Are you a catechist or parent looking to be energized? Do you want to learn more about scripture? Are you a director of faith formation looking for something to offer to catechists or parents? I have an answer for you! Become a part of An Every Day Catholic: Inform, Engage, Inspire.

What is Inform, Engage, Inspire?

It is an online community of people interested in learning more about the Catholic faith. I have webinars which I offer live and then record to keep on the website. In my experience, people are searching for information and answers, stated in ways that are straightforward and easy to understand. My goal is to share the truth, beauty and goodness of Catholicism.

What kinds of topics do you cover?

Our past webinars include a series on Grace in the Catechism, scripture and saints; The Call to Abundance which explores the life Jesus offers us; Inspired for Freedom talks bout how to live out our Christian life. We also hosted a book study on What to say and How to say It by Brandon Vogt.

What is your next offering?

In August, we will begin a Bible study on the Book of Acts which I am very excited about. Acts has 28 chapters, which we will cover from Aug 5 to Sept.2. I have written a downloadable study guide which includes an overview of Acts and questions for discussion and personal reflection. Each evening we will meet using a Zoom link and I’ll give an overview of the chapters for the week and then discuss the questions. The point of the webinars is not just to listen to a lecture, but to engage with each other and ask questions.

What do participants need to do?

The best way to learn about God’s word is to read and study it. It will be helpful to read the chapters ahead of time, answer the questions and note any questions you have. If that’s not possible, come to the webinars anyway – you will still get something out of our time together.

Is there a cost for this?

Yes and no. The study guide is $7 and while optional will allow for greater participation. There is no charge for the webinars, though you can give a free-will offering at the end of the study.

What is your experience teaching Bible study?

I have served in parish ministry for over 40 years as a catechist, director of faith formation for children and adults, youth minister, prayer leader, retreat leader and stewardship director. I also have a master’s degree from Loyola University. I have always been involved in facilitating and teaching Bible study even when it wasn’t my job. I’ve published a study Invite the Holy Spirit into Your Life with Our Sunday Visitor.

How can I sign up for the Acts study?  acts study

It’s pretty simple! Click on Study of the Book of Acts, enter your email address and you’ll receive all the information you need. You can also email me (Deanna) at dgbartalini(at)gmail(dot)com.

 

Gaze Upon Jesus – Book Review

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Gaze Upon Jesus: Experiencing Christ’s Childhood through the Eyes of Women is a beautiful book that helps us enter into the scriptures with the help of many women: those in the scriptures themselves, like Mary, Elizabeth, and Anna–and then the women who wrote the book!

Based on the Gospel stories of the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the Presentation, the Flight into Egypt, and the Finding in the Temple, there is something for everyone, whether you want to read a fictionalized account of the Gospel, dig more deeply into the historical and biblical accounts, or meditate on beautiful art.

There are also discussion questions and suggestions for putting what we’ve read into action. Isn’t that one of the main reasons to read and study scripture, to make it a part of us and our lives? There is no point in reading God’s Word as if it’s like a novel, enjoyable thoughts that never cross from the head into our soul or daily life. Gaze Upon Jesus provides context for discussion, and the questions help you to make connections that you otherwise might miss.

As the editor, Kelly M. Wahlquist has put together a volume that can be used during Advent or any time you want to delve more deeply into Jesus’ birth and early years. Read it on your own or in small groups. Personally, I find a small group better helps me to internalize what I’ve read, but I often read and study on my own. Either way, the rewards will be great.

I highly recommend this to those who are taking their first look at Jesus in the Word, as well as those who are looking for a different type of study. This study engages you on many different levels, and that is what is so appealing about it.

For more information or to order, go to Ave Maria Press.

Staying Connected

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Do you remember when your telephone was connected to the kitchen wall? Or how about when your computer was connected to a jack in the wall and you could hear the sounds of being connected to the internet? I’m sure now most of us walk around with our phones in our pockets and can move our laptop or tablet anywhere we want. But we still manage to stay connected, especially for the important people in our lives.

How are you doing at staying connected to God these days? Need a little boost? I have one for you! A new series of Bible studies called the Stay Connected Journals for Catholic Women. We will roll out 3 books, The Gift of Invitation by Allison Gingras, Exploring the Catholic Classics by Tiffany Walsh, and Invite the Holy Spirit into Your Life by Deanna G. Bartalini (that’s me!)

These journals will help you stay connected to God by being in his Word, which is so powerful and edifying. You will learn how the Holy Spirit can change your life by growing in the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There are 7 short chapters which include real-life stories, scripture, prayers, questions, and space for writing personal reflections.

I invite you to take a look at the video and get more information on pre-ordering these books.

FREE Comedy-Drama #Catholic Bible Video Series for Everyone

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RedBibleI’m not kidding. Anyone with ears and a sense of humor will be amused and enriched by Christian LeBlanc’s tour-de-force video series of 12 hour-long classes about the Catholicism of the Bible. It would be a great resource for anything from pre-Confirmation to Youth Ministry to RCIA/Adult Ed programs.

Using speed-drawing (stick figures), linguistics, solid scholarship, and a rapid-fire delivery that makes this catechetical series (which LeBlanc admits is by no means comprehensive) as enjoyable as it is educational, the southern-born LeBlanc knocks his catechesis out of the park and earns the label, “Amazing Catechist.” And he offers his first video production to the world free of charge.

LeBlanc’s parish-made videos are technically primitive, but they still manage to set the bar higher than the usual slickly-produced and scripted academic ones or their sibling rivals: those that rely heavily on hipster spin and the projection of a carefully-crafted, false intimacy meant to disarm teens. LeBlanc simply cannot take himself so seriously, because his wit and wisdom are completely at the service of the best book on earth about the truest religion on earth. It’s all just so much fun!

It’s also tons of fun watching such a charming speaker experience his own learning curve as he progresses from the very first video to the last with increasing ease and aplomb. In the first episode, he is so nervous about the cameraCLeBlanc running in his classroom that he looks like he just parachuted onto the parish grounds: he is flushed, his hair a little wild, his delivery breathless. But soon this master catechist hits his stride and shows us what all the fuss is really about: the Bible is a startlingly compelling roadmap to the Catholic faith.

Let the man himself show-and-tell you all about it.

Summapalooza!

About Christian LeBlanc

Christian LeBlanc is a revert whose pre-Vatican II childhood was spent in South Louisiana, where he marinated in a Catholic universe and acquired a Catholic imagination. During his middle school years in South Carolina, Christian was catechized under the benevolent dictatorship of Sister Mary Alphonsus, who frequently admonished him using the nickname “Little Pagan.” After four years of teaching Adult Ed and RCIA, he returned to Sr. Alphonsus’ old classroom to teach Catechism himself. This is his tenth year of teaching sixth grade. Married to Janet, the LeBlancs have five children and two grandsons. Christian and Janet belong to St. Mary’s Parish in Greenville, South Carolina.

thebibletellsmeso_bookcoverCheck out Christian’s book on Bible-based catechesis at:

https://www.createspace.com/3835986

And my REVIEW of his terrific book.

 

 

 

 

(This post was originally published at Lisa Mladinich’s Water Into Wine, at Patheos.com)