ECHO
A Monthly Resource for Teaching the Faith 11.21
"We must attract them by joy, in order to lead them to its source, the Heart of Christ."
This quote from St. Katharine Drexel is at the heart of our work as catechists; our love for the faith and for Jesus as a witness to those we guide and mentor in the faith. What does the quote mean to you? How will it impact the ministry you offer? When has your role as a catechist brought you great joy?
Understanding the Feast of Christ the King
On November 21, we observe the Solemnity of Christ the King. It is the last Sunday of our liturgical year. Pope Pius XI instituted this feast day in the early 20th century to respond to growing nationalism and secularism. He wanted to remind the faithful that while those in power may come and go, Christ is the King forever; our ultimate loyalty, in all situations is to Christ. On this feast day, we take the time to imagine what Christ's kingdom could be. It would be a kingdom where love of neighbor would be a priority and acts of service and commitment to the corporal and spiritual works of mercy would be commonplace. The Feast of Christ the King is an excellent opportunity to dream with youth about the world Christ imagines for all of us and to take concrete steps toward bringing that kingdom to life on Earth. We now, also take the time to celebrate our young people as this feast day has been designated the diocesan celebration of World Youth Day. How can you make this a special day to honor and encourage young disciples?
Praying All Ways and ALWAYS!
Our goal is to make prayer a significant part of each gathering we have with those we catechize!
In this monthly column, you'll discover a new prayer, a new method or a creative prayer suggestion to mirror the season! This issue of Echo provides ideas for teaching kids to engage in gratitude prayer!
- A thankful prayer with hand motions and more that is great for younger kids! https://ministry-to-children.com/a-thankful-prayer-to-teach-children/
- Make a Post-it wall of gratitude by giving each child a varied color of Post-it note and inviting the to share three things they are grateful for. Make gratitude visible to families by displaying the Post-its in a prominent location at the parish.
- Try this gratitude tree project with families or with a whole parish event! Include a gratitude prayer service with a showing of the finished project! Here's a prayer service you can use! https://www.sadlier.com/religion/blog/catholic-thanksgiving-a-prayer-service-for-children-of-all-ages
Gratitude Tree
Ten Ways to Keep Celebrating the Saints throughout November
- Sign up for Saint of the Day through Franciscan Media and learn about the saints through November and beyond! https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day?hsCtaTracking=f955f092-553e-4d9f-a022-06cbc58a1b7b%7C823c7065-f341-41c3-904e-c9341c68704b
- Share videos about little known Saints from our YOUTUBE playlist on the Saints: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kMUAaE-wJU&list=PLtunPRqgRjJ3LTomisGzzIiPlThd_l2gy
- Learn more about Black Catholics on the path to sainthood with this Catechists' pack from Loyola Press: https://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2021/10/black-catholics-on-the-road-to-sainthood-activities-pack/
- Learn about Saints whose focus was carrying for others and then head out on a community service project to walk in the footsteps of the Saints!
- Take a pilgrimage to a nearby shrine. There is one to our east: https://www.saintmarianne.org/ and one to our west: https://fatimashrine.com/
- Try this project-based learning idea with Confirmation students, families or teens! Create a simple WebQuest with 10 questions about the Saints and send your group on an internet scavenger hunt to learn more about a patron Saint or All Saints Day! Sample questions might include: Find a prayer or writing attributed to your Saint, find a picture or painting of your Saint, investigate what your Saint is the patron of, etc.
- Invite families to create a prayer shrine in their home around a specific Saint and spend the month placing their intercessions at the shrine.
- Create a video project for middle school youth! Use this lesson as a starting point and invite youth to create a brief explainer video for the American Saint they learn about! https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/saints/saints-activities/lesson-plans/which-american-saint-are-you/
- Hold a Saints Carnival for young children! https://www.catholicicing.com/all-saints-day-party-games/
- Learn the term! Know the Catholic vocabulary around Saints: http://saintsresource.com/terminology
Pop UP Catechesis and other Great Resources from Joe Paprocki
Do you know about the Catechists Journey website? Joe Paprocki is a renowned leader in forming Catechists and providing us all with excellent material for ourselves and those we teach. One of his latest projects that came out of the quarantine period was a video series called "Pop UP Catechesis." It explores many topics throughout the church year that can be used in the classroom or with families. It is also a great way for catechists to get a refresher on certain topics. To explore his website and receive videos in your inbox, click on the button below!
Family Connection
Here is a way to help the families you serve connect with faith topics at home. This column will explore at home learning that you send to enhance what you have taught in person as well as ideas for virtual learning with family groups! This month, we explore an idea for families to bring a visual reminder of gratitude to their Thanksgiving dinner!
Keep Learning!
Sign up for this free workshop webinar from the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers. They will be sharing free resources for catechists and families to use during the Advent season. Click on the link below to register in either English or Spanish!
Advent Begins November 28!
It's time to plan ahead for this special season in our church year!
Be sure to set up and bless an Advent wreath!
Give a visual sign of the season and light the wreath with your participants. Many choose to provide materials for families to make wreaths and give the blessings so that "at home" use is encouraged!
Provide families with an Advent Calendar to lead them through the season
Pinterest provides many do-it yourself ideas. Be creative! Perhaps there would be a prayer a day, a saint a day or a Catholic trivia question a day to get them through the season. Autom provides a "color yourself version" (https://www.autom.com/product/2021-color-your-own-advent-calendar-50pk-j5180?gclid=CjwKCAjwwsmLBhACEiwANq-tXIs-znv0x4Y8lj2xWAy7krx6bBlz9UlODRe0yNSrcy40w1UiaQV6eBoCc4kQAvD_BwE) Plan to make the calendars in November so they are ready for the first day, November 28!
Share many versions of the Nativity Story
Get your hands on as many children's books that have the Nativity Story in beautiful images and word! Share the books and consider having the group create their own book, illustrating the story and bringing it to life! Use that as a month-long Advent project and then wrap the completed book to give each family as a Christmas gift!
Are you in need of additional catechetical material?
Click this button for access to our GOOGLE DRIVE LESSON HELPERS FOR CATECHISTS
If you are reading a paper copy, you can access our google drive at https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1FdofDF6MAr9aT3vD7k7Cb0l0OnIp_u-P
If you are reading a paper copy, you can access our google drive at https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1FdofDF6MAr9aT3vD7k7Cb0l0OnIp_u-P
The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis
November 2021
The Diocese of RochesterDebtor in Possession
Email: leslie.barkin@dor.org
Website: oec.dor.org
Phone: (585)328-3210