eCatechist

Charter for Compassion

Charter for Compassion is a collaboration that seeks to change the conversation around religion. The Charter inspires people of all faiths, as well as the nonreligious, to build a more peaceful and harmonious global community.

The project is supported by the Fetzer Institute. For additional information, to watch the video and to read and sign the charter click here.

Winter Splendors

 

From Astronomy - Leelanau by Ed Hahnenberg

On Going to Mass at Christmastime Only

 

Over the coming days, regular churchgoers will be joined at Mass by many people who are largely absent from parish life – but what are we to make of this increase in Mass attendance? Michael Bossy SJ asks whether the presence of occasional Mass-goers on these rare occasions is a mere pretence for the sake of show and ‘tradition’, or if it should be welcomed as something of genuine spiritual value.

Read from Thinking Faith

The Little Ones - December 19, 2010

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The Three Wise Men

A Devotion for Children

 

Mt. 2: 1-12

Change of Plans

The three wise men had their own plans after meeting and worshipping Jesus—to return home the same way they came.  But in a dream, God told them to take a different route because seeing Herod again would bring them harm.  They listened to God and remained safe.  Sometimes worshipping and listening to Jesus makes us do things differently or take a new direction.  Often it is not what we planned on, but putting faith in Jesus give us courage to do what He wants.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

help me do what you have planned for me, especially when it does not fit with what I planned.

Verse

 2:12 —  "And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route."

 

© Jocelyn Dettloff, 2010

(Please print and pray with your children)

The Little Ones - December 12, 2010

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Bringing Up Children in the Catholic Faith

Many of us who are catechists are also parents. We often wonder how we can bring up children in the Catholic faith. Chances are that what we want for our children is what the majority of parents want for their children in our catechetical sessions.

As we live each day going from morning to evening, the majority of us are overwhelmed by the “busyness” of our lives as we meet our responsibilities of work, family, parenting, errands, etc. There is little time and energy for sharing faith with children and getting them to the weekly parish religious education program.

Julie Cragon, author of Bless My Child: A Catholic Mother’s Prayer Book, prays that her children will be nourished and fed and led by the light of Christ, his mother, the saints, and the holy men and women given to us as examples. Julie and her husband are parents of six and managers of St. Mary’s Bookstore in Nashville, Tennessee. They believe that praying for our children is one of the most important things we can do for our children.

As catechists, we too can pray for our own children and the children in our weekly classes. Remember each by name, pray that they recognize God’s invitation to be His children and friends.

Therese Borchard, author of I Love Being a Mom and author of Imperfect Mom: Candid Confessions of Mothers Living in the Real World (2006) looks to her parish and the catechists for help in passing on a sense of tradition and continuity with the past. She sees catechists as the bridge of the past with the present, translating the language of faith for children.

In On Catechesis in our Time, John Paul II reminds us “the definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch, but also in communion and intimacy, with Jesus Christ.” To accomplish this mission, we

 

       -promote knowledge of the faith

       -provide liturgical education

       -offer moral formation

       -teach children to pray

       -read, teach, and pray scripture

In our weekly lessons, we join the members of the Church – parents, extended family members, Baptism and Confirmation sponsors, grandparents, and the entire parish community in helping these children to grow in friendship and intimacy with Jesus Christ.

© Dan Pierson, 2010

 

Pope Benedict on Catholic Saints

Here is what Pope Benedict said about Catholic Saints.

John the Baptist in Advent by Peter Edmonds, SJ

What do we learn about John the Baptist from the gospel passages about him that will be read over the following two Sundays? As we continue our liturgical journey through Advent by hearing about this man who ‘was clothed with camel’s hair...and ate locusts and wild honey’, Peter Edmonds SJ looks at how each gospel writer’s portrayal of him can help us in a different aspect of our preparation for the coming of Christ. Read

From Thinking Faith

The Adevnture of Advent

Sometimes I manage to enjoy it when something comes up that derails or discombobulates me in the morning. Since my carefully laid plans have been capriciously monkey wrenched, that particular day might turn out to be an adventure, something I have begrudgingly learned to value.

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From the National Catholic Reporter by Rich Heffern.