Advice to Catechists

In each edition of the online version of Catechist magazine, there is a column  called "Advice to Catechists" which always conatians useful answers that catechists may have about how to deal with situations thaat catechists may encounter. I have gathered here links to some of the recent articles from this column:

•  Advice from Master Catechists—April/May 2011 by Kate Ristow, Dan Thomas, Chris Weber, and Sister Janet Schaeffler - A stranger asks one of my students for money. As a catechist, how might I have used this story? A new parish policy affecting the religious education program fee has been approved without my input. Is this grounds for quitting at the end of the year?
• Advice from Master Catechists—March 2011 by Kate Ristow, Dan Thomas, Chris Weber, and Sister Janet Schaeffler - Can you give us pointers on how best to merge our religious education programs? How can I find renewed enthusiasm for my ministry? 
• Advice from Master Catechists—February 2011 by Kate Ristow, Dan Thomas, Chris Weber, and Sister Janet Schaeffler - What are the pros and cons of students meeting in catechists' homes? Should I make a change near the end of the year?
• Advice from Master Catechists—January 2011 by Kate Ristow, Dan Thomas, Chris Weber, and Sister Janet Schaeffler - What are the pros and cons of students meeting in catechists' homes? Should I make a change near the end of the year? 
• Advice from Master Catechists—November/December 2010 - by Dan Thomas, Kate Ristow, Janet Schaeffler, Chris Weber - Could you suggest some holiday movies? What should I emphasize when teaching about sin? 
• Advice from Master Catechists—October 2010 by Sr. Janet Schaeffler, OP, Kate Ristow, Chris Weber, Dan Thomas - What should I do if a catechist is not prepared when she comes to class? What could I say to a student who thinks our Perpetual Adoration Chapel is "stupid"? 
• Advice from Master Catechists—September 2010 by Kate Ristow, Dan Thomas, Chris Weber, and Sister Janet Schaeffler - How can I be less resistant to our new text? What's a quick-and-easy review for the beginning of the learning year? 
•  Advice from Master Catechists—April/May 2010 by Sister Janet Schaeffler, Dan Thomas, Chris Weber, Kate Ristow - What resources will help me stay informed about Catholic news? Can you help my students and me write petitions?
• Advice from Master Catechists - March 2010 by Sr. Janet Schaeffler, OP, Kate Ristow, Chris Weber, Dan Thomas - "What can I do about a student who is behind the rest of the class? What can I say to a catechist who uses a lot of personal finances in her ministry?"
• Advice from Master Catechists - February 2010 by Sr. Janet Schaeffler, OP, Kate Ristow, Chris Weber, Dan Thomas - Are there problems with a child from another denomination attending our RE classes? Can we pray for the soldiers of our enemies? 
• Advice from Master Catechists—November/December 2009 by Sr. Janet Schaeffler, OP, Kate Ristow, Chris Weber, Dan Thomas - Q: What can be done about a student who does not return activity sheets? Q: How can I educate myself about Scripture? 
• Advice from Master Catechists—October 2009 by Dan Thomas, Kate Ristow, Janet Schaeffler, OP, Chris Weber - "What should a catechist always have ready for a substitute? AND What should I know about the attention span of my learners?" 

Daily Bible Poster - Hebrews 11.6

And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoevever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. --Hebrews 11.6

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Waltzing Matilda - Holy Week Resources

Another source of inovative ideas to mark Holy week is the blog Waltzing Matilda that includes several articles on traditions, recipes, crafts, and reflections for the occasion:

• Good Shepherd’s Garden Party
• Jesus Meets His Mother
• Holy Thursday Menu Traditions
• Egg-cellent Fun
• Eggsellent Creativitea

Daily Bible Poster - 1Corinthians 13.4

Love is kind. -- 1Corinthians 13.4

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Holy Week Activities, Crafts, Coloring - CatholicMom.com

CatholicMom.com makes available a number of resources for Holy Week:

CatholicMom.com Stations of the Cross for Children

• Palm Sunday Activities
• Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion - March 20, 2005 
• Palm Crafts 
• Additional Palm Sunday Coloring Pictures  
• Holy Thursday Coloring 
• Good Friday Coloring
• Religious Education Lesson Plan Helpers - Holy Week
• Holy Thursday Coloring 
• Holy Thursday Crossword Puzzle 
• Holy Thursday Word Search Puzzle 
• Good Friday Coloring 
• Good Friday Crossword Puzzle 
• Good Friday Word Search Puzzle 

Resources for Palm Sunday and Holy Week

The blog Catholic Icing has a number of good articles with resources for Holy Week:

• Palm Sunday Crafts and Ideas for Kids
• Holy Week Coloring Pages and Printables
• Printable Stations of the Cross for Children
• Holy Week Games and Lesson Plans
• Holy Week Crafts
• Catholic St. Veronica Craft
• Holy Thursday / Last Supper Craft 
• Stations of the Cross Games 
• DIY Candle Stations of the Cross 
• Make Stations of the Cross Grottos
• Stations of the Cross Kit- Activity for Children 

Daily Bible Poster - 1Corinthians 13.7

Love endures all things. 1Corinthians 13.7

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Resources for the Fourth Sunday of Lent - Year A

Articles, Commentaries, Homilies, Clipart, Coloring pages, Puzzles, Children's Stories for the upcoming Sunday Gospel readings: April 3, 2011: Fourth Sunday of Lent (A) - John 9

Daily Bible Poster - Ecclesiastes 3.1-2

 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die... Ecclesiastes 3.1-2

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Resources for Catholic Educators

Daily Bible Poster - Matthew 28.19

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit... Matthew 28.19

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Daily Bible Poster - Galatians 5.16

Live by the Spirit. --Galatians 5.16

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Christian Coloring Pages

Christian Coloring Pages - Star World Rocks - Five nice printable coloring pages: Noah and the ark, child praying, Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Jesus entering Jerusalem on an ass, "For God so loved the world..."

Religious Easter Coloring Pages - Two page on this Web site contain clipart depicting scenes form the New Testament: Page 1 - Page 2

Veggie Tales Christian Coloring Pages - 21 coloring pages from the popular children's serie.

God Made You - A Bit of Humor

A little girl was sitting on her grandfather's lap as he read her a bedtime story. From time to time, she would take her eyes off the book and reach up to touch his wrinkled cheek. She was alternately stroking her own cheek, then his again. Finally she spoke up, "Grandpa, did God make you?"
"Yes, sweetheart," he answered, "God made me a long time ago."
"Oh," she paused, "Grandpa, did God make me too?"
"Yes, indeed, honey," he said, "God made you just a little while ago."
Feeling their respective faces again, she observed, "God's getting better at it, isn't he?"

Daily Bible Poster - 1 Corinthians 2.1-2

I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. --1 Corinthians 2.1-2

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Christian and Bible Clip Art

Christian and Bible Clip Art - A small collection of clipart, some of which are very cute.

Daily Bible Poster - Luke 6.36

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. -- Luke 6.36

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Daily Bible Poster - Luke 6.30

“Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again." -- Luke 6.30

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Bible Coloring Book

Bible Coloring Book - This Web page offers a number of line drawings that can be printed and colored. Here is a sampling of them - click on them to see a full sized version:

Daily Bible Poster - 1 Corinthians 12.3

...no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit. --1 Corinthians 12.3

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Church Bulletin Resources - Clipart

Church Bulletin Resources - This Web site contains a large selection of clipart on the following themes:

• Angels
• Jesus
• Parables & Teaching of Jesus
• Life
• Miscellaneous
• Nature
• Symbols
• People
• Bibles & Verses
• Buildings
• Editorial Cartoons
• Scenes from Bible

Resources for the Third Sunday of Lent - Year A

Articles, Commentaries, Homilies, Clipart, Coloring pages, Puzzles, Children's Stories for the upcoming Sunday Gospel readings: March 27, 2011: Third Sunday of Lent (A) - John 4: 5-42

Daily Bible Poster - Genesis1_26

God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness... Genesis1_26

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Daily Bible Poster - Mark 10.51

Then Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said to him, ‘My teacher, let me see again.’ --Mark 10.51

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Daily Bible Poster - 1 Thessalonians 5.23

May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. -- 1 Thessalonians 5.23

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St. Patrick's Skull - A Bit of Humor

Priest: Can any of you children tell me what Good Friday did?
Fifth Grader: He saved Robinson Crusoe?

                           ______________

What's the difference between Christmas and Easter?
After Christmas, some people will come to church in only THREE months!

_______________

A tour guide was showing a group of Americans around a church in Ireland. "And here is the skull of St. Patrick."
One of the tourists challenged him, "You showed us St. Patrick's skull in another church yesterday!"
"Ah yes," the guide answered, "but that was his skull when he was a wee lad."

Daily Bible Poster - Psalm 4.1

Answer me when I call, O God of my right!
You gave me room when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer. -- Psalm 4.1

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Daily Bible Poster - Isaiah 50.5

The Lord God has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious,
I did not turn backwards. -- Isaiah 50.5

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Resources for the Second Sunday of Lent - Year A

Articles, Commentaries, Homilies, Clipart, Coloring pages, Puzzles, Children's Stories for the upcoming Sunday Gospel readings: March 20, 2011: Second Sunday of Lent A - Matthew 17:1-9

Padre Marcelo Rossi - Songs Playlist

Padre Marcelo Rossi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcelo_Rossi

Daily Bible Poster - Isaiah 49.1

The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me. --Isaiah 49.1

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Daily Bible Poster - Psalm 107.6-7

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress;
he led them by a straight way, until they reached an inhabited town. --Psalm 107.6-7

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USCCB Lenten Resources

On this Web site, you will find a variety of suggestions and resources to support your Lenten practice, enhance your prayer, and embrace your baptismal commitment. The calendar at right provides daily suggestions for action, reading, reflection and prayer.

What We Believe What We Celebrate How We Live How We Pray

Baptism - A bit of Humor

John Smith was the only unbaptized person in a large Catholic neighborhood. On the first Friday of Lent John was outside grilling a big juicy steak on the grill. Meanwhile all the neighbors were eating cold tuna fish for supper. This went on each Friday in Lent. On the last Friday of Lent the neighborhood men got together and decided that something had to be done about John, he was tempting them to eat meat each Friday of Lent, and they couldn’t take it anymore. They decided to try and convert John to Catholicism and it worked. John decided to join all his neighbors and become a Catholic, which made everyone happy. They took him to church for baptism and the priest sprinkled water over him and said, “You were born a pagan, you were raised a pagan and now you are a Catholic.” The men were relieved; their biggest Lenten temptation was removed. The next year, Lent rolled around again and on the first Friday at supper time, just as everyone had settled down to their tuna fish the men could not believe their noses – they could smell that steak on the grill again. They rushed to John’s yard hoping he had forgotten it was Lent. As they arrived, there was John standing over his grill sprinkling some water and saying, “You were born a cow, you were raised a cow but now you are a fish.” -- from Stepping into the place of sinners, A Friar's life blog.

Daily Bible Poster - Psalm 107.8-9

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.
For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things. --Psalm 107.8-9

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Reflection for Lent

This Lenten reflection acknowledges the brokenness of our lives and in our world and encourages us to find repentance through Christ.

Catholic Faith Education Newsletter - March 2011

The March 2011 edition of the Catholic Faith Education Newsletter is now online at http://4catholiceducators.com/ezine1.htm .

Daily Bible Poster - Psalm 109.26

Help me, O Lord my God! Save me according to your steadfast love. -- Psalm 109.26

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Daily Bible Poster - Psalm 119.45

I shall walk at liberty, for I have sought your precepts. -- Psalm 119.45

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Lenten Resources

Jared Dee has a good article on his blog The Religion Teacher that contains an extensive listing of links to resources for the season of Lent: Lent Activities.

For other Lenten resources:

• 4CatholicEducators.com - Lent Clipart
• Lent - Resources for Catholic Educators
• Previous post related to Lent on this blog: http://catholicfaitheducation.blogspot.com/search/label/Lent

Daily Bible Poster - Deuteronomy 10.14

To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. Deuteronomy 10.14

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First Sunday of Lent 2011 - Resources

Gospel of Matthew 4.1-11  - Temptation of Jesus in the Desert - Articles, Commentaries, Homilies, Clipart, Coloring pages, Puzzles, Children's Stories for the upcoming Sunday Gospel readings

Tony Meléndez - Music Playlist

Tony Meléndez
Web site: http://www.tonymelendez.com/English/Welcome.html

Technology Tips for Religious Educators

I thought I would pass this message from Jared Dees (owner of the The Religion Teacher blog) on to you:

A few months ago I asked subscribers to complete a survey (you can participate here) to help me understand your greatest needs as religious educators. According to the responses, one of the biggest challenges that fans of The Religion Teacher face is effectively using technology.

On Thursday March 10, at 3:30pm EST, I will be presenting a free webinar on behalf of Ave Maria Press titled "Technology Tips for Religious Educators." Most of you know that my full-time job at Ave Maria Press involves technology and digital publishing. On Thursday, I will be sharing many of the tips and tricks I have learned using technology in the classroom.

Some of the topics I will cover include:

• Teaching with e-books
• Lecture and presentation ideas
• Finding quality online resources
• Integrating video and other multimedia into classroom instruction

To register for this free presentation, go to: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/842865513

If this will be your first webinar, don't worry it is easy. Just click on the link to sign-up and fill out the registration information. You will receive an email with a link to join the webinar. On Thursday, open the email, click on the link, and you will be ready to view the webinar. You may need to download a small file from Go To Webinar, but in only seconds you'll be ready to participate.

This webinar is a part of an ongoing professional development webinar series presented by Ave Maria Press in partnership with the National Association for Lay Ministry and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership.

I hope to "see" you all there!

Jared Dees
The Religion Teacher

Daily Bible Poster - Genesis 1.31

God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.-- Genesis 1.31

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Daily Bible Poster - Genesis 1.27

So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. -- Genesis 1.27

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Daily Bible Poster - Psalm 119.34

Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
-- Psalm 119.34

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A Bit of Humor

A man bought several acres of wasteland and within a year, turned it into a thriving produce farm. The local priest stopped by and complimented the man on his vast progress. Then he added, "Wondrous things can surely happen when man and God work together."

"Amen," said the man, "but you should've seen the place when God was running it alone."

_________

A farmer runs into the pastor of his church after missing the morning Mass. "I missed you at Mass this morning," the pastor says.

"Well, Father", the farmer says, "I had some hay to put up. I figured it was better to sit on a bale of hay thinking about God than to sit in church thinking about hay."

Daily Bible Poster - Jeremiah 31.9

I will lead them to brooks of water, on a level road, so that none shall stumble. --Jeremiah 31.9

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Daily Bible Poster - Psalm 119.25

My soul clings to the dust;
revive me according to your word.
-- Psalm 119.25

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Daily Bible Poster - 1 Peter 2.24

He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2.24

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Daily Bible Poster - Jeremiah 30.17

For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal,says the Lord --Jeremiah 30.17

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Maranatha Singers - Songs Playlist