General Directory for Catechesis
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General
Directory for Catechesis - Complete text on the Vatican
website
General Directory
for Catechesis - the complete text with concordance |
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Where
are we in Catechesis? Power Point presentation by Most
Reverend Leonard P. Blair, Bishop of Toledo. This is also
available here as a text on the the USCCB website.
Archbishop
Burke’s Commentary on the General Directory for Catechesis and Questions
on the Commentary - On the General Directory for Catechesis |
Nature and purpose of the formation
of catechists
Formation seeks to enable catechists to transmit the Gospel
to those who desire to entrust themselves to Jesus Christ.
The purpose of formation, therefore, is to make the catechist
capable of communicating: "The summit and center of catechetical
formation lies in an aptitude and ability to communicate the
Gospel message."
The christocentric purpose of catechesis, which emphasizes
the communion of the convert with Jesus Christ, permeates
all aspects of the formation of catechists. This aim is nothing
other than to lead the catechist to know how to animate a
catechetical journey of which the necessary stages are: the
proclamation of Jesus Christ; making known his life by setting
it in the context of salvation history; explanation of the
mystery of the Son of God, made man for us; and finally to
help the catechumen, or those being catechized, to identify
with Jesus Christ through the sacraments of initiation. With
continuing catechesis, the catechist merely tries to deepen
these basic elements. This christological perspective touches
directly upon the identity of the catechist and his preparation.
"The unity and harmony of the catechist must be read
in this christocentric light and built around a profound familiarity
with Christ and the Father, in the Spirit." (General
Directory for Catechesis #235)
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Resources for Teaching Students with Disabilities
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At the request of a friend who will be teaching catechism
to students with severe/profound disabilities this year, I
did some research and made some enquiries on what resources
are available for teachers in this area online. Thank you
to the various persons who helped me compile this list of
resources, and especially to Ed McCoy.
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The Catechesis of the Good
Shepherd curriculum - is an approach to the religious
formation of children. It is rooted in the Bible, the liturgy
of the church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori.
Children gather in an "atrium," a room prepared
for them, which contains simple yet beautiful materials that
they use.
Magnificat.net -
Click on the “MagnifiKid”
. This is a weekly magazine that explain each week’s
readings and the Mass, and also give general information about
our faith.
Resources
- Catechesis for Persons with Developmental Disabilities -
Archdiocese of Baltimore
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SPRED - This is the Archdiocese
of Chicago catechetical program (Special Religious Development)
for persons with developmental disabilities.
Special
Needs Resources Directory - The first part of this four
part document lists and describes quite a few print resources.
It also gives a list of contacts of people involved in religious
education of people with disabilities in all of the dioceses
in the US.
Catechesis for the disabled and the handicapped
Every Christian community considers those who suffer handicaps,
physical or mental, as well as other forms of disability—especially
children—as persons particularly beloved of the Lord.
A growth in social and ecclesial consciousness, together with
undeniable progress in specialized pedagogy, makes it possible
for the family and other formative centres to provide adequate
catechesis for these people, who, as baptized, have this right
and, if non-baptized, because they are called to salvation.
The love of the Father for the weakest of his children and
the continuous presence of Jesus and His Spirit give assurance
that every person, however limited, is capable of growth in
holiness.
Education in the faith, which involves the family above all
else, calls for personalized and adequate programmes. It should
take into account the findings of pedagogical research. It
is most effectively carried out in the context of the integral
education of the person. On the other hand, the risk must
be avoided of separating this specialized catechesis from
the general pastoral care of the community. It is therefore
necessary that the community be made aware of such catechesis
and be involved in it. The particular demands of this catechesis
require a special competence from catechists and render their
service all the more deserving. -- General
Directory for Catechesis #189
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Web Sites Worth Exploring
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Prof. Felix Just, S.J. has posted on his
excellent web site a collection of close to 80 line drawings
by Rudolf Koch. These drawings are from from the book Christian
Symbols (trans. Kevin Ahern; San
Francisco: Arion Press, 1996). All images in the published collection
may be used freely and without further permission. The drawings
Fr. Just has selected mostly depict symbols from the Old and the
New Testament and are quite nice.
Some of these graphics are now available on the Resources for Catholic
Educators Web site:
Old Testament Clipart by
Koch
New Testament Clipart by
Koch
Angel Clipart by Koch |
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Holiness
and Humor: Learning and Laughing with the Saints Sister Anne Elizabeth
Fiore, VHM This is a 27 minute steaming audio file. It is a
lot of fun to listen to and allows us to look at sainthood in a
different light. This is on the web site of the Office of Vocation
of the Diocese of Toledo. There are a number of other resources
on vocations available there. In particular, take a look at
the Teacher/Catechist
Lesson Plans section. It contains a number of excellent printable
resources for use with students by grades as well as a high school
prayer service, a document on faculty inservice ideas, letters to
parents inviting them to pray for vocations and to help their children
discern their own calling. |
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http://www.catholicdigitalimages.com/ specialises in Catholic holy images and holycards from past
centuries. A recent article in the Santa Barbara News Press
had this to say about Julie Ann Brown, the owner of this web
site:
"With about 40,000 of the pocket-sized cards tucked beneath
plastic covers and stacked in boxes in her garage, Ms. Brown
has amassed one of the world’s most extensive collections. She
has filed many of them, available for downloading, on her Web
site." The image on the left is from a small sampling of 20
high resolution images that Mrs. Brown has made available for
free download.
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Prayers
Prayer: We pray for peace
Litany: 'I was hungry and you gave me food'
Prayer service: 'Runaway train" A prayer for the lost and
broken
Prayer Service: Bless our lives
Prayer Service: In praise of hands
The Uniting Church Assembly Mission Prayer Handbook
Bible Study Resources
Bible Study - Session 1: Violence and Vinyards
Bible Study - Session 2: The Face of Love
Bible Study - Session 3: The Paradox of Hope
Brief Concordance: Peace in the NRSV
Brief Concordance: Violence in the NRSV
Pledge for Peace |
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DisciplesNow.com
-- The Place for Catholic Teens on the Web - Disciples
Now's focus is Catholic adolescents in grades 6 to 12 throughout
the United States.
Objectives stated on the site:
- To educate about the traditions, history, and teachings
of the Roman Catholic church.
- To provide information in a visually attractive and interactive
format.
- To offer Lectionary-based catechesis and reflection.
- To support dialogue on current events and issues of interest.
- To connect young people with their local parishes, schools,
and dioceses.
- To direct young people to other Catholic resources.
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Best
Practices of Non-Violent Conflict Resolution in and out-of-school
- Some examples (PDF document) — During the year
2001, the Education Sector of UNESCO launched an initiative
"best practices" for conflict resolution in the
field of formal and non-formal. To accomplish this initiative,
it requested numerous partners, namely, UNESCO Commissions,
NGOs, various associations, schools, research institutions
and contribute to this work by sending clear and simple written
articles relating experience
in the prevention and the transformation of conflicts.
This publication aims to inform teachers, trainers, educators,
parents, youth who, one way or another, are confronted with
violence in the school or in non-community education, and
are looking for practical solutions. The intention of UNESCO
project is not only to inform them what is best internationally
in terms of education and non-violence, but above all to supply
concrete pedagogical tools to prevent transform the violence
with which they are confronted on a daily basis at work." |
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In
Freedom and Responsibility, Robert Gascoigne’s feature article
in the latest issue of Echoing
the Word explores the foundations of Christian moral decision
making, discussing empathy and self-confidence as fruits of conversion,
as well as the role factual knowledge, conscience, Church tradition
and reason play in forming good judgments and making good moral
decisions.
Relationship
at the Heart of the Gospel Message by Marlene Sweeney, Catechist,
SEP-9-2006 - "As directors of religious education programs
in our parish and ministers in our faith community, do we too often
stress the academic side of our teaching ministry?"
Young
Catholics & Their Faith: Is Being ‘Spiritual’ Enough? by Dennis M. Doyle, Commonweal, September 8, 2006 / Volume
CXXXIII, Number 15
The
Word Means Teacher by Rev. Ray Petrucci, Spirituality for
Today, September 2006 - Volume 11, Issue 2 - "In the beginning
of the Gospel of John, the Evangelist exclaims that the Word was
made flesh. The Word, Jesus Christ, is God dwelling with His creation.
He came to proclaim the reign of God. This proclamation was a teaching
that the people understood as new and authoritative. Jesus had to
employ every skill of the teacher in inviting hearts and minds to
come, see, and believe the message of salvation. In the manner of
an artful pedagogue, Jesus used all the creative instrumentalities
of a teacher - and miracles as well."
End-of-Life
Ethics: Preparing Now for the Hour of Death by Kenneth R. Overberg,
S.J., Catholic Update, August 2006 - "Look to the
Scriptures to learn how Catholics should respond to end-of-life
issues. This Catholic Update explores euthanasia, assisted suicide,
life support and advanced directives in light of Church teaching,
morals and ethics."
Cosmically
Unfair: What is the Point of Suffering? by John Garvey, Commonweal,
August 11, 2006 / Volume CXXXIII, Number 14 - "...one of the
things we may begin to learn from what human suffering means (and
they will not explain it away, or reconcile us to it) is, first
of all, to see that it does have the value of showing us that the
world, as it is, is not the world that God means us to inhabit."
More Online Articles |
Spiritandsong.com — "Offering the latest releases by both big-name artists
and emerging new talents, spiritandsong.com is THE place for contemporary
Catholic music. Link and listen online anytime with streaming audio,
download songs, and get updates on new releases through our newsletter.
spiritandsong.com also gets you closer to the artists - and supports
them in their ministry - with full-length profiles, regularly updated
blogs, interactive polls, concert and event listings and booking
opportunities." The discography provided for each of the artists
offers full-lenght sound files of some of their songs.
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Sister Carmela Chetcuti, Founder of Society for Peace
Society for Peace
Aug 13, 2006
Immediate Press Release
Location: Drawbridge Inn & Convention Center, 2477 Royal Drive,
Fort Mitchell, KY 41017
Date: Saturday, September 9, 2006
Time: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm (Doors Open and Continental Breakfast at
8:00 am)
Price: $69.00 - includes conference, meals and entertainment
Lodging: Contact Drawbridge Inn and request the *Society For Peace
Conference* room rate to receive the discounted nightly charge of
$69.00 (plus tax) per room.
Phone: (859) 341-2800 or (800) 354-9793
To register: Call Barbara Koch, (812) 290-4305 or Email us at: www.thesocietyforpeace.org
Sister Carmela Chetcuti, Founder of Society for Peace
Society for Peace, a group of people dedicated to living a peaceful
life through four simple steps. Praying individually for peace,
Praying collectively for peace with others at least once a month.
Looking into one's heart and seeking peace within and then, since
kindness breeds kindness, we are committed to being as kind to others
as much as possible and doing acts of charity.
Society for Peace began 10 years ago in the heart of a cloistered
Carmelite nun named Sr. Carmela Chetcuti. It was a call from the
Lord to open a Shrine/Center for Peace. Sr. Carmela needed to leave
the confines of the monastery to begin this work. She transferred
to a group of Sisters - Sisters for Christian Community. Through
the past 10 years sister has shared her story of the call, the hand
of God on her work and the amazing blessings of God throughout the
journey of faith.
Sister Carmela gathered with people from around the country on
Aug.22, 2004 on St. Mary's campus (Notre Dame) in Indiana. The professionals
that gathered decided to see this through to completion. A Board
was formed in October 2004. Over the next couple years the vision
has come closer to reality. People from around the country can see
that starting with peace in the heart is the key to peace in and
around us. Some have signed on as members, some have begun groups
dedicated to praying for peace. Members are from all walks of life
and creeds. Because anyone can pray, anyone can gather for prayer,
anyone can look within and seek peace within and with others and
anyone can do acts of kindness. Last year we held a walk for peace,
a vigil for peace in Detroit, MI and this year are sponsoring a
Conference called Seek Healing and find Peace.
Last year we filed for the non-profit exemption from the IRS and
it was granted in June of 2006. This allows people who donate to
receive a tax write-off. September 2005 Sister went to Rome to seek
the blessing of the Church. She was welcomed warmly by two officials
in the Sacred Congregation for Religious. This begins the process
of eventual full approval this work of God.
Currently we are looking for land, working with ParkWest Developers
in Toledo.
We are also working closely with an organization called Art for
a Cause which gives much time and effort to seeking help for those
with mental and physical challenges.
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More Humor
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