Of the half dozen different ways I’ve tried to learn Spanish, the one that has worked best is living in Mexico for a month with people who only spoke Spanish. There are a least a half dozen ways to teach the faith to catechumens, but which do you think will work best? Immersion into the […]
Going to Mass is like moving to Mexico: An immersion in the language of faith
John Madden, the legendary football coach and television announcer is retiring at age 73. And his mother still calls him to check up on him. I totally understand this because, if current trajectory is any guide, I will be getting calls from my mother when I am well into my 70s. And I also understand
Call your mother: Human experience as a locus for catechesis
To see how you might use one of these points in your catechesis, read “How to lead a 90-minute catechetical session.” The Way of Faith Explain that illness and suffering have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life and that as disciples we are called to offer compassion and healing. In the
Breaking Open the News for Fourth Sunday in Easter—B
To see how you might use one of these points in your catechesis, read “How to lead a 90-minute catechetical session.” The Way of Faith Explain that all of human life is sacred and that we are forbidden from killing. In the news The release … of the so-called “torture memos,”
Breaking Open the News for Third Sunday in Easter—B
Sometimes talk about the RCIA process falls prey to generalizations based on “well, at my parish” or “everybody says.” It’s a good thing to balance one’s personal experience or hearsay with some objective information. If you haven’t already read the U.S. Bishops’ study on the implementation of the RCIA, Journey to the Fullness of Life,
To see how you might use one of these points in your catechesis, read “How to lead a 90-minute catechetical session.” The Way of Faith Explain that the seventh commandment forbids us from stealing. In the news Battered by the recession and the deepest and most widespread budget deficits in several
Breaking Open the News for Second Sunday of Easter—B
The Paschal Triduum is the center of the liturgical year, and the Easter Vigil is its high point. It is the liturgy at which night turns into day, and death into resurrection. Why vigil? St. Augustine had a pithy insight into this question: “We now need not wait for the Lord to arrive…. And yet
To see how you might use one of these points in your catechesis, read “How to lead a 90-minute catechetical session.” The Way of Faith Explain that the Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith, a faith handed down to us by the first disciples. In the news While Mexico or Havana
Breaking Open the News for Easter Sunday—B
One of the fabulous images for Holy Saturday is that of Jesus—after his descent into death—pulling Adam and Eve out of their tomb, their prison, and into the light and air. Their shackles fall away. Their eyes blink at the light. It’s the so-called “harrowing of hell” theme (it’s not really hell of course, but
Today’s Triduum liturgy includes a proclamation of the Passion according to John. Whether sung or spoken, this scripture passage is powerful. The symbolism in John’s account gives us much to meditate on-especially those of us engaged in the ministries of Christian initiation. Here is one example: “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom
