It’s not my purpose as a catechist to teach so much and it would be best to remember that there are 5 simple things that catechists can do for a successful and grace-filled year.
1. Never start your class with prayer.
This may be shocking as you read it but I am serious. I used to begin with a “Good morning” and quickly get a candle, stand in the front of the classroom and have my students stand and pray with me. It was rote and I noticed that many of the children got nothing out of it. Why? Because it was stale, mechanical and not real. There is nothing wrong with the Our Father or the Hail Mary but I was causing more damage than good. Another thing was that since I had to be on time, prayer started as soon as I arrived. Therefore, tardy students missed the opening prayer. I also discovered that these same students had problems with homework, attendance, and everything else.
Changing my class routine helped students 100%. Instead of beginning with prayer, I started with a Do Now. All students in NYC public schools know that as soon as they enter their class, there is a task on the board for them to complete. It is usually a 3-5 minute pen/pencil to paper activity.
Well, I took that same idea and used it to prepare my students for my class. For example, some of my DO Now’s include:
- A Bible verse
- Look at the picture and react to it. What happened before? What do you think will happen next?
- An object
- A song
- Write a prayer
The Do Now is usually followed with a question that students can answer. In other words, it’s a way to prepare the class for the class. It helps get them focused and centered on the topic of the day and it helps me get to know them a little better. I also have information and a piece of work that they created. Now I can point to something of what they know and what they do not know. During this time, I am taking attendance, looking over my notes or lesson plan for the day, and of course, greeting those late arrivals.
Again, it may seem different and go against your own beliefs on how to begin your Sunday School class, but I urge you to take a risk. Don’t start with a prayer and see what happens. If you prepare your students with a Do Now, they will be focused, produce some written work that you can view, and will give those latecomers some leeway. I believe this last point is important to clarify.
As catechists, we don’t know where and how these children live or if they even ate or slept well. We don’t even know if they pray or attend mass with their families. Therefore, if prayer is important, I mean really, really important, why would it be the first thing I would do knowing that the kids who really need it most would miss it? My guess is that there are several students who need to see, hear, say, and feel the opening prayer of your class. That is why a catechist should never begin their class with prayer. Do it after the Do Now.
2. If it doesn’t help increase their faith, then stop doing it.
I recall teaching my students the Liturgical Year and comparing it with other calendars. They listened and were very respectful. They even drew beautiful calendars. However, I found that it was not moving them closer to increasing their faith. I stopped teaching it. I decided that I would begin with prayer and end with it. Sure, I covered the reasons people prepare for Confirmation, the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit and other topics. Yet, nothing was more important than sharing with students what is prayer and how to express your faith.
In most schools, teachers teach reading by explaining how to read, how to decode, sounds and letters, and using effective strategies to gain comprehension. Teachers also model reading to train the ear for fluency and emotion. Then, students practice reading on their own.
One of the main jobs of a catechist is to teach what is prayer and how to pray. Encountering God may be done in many ways but the most simplest and effective ways is through prayer. Students must be exposed not to the prayers themselves, that is simple and basic. They do not need a catechist to tell them the prayers. What they need is a catechist to show them how it can be used to increase their faith. Students need to see a real life example of an adult who prays and can witness to them the good, the bad, and the ugly.
3. Talk less and listen more.
I read somewhere a saying that goes, “Whomever does the most talking is probably doing the most learning.”
Catechists love sharing their faith and what they know. It’s a calling and many do it with the right intentions. Yet, many do not do it well because they are the ones who do the most talking.
Catechists are called to model Jesus in many ways. One way is listening to their students to see what they know and do not know. If the catechist is the one who always talks more than students then the catechist creates an environment that says student talk is not important, catechist talk is.
Take a risk this year and monitor who talks more in your Sunday school class: the adult or the children? You will be surprised at what you find. You will be surprised even more at the result if you listen more.
4. Walk around as you teach.
Jesus walked a lot. From town to town, he walked, talked and met many people. He was not stationary. He knew his mission and did it no matter the cost.
Effective catechists do the same. Sitting or standing in one place will only keep you far away from the action of teaching and learning. Walking around the class allows you to see and hear more.
For example, I give students a question and then ask them to think about what they will say and then ask them to turn and share their response with the student next to them.
I take this time to walk and listen to what and how my students share. As they talk, I listen and sometimes I ask them about each other’s responses. This turn and share allows then to get to know each other and learn how to share. Students learn from one another more than we think.
5. Echo the Good News: Jesus Christ.
The word catechist means “echo” in the Greek language. Our job is to help students have an encounter with Jesus.
Catechists can do this in many ways:
Bible - there are many examples where Jesus is in action showing love, mercy, and forgiveness. He also heals, preaches and uses many parables that are applicable for teens today. Know what your students need and use the Gospel to reveal Christ Jesus.
Prayer - give your students time to pray in class. You will see the beauty of their hearts as they write what they feel, want, and know. Help them discover that prayer in class can be uplifting, fruitful, and a wonderful opportunity to learn from God and one another.
Talks - guest speakers that are inspiring are great additions to any class. Parents, religious, married couples, and even teens can inspire and uplift a group of students who want to know about their faith. It is also a sign of effective class management and planning.
Retreats - half day, full day or weekends, it doesn’t matter. Students, when ready, need to know how to “retreat from” or leave behind what and who they know and have an encounter with God at least once a year. It will enhance their lives and learning experience.
Images - a picture is worth a thousand words. Yep, so use them often and wisely.
Video - with so much to cover, have effective and uplifting videos with messages that will stick in your students’ minds and hearts, ready at all times.
Service projects - with the proper planning and preparations, catechists would do well to commit to an annual service project that helps students use their time and talents to help others. After the project is completed, celebrate and reflect on what students learned.
Finally, catechists “echo” the Good News with their own lives. Model the with your example and you will help student believe.
Have a great year and congratulations!
You have embarked on a journey similar to those first disciples found in The Gospel of Luke 5:1-11.
Amen.
