Episode 3: Practical Advice for Practitioners
We began with the question: “What is a fundamental principle of your ministry?” What these Catholic leaders shared was not only insightful but also practical advice for those called...
A Walk Through Salvation History
Adapted from Breakthrough! The Bible for Young Catholics. In Genesis 1–11, the Bible begins with imaginative stories about how God created everything. These are sometimes called primeval stories, meaning...
Episode 2: Getting to the Core of Relational Ministry
Relationships are central to any form of education or ministry. How does one build that into their daily work with young people? In this episode of Foundations for Flourishing,...
Five Action Steps to Teach and Reach Children (and Their Parents!)
Faith formation requires effective teaching. The Greeks had a word for “teaching” which is still used in professional circles today, and that word is pedagogy. The literal meaning of...
The Twelve Virtues of a Good Teacher
In 1706, John Baptist de La Salle, patron saint of teachers, listed twelve virtues of a good teacher in his Conduct of the Christian Schools. In 1785, Brother Agathon,...
Episode 1: Introduction to Foundations for Flourishing
We’re excited to announce Foundations for Flourishing, our new video and podcast series all about building a strong foundation for your work, faith, and life. Over the next six videos, you’ll...
Go Out Into All the World: How to Make Joyful Disciples
At the end of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus speaks his last words of encouragement and commissioning to his disciples: “Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples;...
Three Activities to Help Emphasize the Eucharist
1. Create a Eucharist Card Invite your group to make a card that illustrates the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. This card will emphasize how ordinary bread...
Overview of Catholic Social Teaching
In the Sacrament of Baptism, we are urged to keep the light of Christ alive in our hearts for the rest of our lives. We are called to holiness....
Environmental Saints and Models
“The world and all that is in it belong to the Lord; the earth and all how live on it are his.” (Psalm 24:1) Yes, the Earth is God’s,...
Respect for the Earth: Caring for God’s Creation
Consider the ways you interact with nature. Have you ever thought about how all our lives depend on nature? How often have you felt in awe of the beauty...
The Paschal Mystery
The Paschal Mystery is a core doctrine of the Church, one of the essential beliefs of all Christians. Though all doctrines are important, some define the very heart of...
Enacting Easter
If you were to ask most people about the story of Christmas, they could likely recall it in some detail. Religious or not, people would likely name the shepherds,...
How to Find a Bible Verse
Reading the Word of God is key to building a personal relationship with Jesus and the Church while learning to live our faith! Did you know there are 73...
Building Community
In a society where young people are well connected virtually but still feel isolated and lonely, how can we build school communities where young people feel important and seen?...
What is Active Learning?
Watch Steven Ellair talk about engaged, active learning and how his experience as a religion teacher informed the creation of Discover! Finding Faith in Life. Discover! is a brand...
Love One Another
We talk a lot about love and the need to be loving people, but what is love? This is a question that Paul’s converts in Corinth must have been...
Prayer: The Heart of the Matter
When I first began teaching, I would invite the class to take several minutes for silent prayer before we began. Shortly after I started this, individual students would approach...
A Confirmation Reflection
I don’t recall where I first heard this quote, but it has stuck with me ever since. It is a quote that simply states, “What we do inside of...
Four Attitudes for 2024
The new year is here! The twelve months to come stretch before us, like clean pages on a calendar. You may already have appointments and other responsibilities marked, but...
Saints for a New Year
We honor the saints because they followed the way of Jesus, each in their own way and with their own gifts and talents. The saints encourage us to follow...
Active Learning Webinar
You may have heard about “active learning.” Let’s take a few minutes to dive into this topic with Steven Ellair and envision how you can incorporate this practice into...
Reclaim Reconciliation
During the season of Advent, the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation often becomes a sacrament of focus in faith communities. Children celebrate First Reconciliation during Advent, and parishes often...
Four Ways to Create More Meaning with Young People
Have you ever been teaching, and you look out to see a room full of young people just staring back at you with glazed eyes? Maybe you’ve experienced sessions...
The Joy of Advent: Complete Catholic lessons for every age, ready to teach
This is such a special time of year. The excitement of the holidays is mounting, and Advent is about to begin, our preparation for the Incarnation and Nativity of...
Celebrating Halloween, All Saints, and All Souls
The ancient Celts, who invented our Halloween celebration, were particularly sensitive to the turning-points of the year. They had to be, for their survival depended on their knowledge of...
Three Ways to Maximize Learning for Kids
If you’ve been in the classroom for some time (or have children of your own), it is no secret that learners have different ways and different circumstances in which...
