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This clear and easy-to-use training process is designed to reinvigorate
catechists. This program invites
catechists and teachers to connect their story with the story of Jesus. It will
let them join the community
with new enthusiasm for their students’ — and their own —
journey. The program
works well with Fr. Ashkar’s earlier book, Transfiguration
Catechesis (Resource
Publications, Inc., 1996), as an optional text. It includes an outline for the
sequence of sessions,
handouts and lots of good stories.
About the Author
Dominic F. Ashkar, Ph.D., attributes his view of liturgy and catechesis as a
seamless
garment to his upbringing in the Maronite Catholic Church. Now as a priest
and chor bishop in this
tradition, he is able to preside at both Roman and Maronite liturgies.
Currently he is pastor of Our Lady
of Lebanon Church in Washington, D.C., an director of religious education
for his diocese. He has done
advanced graduate work in religious studies and catechetics at the
Institute Catholique in Paris and
Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Conn. His previous works include Road to
Emmaus: A New Model of
Catechesis and Transfiguration Catechesis: A New Vision Based on
Liturgy and the Catechism
of the Catholic Church.
Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction: How to Use This Guidebook
Session 1: The Story of God
Session 2: From the Eye (Seeing with New Eyes)
Session 3: To the Heart (Hearing with a New Heart)
Session 4: To the Mind (The Whole Being)
(Remembering He Calls Us by Name)
Session 5: To the Will (Acting with a Bigger Heart)
Session 6: To Personal Life (Experiencing a New Peace)
Session 7: To Communal Life (Reflecting a New Face)
Conclusion
Following is the introduction to Discovering the Joy of Teaching. All
rights reserved. Copyright © 1999, Resource Publications, Inc.
Introduction
How to Use This Guidebook
In planning every unit, the following sequence will be used (time allotments
may be adjusted to fit your group’s needs):
Bridging
1. Opening Prayer
2. Introductory Remarks (10 minutes)
3. Distribution of the First Worksheet (20-25 minutes)
4. Results of Group Discussion (15-20 minutes)
5. General Presentation (30 minutes)
6. Distribution of the Second Worksheet (10 minutes)
7. Sharing and Concluding (10 minutes)
8. Closing Prayer
This guidebook comprises seven sessions helping us connect our story to
the story of God — Jesus Christ — making the very difficult
journey from the eye, to the heart, to the mind, to the will, to life in its
personal and communal aspects. In addition to biblical texts, these sessions
will be enhanced by readings from the book Transfiguration Catechesis:
A New Vision Based on the Liturgy and the Catechism of the Catholic
Church. Each session is built around the following structure.
Bridging
This is a “pre-session reflection” to help the participants
settle into the mood of the weekly session. It is an opportunity to review
the key points of the readings from Transfiguration Catechesis that
participants were asked to do at home the previous week.
Step 1: Opening Prayer
A prayer is said. Although one is provided for each session, you may modify
it or write a completely new one.
Step 2: Introductory Remarks
These remarks, in story form, set the stage for the reflection and discussion
around the particular aspect of the Gospel passage for the session.
Step 3: Distribution of the First Worksheet
Each worksheet contains a Gospel passage. Remarks and helpful guiding
questions are provided for the DRE to use with the participants in small
groups to move more deeply into the session theme for twenty to
twenty-five minutes.
Step 4: Results of Group Discussion
A summary of main points raised in group discussion is written on the board
or on large sheets of paper so participants may see the results and be
enriched by the findings of other groups.
Step 5: General Presentation
Points missed or not thought of during the group discussion are presented.
This is the most important part of the session.
Step 6: Distribution of the Second Worksheet
This worksheet is a reflection, after which the participants write about their
thoughts and reactions. The suggested readings for the following session
are also listed on this worksheet.
Step 7: Sharing and Concluding
Participants are invited to share their reflections. This is the time to wrap up
the session and encourage completing the readings for the following
time.
Step 8: Closing Prayer
Again, a prayer is provided that can be modified or rewritten.
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