Encouraging story for catechists

[leonie]

I was talking to my co-catechist recently about how broken hearted I am that it seems like the kids aren’t retaining the instruction I’m presenting. I’m teaching 5th grade and last Sunday one of my students (whom I taught in 3rd grade) told me that she had never heard the story of Moses before. ugh. I spent a whole hour on it in 3rd grade!! Plus, it’s not exactly an obscure Bible story.

So, she told me this story. My friend used to take her kids to visit an elderly lady in a nursing home. This lady was in the hospital one day when my friend visited. The next week, she saw her again and the lady told her this story.

The elderly lady had been revived after her heart had stopped. And, when she regained consciousness, she remembered a dream in which she came before Jesus who was surrounded by children. He smiled at her and said, “here are all the children who souls you saved.”

The elderly lady had been a catechist for 40 years before she retired.

Maybe the eternal impact is greater than the short term frustrations.

 

[jpjd]

That is an encouraging story! You never know what impact you have on others (in or out of the classroom).

I would like to add that kids need LOTS of repetition to learn and retain. If the student really heard the Moses story only one time, 2 years ago, even for a whole hour, I’m not surprised she doesn’t remember it 2 years later. That can be discouraging for a catechist, but remember, we catechists are laying a foundation for all future learning, and our individual efforts are one or more bricks out of MANY, MANY bricks to come. It could be that your brick is the one that others build on, or your brick could be the one that builds upons others and perhaps makes everything click in the student’s mind.

Just keep on keeping on, and know that what you are doing is having an impact, even if you can’t see it yourself and indeed may never know about it. God Bless!

 

[Scoobyshme]

Keep in mind that when we teach the faith, we are just planting seeds. Those seeds may not germinate right away. They may take years and years. All we’re called to do is work in the Lord’s garden of souls, plowing, planting, watering, weeding, etc. It is for Him to harvest when He sees fit.

 

[nickybr38]

To add to the commentor above me - He WILL harvest when He sees fit. It took 27 years before my seed finally took root and sprouted. Don’t ever be discouraged!!! You never know when something you’ve taught will sink in for these kids.

 

[FaustinaClare]

THANK YOU

I’ve felt so disheartened recently with my CCD class. I teach 4th grade and some students are so busy horsing around and not paying attention that they make it difficult for the other students to pay attention.

I kept trying to get some important messages across in connecting our history in the old testament and the Church today and I just don’t think they retained anything.

Personally I think the parents pump them full of sugar before they send them to us! lol

Maybe something did sink in somewhere!!

 

[Barbkw]

I served 5 years in the military. The military uses a three step teaching approach.

1. Present the verbal material to the person.
2. Have the person repeat to you what they heard you say. - (Make corrections as necessary)
3. Have the person perform the required hands on activity using the newly acquired knowledge.

A problem in classroom instruction is the overload of material that is or isn’t tested or is tested at the incorrect time.

Another problem is that knowledge is never used. All history and no practical way to use it. Seldom a “hands on” activity.

 

[Scoobyshme]

Unfortunately these days, “CCD” in most parishes stands for “Color, Cut, and Draw” rather than “Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.” The kids have no idea what they’re being taught. I asked my young grandson one day what happened in catechism class, hoping he would say something like, “Well, we learned about Jesus, and…” But all he said was, “We got to color a picture.” Didn’t know exactly of what or why. Just colored.

We have to give these children MEAT! We think they can’t comprehend, or it’s too complicated, etc. These are the same kids that jump with both feet into complicated video games that even some adults can’t understand, and ace 'em! They’re capable and we’re giving them mush for the most part. And like Barb said, it has to be used. In this case, they have to see what they’ve been taught lived out in their family and community. And they have to be made to do the same, like it or not.

 

[KarenElissa]

Unfortunately these days, “CCD” in most parishes stands for “Color, Cut, and Draw” rather than “Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.”

Maybe a thread about being encouraging to catechists is not the right place for complaining about how bad a job catechists are doing these days.