Joe Paprocki

A few weeks ago Joe Paprocki asked if I would be interested in reviewing his new book, "Beyond the Catechist's Toolbox: Catechesis That Not Only Informs but Also Transforms." Of course I said yes; I've been a fan of Joe’s work ever since I became involved in catechesis.

"Beyond the Catechist's Toolbox" builds on and expands Joe's book "The Catechist's Toolbox." In fact, this new book is a intended to help catechists "take it to the next level" by offering a model for religious education show more that moves beyond the typical "classroom model." This model will be familiar to anyone who follows Joe's blog since he makes regular allusions to his method there. Nevertheless, having this model laid out systematically and in one place is a blessing.

This new model focuses on making religious education more like religious practice; Joe's refrain throughout the book is "more like Mass than class." To that end Joe outlines a 70-minute, 5-step process for engaging youth in catechesis not only through the use of books (although Joe points out the importance of good catechetical materials) but through prayer, activities, and reflection.

For instance, after the opening prayer, Joe recommends starting the session with an activity that helps students identify with the topic or subject of the evening. He uses St. Ignatius of Loyola's practice of "entering through their door but leaving through your own" to make an immediate impact while guiding participants to where you want them to go.

I love this model for the way it connects the content of the faith with the practice of the faith. Too often our catechesis exists in a vacuum where what we learn doesn't make an impact on how we pray and worship. Joe rightfully recognizes the disservice this does to youth and seeks to reintegrate these aspects of faith formation.

"Beyond the Catechist’s Toolbox" is an excellent resource and, at just 90 pages, a great gift for catechists and Catholic school teachers. I heartily recommend its use in parishes and schools as another way of taking catechesis beyond the school model and back to its evangelizing roots.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from its publisher, Loyola Press. show less

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki has written a splendid book on the connections between faith and sports. Highlighting his own experience as a hockey goalie (he's known as the "holy goalie") and marathon runner he explains how participating in athletics helps us see God's presence in eight areas of life: fear, frustration, failure, fortitude, faith, family, friendship, and fun.

The book is punctuated by stories from the bishop's own life -- playing floor hockey in the basement of his father's show more pharmacy, his frustrations when knee surgery kept him off the ice -- as well as from various professional and amateur athletes he has worked with as an adviser to Catholic Athletes for Christ and as the National LIFE Runners Team Chaplain.

The style is accessible and makes it an ideal read for adolescents and young adults. I heartily recommend this book to athletes and sports fan alike who wish to further their own spiritual journey.

Disclosure: Bishop Paprocki is the bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, my employer. show less

The thin volume of God's Library: A Catholic Introduction to the World's Greatest Book by Joe Parocki is a very basic overview to starting one's own study of the Bible. If you have any experience at all with the Bible you can probably skip the first 2-3 chapters although these would be great to reccomend to absolute beginners. I found the latter chapters more interesting as Parocki writes on distinguishing between truth and fact (the Catholic response to Fundamentalist literalism)and show more provides tips for interpreting the Bible and applying it to one's life. The useful appendices provide a good bibliography of resources and an instruction guide for starting a parish Bible study.

Like I said, it's best for beginners, but it's a short book so I found worth reviewing for a good framework for studying scripture. It's also good to know about it to recommend to others. Parocki gets bonus points for his great use of the library as analogy (including a floor plan of what the Bible as library would like). show less

YES! Our church committee is discussing this book online. It's quick, thoughtful, engaging and rings very true to our experience. We've set up a google document to figure out which suggestions we want to implement right now and which ones to plan for.