Dear Friends in Christ, Last year you may remember that I filled in for a few catechists and ended up being a substitute for the FFF program at my parish. As a substitute everything was compatible with my time and I was enjoying the feeling of being in a classroom again. God must have heardContinue reading “Fall 2026 Update”
Author Archives: smallpencilcatechist
Parish Visit
Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark, NJ We attended Palm Sunday Mass on March 29, 2026. The organ and cantor made for a beautiful pairing with the music. The acoustics were as perfect as one could expect for such a grand church. It is difficult to miss this church. It is enormous! When youContinue reading “Parish Visit”
St. Joseph’s Day
Solemnity of St. Joseph is March 19th. You can take a break from your Lenten Fasts and enjoy a Feast Day to celebrate St. Joseph! The month of March is dedicated to St. Joseph, most chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, foster father to Jesus, and head of the Holy Family. Here’s a talkContinue reading “St. Joseph’s Day”
Shrove Tuesday
The last day in Ordinary Time before the season of Lent begins “The Eucharist is the sacrament of love. It signifies love, it produces love.” ~St. Thomas Aquinas The Mass is the ultimate source of strength for our lives. Jesus instituted the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper. His last Passover mealContinue reading “Shrove Tuesday”
Lent Book Recommendations
Reading during Lent is a great way to incorporate spiritual growth into your daily routines. Besides the Bible which we all should be reading there are countless options available through many sources. Your parish Pastor may have great ideas to share. Several Catholic product companies have book lists or even your local Catholic shop willContinue reading “Lent Book Recommendations”
Fall 2025 Update, update
Dear Friends in Christ, I had previously written about our anticipation for this to be a year of more silence on this website due to our daughter’s upcoming wedding. We indeed did follow that decision for most of the year. The happy couple were married in October, just a few weeks ago, in a splendidContinue reading “Fall 2025 Update, update”
Family Faith Formation 2025
Welcome to the 2025-2026. Family Faith Formation year. In 2020 Our parish changed the method of the catechism program. The teaching faith formation has moved away from a parent dropping off children and has been changed to include parents and children inside the classroom together in small groups with a leader guiding the classroom. Purpose:Continue reading “Family Faith Formation 2025”
Fall 2025 Update
Dear Friends in Christ, Each year we ponder on our role as parent catechists. Asking ourselves: Where do we want to grow in our vocation of parenting and teaching the faith? By now we had envisioned a return to the classroom setting for at least one of us. Again this year we decided against it.Continue reading “Fall 2025 Update”
Parish Visit
St. Augustine by the Sea Catholic Church July 20 2025 We attended the 8am Mass at St. Augustine by the Sea along Waikiki beach in Hawaii. The ocean air greets you as you make your way to Mass. Waikiki Beach is across the street making this church an ideal setting to take in the beautyContinue reading “Parish Visit”
Parish Visit
St. Theresa Catholic Church and Holy Rosary Mission Church July 19, 2025 Imagine sitting in mass as the ocean air fills the church as you are greeted with colorful, beautiful artwork surrounding you. This is what it was like stepping into St. Theresa Catholic Church and Holy Rosary Mission Church. The warmth and comfort ofContinue reading “Parish Visit”
The Small Pencil Catechist 