The Religion Teacher provides practical resources and teaching strategies to help religious educators transform the lives of the young people they teach. The Religion Teacher’s Mission: As Christ’s witnesses, we make disciples everywhere. (Acts 1:8, Mt 28:19) The Religion Teacher’s Vision: A Church of Spirit-filled disciples who can’t keep their faith to themselves. Read more about The…
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Catholic Mass Reflection Questions
Occasionally you will have the opportunity to meet with students either before or after mass. As I mentioned in my post on CatholicMom.com, “How to Get Teens to Participate in Mass,” it is critical that we help young people connect their personal experiences with the Liturgy (“find their feelings”) and learn more about the God…
Getting Things Done (GTD) for Religious Educators
I recently read a book by David Allen called Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity. At first I thought it was a bit overwhelming with all the lists and organization that it required. I had been experimenting with Stephen Covey’s form of productivity from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, but thought…
High School Theology of the Body (Tips for Teaching Teens)
If you have had the pleasure of teaching teenagers about John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, then you will surely agree that it is changing the face of Catholic sex education today. As more resources become available for teachers and as the Theology of the Body continues to grow in popularity throughout the Church,…
Catholic Identity in Catholic Schools
What makes a Catholic school “Catholic?” Catholic primary and secondary schools have experienced a number of changes in the years since the Second Vatican Council. Today Catholic schools are staffed almost entirely by lay people while in the 1960s they were staffed primarily by religious sisters, brothers and priests. As Catholics move from the inner-city…
End of the School Year Ideas and Activities
The end of the year is quickly approaching for most schools and religious education programs. For teachers this can be just as stressful that the rest of the year. Many students—especially seniors and 8th graders—“check-out” early in the second semester with a bad case of “senioritis.” Other students wait joyfully in anticipation of the close…
Do Catholics Worship Mary?
No, Catholics do not worship or adore Mary. Catholics hold Mary in a special place of honor and venerate her with special devotions such as the Rosary. The first point of confusion related to this issue is terminology. So let’s clarify a few words: worship, adoration, veneration, and devotion. If you look them up, they…
Happy Anniversary to The Religion Teacher blog
Well, it has been one year since I launched The Religion Teacher. It has been a great experience and I am thankful for the opportunity to share my thoughts and ideas with you. Since the first post in March 2009, I have shifted my focus away from news and web reviews to pedagogy and practical…
Popple: “Acoustic Humor Rock” Music for Catholic Teens
I had the opportunity to meet Kyle and Dan from the Catholic band “Popple” a couple of weeks ago at a Confirmation Retreat. Popple is a popular Catholic band that travels the country singing at parishes, high schools, diocesan events, youth rallies, and conferences. I caught up with Dan last week for a quick interview. …
Lenten Reflection: Begin with the End in Mind
Before you decide what to give up for Lent this year, I want you to consider something very important. Don’t forget Easter. Easter is the end of Lent. Easter gives meaning to Lent, indeed to time itself. Easter celebrates the greatest joy known to man: new life! Easter marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ and…
