Jared Dees's Blog: The Latest from Jared Dees, page 51

What is your vision for the future of religious education?

Last week I outlined a new vision for religious education that is inspired by the spirit of the New Evangelization and written about in my book, To Heal, Proclaim, and Teach.

I was overwhelmed by the positive response I got from that 3,000-word manifesto. I was so pleased to see that so many catechetical leaders, teachers, and catechists share such an audacious vision with me.

I have to tell you that the process of articulating that vision was incredibly helpful for me. Getting it out of my...

A New Vision for Catholic Religious Education

If we were to evaluate the impact of our religious education programs in the Catholic Church today based solely on the number of students whose lives were transformed, do you think we would score well?

What if our religious education programs and children’s ministries were measured by the number of disciples (what Sherry Weddell calls “intentional disciples” and Matthew Kelly calls “dynamic Catholics.”)?

How well do you think we would do based only on that metric?

I’ll be honest. I don’t thi...

What You Should Know about Daily Catholic Devotions

To prepare for the release of To Heal, Proclaim, and Teach , I’m dedicating each week to a specific theme. This week’s theme is “Be Evangelized.” Even the most veteran of teachers and ministers need to be continually evangelized. As Catholics we have a treasure trove of devotions to help us be evangelized each and every day.

To be evangelized is to seek out opportunities for an encounter with Christ. This encounter is almost always during moments of uncomfortability.

To be evangelized means t...

How Jesus Healed Me (A Personal Testimony)

This is an excerpt from my book To Heal, Proclaim, and Teach(Amazon). It is a personal testimony of an encounter I had with God–the first, powerful encounter that set me on the path to where I am today. It is an example of an “encounter story.” Encounter stories are moments in our lives that we can point to as times when we felt or experienced the loving presence of God. These stories become our testimonies. They are the stories that enable us to be Christ’s witnesses.

If you haven’t done s...

To Evangelize, You Have to Be Evangelized

I’ve heard it said many times that in order to be a good writer you have to read.

It’s advice that transfers into almost any endeavor.

Want to be a good golfer? Watch or play with good golfers.

Want to be a good leader? Work for a good leader.

Want to learn how to cook? Be exposed to good cooking.

This, of course, applies to Christianity as well:

Want to learn how to evangelized? Be evangelized!

We often find our Church in a rut these days. People are over-worked and underpaid. They have be...

A Catechist Blessing

What our Church needs most today is men and women who are willing to touch the heart and not just the head. As Pope Paul VI once wrote, we need to be more like witnesses than teachers. We need people who will not only catechize, but evangelize our Church’s youth.

The following blessing for catechists is meant to inspire you and all volunteer catechists and teachers to become Christ’s witnesses. It is based on the principles in the book To Heal, Proclaim, and Teach, which is inspired by the t...

What’s in Store for 2016?

“Practical resources for religious educators.”

That has always been the focus of The Religion Teacher. When a catechist or religion teacher shows up at this website, they are going to find something practical, something immediately usable and effective in the classroom.

It is my hope that with each resource you find and use here, you are able to make a lasting impact on the students you serve.

I have a lofty vision for this website. I want it to be the first place that every Catholic religiou...

Jubilee Year of Mercy Activities and Worksheets

From Advent 2015 to the end of the liturgical year in 2016, the Catholic Church is celebrating a Jubilee Year of Mercy. Pope Francis is encouraging the entire Church to meditate on God’s mercy in their lives and to share that mercy with others. The following resources may help you in planning your Year of Mercy activities in your classroom this year.

Activities about the Year of Mercy

The Year of Mercy Website (Vatican)

USCCB Year of Mercy Resources (USCCB)

Year of Mercy Resources for Kids (...

Seed Gifts: A Subtle Form of Evangelization

We all have friends and family members that we wish had a better relationship with God. Many of us worry about them constantly because we see such a great need for God and faith in their lives.

Some of us have had arguments faith and religion with these friends and family. Even bringing up the topic of God and religion can spark intense emotions including anger and later resentment.

It’s never an easy topic to discuss especially when someone tries to avoid these conversations at all costs.

A...

How to See Others for Who They Truly Are

In what I find to be the most challenging yet most essential teaching in the Bible, Jesus tells his disciples:

“Love one another as I have loved you.”

Don’t be confused. There is a big difference between loving someone and being nice to someone. Anyone can force himself to be nice to others–even to the people he hates. Jesus says, however, we must “love one another.”

Not grudgingly.

Not because we have to or because we’re afraid God will punish us. Christian love is not just about outward act...