This afternoon I taught my second fourth-grade faith formation class of the year. Sixteen kids, one hour, fire drill, church tour, anxious parents waiting to whisk their kids home for dinner, homework, soccer, dance. It's not an easy balancing act on anybody's part. I know I go into that class hoping that I not only cover all the pertinent information but that I connect on some real level with the kids, say something that strikes a chord. After a full day of school, I realize it's not easy for them to pay attention to one more teacher cramming a week's worth of information into less than an hour. But that's what we have to do, and I'm determined to make it more than just another class they have to survive. In the midst of those lessons, I want them to see faith come alive.
During our first class, as we gathered around our prayer table and talked about the cross and candle, Bible and altar cloth, I stopped to ask if anyone knew why the cloth was green. I didn't really expect an answer to that one. Without hesitation a little boy's hand shot up and he said, "Because it's Ordinary Time." And so it seems that even on an ordinary Wednesday during an ordinary class in Ordinary Time, extraordinary things can happen.
Even with those shining moments, however, it helps to have extra resources to give us ideas and encouragement. If you're a catechist, be sure to check out OSV's Teaching Catholic Kids by clicking HERE. It's chock full of suggestions, activities, links and more.
