A review of the resource: CATECHIST Magazine

Audience: Intergenerational

Resource: CATECHIST Magazine, February 2009 issue, Vol. 42, No.5. Peter Li Education Group, Dayton, Ohio.

Catechist magazine is a publication that is available monthly during the academic year from September through May. The February 2009 edition highlighted on the front cover, “A Lenten Supper – An Intergenerational Event”. The article connected to the front magazine cover banner is authored by Cullen W. Schippe is titled “Now Is an Acceptable Time – A Recipe for an Intergenerational Event.” The article gives a very wide parameter for the topic and guideline regarding how to plan the event. The first paragraph defines an intergenerational event as bringing together all members of a parish to provide a common catechetical experience. The outline included a sample schedule, with the encouragement for flexible design to fit your needs and interest of the audience.

The title of the article seemed awkward. The generalities were positive in the sense that you can plug in your own specifics. The one specific provided in the article was a timeline of the event, which generally resembled a way to implement Groome’s five movements. The schedule provided looked like this:

6:30 Welcome and Gathering
6:40 Presentation
6:55 Responses, Comments, Testimonies, Questions
7:10 Our Shared Meal
7:40 Learning Activities
8:10 Summary
8:20 Prayer
8:30 Collection, Dessert, Dismissal

For a catechist with less experience or initiative this resource would be too vague. As a CRE I found this article to be useful. It was helpful to see a simple design that has the potential for success with planning and community interest.