6th Grade Catholicism for Everybody

Did you ever say My Catholic teachers never explained that to me? Do you have questions or confusion about the Church? If so, then follow my journal as I begin another year as a catechist for six graders. You’ll learn. You’ll laugh. You’ll be inspired.

The cool thing about 6th grade Catholicism is that it’s about the bible, and the bible is about people. Some of them were heroes and some were sinners, like really bad sinners. Many of them were part hero/part sinner, like we are. And a lot of them had BIG personalities–especially in the Old Testament (the Hebrew Scriptures.) But then, the Apostles and followers in the New Testament weren’t slackers either. Yes, many men and women, married and single, young (like barely teenagers) and old (like hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of years!) had problems just like we do and had to figure out how to solve their problems just like we have to figure it out.

For instance, we’ll learn about a man and lady who got kicked out of their large, beautiful home; the only home they ever knew. Then we’ll hear about this guy who saved his family from a flood that was even bigger than Hurricane Ida. And then there’s the story about a big, burly man who lost his physical power when a woman cut his hair!

But the most important Person we’ll hear about is Jesus! And we’ll do that in the best way, through prayer and by talking about the Gospels. The Gospels have all kinds of true and made-up stories in them and show us how Jesus had fun, made friends, helped people, and taught them (and us) some very important facts about life. Like how to pray. And how to get along with people you might not like or might not like you. Plus, we’ll hear stories about the Apostles and how they loved Jesus even when they didn’t understand what He was teaching them –sort of like not always understanding what your older brothers and sisters tell you until you get older.

Besides people in the bible, we are also going to talk about the Catholic Church in the world today and why we do what we do.

So, Adults, if you’ve ever said, “No one ever explained that to me” or if you haven’t really done anything but go to Sunday Mass (or not even that) in the last many years, then make it a point to join our “class” and learn what the sixth graders in PREP (probably was called CCD in your day) are learning about Catholicism.

You’ll be amazed. I always am. And I teach it.

And please use the comment section to ask questions or add information. (I trust you to follow blog etiquette.) See you next Tuesday for a warm-up lesson.

God bless you.