Bridges to Faith Director Guide | English

Essentials of the Catholic Faith for Children Ages 8–11

FaithBridges to

Director GuiDe

JOE PAPROCKI, DMin

w_0388_BridgesToFaith_DG.indd 1 11/26/12 12:27 PM

Bridges to Faith is an expression of the work of

Loyola Press, a ministry of the Chicago-Detroit

Province of the Society of Jesus.

Excerpts from the New American Bible, revised

edition, copyright © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc.,

Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights

reserved. No part of the New American Bible

may be reprinted without permission in writing

from the copyright holder.

Excerpts from the English translation of the

Catechism of the Catholic Church for the United

States of America copyright 1994 United States

Catholic Conference, Inc.—Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

Author: Joe Paprocki, D.Min.

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Interior design: Loyola Press

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ContentsB r i d g e s t o Fa i t h

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ContentsWelcome to Bridges to Faith 4

Bridging the Gap 5

Program Overview 6

Using This Guide 7

Step 1: Plan for the Year 8

Implementation Model 1: Full Year 9

Implementation Model 2: Half Year 10

Implementation Model 3: Parish Summer Intensive 11

Implementation Model 4: At-Home Catechesis 12

Step 2: Plan a Communications Strategy 13

For Catechists 13

For Parents and Children 14

Step 3: Management Hints 15

Meeting Children Where They Are 16

Step 4: Introducing Bridges to Faith 18

Introduce Parents to Bridges to Faith 18

Introduce Children to Bridges to Faith 21

Resources: Books and Magazines 23

Resources: Internet 24



Essentials of the Catholic Faith for Children Ages 8–11

FaithBridges to

DIRECTOR GUIDE

JOE PAPROCKI, DMin

Fundamentos de la fe católica para niños de 8–11 años

la fePuentes a

JOE PAPROCKI, DMin

GUÍA DEL DIRECTOR DEL PROGRAMA

B r i d g e s t o Fa i t h

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Welcome to Bridges to FaithIn response to your baptismal call to serve God and others, you are involved in faith

formation Catechesis is the process through which we develop a firm foundation in our

faith This foundation provides us with the tools we need to live out our Baptism and pass

on our faith Catechesis is a lifelong process You have now been entrusted to pass on the

faith to others Bridges to Faith can help you better serve the children who may need it

most—those with little or no background in the teachings of the Catholic faith

Components of Bridges to FaithThe components of Bridges to Faith provide the tools to build a firm foundation in the

Catholic faith for children ages 8 to 11 The program consists of the following

children’s BookThe Bridges to Faith Children’s Book is divided

into four parts Each part addresses one of the

four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

• Part 1: The Creed

• Part 2: The Sacraments

• Part 3: The Moral Life

• Part 4: Prayer

Leader GuideThe Bridges to Faith Leader Guide features a

four-step lesson plan for each corresponding

Children’s Book chapter

Director Guide

Bridges to Faith Bilingual • Children’s Book

• Leader Guide

• Director Guide

Web Support• www loyolapress com offers activity

suggestions, sacramental preparation resources, and support

• www bridges-to-faith com

• www puentes-a-la-fe com




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Bridging the Gap Bridges to Faith is designed for children with some Catholic background, a different

Christian background but pursuing initiation into the faith, or children who have never

received any Christian faith instruction In other words, this program bridges the gap

for children between the ages of 8 and 11 who have not yet attended traditional parish

religious education programs and perhaps have entered a program for children similar to

the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), or who have occasionally attended but

have not received all three Sacraments of Initiation There are many reasons why children

may not have previously participated in a parish’s religious education program Among

them are the following:

• The family has moved and has not been able to have consistent religious education

• A parent or child has had a long illness

• The parents have not been attending church

• The family was out of the country

• A family challenge, such as divorce, job loss, or lack of transportation has produced hardship

• Parents are new Catholics or are returning to the faith

• The family has immigrated to the United States from another country

At the start of the program, acknowledge that just as all members of the Church are in

different places in their faith journey, children may be at different places as well For those

who have been baptized, the lessons will reinforce their baptismal commitment and treat

it from a Catholic perspective Be sure to acknowledge that learning about our faith is an

ongoing, lifelong process The content and ideas of Bridges to Faith are just the beginning

of an exciting journey that will help children learn to serve God and others in all that

they do




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Program Overview

Program OverviewYour Role as DirectorAs part of your baptismal promises, you are called to pass on the faith Many people have

nurtured your faith and helped you recognize and respond to God’s call As a catechetical

director, you are now in the position to do the same for others

Roles for catechetical directors vary from parish to parish and diocese to diocese The

consistent challenge for directors is to provide leadership, support, and resources to those

who work in faith formation Your role is to provide that leadership for catechists, parents,

children, and the parish faith community as a whole

What It’s All AboutBridges to Faith is a supplemental program for children who need to “catch up” with

catechesis It is important to help children who may not have received traditional faith

formation develop a firm foundation in the Catholic faith so that they will learn to serve

God and others Bridges to Faith is designed to give children that foundation to begin their

lifelong journey of faith

Bridges to Faith is a comprehensive introduction to the Catholic faith The Bridges to Faith

Children’s Book consists of 20 faith formation sessions There are introductory and

concluding sessions along with 18 chapters that are based on the four pillars of the

Catechism of the Catholic Church The program helps children see connections between what

they learn about the faith and how to apply what they have learned to their daily lives

In each chapter, catechists guide children through a four-step lesson plan laid out in the

Leader Guide The steps are Engage, Explore, Reflect, and Respond

engage Each chapter begins with a brief discussion of the At-Home question from the previous session. This is a springboard into the new topic. Next, the session theme is introduced within an opening prayer. This step concludes with a brief discussion of a topic that connects to the chapter’s theme.

explore Children explore the chapter content through text, activities, and discussions.

reflect Children examine the chapter theme and reflect on how this connects to their daily lives.

respond Children complete the Review page, summarizing what they’ve learned.



Using This GuideB r i d g e s t o Fa i t h

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Using This GuideBridges to Faith encourages catechists and children to develop a lifelong relationship

with God and to share their faith with others This Director Guide provides you with

the support and resources you need to implement and coordinate Bridges to Faith in

your parish

This guide contains introductory information along with four simple steps to assist you in

presenting Bridges to Faith to catechists, parents, and children in your parish community

The guide ends with additional resources to help you prepare and extend the program

Program overview, using this Guide The opening pages provide an overview of program components, background on children coming into the program, and a quick introduction to program features and goals. All components are available in a Spanish bilingual version.

Step 1: Plan for the Year Step 1 provides you with four different implementation models for Bridges to Faith: Full Year, Half Year, Parish Summer Intensive, and At-Home Catechesis. Each model offers an effective, practical presentation of the program tailored to meet the varied needs of your parish community.

Step 2: Plan a communications Strategy

Step 2 describes ways to communicate, affirm, and encourage catechists and parents about classes, activities, and presentations throughout the course of the program.

Step 3: Management Hints Step 3 provides advice and organizational and logistical tips to help streamline program sessions.

Step 4: introducing Bridges to Faith Step 4 provides plans for two sessions that introduce the program to parents and children.

resources Books, magazines, and online resources are provided.



Step 1: Plan for the Year B r i d g e s t o Fa i t h

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Step 1: Plan for the Year The implementation models on the following pages

can be easily adapted to fit your schedule Weekly and

biweekly sessions are held 16–25 times per year and

range from 45 to 90 minutes The Summer Intensive

model is designed for 12 sessions of up to 180

minutes Suggestions are also provided for

at-home catechesis

Implementation Model 1: Parish Weekly Sessions: 24 Sessions

Implementation Model 2: Parish Biweekly Sessions: 16 Sessions

Implementation Model 3: Parish Summer Intensive: 12 Sessions

Implementation Model 4: At-Home Catechesis

Each chapter provides many opportunities for prayer, discussion, reflection, and faith in action

Chapter content and activities can be tailored to fit the needs of children as well as time

constraints In addition, to better assist the learning of all children, optional If Time Allows

activities are provided that address multiple intelligences and help meet the needs of children

with different learning styles




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Implementation Model 1: Full Year

Parish Weekly Sessions: 24 SessionsIf you choose Implementation Model 1, you can split up chapters 9, 13, and

17 If you feel you can complete the longer chapters in one session, you may

choose to use additional sessions for community service activities, review,

or other extension activities You may choose to do these sessions after each

unit or at the end of the program Some suggestions for extensions might be

community service activities, a tour of your sanctuary and the sacramentals used each

week at Mass, small-group projects, presentations about the saints, or sessions focused on

seasonal celebrations

Month Bridges to Faith Session

September 1. Program Overview with breakout sessions for parents and children 2. Introductory Session 3. Chapter 1

october 4. Chapter 2 5. Chapter 3 6. Chapter 4

November 7. Chapter 5 8. Chapter 6 9. Chapter 7

December 10. Chapter 8 11. Chapter 9 (pages 63–67) 12. Chapter 9 (pages 68–72)

January 13. Chapter 10 14. Chapter 11 15. Chapter 12

February 16. Chapter 13 (pages 97–102) 17. Chapter 13 (pages 103–106) 18. Chapter 14

March 19. Chapter 15 20. Chapter 16

April 21. Chapter 17 (pages 131–135) 22. Chapter 17 (pages 136–140) 23. Chapter 18

May 24. Closing Session




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Implementation Model 2: Half Year

Parish Biweekly Sessions: 16 SessionsBiweekly sessions can be held 16 to 20 times per year and range

from 90 to 120 minutes It is feasible to combine two chapters at

some gatherings

Month Bridges to Faith Session

September 1. Introductory Session 2. Chapters 1, 2

october 3. Chapters 3, 4 4. Chapters 5, 6

November 5. Chapter 7 6. Chapter 8

December 7. Chapter 9 8. Chapter 10

January 9. Chapter 11 10. Chapter 12

February 11. Chapter 13 12. Chapter 14

March 13. Chapters 15, 16 14. Chapter 17

April 15. Chapter 18 16. Closing Session




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Implementation Model 3: Parish Summer IntensiveSummer Intensive sessions can be held 12 times (4 per week for

3 weeks) for 150 to 180 minutes Due to the length of time allotted, it is

feasible to combine two sessions at each gathering Be sure to include

times for breaks between sessions Sessions may be extended to fill

the time available by using the If Time Allows activities, community

service projects, church tours, and other small-group projects When

combining sessions, you need not use all the prayers, but can adapt

prayers to fit the needs of your group

Week Day Bridges to Faith Session

Week 1 1 2 3 4

Introductory Session, Chapter 1 Chapters 2, 3 Chapters 4, 5 Chapters 6, 7

Week 2 5 6 7 8

Chapters 8, 9 Chapter 10 Chapters 11, 12 Chapter 13

Week 3 9 10 11 12

Chapters 14, 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18, Closing Session




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Implementation Model 4: At-Home CatechesisParents or guardians can provide their children with formal catechesis

at home in cooperation and communication with the parish catechetical

program, using the Bridges to Faith Children’s Book and the Bridges to Faith

Leader Guide Home catechesis is an option for families:

• who choose to do faith formation with their children at home (in cooperation with you) instead of through the parish religious education program or Catholic school

• who need to work on faith formation at home because the children will miss parish sessions for an extended period of time because of travel, illness, or injury

• who wish to be more intimately involved in their children’s faith formation as it is taking place in either the parish religious education program or Catholic school

Remind parents that family faith formation takes place within the broader context of

the parish faith community Consider inviting those who provide home catechesis to

follow the same calendar (weekly, biweekly, and so on) as the parish religious education

program Likewise, consider inviting them to attend the orientation session for catechists

and children and parent introduction sessions for Bridges to Faith By maintaining regular

communication with the parish catechetical staff and by participating in opportunities

that bring parents and families together, parents and their children will deepen their

understanding of what it means to be a member of the Body of Christ



Step 2: Plan a Communications StrategyB r i d g e s t o Fa i t h

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Step 2: Plan a Communications StrategyFor CatechistsAs director, you set the tone for communication, cooperation, and partnership with

everyone involved in Bridges to Faith. Catechists should feel free to ask you for help and to

share their ideas In some instances, you may have only one or two catechists using the

program It is important for them to feel a sense of community and receive affirmation for

their work The following are ideas and resources to help foster communication:

• Put together folders for catechists to pick up as they check in before each session Folders might include announcements about parish events and gatherings They might also include encouraging Bible verses, quotations from the General Directory for Catechesis (GDC), or prayers that help affirm the vocation of your catechists You may even wish to write a handwritten note to catechists each week to affirm and thank them for their time and talent

• From time to time, leave a card, note, or special snack in the session rooms to show your appreciation for the catechists’ hard work and dedication to their vocation

• To cultivate a strong relationship and help with planning, set up individual meetings with Bridges to Faith catechists Ask catechists to share successful session ideas or management tips

• Call or e-mail catechists during the program to ask how their sessions are going Ask if they need help with planning, during sessions, or with children who may be challenging

• Suggest that catechists visit www loyolapress com for 3-Minute Retreats, links to the daily readings, blogs, and many other resources that will enhance their instruction and enrich their own faith

• Direct catechists to www ignatianspirituality com as a resource for learning more about Ignatian spirituality

• Invite catechists to visit www other6 com and join in the discussion about finding God in all things

• Place a suggestion box at the sign-in table each week Encourage catechists to place suggestions for planning, prayer, communication, and so on in the box Address these issues or suggestions by sending out e-mail responses

• Encourage catechists to participate in diocesan faith formation days and diocesan catechist certification programs Place flyers and information in catechist folders and provide information at catechist retreats



Step 2: Plan a Communications StrategyB r i d g e s t o Fa i t h

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For Parents and ChildrenCommunication with parents and children is essential Encourage children to become

aware of parish events and to become connected to their parish community Encourage

parents to be active participants in their children’s faith formation by using the following

suggestions and resources:

• Establish that you are available to support parents in the faith formation of their children Give parents your e-mail address and office phone number so that they may contact you with questions or problems

• Ask parents to provide their e-mail addresses at the start of the program so that you can send out reminders and news about sessions and other parish programs If parents do not wish to be contacted via e-mail, be sure to send them information by the postal service

• Welcome parents and children as they arrive at sessions Thank them for making faith formation a priority in their busy schedules

• Send out surveys by e-mail or the postal service to ask parents for feedback about how they feel the program is going Encourage parents to offer positive feedback, constructive criticism, and suggestions or ideas

• Make an information center or bulletin board in a convenient place so that parents can read about upcoming events and programs when they drop off and pick up children for sessions

• Suggest that parents visit www loyolapress com for 3-Minute Retreats, links to the daily readings, blogs, and many other resources to make family learning about the faith an enjoyable and enriching process

• Encourage parents to visit www ignatianspirituality com as a resource for learning more about Ignatian spirituality

• Invite parents to visit www other6 com along with their children and join in the discussion about finding God in all things

• Invite parents to become involved as catechists, “helping hands,” and in parish faith formation or sacramental preparation programs throughout the year

• Suggest for parents to visit their parish Web site for additional resources

• Invite children to become involved with younger children as helping hands for catechists



Step 3: Management HintsB r i d g e s t o Fa i t h

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Step 3: Management HintsResource Room Many directors find it efficient to set up a resource room where catechists can check in,

preplan for sessions, and gather materials before meeting with children Since there may

be only a few catechists using Bridges to Faith, you may wish to designate a corner or a

bookcase for materials related to this program Encourage catechists to communicate with

those using other programs to share ideas and activities Following are some ideas you

may use to set up a resource room:

• Just before the program begins, designate a sign-in table The table should have a sign-in sheet for catechists Each catechist should sign in and pick up a folder The folders might contain the following: a class roster with class dates for attendance; session schedules; a welcome letter from the pastor; a list of parish staff names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses; flyers about upcoming parish events or diocesan events; and any other information you wish to share with catechists

• Build a library of resources related to Bridges to Faith. Your library might include Bibles, General Directory for Catechesis (GDC), National Directory for Catechesis (NDC), Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), books about Ignatian spirituality, activity books, catechist magazines, Catholic newspapers, activity ideas or packets, CDs, and CD players See page 23 of this guide for more ideas

• Stock group supply bins for catechists to use each week Prepare one bin for each catechist Bins might include crayons, markers, scissors, pens, pencils, tape, and glue

• Stock a shelf with art supplies At a parent meeting, ask parents to donate supplies if possible Supplies might include construction paper, cardstock, poster board, old newspapers and magazines, tissue paper, ribbon, watercolor paints, washable tempera paints, and old shirts to use while painting

Session RoomsTime is limited for sessions, so anything you can do to prepare session rooms before

meetings allows catechists maximum time for instruction

• Set up a prayer space that includes a small table with a cloth to reflect the liturgical season, a Bible, CD player, small plant or flowers, and a candle (if allowed), and one or more of the following: bowl of holy water, religious image, or statue

• Have rooms set up with tables or desks and chairs Be sure that each child has a seat

• Check to see that any special equipment requests have been fulfilled, such as DVD players, TVs, computers, overhead projectors, and screens




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Meeting Children Where They Are

Meeting Children Where They AreChildren participating in Bridges to Faith come from different backgrounds and different

places in their faith journey This program helps them get up to speed with the other

children in their age group so that they may continue in a regular faith formation

program The content of the program will give them all the necessary tools to either begin

to learn about the Catholic faith or to reinforce what they already know A major emphasis

of Bridges to Faith is to help children feel comfortable with being a part of the Body of

Christ and to be an active member of your parish community Bridges to Faith presents a

welcoming and relevant connection to the child’s life and daily decisions, which will spark

a desire for them to further grow in relationship with God and nurture a lifelong faith

Through the program’s deeper instruction, prayer, and service, children will have the tools

they need to continue their faith journey

As Director, you may wish to point out to catechists that since they will be dealing with

children from a variety of backgrounds, they may need to be extremely sensitive to the

needs of their group Stress that catechists need to be flexible, kind, and respectful of all

the different needs of the children in their groups Take the time to explain the varied

backgrounds of children that may be taking part in Bridges to Faith

For children who have entered your program because their parents have entered RCIA

• Explain that they are learning about their faith at the same time their parents are learning

• Explain that those who have not been baptized will be baptized soon after finishing the program

• Point out that we are all children of God and that they are welcome in your community whether or not they have been baptized

For baptized children to be able to meet the requirements to receive the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation and the Sacrament of the Eucharist

• Explain that even if children have been baptized, there may be many reasons why they are taking part in Bridges to Faith

• Stress that even if they have been away from religious education for a while, you are excited about helping them be a part of the program

• Encourage those who have been baptized to share their Baptism stories with those who have not Affirm them by helping them be teachers for the other children

• Point out that some of what they will learn may not be new to them, but it is always helpful to review what we believe and how we practice our faith

• Remind them that they will learn all they need to know to be able to receive Reconciliation and the Eucharist Explain that building a good foundation leads to a joyful and meaningful experience when they receive these sacraments



Meeting Children Where They Are B r i d g e s t o Fa i t h

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For children who have had some formal religious education, but have missed a year or more of instruction

• Be sensitive to the needs of this group These children may feel isolated from the parish community They may somehow feel responsible for not attending classes for so long

• Stress that you are happy that they are returning to classes Welcome them warmly and encourage them to share how they have been practicing their faith at home, even if they have not been attending classes

• Point out that God is always calling us to learn more about him and grow closer to him

• Explain that they are taking a big step in returning to class This step will help them be active members of the parish They will form new relationships with other children and work together to live their faith through prayer and service activities

For children who have had no formal religious education

• These children may feel uneasy as they begin the program The Catholic faith may be totally new to them Our prayers and practices may seem overwhelming

• Encourage them to participate when they feel comfortable

• Assign a student who is more “advanced” to be a mentor for these children Allow time during sessions for mentors to help children learn basic prayers and explain things we do at Mass

• Your parish may have volunteer helping hands that can work with these children to help them review chapter content and familiarize them with parish groups and activities

Encourage catechists to foster a warm, friendly, and loving environment for their diverse

groups Be available to help with individual children or in small groups if needed Stop

in and welcome children during classes throughout the program Stress that no matter

where they are on their faith journey, you and the parish community are available to

nurture them and include them in the life of your parish




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Step 4: Introducing Bridges to Faith

Step 4: Introducing Bridges to FaithIntroduce Parents to Bridges to Faith One of the most effective ways of partnering with parents is to invite them to become

familiar with the resources that your parish catechetical team is using to support parents

in their children’s faith formation By hosting a Bridges to Faith orientation session for

parents, you have the opportunity to affirm and assist parents in their efforts to form

their children in faith This orientation is designed as a two-hour session in which you

guide parents through an overview of the Bridges to Faith program and offer ways to

encourage continued faith formation in the family

topic timeOpening Prayer 5 minutes

Welcome 5 minutes

Overview of Bridges to Faith 30 minutes

Break 15 minutes

Chapter Overview 30 minutes

Question-and-Answer Session 20 minutes

Wrap-Up and Closing Prayer 15 minutes

opening Prayer (5 minutes)Begin with a brief prayer Read aloud from Hebrews 11:1: “Faith is the realization of what is

hoped for and evidence of things not seen ” Then pray aloud the following prayer: Heavenly

Father, bless these people and help them to nurture the faith of their children. Give them the wisdom

to pass on their own knowledge and experience and show their children your love. Amen.

Welcome (5 minutes)Welcome parents to the session Read aloud the following from the Catechism of the

Catholic Church:

Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. They bear witness to

this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity,

and disinterested service are the rule. The home is well suited for education in the virtues. . .

Parents have a grave responsibility to give good example to their children… (CCC 2223)

Reinforce that parents are the primary educators of faith in their children Say: As parents,

you have a great responsibility to educate your children in the faith. You are role models for them

and teach them through your words and actions. You have planted the seeds of our faith. As

catechists, we are here to encourage those seeds to grow and to nurture both you and your children

to grow in the faith. Bridges to Faith is the beginning of a partnership in family faith formation.




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overview of Bridges to Faith (30 minutes)Present a brief overview of the purpose of Bridges to Faith Say: You are here to encourage

your children to learn and grow in their faith. Each child in this program may be at a different

place. Some children may have been baptized as Catholics or in another Christian tradition. Others

may not have been baptized. As a parent, you may wish to discuss these differences with your

children and explain that Bridges to Faith will help them all come together, form friendships, and

learn about the Catholic faith. This program will provide a solid foundation to continue their faith

formation in the future.

Distribute copies of the Children’s Book Invite parents to look through the book for a few

minutes and read the Contents page Then introduce the program

Say: Bridges to Faith is made up of four parts that are based on the pillars of the Catechism

of the Catholic Church Write on the board these headings: The Creed, Sacraments, The

Moral Life, and Prayer Say: In the first part, children will learn the basics of what Catholics

believe. They will learn that God is always calling us to be close to him. They will find out that we

learn about God through the Scriptures and through Church Tradition. In Part 2, children will learn

about the seven sacraments. They will find out how and why we celebrate the sacraments. In Part

3, children will learn that living a moral life means choosing to do good and avoiding evil. They will

learn about conscience and how to make good choices. They will learn that the commandments are

rules to follow that help us live a good moral life and be close to God. In Part 4, children will focus

on prayer. They will learn the many different forms and methods of prayer. Most importantly they

will learn that God is always waiting for them to be close to him through prayer. Allow time for

parents to continue to browse through the books

Break (15 minutes)Allow time for a short break

chapter overview (30 minutes)Say: Catechists will guide children through each chapter, using a simple four-step lesson plan. The

steps are Engage, Explore, Reflect, and Respond Explain each step of the lesson

Engage Catechists lead a brief discussion of a topic from the children’s own experience

that leads to the faith theme

Explore In this section, children are guided through the content of the lesson and the

accompanying activities Three special features are built into each chapter: Think and

Write, Live It!, and Facts of Our Faith These features help children reflect on what they

have learned and decide how they can apply it to their own lives

Reflect Children read an end-of-session summary in the So What? section and discuss

wrap-up questions

Respond Children complete the Review page and complete an assessment at the end of

each of the four parts





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You may wish to show parents each of the corresponding sections in the Children’s Book

as you walk them through the lesson plan

Conclude the chapter overview by saying: Each chapter begins with a situation that children

may encounter in their own lives and connects it to the faith theme of the chapter. The chapters

provide ample opportunity through discussion and activities for children to see how the faith theme

connects to real-life situations and actions. The activities and discussions help children see how they

can put their faith into action.

Question-and-Answer Session (20 minutes) Allow parents time to ask any questions they may still have about Bridges to Faith Point

out that you are always available to help them with questions that may arise throughout

the program Provide your phone number and e-mail address

Wrap-up (15 minutes)Remind parents that they are the primary faith educators of their children but that you

and the catechists are eager to work as a team to provide the best possible experience for

their children

Say: Faith formation is an ongoing process. The goal of Bridges to Faith is to provide a foundation

upon which children and families can grow in faith. Children in this program begin in many

different places, but we hope they will all finish with the knowledge they need to love God and

serve others. We hope that they will continue their journey of faith as active members of our

parish family.

closing PrayerDear God, we thank you for the opportunity to gather today and to share Bridges to Faith Lead

and guide our catechists and parents to be models of your love and service for our children. Be

with us as we all learn and grow in our faith. Amen.





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Introduce Children to Bridges to Faith You may wish to have a special session to introduce children to the program, or you may

include all or some of these activities as part of your first session Set up a prayer space

in the room and play some quiet music for reflection as children gather Before you begin,

tell children that this is a safe place filled with God’s love Point out that they may all

know different things about God, Jesus, and our faith, but that they are all God’s children

and part of a loving community Remind them that Jesus treated all people with love and

respect and that you are asking them to treat one another just as Jesus would

Preplanning and Materials• prayer space

• Bible

• candle or battery-operated candle

• Bridges to Faith Children’s Book, one per child

• two children for the Bible enthronement

• small sheets of paper, bag or bowl

open with Prayer (5 minutes) Invite children to gather quietly in the prayer space Have two children walk to the prayer

space Ask one child to hold up the Bible reverently and the other to place the candle on

the table Light the candle (You may use battery-operated candles ) Have the first child

open the Bible and read aloud Luke 18:15–17 and then place it opened to the passage on

the prayer table

Say: Jesus loved all people and wanted children as well as adults to know him and love him. I will

read aloud a short prayer and then give you a few minutes to pray silently. Then pray aloud the

following prayer:

Dear Jesus, we thank you for the chance to be together today. Help me be a good teacher and help

the children feel comfortable to listen and share with all of us. Be with us as we learn more about

you and our Catholic faith. Amen.

Faith Word Grab Bag (30 minutes) Write the following words, or words of your own choice, on small slips of paper: God, Jesus,

faith, love, mystery, conscience, saint, disciple, sacrament, Scripture, sin, Baptism, Eucharist, prayer,

Mary, Trinity, and commandment. Place the slips in a bag or a bowl Invite children to choose

a faith word Have them read aloud the word and share what they know about it Point out

that the purpose of the game is to see that understanding the meaning of faith words is

sometimes challenging Encourage others to tell what they know about the chosen word

Write children’s responses on the board Repeat until all the words have been chosen





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Say: This is a really good start for our sessions. Everyone has different ideas about these faith

words. Some ideas are right on target. Faith is not something that is easy to describe. As we learn

together, we will see that God is a mystery and faith is difficult to describe unless we experience it.

Bridges to Faith will help you learn more about your faith and help you to describe it to others.

Present the Books (15 minutes) • Call each child by name and invite him or her to come forward to receive a book

Say: May all that you learn from this book help build a strong bridge between you and God.

• When all the books have been distributed, read aloud the book title, Bridges to Faith, and explain that this program will help the children more about God and learn to build bridges with others through faith and God’s love

• Allow time for children to look through the book and become familiar with it Ask them to write their names in the books

close with Prayer (10 minutes) Close with the following prayer or one of your own Pray: Dear Lord, thank you for being with

us today as we begin our Bridges to Faith journey. Lead and guide us as we learn more about you

and grow closer to you by studying and through prayer and service. Amen.

Allow time for children to offer personal prayer petitions or prayers of thanksgiving

Begin with a petition of your own and then encourage children to offer their own prayer

intentions if they are comfortable doing so End by praying the Sign of the Cross

Pray: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.




ResourcesB r i d g e s t o Fa i t h

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ResourcesBooks and MagazinesGallagher, Maureen The Art of Catechesis. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1998

Libreria Editrice Vaticana Catechism of the Catholic Church. Translated by USCC

Washington, DC: USCC, 2003

Paprocki, Joe A Well-Built Faith. Chicago: Loyola Press, 2008

Paprocki, Joe Practice Makes Catholic. Chicago: Loyola Press, 2011

Paprocki, Joe The Bible Blueprint. Chicago: Loyola Press, 2009

Paprocki, Joe The Catechist’s Toolbox Chicago: Loyola Press, 2007

Peter Li Education Group Catechist. (magazine) Dayton: Peter Li Education Group

RTJ’s Creative Catechist. (magazine) New London, CT: Twenty-third Publications

Snyder, Bernadette M 131 FUN-damental Facts for Catholic Kids. Liguori, MO:

Liguori Publications, 2006

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops General Directory for Catechesis.

Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1997

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops National Directory for Catechesis

Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2005

Welborn, Amy Kids Book of Saints. Chicago: Loyola Press, 2001

Wuerl, Bishop Donald W The Catholic Way. New York: Random House, 2001



ResourcesB r i d g e s t o Fa i t h

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ResourcesInternetA wealth of resources for you, your catechists, parents, and children can be found at

www loyolapress com You may wish to share the following areas of the site with

catechists and parents: 3-Minute Retreat, Daily Inspiration, Sunday Connection, Scripture

and Tradition, and Joe Paprocki’s Catechist Journey blog and webinars

You may wish to visit DRE Connect to share your knowledge, consult with other parish

faith leaders, and grow in your ministry Visit http://dreconnect loyolapress com

Other Web Sites To learn more about Ignatian spirituality, visit www ignatianspirituality com

To see how people are finding God in all things, visit www other6 com

For helpful information for directors, catechists, and parents, visit the United States

Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) web site at www usccb org


Documents

Bridges to Faith Director Guide | English