Ongoing Ministerial Development & Resources: Children

OLFF staff curated examples of webinars, articles, and books that may be helpful to those serving as catechetical or youth ministry leaders in parishes. Click on another topic to access the page of related resources:

Resources by Topic

Click on another topic to access the page of related resources:

Forming Children

10 First Week Mistakes to Avoid This Year

The Religion Teacher blog

Jared Dees offers a list of no-no’s will help guide you away from the pitfalls so many of us fall into during the first weeks of school to start off this new year well.https://www.thereligionteacher.com/first-week-mistakes/,

The Adaptive Teacher: Faith-based Strategies to Reach and Teach Learners with Disabilities

Book from Loyola Press

John E. Barone and Charleen Katra show teachers/catechists how to maximize the lesson effectiveness with concrete strategies that will benefit all learners while also addressing the specific needs of learners with disabilities. https://bit.ly/2GizcXQ

Guide to Adapting the RCIA for Children

Liturgy Training Publications book

Rita Burns Senseman uses the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults as the backbone for practical, realistic suggestions on how to adapt the rite for children and help children and families through the catechumenal process. https://bit.ly/2BTiQC3

Helping Children Deal with Grief & Tragedy Using Our Catholic Faith 

Article from Sadlier Religion

Downloadable suggestions for faith resources that children deal with loss and trauma  (Sign up here to download.)

How to Welcome, Include and Catechize Children with Autism and Other Special Needs book

Book from Loyola Press

Deacon Larry Sutton offers a guide for creating a program that addresses the needs of children with physical, developmental, and cognitive disabilities and welcomes them into the life of the parish. https://store.loyolapress.com/how-to-catechize-children-with-developmental-disabilities

Prayer Posters for Faith Formation Spaces

Annie Iacono, Parish of the Holy Eucharist / Holy Martyrs of North America Church

Colorful printable signs with the words for the Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Guardian Angel Prayer, Act of Contrition, and Sign of the Cross.  Click here to download

Think Diversity, Not Disability

Sadlier Religion webinar

Charleen Katra offers strategies to successfully include diverse learners in faith formation, especially individuals who have intellectual and/or developmental delays.https://wi.st/2rzmMGm