Session Overview for Catechists, Monday 10/20/2025
Slides * Catechist Guide * DRAFT Listing of Participants by Table
Introduction to the Session (15-20 minutes)
Icebreakers (5 minutes)
- Imagine you have superpowers and a secret identity (like the comic book hero of your choice). What would you do with those powers
that you do not ordinarily do? - Introduce yourself to the people you don’t already know at your table
- If time, share responses on textbook page 17 from the homework
Opening Prayer — “Glory Be” as Embodied Prayer (5 minutes)
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
The Mystery of the Trinity (5-10 minutes)
- The Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is a Mystery of our faith: impossible to understand totally fully, but we wrestle with the question anyway because it is so vitally important.
- What various saints have to say about the Trinity and how they try to understand this relationship at the heart of who God is
- Symbols mean different things in different contexts
Watching a single segment of a longer video (begin @ 3:58, end @ 5:27)
Source: https://players.brightcove.net/6415869056001/eUy0Am5Rp_default/index.html?videoId=6363081532112&t=238s or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8qIz9jrQsU&t=238s
Instructions for Breakout (5 minutes)
FINGER: Example given QUICKLY in the large group
- Photos/tangible objects: finger-puppets, foam finger from pep rally, hand classroom pointer, finger pressing an elevator button, hands playing a piano
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (groups will have 15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss meaning)
- Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-4 posters per table group)
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how they relate to the idea that the Holy Spirit is like this symbol
Breakout (30 minutes) led by each catechist
Note to catechists: if the file of the questions you download has a different table color listed on the page, it might still be the correct set of questions, just from a previous year when a different table color had those questions and this theme. Check if the same passages are covered as your list in this website post; if so, it should be the same set of questions you will receive on Monday. [Master packet of all 10 tables of questions with the correct Table colors for 2025]
WIND: Black Table with Ms. Pascale Larre Vargas
- Photo(s) shown by catechist: tree bent by wind, sand dunes shaped by wind
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: electric fan (5 minutes to show & discuss)
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (will have 15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss):
- Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-4 posters per table group)
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like the wind
- Take-home tokens given at end of class!
OIL: Blue Table with Mrs. Josephine Gorgis subbing for Mrs. Stella Peters
- Photo(s) shown by catechist: using perfume spray, a priest using incense at a Mass
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: scented oil air-freshener refills, essential oil samples, perfume and cologne ad samples (5 minutes to show & discuss)
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss):
- Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-4 posters per table group)
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like oil
- Take-home tokens given at end of class!
SEAL: Brown Table with Mr. John Kyle
- Photo(s): safety seal on a bottle, wedding rings
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: zip ties, envelopes, tamper-evident bags, embossing seal(s) (5 minutes to show & discuss)
- Scripture passages & discussion questions (will have 15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss):
- Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-4 posters per table group)
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like a seal
- Take-home tokens given at end of class!
DOVE: Green Table with Ms. Rachel Hohner and Mr. Alexis Hernández
- Photo(s) & video shown by catechist: dove in flight * many doves being released & flying away
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: model bird, feathers (5 minutes to show & discuss)
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss)
- Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-4 posters per table group)
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like a dove
- Take-home tokens given at end of class!
FIRE: Orange Table with Mr. Jack Recinto
- Photo(s) & video shown by catechist: lit candle in a dark room; people around a campfire
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: lit candle (5 minutes to show & discuss)
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss):
- Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-4 posters per table group)
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like fire
- Take-home tokens given at end of class!
BREATH: Pink Table with Mrs. Jamie Mocarski
- Photo(s) shown by catechist: checking for breath during CPR; blowing dandelion seeds
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: blowing bubbles (5 minutes to show & discuss)
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss):
- Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-4 posters per table group)
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like breath
- Take-home tokens given at end of class!
OIL: Purple Table with Mrs. Melissa Richlen
- Photo(s) shown by catechist: changing the oil of a car; applying body lotion
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: motor oil, hand lotion (5 minutes to show & discuss)
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss):
- Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-4 posters per table group)
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like oil
- Take-home tokens given at end of class!
WATER: Red Table with Ms. Isabel López
- Photo(s) shown by catechist: life in a coral reef; lush forest brook ecosystem
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: seashells (5 minutes to show & discuss)
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss):
- Genesis 1:20-22
- 2 Kings 5:13-14 (and back to 1-12)
- Psalm 36:8-10
- John 7:37-39
- Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-4 posters per table group)
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like water
- Take-home tokens given at end of class!
WATER: White Table with Mrs. Karyn McGovern
- Photo(s) shown by catechist: desert landscape; child playing in a lawn sprinkler
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: pitcher of ice water and cups (5 minutes to show & discuss)
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss):
- Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-4 posters per table group)
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like water
- Take-home tokens given at end of class!
FIRE: Yellow Table with Ms. Justine Kessler
- Photo(s) shown by catechist: muffins baking, meat grilling
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: ashes (5 minutes to show & discuss)
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss):
- Exodus 3:1-6 (and 7-12)
- 2 Kings 2:9-11 (and 12-15)
- Acts 2:1-4
- Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-4 posters per table group)
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like fire
- Take-home tokens given at end of class!
Drawing Conclusions (20-25 minutes)
Group representatives report back (15+ minutes, or 2 minutes for each group)
Homework Assignments
- Textbook, read/do pages 6-7
- Journal, read/do pages 44-47
- Sponsor Form (blue paper) due at next class! Track A version * Track B version
Closing Prayer to the Holy Spirit, textbook page iv
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
And kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And you will renew the face of the earth.Let us pray:
Lord,
by the light of the Holy Spirit
you have taught the hearts of your faithful.
In the same Spirit
help us to relish what is right
and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
HOMEWORK & REMINDERS
- Bring completed and signed Sponsor Form and all other materials (Bible, book, journal, folder) to next classes:
- Track A (Religious Education / Catecismo): Monday 10/27
- Track B (Catholic Schools / SMS & Queen of Angels School): Wednesday 10/29 & Thursday 10/30 in Religion Classes
- Next month
- you, your Sponsor(s) and Parent(s) should all attend class at St. Matthias Church on Monday, November 10, 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Retreat I coming on Saturday, November 15
- 12 noon to 6 p.m. in Holy Family Hall (basement) and Queen of Angels Church, both at 2330 W. Sunnyside
- be dropped off at 12 noon
- lunch will be provided upon arrival (pizza with fresh fruit, carrots & dip, cookies, soft drinks or water)
- a refillable water bottle labeled with your name is suggested
- your family can join us for the 5 p.m. Mass in English, or you can be picked up at 6 p.m.
- expect witness talks, music, games, prayer, small group activities, Eucharistic Adoration, Mass, and more!
- this retreat is only for Second Year Confirmation classes (Track A Religious Education & Track B Catholic Schools)
- there will be a separate retreat in February for First Year Confirmation classes (Sunday Level 7 and 7+, 7th Graders in Catholic schools)
- the group of missionaries presenting the retreats this year asked to spilt the Confirmation students into 2 smaller retreats
Note for later on:
- Service Hours can be done now and documents can be turned in at any Confirmation Prep class
- Plan for you, your Sponsor(s) and Parent(s) to all attend class at St. Matthias Church on Monday, November 10, 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Let Ms. Hohner know about conflicts with your attendance at our retreat “Never Alone” which will be on Saturday, November 15. See your track’s schedule for details.
- Confirmation Name essay due in mid-November, details & help coming at our next class, the Saintapalooza lesson
- Letter to the Pastor due in early January, to be assigned as classwork in December during the Anointed lesson