Catechist Cafe Youngstown

10/21/2026

Children and Catholic Worship Project and NCCL have begun posting resources under categories of:

- Engaging Children in Liturgical Participation
- Formation Programs: Sunday Mass
- Formation Programs: Liturgical Year
- Lectionary Formation

with more to come. All free from Lilly Foundation Grant.

Check it all out at:

NCCL Kids Worship & Prayer Initiative guides Catholic parishes and schools, engaging children more fully in Mass and nurturing their prayer lives through new curriculum.

10/20/2026

I love not only that the young people get to use their creative side, but also that the greater parish will get to see their creativity!
May good things continue to bloom at Our Lady of Peace!

10/19/2026

🎃 It is almost time for Halloween All Saints Day, All Souls Day/Dia de los Mu***os,
do you have a plan for celebrating with the children, youth and families in your programs? Do you have information that you are sharing to help them best celebrate at home and at the parish? You might find a few last minute ideas on Catechist Cafe, scroll down on the home page, or go to: 😇

CLICK FOR IDEAS FOR

10/18/2026

The Responsorial Psalm for this 29th Sunday n Ordinary time is:

Give the Lord glory and honor.
(Psalm 96:1)

For what do you give the Lord glory today?

10/17/2026

Families as “salt of the earth”

10/16/2026

It is nice to see that as he recovers, he still felt up to celebrating Mass with others. Vatican News also shared:
On his fourth day in hospital, Pope Leo XIV's doctors say new blood tests and a chest X-ray confirm "the steady improvement in his overall condition.” The Pope continues with respiratory physiotherapy, and he is carrying out his "normal daily activities entirely independently" as he recovers from surgery on Tuesday.

Let us continue to pray for Pope Leo and his medical team.
---
Gracious God,

We give thanks for the successful surgery of Pope Leo XIV and entrust his continued healing to your loving care.

Bless the physicians, nurses, all caregivers who accompany him, and all who serve the sick each day as instruments of your healing presence.

Remain close to Pope Leo in the days ahead. Renew his strength, grant him peace, and restore him to health, that he may continue to shepherd your Church with faith, hope, and love.

May Mary, Intercessor of the Sick, pray for him and for all those in need of healing.
Amen.

(From The Catholic Health Association)

10/13/2026

Pray with the Pope: For mental health ministry
(Click on "more" in description for the text of the prayer)
Today we bring before you our brothers and sisters
who struggle with challenges to their mental health...

There are wounds that often remain invisible and are lived in the d...

10/13/2026

Novena Prayer Cards for Mental Health:
As part of the Healing and Hope initiative of the National Catholic Mental Health Campaign, the USCCB has designed prayer cards inspired by its Novena for Mental Health. Great resources to share with those in various situations such as dealing with grief (St. Jane), racial discriminations (St. Martin), or needing mercy (Dorothy Day).
Here is a near and dear one as the National Shrine of St. Dymphna is in our diocese in Massillon.

All the prayer cards are posted at:
https://www.usccb.org/resources/novena-prayer-cards-mental-health

Info on the National Shrine can be found here:
https://natlshrinestdymphna.org/site/

And later today, we will post a video to pray along with Pope Leo, if you are able.

10/13/2026

Edit at 2:45pm: Pope Leo XIV is recovering at a Rome hospital after a "successful" surgery to remove a small growth on his lung, according to a statement from the Vatican.
Thanks be to God!
---
May Pope Leo’s medical be successful in treating the Pontiff so he can recuperate well to keep serving our global Church. Amen 🙏🏼

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DqQxFU1sx/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Pope Leo XIV will be admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday morning where he will undergo surgery to remove a “small, localized lung nodule,” ...

10/12/2026

< Dr. Christiane Brusselmans challenges catechists to see themselves not merely as teachers but as companions on the journey of faith.
Her life reminds us that catechesis is about helping people encounter Christ, discover their vocation, and participate fully in the mission of the Church. >

Perfect reminder for all of us who work to pass on the faith and love of Christ!

(from Sister Janet Schaeffler's book, SAINTS & MENTORS for Catechists: 41 Models of Faith to Support and Guide You)

Christiane, born in Louvain, Belgium, was a catechetical advocate for children and a pioneer in the implementation of the Rite of Christian Initiation in the United States. In 1965, she completed a doctoral program at The Catholic University of America, subsequently teaching at Fordham University, B...