Welcome to the first issue of Inspire! This magazine has grown out of the deep passion we at Saint Mary’s Press have for supporting catechists and teachers as they engage children in a process of faith formation that is filled with life and joy! Religious education shouldn’t be “just another class” that is filled with a cycle of input and output of information to be memorized and blindly followed. Rather, religious education should be an opportunity to encourage curiosity and conversation in an environment of care and inspiration. It should be an occasion to accompany children as they are introduced to and explore the Good News and discover how it can literally change the world. And it should be fun and engaging! We hope you find in these pages moments of inspiration for the ministry in which you play an incredibly important part. Our aim is that this resource will become another companion for you as you go about the great work of touching hearts and enlivening minds. Live Jesus in our hearts…forever! ABOUT THE PUBLISHER Saint Mary’s Press is a nonprofit, Lasallian Catholic publisher administered by the Christian Brothers of the Midwest District. Our focus is a contemporary expression of the Catholic Church’s mission to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and the Lasallian mission to provide a human and Christian education for young people, including those who are economically deprived. With our partners in schools, parishes, and families, we share the Good News of Jesus Christ with Catholic Christian children and young people through publications and services. Steven Ellair, Brian Singer-Towns, Mallorie Goodale, Laurie Ziliak, Sigrid Lindholm @SaintMarysPress Saint Mary’s Press Saint Mary’s Press A B F Steven Ellair from the editor CONTRIBUTORS Copyright © 2019 by Saint Mary’s Press, Christian Brothers Publications, 702 Terrace Heights, Winona, MN 55987-1320, www.smp.org. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce the materials intended for distribution to the children. No other part of this magazine may be reproduced by any menas without the written permission of the publisher. 5