Back to School

This year is my second year of teaching Catholic theology on the high school level. I am teaching five theology classes, which makes for roughly 140 freshman students.

While preparing for this year, I decided to use the book "Catholic Essentials" by Ave Maria Press. This one series book was made to help bridge the gap between the current high school theology curriculum and the new curriculum framework given by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. The focus of the new framework is not only to teach students the Catholic faith, but to help them build a relationship with Jesus Christ.

As a second year teacher I can definitely feel a difference in the classroom! I feel much more relaxed and organized as a teacher! I believe my brother, who is also a second year teacher (music), said it best: "The nice thing about being a second year teacher is that you're no longer a first year teacher" (paraphrase). Because I have developed a more organized routine for each day and have implemented consistent discipline in the classroom, I feel more like a teacher and not someone that is just getting by! This new comfort allows me to teach the Catholic faith passionately, intelligently, and in a way that makes the faith attractive and fun for high school students!

The most important aspect of teaching the faith, in my opinion, is being faithful to Christ and the Church! I could care less about whether or not students think "Mr. Flannigan" or "DFlann" (as some of my students call me) I'm cool-NO! Teaching theology faithfully is the most important task, because the souls of my students are at risk! I do not have the authority or luxury to deviate from the Church's teachings, which is good because I don't want to anyways! Students may look at me and say, "You're crazy, Mr. Flannigan" or "Modesty? Why be modest?" or "I'll pray when I get old, Mr. Flannigan"! Teenagers have so many temptations these days and they need a good, solid foundation on which to learn and grow. I pray that I can provide such a foundation in my classes! Let's talk more about my classes!

This year I wanted to add more Catholic art in my classroom (special thanks to my fiancee for her help). I've hung up banners with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary one the wall, a picture of Pope Benedict XVI, plus a small section devoted to our Blessed Mother with a small poster saying, "Behold Your Mother-John 19:27" and which has various images of her. There is also a sacred space in my classroom, which is basically a makeshift altar with a white tablecloth, a crucifix and statues of St. Joseph and Our Blessed Mother.

Each day I begin class by taking attendance while my students get settled. When I'm ready to start class, I proclaim to my students, "Praised Be Jesus Christ", to which they respond, "Now and Forever". I made sure to tell them that the response is "Now and Forever", not "Yeah, whatever". Class proceeds with a short description of the saint of the day and a short prayer. I then proceed with the day's lesson, which is give to the class via a Powerpoint Presentation.

Please take a moment to pray for me and my students. It is my hope that I will lead them closer to Christ and help them to fall in love with their Catholic faith!