About me... and the reasons and vision for this site
My name is Joyce Donahue. I currently serve the Catholic Diocese of Joliet (Illinois) as Catechetical Associate in the Religious Education Office. A longtime catechist, parish musician and former parish director of religious education and liturgy, I have a strong conviction that the Holy Spirit has made me "both-and" for a specific reason: to show that the connection between faith formation and liturgical formation is both natural and necessary. I have been guided and influenced by many great liturgical catechists, to be sure. However, my greatest guide has been the Spirit, who whispered to me in 1990, "Because you can do this!" when as a somewhat dazed and fairly new Catholic, I found myself among professional liturgists at the Federation for Diocesan Liturgical Commissions conference, asking "Why am I here?"
THIS WEBSITE: The idea for The Liturgical Catechist came about out of a desire to share what I have learned about liturgical catechesis - and to promote liturgical catechesis. I have been influenced along the way by some great liturgical catechists, whose wisdom I would like to share. It is my hope that catechetical leaders, catechists and liturgists will learn more about how to catechize for and from the liturgy and its symbols and actions.
THIS WEBSITE: The idea for The Liturgical Catechist came about out of a desire to share what I have learned about liturgical catechesis - and to promote liturgical catechesis. I have been influenced along the way by some great liturgical catechists, whose wisdom I would like to share. It is my hope that catechetical leaders, catechists and liturgists will learn more about how to catechize for and from the liturgy and its symbols and actions.