THE PFLAUM GOSPEL WEEKLIES
The Pflaum Gospel Weekly catechism series is a lectionary-based catechism that has served the Catholic Church in the United States for many years. In 1981 it evolved into the five edition catechetical process it is today:
  • Seeds, Preschool
  • Promise, Kindergarten and Grade One
  • Good News, Grades Two and Three
  • Venture, Grades Four, Five, and Six
  • Visions, Grades Seven, Eight, and Nine
Pflaum Weeklies
Pflaum Weeklies

Each of the five levels of Pflaum offers 32 weekly lessons for each of the three lectionary cycles. Since the pamphlets are consumable the material can be updated each year, and new stories and exercises can be added each year. For example, changes to the catechism programs have been introduced since the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the General Directory of Catechesis. Also, since this program is used in other countries the editors are now including content that refers to other countries as well.

Each Pflaum lesson incorporates the four pillars of catechesis outlined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

  • Profession of Faith (Apostle’s Creed),
  • Mysteries of Faith (Sacraments),
  • Life of Faith (Beatitudes and the Ten Commandments), and
  • Prayer of Faith (Our Father).

Each week then, children at all levels are challenged to examine and learn the faith as it has been passed down, how we celebrate through the sacraments, how we are to live our daily lives in light of the gospel proclaimed, and how we are to pray.
Jesus tells stories
 We recognize Christ as the Great Storyteller and that his story is told in the Gospels. Each level of Pflaum Gospel Weeklies makes extensive use of storytelling that will help the student examine his or her own life experience or story and connect it to the Gospel story. By making this connection the students will be lead to participate in Sunday worship more fully.  They will also be called to respond to Jesus’ challenge to love others and to work for justice.
At each level level catechists are encouraged to use good discussion techniques and a variety of hands on activities to thoroughly engage the students in the gospel to be proclaimed on the following Sunday. Thus, when they hear the dismissal at Mass, “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord” the children will be challenged during the week to put into practice the lessons they have learned from the Sunday Gospel proclaimed.

Even though the weekly pamphlets are colorful and appear easy to teach, without adequate preparation the lessons will be lifeless. Because Pflaum is lectionary based it is important to introduce material at appropriate times to supplement what this series offers. Essential for preparation to teaching this program is the Resource Manual for each of the five levels. Each manual deals with such topics as: the pastoral vision of the program; How does a young child learn?; How a lesson works; Teaching techniques; Prayers; Who can be a catechist?

 

 Pflaum workshop
Pflaum Workshop in Asquith