ROCKFORD—Principals, directors of religious education and others who share the faith in parishes and schools across the Diocese of Rockford came together for the annual Educational Leaders Day on Oct. 15 at St. Rita Parish hall, here.

Dr. Joseph White, author, psychologist, a team member developer of the “Alive in Christ” religious curriculum from Our Sunday Visitor, spoke about Building a Culture of Prayer.

“Each one of us is only here by the grace of God,” he began, adding that once a person realizes that God wants a relationship with us, “then we have a foundation for a life of prayer.”

Dr. White noted that “the works we do in ministry must rest on prayer” before talking about four different styles of prayer (Thomistic, Augustinian, Franciscan and Ignatian) and having the tables of participants discuss which of the four appeals to them, and which they might try to expand their comfort zone of prayer.

He later spoke about listening to God and gave some practical ideas the catechists can provide to their school staff and other adults, and ideas for nurturing a culture of prayer with children in the classroom.

One idea he shared was of a “gratitude board” where parishes, schools and families write down things they are thankful for on sticky notes to be displayed and raise awareness of the joy of appreciating what God does for us.

The theme of Catechetical Sunday this year, he said, encourages all who are called to teach the faith to both teach and to practice prayer.