Who is this guy anyway?

A weekly Mass scripture reflection for Catholic school admin, geared at reaching both staff and students.

Perfectly suitable for staff meetings and Gr. 6 through 12 students!

Use for morning prayers, religion classes or preparation for an upcoming liturgy!

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Hey. My name is Doug. Students in my schools call me "The Doug".

Long story.

I'm our division chaplain up here in our Catholic school division north of Edmonton, Alberta. Not totally sure how it happened but everyday, I wake up, say my prayers, slurp down an Americano and get to serve 5000 students and 500 staff in 2 high schools, 5 middle schools, 10 elementary schools and one online outreach school.

The pandemic forced me online just like y'all and one of the things that came out of it was a weekly Mass reading reflection video that I fired up for my classes. Well, wouldn't you know, God can weave a tapestry out of turds and I just kept the videos going.

If you're a Catholic administrator, religion teacher, director of religious education or other Catholic leader, I'm happy to share. They're just sitting there on YouTube so I might as well get the word out!

Past Episodes

Nothing Is Lost - Third Sunday of Advent

Who is this guy anyway?

A perfect fit for his spirit of adventure, Doug is, foremost, a proud and blessed father of 6 world-changing kids and a husband of 27.62 years to Miss Judy. He's comfortable in both the most remote mountain wilderness to the badlands of youth and young adult ministry. He has directed multiple non-profit ventures, shared the Wildness of the Good News with thousands and has a deep desire to lead people to amazing places, inside and outside of themselves. As an apprentice of Jesus, he has been on full-time mission to the youth and young adults of southern and central Alberta for 25 years. He currently serves as the Division Chaplain for Greater Saint Albert Catholic Schools in Alberta, Canada.

If you listen carefully in the dark hours of morning, you may hear him whisper:

"It might be the coffee, but I think it's Jesus.”

"Wish I'd have had your perspective then."

As one of your former teachers Doug, I just need to let you know how proud I am to see you serving Him in such an important capacity. In my role as principal of Catholic schools for many years, I spent many hours trying to find the right message to share Monday mornings in assembly with my students. Wish I'd have had your perspective then. Keep up the great work my friend.

- Mike W., retired Catholic school principal

(and my high school volleyball, physics, chem and bio coach.)

“You believed in me...”

I was just thinking of you because I was talking about your ministry with my youth pastor :) Wanted to say thanks so much for being such a good influence for me when I was a teen! You were always so encouraging and I really felt you believed in me, which makes all the difference. Thanks for being such a strong and Godly influence and an example of someone who is attentive and obedient to God's calling!

- Jolene L., youth missionary and Vanguard College student

“Read a group, read an individual and adjust to bring out the necessary learning and emotions.”

It has been an honor to work with Doug Kramer. I first met and worked with him on a grade 12 retreat. Having never been on a religious retreat or to a camp, I really had no idea what to expect.

On that trip I learned some of Doug's great qualities as a program director. Atmosphere is very important to a successful retreat. Each program and weekend has its own flavour. With youth, it is very important to build a feeling of trust, friendship, playfulness and spirituality. The welcome we received at Camp Encounter set all of this in the first half an hour of welcoming. It was here that Doug came up and whispered, "There's a boy new to this group and are those two a couple?" I had taught these students for four years and knew some of the details of the group dynamic. Doug had picked up on these in just thirty minutes. This has been his strongest asset - the ability to read a group, to read an individual and to adjust to bring out the necessary learning and emotions.

Doug has the variety of skills, the knowledge of the Gospel and prayer, comfort with youth, and tons of creativity that is necessary for a retreat programmer. But I have come to value Doug's spirituality, his compassion, and his soul that he brings to everything. I look forward to each chance we get to visit and I hope to work further with Doug.

- Derek C., Vice Principal and Counselor