Build my Catholic Faith

  • Thread starter Thread starter PattyPryor
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
P

PattyPryor

Guest
Hi

If this is on the wrong board please move it.

I was hoping to strengthen my Catholic faith as to be more sucessful in my role as Director of Religious Education. That being said I would love suggestions

I was thinking of reading and studying the Catholic Bible and perhaps the Catechism. Not to say the Catechism is dry, but I do find it difficult to read cover to cover.

I would love your ideas 🙂

👍
 
I found reading The Story of a Soul by St. Therese Of Lisieux and Revelations of Divine Love by Julian Norwich to be inspiring
 
i would recommend this - tanbooks.benedictpress.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/618
or there is the haydock bible commentary online here - haydock1859.tripod.com/
it’s good to read the bible, for educational purposes or meditation or whatever else, but it’s always best to get the Church’s interpretation, since it is her job, and self interpretation is quite dangerous, as it often leads to misunderstandings and confusions, especially since our times are different from back then, different customs and way of speaking and all, plus the translations are not always good(douay-rheims is best in my opinion, which is also online - drbo.org )

but as for books in general to help strengthen your faith, i would recommend any of the writings of the Saints, which you can find many of on www.tanbooks.com
and one book i think you would find particularly helpful is this - amazon.com/PREFACE-RELIGION-Rev-Fulton-Sheen/dp/B0006D7VR6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341625001&sr=8-1&keywords=preface+to+religion
anything by Bishop Sheen is great, but this book in particular gives excellent foundation to faith.

other than that, here are a few sites you might find helpful -
audiosancto.org/
keepthefaith.org/
fultonsheen.com/Fulton-Sheen-MP3.cfm
pamphlets.org.au/
z13.invisionfree.com/DominamStellaMaris/index.php?act=idx
catholicapologetics.info/

alright, hope that helps, take care.
 
PattyPryor said:
Hi

If this is on the wrong board please move it.

I was hoping to strengthen my Catholic faith as to be more sucessful in my role as Director of Religious Education. That being said I would love suggestions

I was thinking of reading and studying the Catholic Bible and perhaps the Catechism. Not to say the Catechism is dry, but I do find it difficult to read cover to cover.

I would love your ideas 🙂

👍
Click to expand...
When you say you are Director of Religious Education I assume as a Catholic that you are teaching about the Catholic faith only.
 
PattyPryor said:
Hi

If this is on the wrong board please move it.

I was hoping to strengthen my Catholic faith as to be more sucessful in my role as Director of Religious Education. That being said I would love suggestions

I was thinking of reading and studying the Catholic Bible and perhaps the Catechism. Not to say the Catechism is dry, but I do find it difficult to read cover to cover.

I would love your ideas 🙂

👍
Click to expand...
Lee Strobel’s “The Case for a Creator”.

The reason for the recommendation is that atheism seems to be in the open more and especially among our youth. It has a very strong way of pointing out the existence of God.

If you want a quick review of the overall picture, read the Baltimore Catechism. It gives you the basics in a secure way. It wouldn’t take long to browse thru and then mark the pages you need to return to. Those articles you need more info on can be reviewed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, just look in the index in the back.

In the Bible, read the gospel of St. John a couple of times. That shouldn’t take that long. Then the gospel of Mathew. This will give you an overall picture and knowledge of the life of Jesus and basically what he did. Everone should know the life of Jesus, yet they don’t.

Get a book on catholic devotions and prayers. These explain the “whys” and not just “how to”. We are so rich and this could be so helpful to so many. The sign of the cross, first Fridays and Saturdays, lent and advent, stations, rosary, medals and scapulars, holy water, various blessings, vigils, candles, and on and on. If just one were taken each week and explained it would give people a nudge in the right direction. Many know very little about them.

These are just a few thoughts. And congratulations on your new vocation.
 
PattyPryor said:
Hi

If this is on the wrong board please move it.

I was hoping to strengthen my Catholic faith as to be more sucessful in my role as Director of Religious Education. That being said I would love suggestions

I was thinking of reading and studying the Catholic Bible and perhaps the Catechism. Not to say the Catechism is dry, but I do find it difficult to read cover to cover.

I would love your ideas 🙂

👍
Click to expand...
The book in my signature is absolutely wonderful and (for me) provided a wonderful insight to an aspect of Catholicism that is often under explored…the “Mystic” saints that their teatchings. You might find this to be broadening.
The book is well written, “readable” and comprehensive, with many references and quotations from the bible as well as such saints as Teresa of Avila, Bernard of Clervioux, Catherine of Sienna, Francis de-Sales and others.

Peace
James
 
thistle said:
When you say you are Director of Religious Education I assume as a Catholic that you are teaching about the Catholic faith only.
Click to expand...
Why wouldn’t I teach the Catholic Faith? I am a DRE in a catholic church. It is never a bad thing for me to know more. I have teens all the time questioning their faith. If I get questions I like to know books and places to go. It helps 🙂 I work withk- adult so I like to know my stuff when I get qestions from all ages
 
Patty,

Have you looked into whether the diocese offers continuing education classes for RE teachers and DREs? In our diocese, DREs must first be certified Catechists which is a process that takes about a year and a half. Even though the diocisan RE department is notoriously liberal, the Cardinal seems to make sure the material used is orthodox. I took the classes and found the resources excellent.

There are also several on-line courses you can take such as Catechismclass.com and Salvationhistory.com (which is Catholic Bible studies). The latter are FREE.
 
Corki said:
Patty,

Have you looked into whether the diocese offers continuing education classes for RE teachers and DREs? In our diocese, DREs must first be certified Catechists which is a process that takes about a year and a half. Even though the diocisan RE department is notoriously liberal, the Cardinal seems to make sure the material used is orthodox. I took the classes and found the resources excellent.

There are also several on-line courses you can take such as Catechismclass.com and Salvationhistory.com (which is Catholic Bible studies). The latter are FREE.
Click to expand...
I do classes this is just a personal venture 🙂
 
PattyPryor said:
Why wouldn’t I teach the Catholic Faith? I am a DRE in a catholic church. It is never a bad thing for me to know more. I have teens all the time questioning their faith. If I get questions I like to know books and places to go. It helps 🙂 I work withk- adult so I like to know my stuff when I get qestions from all ages
Click to expand...
This is one reason I recommend the book in my signature. Often times younger people can be attracted by the “Far Eastern faiths” - Buddhism etc, and it is nice to know that the Catholic Church contains a rich tradition of “mystical” and ascetic devotions and disciplines.

Peace
James
 
PattyPryor said:
Why wouldn’t I teach the Catholic Faith? I am a DRE in a catholic church. It is never a bad thing for me to know more. I have teens all the time questioning their faith. If I get questions I like to know books and places to go. It helps 🙂 I work withk- adult so I like to know my stuff when I get qestions from all ages
Click to expand...
I asked because you didn’t say you were a DRE in a Catholic Church. Schools have DRE’s teaching different religions to students.
I just thought it odd if you teach the Catholic faith that you ask if you should read the Bible and the CCC. I would have thought for a DRE that would be compulsory before taking the job.
If you don’t read the CCC how can you know what the Church teaches?
 
I have studied the CCC and went to school for Theology where I studies everything from the early church fathers to world religions. Why are you judging me? I know my faith I just don’t feel I should stop learning.🤷 I am also in a bit of a slump and am trying to get back on track.

I like this forum but sometimes I feel like people don’t realize they judge and make people feel bad. Sorry I wasn’t educated as good as you. I got hired based on my creditals
 
PattyPryor said:
I have studied the CCC and went to school for Theology where I studies everything from the early church fathers to world religions. Why are you judging me? I know my faith I just don’t feel I should stop learning.🤷 I am also in a bit of a slump and am trying to get back on track.

I like this forum but sometimes I feel like people don’t realize they judge and make people feel bad. Sorry I wasn’t educated as good as you. I got hired based on my creditals
Click to expand...
I would offer here that sometimes a request might sound (read) “judgmental” when in fact the person is simply trying to gain a better understanding of what is being asked…
Hopefully this is the case here and no one is intending to judge.

Peace
James
 
JRKH said:
I would offer here that sometimes a request might sound (read) “judgmental” when in fact the person is simply trying to gain a better understanding of what is being asked…
Hopefully this is the case here and no one is intending to judge.

Peace
James
Click to expand...
I completely understand and felt I answered poorly. If I have hurt anyone on this thread I do appologize. Please forgive me
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top