Comparing Catholic and Protestant approaches to educating children and youth

[Tommy999]

Thanks for your insights, schaeffer. I have known some churches who did it like that, also.

It is very practical in a lot of ways to do it that way and involved the whole family both separately and together.

 

[followingtheway]

Even though, I’m a Catholic, born and raised, I would like to know more about this too from everyone.

So far, I only know about CCD, which is for receiving sacraments only, but what to the OP, one thing I admire about Protestant or Evangelical Churches is that they have a lot of resources for Christian youth but so far, with Catholicism, I haven’t found anything.

Where all the Catholic youth groups?

 

[whatsmyname]

When I was growing up (mostly Methodist or Presbyterian churches), children went to Sunday School at the same time the adults went to church. We had arts & crafts, playtime, story time, graham crackers with punch and a Bible lesson for the younger kids and singing/Bible study/prayer time for the older kids. In Baptist churches I attended, children and adults attended church together, and everybody (adults, too)went to their Sunday School classes in the hour either before or after church. My Lutheran, EV Free and my most recent Presbyterian church had everybody start in the sanctuary together, then the children were dismissed to Sunday School partway through the service, sometimes after a “children’s mini sermon”. We also always had Wednesday or Thursday youth group for teenagers which I hated and despised, but was forced to attend by my mother. I do not like volleyball and volleyball is a requirement of California youth group, the playing of which is possibly necessary for salvation. Misery.

We also had VBS every year in all Protestant churches I attended. VBS is the best two weeks of the summer for either a child or an adult volunteer. I don’t recall hearing anything about that at my Catholic church, but possibly they had it…I don’t have kids so I might have missed it.

My Catholic church does have a youth group on weekdays. I think they were going to paintball this week. It sounded like fun.

 

[phil19034]

Even though, I’m a Catholic, born and raised, I would like to know more about this too from everyone.

So far, I only know about CCD, which is for receiving sacraments only, but what to the OP, one thing I admire about Protestant or Evangelical Churches is that they have a lot of resources for Christian youth but so far, with Catholicism, I haven’t found anything.

Where all the Catholic youth groups?

There are lots of Catholic youth groups. One difference between Catholics and Protestants regarding fellowship groups is that Catholics have them not just on the parish level, but also the Deanery level, Diocese level, and/or Conference Level.

For example, if your parish doesn’t have a youth group, your child can attend one sponsored by another parish or diocese. Also, on a national level, the Steubenville Conferences (sponsored by the Franciscan University of Steubenville) are great for teens. steubenville.org

In the Archdiocese of New York, (besides your parish) you can call the following for youth related ministries:

CYO -
1011 First Ave
Floor: 6
New York, NY 10022
Contact: Edwin Broderick
Phone: 212-371-1011 Ext: 2485

Youth Ministry:
201 Seminary Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10704
Contact: Fr. Joseph Espaillat, Director
Phone: (914) 367-8284
Email: fr.joseph.espaillat@archny.org

Hope this is helpful.

 

[robwar]

Hi everyone,
This question is directed toward Catholics who either used to be protestants or to Catholics who are familiar with how evangelical churches are structured. I’m wanting to see how we are alike and different in this area.

Question:
Does the Catholic Church have Sunday School or Children’s Church for kids while Mass is taking place or do children of all ages attend Mass with their parents?

In my church, elementary school children usually attend Sunday School or “Children’s Church” where they are taught the Bible, read Bible stories, do Arts and Crafts (and stuff like that) related to Biblical themes, etc.

I would describe Children’s Church as a worship service geared towards kids where the message is usually tailored to younger audiences.

Middle School and High School children attend regular church at my church.

There are also Bible studies and Adult Sunday School classes offered either the hour before or the hour after worship service, and sometimes on Wednesday nights for adults.
Some adults attend these while others just go to the worship service.

There are also youth group activities for Middle School and High School age groups that meet on Sunday and on Wednesday nights.

I was just curious if it is normal for Catholic parishes to have Sunday School or something similar. If not, what is the typical manner in which Catholic children and youth are educated in the ways of the faith at church? I assume through Catechism classes?

Just curious. Thanks for helping me to better understand the similarities and differences.

Hi tommy, I will try to answer your questions since I did grow up in the Methodist church attending sunday school while my parents went to Church. I find that the Sunday school system for children is quite a bit different from catechism classes. Catechism classes which usually start 1st grade and run through 8th grade have the emphasis on sacramental prepartion as well as basic religious education. Sunday school from my experience was religious education but also served as a babysitting service while adults attended Church. Since catechism classes are not offered during Mass but during the week, there is an effort to attend and participate. Mass is for the whole family including babies. Since baptism is performed on infants in the Catholic church, baptized babies are viewed as members of the Church. While there are too few direct Bible studies in Catholic churches, they again will be offered during the week as opposed to before or after Mass for adults. Many Catholic Churches offer some kind of youth group which again will vary from parish to parish as to meeting times etc. My parish did have youth group on Sunday evenging. I’m not sure if this help you but I think having experienced both sides, I understand your question.

 

[robwar]

Even though, I’m a Catholic, born and raised, I would like to know more about this too from everyone.

So far, I only know about CCD, which is for receiving sacraments only, but what to the OP, one thing I admire about Protestant or Evangelical Churches is that they have a lot of resources for Christian youth but so far, with Catholicism, I haven’t found anything.

Where all the Catholic youth groups?

they are there and growing. You may have to look for them in your diosece.