Fr. Robert Barron's Catholicism series

  • Thread starter Thread starter buc_fan33
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
B

buc_fan33

Guest
I don’t know where else to put this, but I’d like some feedback on Fr. Barron’s Catholicism DVDs. I have used three of the episodes in my class on the sacraments (taught to juniors in a Catholic high school). I have seen almost every episode, and I have to say that I personally really enjoy them. But, my students did not like them at all, I’m sad to say. It’s not that they didn’t like the content, but they thought they were too boring. Has this been anyone else’s experience, specifically anyone else who may be using them in class?
 
buc_fan33 said:
I don’t know where else to put this, but I’d like some feedback on Fr. Barron’s Catholicism DVDs. I have used three of the episodes in my class on the sacraments (taught to juniors in a Catholic high school). I have seen almost every episode, and I have to say that I personally really enjoy them. But, my students did not like them at all, I’m sad to say. It’s not that they didn’t like the content, but they thought they were too boring. Has this been anyone else’s experience, specifically anyone else who may be using them in class?
Click to expand...
:confused:

Wow, really?

We watched the entire series for RCIA and I thought it was a gorgeous and simple depiction of the Catholic faith.
They went all over the world and showed different places where Catholicism is practiced. I thought it was so inspiring. The music was awesome!

I would love the series for myself but it’s super expensive. I guess they are still kids and can’t appreciate this series for what it really is. They can’t see the big picture they tried to present in this series. How important Catholicism is to people everywhere.
 
Juniors in high school think everything is boring.

to answer your question, we used 3 episodes last year that pertained to the topic at hand with Frehmen and Sophomores. They were very engaged by the videos, particularly the one on Saints.
 
Do you think the contents are too sophisticated for an 8th grader?
 
ault0615 said:
Do you think the contents are too sophisticated for an 8th grader?
Click to expand...
Absolutely not. 🙂 Father has a very approachable way of speaking. This is what makes the series so great.🙂

Welcome to CAF!:cool:
 
Catholicism is a great series for adults. Kids may not be able to appreciate it. Some contents are really profound such as Thomas Merton and mysticism, etc.
 
40.png
1ke:
Juniors in high school think everything is boring.
Click to expand...
Bingo. They will also do whatever they can to avoid doing work (as a group.) There is a chance that a few of the kids like it, but won’t voice that if the consensus seems different.

Posted from Catholic.com App for Android
 
Luigi_Daniele said:
Absolutely not. 🙂 Father has a very approachable way of speaking. This is what makes the series so great.🙂

Welcome to CAF!:cool:
Click to expand...
I had trouble understanding him in parts, so I disagree. I think if you are going to watch him, you need time to listen to some of the things he says a numberof times. He also moves fairly quickly in his explanations, etc.

I’m probably in the minority here but I wasn’t all that impressed by it…and I’m not sure I can articulate why.
 
I love the series, but I don’t think it’s appropriate for most teenagers.

Why not use video that IS age-appropriate for teenagers, and is produced specifically to reach them where they are?

Yes, I know that SOME teenagers are above everyone else and capable of appreciating adult media. But many are not grown-up yet an don’t possess the kind of intellect or spirituality that adults have. These typical teenagers really need to be learning from teen-appropriate materials. Hopefully, we wouldn’t give most kindergarteners a copy of the Catechism of Catholic Church and ask them to read and appreciate it, so why give a teenager something that was produced primarily for adults?
 
I showed it to 8th graders. What I did however was give them a set of questions before hand so they had to pay attention to find the answers. Then we had a discussion after. Also you may not want to show the entire episode but only segments of it at one sitting.
 
I love it. I especially liked the one about the liturgy. It made me appreciate the Mass more.
 
Fr Buc_Fan, I own the series and as a recent convert I enjoyed it. Even I have to admit that there were a few segments that didn’t “grab” me. Have you considered a questionnaire for them to complete on the series. Ask what they liked, what they didn’t like. Let them know that you want completely honest answers…good and bad. Answers like it was boring would not be an answer. They need to explain why they thought it was boring. Teens are bombarded with violent video games and other high paced images. That may be the problem. To them it was a boring lecture series. It doesn’t have enough action in it.

God Bless.
 
Me and my campus minister have watched the first two episodes and half of the thrid one. As a 21 year old, I can honestly say that this is one of the most eyeopening, breathtaking, and awesome things I have ever watched!! Father Robert Barron definately has a gift of wisdom, intellect and explaining things in an understandable manner. The third episode, when he is explaining about the mystery of God, was so deep it was mindblowing, even though we didn’t finish watching it. In my opinion, even though your students may find it boring, it is better that they see it now than never. Although, it would be nice if you translated what Fr. Barron stated in plain understandable teen language.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top