Hideous Catechesis

[Scott_D]

I was wondering if people out there have a similar experience to me with getting their 2nd graders ready for the sacraments. My wife and I have put our first 3 daughters through our church’s program with some muscle added at home. One of my daughters said that they barely took any time learning about the Eucharist and never learned anything but it being a community meal. They also learned what to do at their first communion, but not that the mass is a bloodless sacrifice. In fact, she said they spent a good part of their year learning about Noah.
I recently had a discussion with the leader of all our religious ed. programs, which concerns around 6-7 churches in our parish, and an elementary Catholic school. She said, “we don’t teach about purgatory anymore because it scares the kids. Besides, purgatory doesn’t exist.” I responded with a quote by Christ Himself about settling with your opponent on the way to prison, and not being released until you’ve paid the last penny. She replied that no one can tell what the authors of the Bible intended because it was written so long ago.
Needless to say, I was disgusted and we now conduct our religious ed. at home!

Is ccd for the young a disaster elsewhere as it is in my neck of the woods?

 

[kermitz06]

wow that’s atrocious, I know you can do much better at home. Prayers.

God Bless!

 

[mary73]

It sounds to me like this woman has no business being involved in ccd matters and catechesis of children! I have had such an experience as yours with people in my parish in the past not really knowing enough to speak upon catholic day school matters much less Biblical teachings.

I was always taught by my mother, and she almost became a nun until she met my Dad.! That Purgatory exists for the sake of the deceased soul to take the time to understand that God wants them to be truly repentant of their sins, and to reflect on what they did and didn’t do in their lifetime for the betterment of mankind, and the continuation of His words, works and people.

Purgatory if explainedPROPERLY to children will not scare them. This subject from what I gather from your post is something that this ccd teacher was VERY uncomfortable talking with you about most likely because she doesn’t understand the faith herself.

God Bless You Mary:thumbsup:

 

[loida]

This is very sad. I am a catechism teacher to 1st & 2nd and 4th & 5th graders. This is my first year. I have been teaching my first year 1st & 2nd graders about the Holy Trinity and Church teaching. I have also explained to them about purgatory and they understand it quite well. They were not scared at all. As for my 4th & 5th graders I teach them about Mass, and why they are making their first Holy Communion. I think this Director of Religious Education needs to be reported to the parish priest. This is why children start to doubt Church teaching, because they are confused. I will pray for this woman.

 

[palmas85]

Sad to say but this is far from an unusual experience. Progressives such as this person made it a point in years past to try to get control of the choke points of religious instruction so that they could further spread their interpretations of the faith and the rank heresies that they espouse.

Even sadder still is that in all but the most extreme cases no one will do or say anything to stop them due to the exercise of charity. It really doesn’t matter that these people destroy the faith from within. We have been so gutted and tore down and browbeat that we think if we stand up to someone we are actually doing something wrong and it should be avoided.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with righteous anger and indignation over someone attempting to subvert the faith and in confronting them head on to stop them. I remember full wel being taught that we were soldiers for Christ and were expected to give a spirited defense of it if it was attacked from either within or without.

Whatever happened to that idea? Where did it go? Did we lose everything in the mad rush to embrace everything no mater what the cost?

A sad sad state of affairs indeed.

 

[missannbooks]

We have similar problems at our parish, too, but it is also in the so-called RCIA program. Our children aren’t learning the prayers, or the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist. We were told by the director of catechesis in our parish that catechesis is not about learning the catechism, or rote prayers, or the 10 commandments; it is about sharing faith. I taught my daughter at home for her 1st communion and am still hoping to do so for my son who is 7. I don’t want to put him into the hands of people who might lead him astray. We are in desperate need of a reform at the level of RCIA and catechesis.

 

[Rawb]

I teach CCD, fifth grade level, Sacraments emphasis, at my parish. My kids definitally learn that Christ is the Lamb of God, that His Sacrifice is re-presented at the Mass, that purgatory exists and we need to pray for the Holy Souls, that Hell is real and we need to avoid it, that there is such a thing as Mortal Sin and Confession clears us of it. I quiz them on the differences between unconsecrated and consecrated hosts, on Latria, Dulia, and Hyperdulia, and which Sacraments are necessary for Salvation.

I have parents of former students making sure that I’m staying on next year so their kid learns all that too.

Purgatory is too scary? Well where else are they going to learn about it?! Ugh, this is why I got into teaching CCD. Luckily we have an AWESOME DRE who feels the same way about all of this (“It’s not just passing on the faith, but our traditions too!” - direct quote).

Teach at home, and pray for the soul of that DRE.

 

[Shin]

If you don’t teach people about the scary things in life they wind up getting hurt – badly – here and in the next life.

 

[elts1956]

I was wondering if people out there have a similar experience to me with getting their 2nd graders ready for the sacraments. My wife and I have put our first 3 daughters through our church’s program with some muscle added at home. One of my daughters said that they barely took any time learning about the Eucharist and never learned anything but it being a community meal. They also learned what to do at their first communion, but not that the mass is a bloodless sacrifice. In fact, she said they spent a good part of their year learning about Noah.
I recently had a discussion with the leader of all our religious ed. programs, which concerns around 6-7 churches in our parish, and an elementary Catholic school. She said, “we don’t teach about purgatory anymore because it scares the kids. Besides, purgatory doesn’t exist.” I responded with a quote by Christ Himself about settling with your opponent on the way to prison, and not being released until you’ve paid the last penny. She replied that no one can tell what the authors of the Bible intended because it was written so long ago.
Needless to say, I was disgusted and we now conduct our religious ed. at home!

Is ccd for the young a disaster elsewhere as it is in my neck of the woods?

I am one of those Old Time Religion Catholics, grew up in the forties and fifties. On top of the abortion issue which sends me spiraling into EXTREME ire, reading posts such as this causes an upset stomach.

Talk to your Pastor. If catechesis doesn’t change, get in touch with your Bishop. You may get an answer from him, you may not. With the way catechesis is in the US these days, one is never sure of getting a liberal answer from a member of the liberal clergy.

The quality of Religious teaching has sadly gone down dramatically in the past 40 or 50 years. It looks like the laity loyal to the Vatican are going to have to be more active in the Religious education of their children.

Get yourself a good child’s book teaching about the Mass and the Sacrifice of the Mass. Telll the story of the Last Supper. Do something!! You can’t let your daughter receive her first communion in ignorance and without the appreciation of what she is receiving.

I wish you well and will say a prayer you can lead your daughter to the truth about the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

 

[elts1956]

I was wondering if people out there have a similar experience to me with getting their 2nd graders ready for the sacraments. My wife and I have put our first 3 daughters through our church’s program with some muscle added at home. One of my daughters said that they barely took any time learning about the Eucharist and never learned anything but it being a community meal. They also learned what to do at their first communion, but not that the mass is a bloodless sacrifice. In fact, she said they spent a good part of their year learning about Noah.
I recently had a discussion with the leader of all our religious ed. programs, which concerns around 6-7 churches in our parish, and an elementary Catholic school. She said, “we don’t teach about purgatory anymore because it scares the kids. Besides, purgatory doesn’t exist.” I responded with a quote by Christ Himself about settling with your opponent on the way to prison, and not being released until you’ve paid the last penny. She replied that no one can tell what the authors of the Bible intended because it was written so long ago.
Needless to say, I was disgusted and we now conduct our religious ed. at home!

Is ccd for the young a disaster elsewhere as it is in my neck of the woods?

Sad to say but this is far from an unusual experience. Progressives such as this person made it a point in years past to try to get control of the choke points of religious instruction so that they could further spread their interpretations of the faith and the rank heresies that they espouse.

Even sadder still is that in all but the most extreme cases no one will do or say anything to stop them due to the exercise of charity. It really doesn’t matter that these people destroy the faith from within. We have been so gutted and tore down and browbeat that we think if we stand up to someone we are actually doing something wrong and it should be avoided.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with righteous anger and indignation over someone attempting to subvert the faith and in confronting them head on to stop them. I remember full wel being taught that we were soldiers for Christ and were expected to give a spirited defense of it if it was attacked from either within or without.

Whatever happened to that idea? Where did it go? Did we lose everything in the mad rush to embrace everything no mater what the cost?

A sad sad state of affairs indeed.

It isn’t CHARITY to stand by and let war againt the Church be waged by liberal laity, or clergy. Tolerance is not a virtue when we stand by and let the teachings of the Church be undermined. Christ was not tolerant with those who were teaching falsehood. He was very direct in a charitble way. Tolerance and Charity are not the same thing.

When I was in grade school, I was so proud to be a “Soldier of Christ”. I took my armour off for many years, but I am putting it back on piece by piece.

 

[Dempsey1919]

This doesn’t suprise me. I am in my 20’s now but I can still remember the catechism lessons I received before making my First Holy Communion. I was taught nothing about the Mass as a sacrifice, nothing about the doctrine of Transubstantiation, and nothing about the Real Presence. The only thing I remember is colouring in lots of pictures, and hearing the story of the Last Supper. The reality of sin was never mentioned, and although I made my first Confession, I was not told why it was needed or how to make a real examination of conscience. The whole thing was glossed over.

I left Catholicism as a teen, and I even refused to go to Catholic Secondary School. Poor catechism classes were definitely one of the reasons for this. I left the faith because I wasn’t given the faith to begin with. The Church, for me, was more like a youth club. I attended Sunday School and was an altar boy for a little while, but it all meant little to me because I didn’t understand anything.

Children must be taught the faith. If anybody here is a catechism teacher, please teach your pupils the true faith, and try not to gloss over anything. The lessons you teach may prevent somebody from leaving the Church. Your role is extremely important, and is not something you should take lightly.

 

[Scott_D]

This is very sad. I am a catechism teacher to 1st & 2nd and 4th & 5th graders. This is my first year. I have been teaching my first year 1st & 2nd graders about the Holy Trinity and Church teaching. I have also explained to them about purgatory and they understand it quite well. They were not scared at all. As for my 4th & 5th graders I teach them about Mass, and why they are making their first Holy Communion. I think this Director of Religious Education needs to be reported to the parish priest. This is why children start to doubt Church teaching, because they are confused. I will pray for this woman.

I have reservations about approaching the parish priest. Although he is a good guy and a decent priest, he is not known for adherence to orthodoxy. He once called Father Corapi a “moron.” I happen to like Father Corapi for his orthodox, no compromise stance.

On the other hand, our bishop, Bishop Malone, is a really good guy.

 

[Scott_D]

I am one of those Old Time Religion Catholics, grew up in the forties and fifties. On top of the abortion issue which sends me spiraling into EXTREME ire, reading posts such as this causes an upset stomach.

Talk to your Pastor. If catechesis doesn’t change, get in touch with your Bishop. You may get an answer from him, you may not. With the way catechesis is in the US these days, one is never sure of getting a liberal answer from a member of the liberal clergy.

The quality of Religious teaching has sadly gone down dramatically in the past 40 or 50 years. It looks like the laity loyal to the Vatican are going to have to be more active in the Religious education of their children.

Get yourself a good child’s book teaching about the Mass and the Sacrifice of the Mass. Telll the story of the Last Supper. Do something!! You can’t let your daughter receive her first communion in ignorance and without the appreciation of what she is receiving.

I wish you well and will say a prayer you can lead your daughter to the truth about the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

We actually use the Baltimore Catechism and Faith in Life. My wife is a cradle Byzantine Catholic and I have to say that I am extremely impressed at how well she was taught compared to the Latin Rite of that era(1960’s and '70’s).

 

[LynnGM]

As a child who attended CCD classes in the 80s and early 90s, half of them within a Cahtolic school curriculum, I can say that I had no clue what was really going on in my Catholic faith.

The first four years (K-3) were very, very good. Excellent, touching homilies at the kids’ mass. (I still remember one, which explained the Crucifixion in a profound way.) We also had very good religion teachers. I learned TONS about my faith.

Okay, grade 4 was a new Catholic school. The religion class was very fuzzy wuzzy touchy feely. I did not learn much. In fact, I would say the curriculum and its presentation made me less interested in being Catholic.

Then, I switched to a public school because the academics were so much stronger and challenging. I enrolled in the local CCd program. There, I really lost my faith. It was so, so , so poor. Everyone was passing notes and having side conversations. The curriculum was a joke- we had a workbook with the cheesiest exercises. No, I was not prepared for Confirmation, had no clue what it meant. I also “forgot” a lot of what I learned in Catholic school. I was confirmed in the fall of ninth grade.

My husband, who attended ccd in the 70s thru mid 80s, says the same thing. He learned NOTHING substantial.

I wish we could go back to a traditional Catholic catechesis.

 

[Princess18]

Niece getting confirmed in a few weeks. She was at my house and picked up my copy of the CCC and said “Oh, so that’s what it is! In class they keep saying “in the Catechsim”, I had no idea they were talking about a book!”

I asked her to explain to me some simple things, like transubstantiation, or what it meant that things were sacraments. Then asked her what it meant that she was getting confirmed. Big fat nothing. I had her call a few of her friends from her class and ask them, they had no clue either. Apparently the adults in charge of the youth group think it’s more important to sing songs, make signs, and act out skits … you know, make sure the kids enjoy it and want to show up.



Oops, forgot to add that my CCD education was poor as well (80s/early 90s), but at least I could have answered those questions.

 

[Eucharisted]

I was wondering if people out there have a similar experience to me with getting their 2nd graders ready for the sacraments. My wife and I have put our first 3 daughters through our church’s program with some muscle added at home. One of my daughters said that they barely took any time learning about the Eucharist and never learned anything but it being a community meal. They also learned what to do at their first communion, but not that the mass is a bloodless sacrifice. In fact, she said they spent a good part of their year learning about Noah.
I recently had a discussion with the leader of all our religious ed. programs, which concerns around 6-7 churches in our parish, and an elementary Catholic school. She said, “we don’t teach about purgatory anymore because it scares the kids. Besides, purgatory doesn’t exist.” I responded with a quote by Christ Himself about settling with your opponent on the way to prison, and not being released until you’ve paid the last penny. She replied that no one can tell what the authors of the Bible intended because it was written so long ago.
Needless to say, I was disgusted and we now conduct our religious ed. at home!

Is ccd for the young a disaster elsewhere as it is in my neck of the woods?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. I can symphasize. Talk to the pastor. If all else fails, find a new parish. You have a responsibility, out of love, to make sure your children are taught the Faith.

 

[Yours_Truly]

Scott,

We are almost certainly living through the great apostasy. The solution is to find a good Traditional Church in your area where the Tridentine Mass is celebrated. This is probably the only place you will get the true and undiluted faith.

 

[jmcrae]

Niece getting confirmed in a few weeks. She was at my house and picked up my copy of the CCC and said “Oh, so that’s what it is! In class they keep saying “in the Catechsim”, I had no idea they were talking about a book!”

On the plus side, the teachers are mentioning the Catechism, and probably quoting it, as well.

I asked her to explain to me some simple things, like transubstantiation, or what it meant that things were sacraments.

I don’t think any of the kids I work with would understand those questions, as such, but they know that Jesus is present, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, under the appearances of bread and wine at Mass. And they can say, “A sacrament is a sign established by Christ that is or does the thing that it signifies.”

Then asked her what it meant that she was getting confirmed. Big fat nothing. I had her call a few of her friends from her class and ask them, they had no clue either. Apparently the adults in charge of the youth group think it’s more important to sing songs, make signs, and act out skits … you know, make sure the kids enjoy it and want to show up.

Well - there’s not much you can teach an empty room, either. I am undergoing the same balancing act. The days of “you must attend Sacramental Preparation classes” are long gone. Nobody thinks their eternal salvation has anything to do with whether or not they go to Church or receive Sacramental Catechesis. It’s up to the kids - if the kids like coming, the parents will bring them, but if the kids complain, the parents will keep them home. After all, it’s not like Math, or sports, or ballet classes, that they will need for their future success.

And the Bishop is on their side; not ours. The classes are optional. They can receive the Sacrament of Confirmation even if they have never stepped foot inside of a Catholic Church since they were baptized. So, yes - it has to be entertaining, just to keep the little darlings coming, in the hope that something will trickle through to them.

And FWIW, I didn’t know how to explain what Confirmation was when I was in RCIA, either, although I know for a fact that I received at least two one hour lectures on the subject. just knew that it was one of the three Sacraments necessary to join the Church, and had something to do with “strengthening.”

 

[JulianN]

If you are dissatisfied with the catechesis in the parish program, perhaps you should consider volunteering to teach. As a former DRE, I know how difficult it is to find good catechists – I often had to delay the beginning of the school year because parents were quick to complain, but not as quick to step up and offer to help.

 

[Princess18]

I don’t think any of the kids I work with would understand those questions, as such, but they know that Jesus is present, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, under the appearances of bread and wine at Mass. And they can say, “A sacrament is a sign established by Christ that is or does the thing that it signifies.”

What are they required to know before they get confirmed? Before their first reconciliation and first communion, they have to understand the sacrament they are about to receive and at least some basic principles about their faith. It makes sense that they should be able to explain what it is that’s happening, and at least something big about the religion they are being confirmed in.

I understand that you can’t teach an empty room, but you can’t just start passing out sacraments on the corner like an ATM either. These kids have to understand what it is they are standing up and agreeing to, so to speak.