Question about Religion Text

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I have a question regarding a CCD religion text. Is anyone familiar with religion texts by Silver Burdett And **Ginn? **My daughter would just like to know if it’s true to the teaching of the Church.
Thanks.

Ruth
 
I’ve read numerous critiques of those texts. I would suggest caution when using them. I don’t have specifics about the latest editions, but Silver Burdett books have had erroneous doctrine for years. Everything should be checked against the official doctrine in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
 
Thank you for your reply. My daughter has enrolled my granddaughter in a CCD class that is using this as a text, and in perusing it, my daughter did notice things that troubled her. That is why I asked the question.

Now that I’m aware of the problems with it, what would you suggest? My daughter is home-schooling her daughter, but in order for her to receive First Communion this year, she felt obliged to enroll her in the parish CCD.
 
Ruthmary said:
I have a question regarding a CCD religion text. Is anyone familiar with religion texts by Silver Burdett And **Ginn? **My daughter would just like to know if it’s true to the teaching of the Church.
Thanks.

Ruth
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both Blest are We and the older series by Silver Burdett have been approved by the US Bishop’s as being in compliance with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and are approved for use in most dioceses in this country. You can ask your diocesan catechetics office for a list of approved texts. this publisher has other materials such as Connect leaflets for youth, RCIA materials, and you would have to look at each one to see if they are in compliance (they are required to carry such a statement from the bishops).

in general I can say, since my job involves reviewing texts and teaching materials, that where most approved textbook series fall down is in being incomplete in the teaching, even when what they do say is in accord with the CCC. For instance it is true to speak of the Eucharist as thanksgiving, meal and celebration, but it is incomplete and erroneous to teach the Mass without emphasizing the notion of sacrifice and the Real Presence and re-presentation of Calvary as the fundamental reality. It is also erroneous and incomplete to teach the Mass without teaching the reality of the sacrificial priesthood. Some series emphasize the priesthood of all believers confered in Baptism, but neglect the former.

Bear in mind that for 2nd or 3rd graders preparing for first communion they are not required to have a college-level presentation of the theology of the sacrament, but one suitable to their age and understanding, so it would be wrong to look for an adult presentation in a child’s book. What will be more telling is the manual provided for catechists, and used in their formation, which must include the adult, complete statement of the truth.
 
Ruthmary said:
Now that I’m aware of the problems with it, what would you suggest? .
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I used the Silver Burdett when I was a DRE, but I think the series is now discontinued. I wouldn’t use them now! I would go with Faith and Life (Ignatius?). It’s the only one that is doctrine centered. Both SB and Sadlier I don’t like because they are toooriented to the experience of the learner. It seems backwards.

I yanked my kids from CCE. If your grandkid is being home schooled & using Cathoic curriculum, religion should be included.

It is most common in my experience that sacramental prep is in addition to CCE, so as long as kids are receiving proper catechesis, there should be no need to enroll in CCE. Just find out when the meetings are for sacramental prep. Parents have to teach their kids anyway, so use materials you find acceptable.

For sacramental prep with my most recent First Communicant, I used www.catechismclass.com and the Baltimore First Communion Catechism.

Also, if you get EWTN TV, check out"Truth in the Heart" on Wednesday & Thurs at 5:00 eastern ( I think that’s right, I tape it).
 
I read that in the Sadlier series - grade 6, I believe - it talks about an ‘imaginary place called Eden’. Anyone use this series?

The only series I’ve found that I really like is ‘Faith & Life’. Our parish and school refuse to use it because it’s too ‘stuffy’ (quote from a pastor).

I buy Faith & Life and use it at home.
 
I agree that the Ignatius series “Faith and Life” is the best available. Silver Burdett, Ginn and Sadlier are all very flawed and quite bad. We have generations of religiously-ignorant Catholic children to prove that. 🙂 There are some good religious education curricula developed by Catholic homeschooling groups and I think we should just use those also.
 
This year is my first year at helping out with PSR in my parish and we’re using the “Faith and Life” series. From what I’ve read of it so far it looks very good. I have no experience with anything else though.
 
Hello.

I am the new President and CEO of CatechismClass.com. I do believe that CatechismClass.com is an even better program than “Faith and Life”

The company now offers a wide variety of materials for catechesis including the following:

Here is a link to see the children’s programs that we have: catechismclass.com/series
Here is a link to our Sacramental Preparation Programs: catechismclass.com/sacramental-prep
Here is a link to our marriage preparation program: catechismclass.com/lesson/234

We now have a 100% guarantee that we will offer our products to any homeschooling family, parish, or other group at a price cheaper than they are paying now. We strongly believe in our material and wish to offer them to all parishes/groups, even those unable to pay the unit price. All you have to do is show me a past invoice from your current provider of catechism material and I will beat that price!
 
A review from a trusted source would help me. I like Faith and Life, but I think it has some flaws also (I can see many ways it could be improved). So, I’m very open to a new series which could be better.
 
this is an old thread and moot since the publisher has been absorbed into another one, and the other texts (and website) mentioned all have new versions. best to start a new thread rather than resurrect old ones, and in the proper forum, evangelization.
 
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