Reading the Youcat

[chero23]

Folks, last year around June, I tried reading the catechism of the Catholic Church. Well it seemed like a tough and hard book to get read.

Since December 12, 2012, I have been going and helping out at church. I told the priest about my two day struggle reading the catechism. He then gave me the Youcat. I’m on page 25 so far and find the book, simple and informative.

For those who have read it, or are reading it as we speak, what has been your thoughts in the book? Has it strengthen your faith? Has it helped you learn our faith better? Can you know answer any questions that non Catholics have about our church?

 

[Mrs_Sally]

My teens received a copy of the YouCat during WYD in Spain. They have both read it and found it very informative and easy to understand.

I doubt anyone would be able to answer any question raised by a non-Catholic after reading it, but certainly the most common questions raised by teens and young adults who are seriously inquiring (as opposed to those who are simply trying to be confrontational).

My kids also had developed faith and prayer lives before going to WYD, but certainly YouCat has helped them with questions they had about specific issues of the faith. It is meant to be a tool in the faith development of a young person, not the final text anyone needs to be fully informed.

YouCat is not a devotional, so for those who don’t have “rules” questions, but struggle more with devotional issues and development of their prayer life, another resource might be more helpful.

Overall though, we like it and definately recommend it.

 

[Moore11]

Folks, last year around June, I tried reading the catechism of the Catholic Church. Well it seemed like a tough and hard book to get read.

Since December 12, 2012, I have been going and helping out at church. I told the priest about my two day struggle reading the catechism. He then gave me the Youcat. I’m on page 25 so far and find the book, simple and informative.

For those who have read it, or are reading it as we speak, what has been your thoughts in the book? Has it strengthen your faith? Has it helped you learn our faith better? Can you know answer any questions that non Catholics have about our church?

As someone who works with teens in the Church, I absolutely have found Youcat useless and silly.
That is my opinion. Others swear by it. There has been a tad of controversy about a masturbation part in it. Other than that it has been relatively quiet.
Personally when attempting to sort out the important parts of the faith, morality and life I dont really think a cartoon stick figure and simplistic language really helps bolster your faith.

We ask teens to crack open science books that make your head spin. They tackle algebra, Shakespeare, and the entirety of human history. But yet they need a stick figure to learn about being pro life? I dont think so…

We have a large youth group and never in my life have I ever heard anyone quote youcat as an authority on anything. We do quote the CCC often though.
I smile as I imagine a teen telling another non Catholic teen about why homosexuality is wrong and saying things like, well, Mr. Sick figure on page such and such of the youcat says it is.

But that is just my opinion, others will definitely disagree as is their right. Perhaps some have even found it helpful. Just not me.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Moore, you are supposed to actually read the book, not just look at the pictures.

 

[ReddyFreddy]

I’d like to get this book. More for an introduction and entry to read the Catechism. I like that there is a version out there that is simplified.

 

[Melchior_1]

As someone who works with teens in the Church, I absolutely have found Youcat useless and silly.
That is my opinion. Others swear by it. There has been a tad of controversy about a masturbation part in it. Other than that it has been relatively quiet.
Personally when attempting to sort out the important parts of the faith, morality and life I dont really think a cartoon stick figure and simplistic language really helps bolster your faith.

We ask teens to crack open science books that make your head spin. They tackle algebra, Shakespeare, and the entirety of human history. But yet they need a stick figure to learn about being pro life? I dont think so…

We have a large youth group and never in my life have I ever heard anyone quote youcat as an authority on anything. We do quote the CCC often though.
I smile as I imagine a teen telling another non Catholic teen about why homosexuality is wrong and saying things like, well, Mr. Sick figure on page such and such of the youcat says it is.

But that is just my opinion, others will definitely disagree as is their right. Perhaps some have even found it helpful. Just not me.

You have to meet some people where they’re at. I also do youth ministry, and some teens are ready for more advanced elements of the Faith, while others don’t even understand the basic Christian message. For the former, Youcat isn’t the best tool. For the latter, it’s a great resource. For teens in the middle, they can read it and decide for themselves if they want something with different language and less pictures.