Reccomendations for Baptism class book(let)?

[_veritas]

Does anyone have any suggestions for me for good publications to be used in Baptism preparation classes?

At the parish where I work, I just picked up the guide that is being used now and flipped thoruhg it… when I realized that it’s impramatur is from Cardinal Mahoney in LA I started reading a bit more carefully…

The title is “Baby’s Baptism: Sacrament of Welcome” and it seems to be published by St. Anthony’s Messenger Press. There does not seem be be anything flat out wrong in it, but the focus is definitely off – it is all on the community “loving”, “your choice of a Church”, and has much to say about the need to “symbol-see” all of the elements of sacraments, with almost nothing on WHAT Baptism actually is. On the back is a “Parent’s Prayer” that basically refers to the Trinity as the “Creator, Savior and Spirit” and tells parents to love the whole world… “Father” is not referred to anywhere in the whole book. Basically, it seems to be all shallow “whatever” speak, with no real catechesis or direction given to the parents.

Obviously, without some really good supplemental teaching (which may or may not be happening here…) this book is, if not “heretical” per se, at least pretty worthless! Are there any other suggestions for possible pre-Baptism class books that I could bring to my pastor’s attention?

Thanks,

+veritas+

 

[puzzleannie]

In the last few years St Anthony Messenger press has gone from being one of the most reliable Catholic publishers to being one of the worst. Looking at their “Catholic Update” over the years will show you how the rot set in as they got more and more liberal dissenting authors and contributors.

I recommend the parent’s pamphlets on the sacraments from Liguori, and they have more and more available in Spanish as well. Our Sunday visitor has parent pamphlets for 1st penance and 1st communion, and I believe one on baptism is in the works. very reliable.

 

[stbruno]

A Sourcebook for Parishes

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http://www.catechesis-chicago.org/_themes/bars/barbul1e.gifSetting the Stage (Developing a Parish Process)

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Archbishop of Chicago

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