old thread but good to revisit each year I think
this is the first full year I have had catechists willing to do the extra work to use the ACM materials, and first year all RCIA catechists have had training. Still trying to get the diocese to bring ACM down here for training (last time was 2005 when NAFC came down). They are miles ahead of the competition with the CD of downloadable “handouts”. When they implement the Spanish edition we will never look back.
If your budget is limited, never mind handouts, purchase the ACM catechist manual.
I cannot emphasize enough that the quality of the catechist determines the quality and usefulness of the resources. Yes it is my duty to provide my catechists and catechumens the best, but if they are not going to be used properly it is money poorly spent.
Now that our Spanish program is in high gear, however, I still rely on bilingual materials, and Journey of Faith by Liguori is still the only resource that has children, youth and adult packets in English and Spanish. During Lent and Mystagogy when we have mixed groups, this is essential. But they are only a starting point, not stand alone, you still need well-grounded catechists to fill deficiencies. The RCIA catechists still use Making Disciples from Our Sunday Visitor as the catechist manual for “what has to be covered” on each topic, and we use their suggested timeline and schedule, and use the JOF handouts as homework, family discussion, and for candidates and sponsor or children and parents to work on together, as a reinforcement and testing, rather than initial presentation, of the topic.
The two adult classes in English, RCIA and Confirmation, use ACM. Catechisms are available, and the handouts are great and all we need.
