Religious Textbooks

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Brother_Adam

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Not sure what forum to put this in since none seem to fit…

I’m a brand new DRE at a small parish in Michigan. I just graduated from Franciscan University with a BA in Theology/Catechetics. We are going through a process where we need to make some textbook changes (ones we are using are going out of print), and I’m looking for recommendations, especially from other catechetical leaders who understand the complexities of parish work (Yes, I love the Didache series too 😉 ).

We need a program that will be easy to transition from Sadlier’s Blest are We over the next several years that has sacramental preparation texts for 1st Eucharist and Reconciliation and Confirmation. It also needs to have a Home Study component for some of the parish families who must due to various circumstances teach their children at home. This program would cover K-9th Grade.

While I want to use Faith and Life by Ignatius, it just doesn’t have the supplements we need to use, and the change in method would be very difficult for our older catechists. We have been looking at RCL as an option. While it doesn’t have the same caliber of content Ignatius has, it is at least orthodox in what it does have.

Thanks so much!

Adam
 
I’m not sure from your original post if you were referring to Sadlier’s We Believe series. webelieveweb.com/index.cfm

This is the series that our parish uses, and having taught K, 2nd, 6th, and 5th grades with it, I think they do a pretty decent job.
 
I cannot recommend RCL, for many reasons detailed in a recent thread on the topic of that publisher (they do Echoes of Faith formation program for catechists).

what is approved by your diocese? that is the first place to start.
catechists are surprisingly adaptable, and should have no trouble with the text plus workbook style of Faith and Life (which makes replacement cost each year much more budget friendly esp for a small parish. F&L or Image of God both from Ignatius are the gold standard.

you can supplement with sacramental materials from other publishers.

in our diocese only 3 text series are approved.
Sadlier, the new one Creemos/We Believe
Silver Burdett, Blest are We and the older one (which is now going out of print, but still available through the clearning houses)
Loyola Press Christ our Life
all 3 have grades K-8 and Confirmation programs, and separate 1st comm/1st penance. Loyola has a supplement called Gathered Together or something similar which would be great if you are new at doing sacramental parent meetings.

of these 3, Loyola is the best in content IMO, but the sacramental supplement is only enough for one candidate session. it is the text we have been using, and I am gradually transitioning from 1997 to 2002 (now of course they have a new version, can’t keep up). their new 2006 7th & 8th grade texts and catechist manuals are all-new and terrific, my catechists are in love with them, and we start this year.

since our parish school uses Sadlier, and it comes in a bilingual version, we will begin using that for our Spanish classes this year, along with their (very expensive) new sacramental programs. The only reason is they gave me a huge price break because we ordered with the school. at over $10 per candidate forget it.

if I were doing it over I would order Teach it Penance and Teach it Eucharist from Our Sunday Visitor–catechist and director guides for sacramental prep–with the children’s booklets on the Mass and sacraments they sell. This will provide the best background for sacramental catechists to reach both candidates and parents, IMO. we are phasing this in with new catechists, since I have a big crop this year.

for HS we use Didache, 1st yr text Intro to Catholicism, over 9th & 10th grades, Confirmation I&II.

if your diocese confirms in Jr. High, the Loyola Confirmation program is excellent, I think it is confirmed in the spirit.

for RCIA grades 7+ we use teen catechism by Fr. McBride from OSV, for grades 2-6 children participate in their regular grade level for one year, and the 2nd year prepare with our own program, based on Journey of Faith/Camino de Fe by Liguori, and the same sacramental programs as the other candidates.

there are several old threads where others have extensively reviewed other textbook series based on their experience, worth a look. be sure to check out the website of your selected publisher. Loyola’s for example has excellent helps for DRE and catechist.
 
Brother_Adam said:
Not sure what forum to put this in since none seem to fit…

I’m a brand new DRE at a small parish in Michigan. I just graduated from Franciscan University with a BA in Theology/Catechetics. We are going through a process where we need to make some textbook changes (ones we are using are going out of print), and I’m looking for recommendations, especially from other catechetical leaders who understand the complexities of parish work (Yes, I love the Didache series too 😉 ).

We need a program that will be easy to transition from Sadlier’s Blest are We over the next several years that has sacramental preparation texts for 1st Eucharist and Reconciliation and Confirmation. It also needs to have a Home Study component for some of the parish families who must due to various circumstances teach their children at home. This program would cover K-9th Grade.

While I want to use Faith and Life by Ignatius, it just doesn’t have the supplements we need to use, and the change in method would be very difficult for our older catechists. We have been looking at RCL as an option. While it doesn’t have the same caliber of content Ignatius has, it is at least orthodox in what it does have.

Thanks so much!

Adam
Click to expand...
Our parish began using Ignatius last year with nothing but positive responses. It does an excellent job of showing the continuity of faith.
 
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