Resources for Cathequism

[Alvarillo]

I have been asked to take care of the cathequism for confirmation of a group of 15-16 year olds who have been in the hands of a rather heterodox teacher. Their previous cathequist was heavily inspired in a Basque theologian who denied the resurrection, simplified the Church’s teachings to a certain liberation theology styled solidarity and generally made a caricature of Christ as a friend ignoring any other dimension or implication of His person. He has made somewhat of sociology of Christianity and reduced Christ’s teachings, in addition to criticizing the Holy Father and the bishops. I hope to be able to transmit true Church teaching to them, especially insofar as the existence of sin, the need for redemption and the gift of Grace through Christ’s sacrifice, something completely ignored.

I would be very grateful for advice and resources to prepare the cathequism classes and how to do some “damage control”.

 

[Alvarillo]

I seem to have spelled Cathechesis wrong. I am a Spaniard and in spite of having spent many years in the US (untill four years ago) I have never had to spell this word in English, so I sort of winged it. Sorry

 

[Lead_Me_Home]

¡Que bueno, habla español!
It really isn’t a problem, a lot of Americans speak/understand Spanish.
I think you should look into Father John Corapi’s work. He is a great catechist and defender of Church teaching. He speaks clearly on the issues of abortion, contraception, and many other issues. He covers basically the entire Catechism of The Catholic Church in videos as well as radio recordings. He was a great influence in my decision to start my conversion to Catholicism. His work is in English so I would have to look harder for any of his work in spanish or a spanish speaking theologian. I have know doubt that there is one.

fathercorapi.com/

You can download episodes of his series at;
fathercorapi.com/Catechism-Series-C2.aspx

 

[Lead_Me_Home]

Vaya con Dios.

 

[Dicerning]

I have been asked to take care of the cathequism for confirmation of a group of 15-16 year olds who have been in the hands of a rather heterodox teacher. Their previous cathequist was heavily inspired in a** Basque theologian **who denied the resurrection, simplified the Church’s teachings to a certain liberation theology styled solidarity and generally made a caricature of Christ as a friend ignoring any other dimension or implication of His person. He has made somewhat of sociology of Christianity and reduced Christ’s teachings, in addition to criticizing the Holy Father and the bishops. I hope to be able to transmit true Church teaching to them, especially insofar as the existence of sin, the need for redemption and the gift of Grace through Christ’s sacrifice, something completely ignored.

I would be very grateful for advice and resources to prepare the cathequism classes and how to do some “damage control”.

Are you referring to Sobrino? If so the assertations you have made regarding his theology are incorrect. If you are no referring to sobrino…well ummm nevermind. If sobrino you need to be mindful of the fact that the Vatican has reviewed his work and has NOT condemned it. In fact they haven’t even forbidden it.

 

[puzzleannie]

I don’t know in what country you are teaching. Find out from the diocesan office of catechetics what has been approved and prescribed for this age group, and what resources are permitted. Also it depends on whether or not this is post-confirmation catechesis, which should focus on preparing them for adult life as practicing, heroic Catholics in the secular world and to meet the challenges they will face, on deeper scripture study, and honest confrontation of contemporary moral and apologetics issues.

If this is preparation for Confirmation, immersion in the Paschal mystery and the sacramental economy, the creed, the moral life, Christian discipleship and prayer are the context, with special emphasis on the Holy Spirit and the Church.
A catechism for teens produced by the bishops of your country, or approved by them, is a good resource.

what is the language of your learners?

if you are specifically addressing damage control, find out what has been taught, challenge them to find in the bible what Jesus actually did say and do regarding that topic, and in the catechism for what the Church actually does teach and do. challenge them to go to the source, not the filter, for reliable teaching, so they form that lifelong habit.

 

[Alvarillo]

¡Que bueno, habla español!
It really isn’t a problem, a lot of Americans speak/understand Spanish.
I think you should look into Father John Corapi’s work. He is a great catechist and defender of Church teaching. He speaks clearly on the issues of abortion, contraception, and many other issues. He covers basically the entire Catechism of The Catholic Church in videos as well as radio recordings. He was a great influence in my decision to start my conversion to Catholicism. His work is in English so I would have to look harder for any of his work in spanish or a spanish speaking theologian. I have know doubt that there is one.

Thank you very much. There is no need to find it in Spanish, I would be able to translate anything I would want them to read directly. Plus, I’ll have the added bonus of not spelling cathechesis wrong in Spanish!

¡Con Dios!

 

[Alvarillo]

Are you referring to Sobrino? If so the assertations you have made regarding his theology are incorrect. If you are no referring to sobrino…well ummm nevermind. If sobrino you need to be mindful of the fact that the Vatican has reviewed his work and has NOT condemned it. In fact they haven’t even forbidden it.

No, it isn’t Sobrino (I assume you mean Jon Sobrino, the Jesuit) I can’t remember his name but the guy I’m talking about is a basque theologean who has been hotly contested by most everyone (with exception of his own bishop) according to the priest who has asked me to be these kids’ cathechist, this man has directly denied Christ’s resurrection, and I can’t imagine the Vatican not condemning that as a theological position.

 

[Alvarillo]

I don’t know in what country you are teaching. Find out from the diocesan office of catechetics what has been approved and prescribed for this age group, and what resources are permitted. Also it depends on whether or not this is post-confirmation catechesis, which should focus on preparing them for adult life as practicing, heroic Catholics in the secular world and to meet the challenges they will face, on deeper scripture study, and honest confrontation of contemporary moral and apologetics issues.

If this is preparation for Confirmation, immersion in the Paschal mystery and the sacramental economy, the creed, the moral life, Christian discipleship and prayer are the context, with special emphasis on the Holy Spirit and the Church.
A catechism for teens produced by the bishops of your country, or approved by them, is a good resource.

what is the language of your learners?

if you are specifically addressing damage control, find out what has been taught, challenge them to find in the bible what Jesus actually did say and do regarding that topic, and in the catechism for what the Church actually does teach and do. challenge them to go to the source, not the filter, for reliable teaching, so they form that lifelong habit.

This is in Spain, most of the cathechumens are Spanish, all of them speak Spanish. They are between the ages of 14 and16 and are preparing for confirmation. Thank you very much for your advice, I will be sure to follow it.

 

[puzzleannie]

This is in Spain, most of the cathechumens are Spanish, all of them speak Spanish. They are between the ages of 14 and16 and are preparing for confirmation. Thank you very much for your advice, I will be sure to follow it.

ah that also makes a difference. are they actually catechumens (unbaptized) or confirmation candidates, and in both cases, what catechesis have they had up until now? are these Catholic youth who have had some kind of religious education (even bad as you say) throughout their school years, or those entirely new to the faith. You may have to go right back to basics–the prayers, how to assist at Mass, how to examine one’s conscience, how to go to confession etc.

If they have been badly taught you might still have to do this, especially if they have been taught these things are not important.

I could suggest several Spanish language and bilingual resources but they are mostly either prepared for Mexican or Hispanic-Americans, and may not suit your learners. Find out what the bishop expects them to know by the time they are confirmed.

 

[Dicerning]

No, it isn’t Sobrino (I assume you mean Jon Sobrino, the Jesuit) I can’t remember his name but the guy I’m talking about is a basque theologean who has been hotly contested by most everyone (with exception of his own bishop) according to the priest who has asked me to be these kids’ cathechist, this man has directly denied Christ’s resurrection, and I can’t imagine the Vatican not condemning that as a theological position.

If it is a basque theologian then it is a diciple of sobrino (who is basque himself)…anyways Liberation theology CAN threaten the divinine aspects of Chrisitanity. Unfortunately it has been a political mechanism in central america.

 

[Alvarillo]

ah that also makes a difference. are they actually catechumens (unbaptized) or confirmation candidates, and in both cases, what catechesis have they had up until now? are these Catholic youth who have had some kind of religious education (even bad as you say) throughout their school years, or those entirely new to the faith. You may have to go right back to basics–the prayers, how to assist at Mass, how to examine one’s conscience, how to go to confession etc.

If they have been badly taught you might still have to do this, especially if they have been taught these things are not important.

I could suggest several Spanish language and bilingual resources but they are mostly either prepared for Mexican or Hispanic-Americans, and may not suit your learners. Find out what the bishop expects them to know by the time they are confirmed.

Wow, after eleven years in the US, I have never before had so much trouble with a conversation. They have been baptized, although I think it would be good to start with the basics. I am told most cathequesis for confirmation are based on explanations of the creed (Nicene-Constantinopolitan) which they should know by the time they are confirmed. I will, however make sure they know htier prayers and explain the Mass (which can be fun anyways, and makes going to mass much more enjoyable).

 

[Alvarillo]

If it is a basque theologian then it is a diciple of sobrino (who is basque himself)…anyways Liberation theology CAN threaten the divinine aspects of Chrisitanity. Unfortunately it has been a political mechanism in central america.

Well, according to what I’m told of this man, he seems to have taken the very worst aspects of Sobrino’s theology and increased it.