Searching for good catechetical resources for adults

[Disciple96]

I’m gathering materials for adult catechesis and I’ve stumbled upon Lighthouse Catholic Media with their really interesting CD’s (and CD Club) plus I’ve got tons of MP3’s downloaded from around the web. But does anyone know of some good books? Has anyone read Yarnold’s Awe-Inspiring Rites of Initiation?

I want stuff that will set folks on fire! Well, not literally, of course. But I do want their hearts to burn within them and not because of all the coffee we’ll be drinking either!

I’m losing my internet connection in a minute but I’ll reply to replies (if any) in a day or so. Thank you in advance.

 

[jmcrae]

When I was doing RCIA Inquiry, the people really liked This is the Faith, by Canon Francis Ripley, Now That You’re Catholic, by Father Kenny, and the Ligouri pamphlet series *Journey to Faith *for RCIA, which is interactive - they fill out the pamphlet for homework at home, and do the discussion questions as a group when they meet.

 

[His_little1]

Renewal has some good stuff. They are the ones that do the “Why Catholic” series that so many parishes are participating in. Also there are many “podcasts” you can find on iTunes for free that are really good. Even if you don’t have an iPod, you can download the iTunes software for free and burn these podcasts to an audio cd (most are free as well). You will require a high speed (broadband or DSL) connection though. Dial up would take forever.

Light them up! There’s nothing more disappointing than witnessing a cradle catholic in their “later” years finding out they never quite understood what they believed. We are all called to be a part of the Body of Christ and we can’t let it get out of shape!

I pray you will have abundant successes in your adult formation.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

…This is the Faith, by Canon Francis Ripley…

I have not read that one but i do like “This Is Our Faith” . A Catholic Catechism for Adults by Michael Francis Pennock (the old red cover version from 1988) Frankly, This Is Our Faith and a current Missal is really all I would use for 90% of the class

 

[puzzleannie]

can you tell us whether you want resources for adults in RCIA or confirmation preparation? bible study or other resources for adult ed for practicing Catholics adults who want to go deeper into their faith? resources for parents of children preparing for sacraments? evangelization? apologetics?

Revisiting the Journey is a resource from Liguori on the same pattern as their “handout” pamphlet style Journey of Faith for RCIA. RTJ is a systematic study of the catechism of the Catholic Church for adults who want a more solid grounding, one packet for each of the 4 sections of the CCC, lends itself to an adult ed weekly format.

Marcello D’Ambrosio has several video and CD series and is a terrific speaker and presenter will post the link when I find it as I can never remember the name.

 

[Catholic1954]

We used “Journey of Faith”, two page phamphlets as a supplement to the book. They are somewhat lightweight in theology, but helped start excellent discussions, especially for people who usually didn’t say much during the class.

 

[Linuse]

I find a good source of adult continuing ed 4 page items come from the Franciscans in Cincinnati. Their update series treat one topic per issue in 4 pages. They have "Catholic Update’, Youth Update, Everyday Catholic, and several other series. Each comes out monthly. They can be subscribed to as individuals or groups. Website–American Catholic.org. On their website, they also have a daily Catholic News summary that I appreciate.

 

[Disciple96]

When I was doing RCIA Inquiry, the people really liked This is the Faith, by Canon Francis Ripley, Now That You’re Catholic, by Father Kenny, and the Ligouri pamphlet series *Journey to Faith *for RCIA, which is interactive - they fill out the pamphlet for homework at home, and do the discussion questions as a group when they meet.

Hmmm…I’ve seen the first two but I haven’t read them. I’ll look into it. I have seen Journey to Faith, but it was so long ago, if it’s the one I’m thinking of. I’ll check it out too. I really want folks to get a grounding in the basics and also to be able to taste the beauty of the Church: the Mass, the prayers, the teachings, the vast and light-filled beauty She is.

Thanks for your suggestions. If you think of anything else, please let me know.

 

[Disciple96]

Renewal has some good stuff. They are the ones that do the “Why Catholic” series that so many parishes are participating in. Also there are many “podcasts” you can find on iTunes for free that are really good. Even if you don’t have an iPod, you can download the iTunes software for free and burn these podcasts to an audio cd (most are free as well). You will require a high speed (broadband or DSL) connection though. Dial up would take forever.

Light them up! There’s nothing more disappointing than witnessing a cradle catholic in their “later” years finding out they never quite understood what they believed. We are all called to be a part of the Body of Christ and we can’t let it get out of shape!

I pray you will have abundant successes in your adult formation.

Yeah, the podcasts are wonderful. My poor little laptop and my MP3 player are crammed full of podcasts and audio from EWTN and Sonitus Sanctus and I add to my free Catholic audio library every chance I get. I use the free wifi at coffee shops and libraries, etc, so it’s high speed all the way. (I cancelled cable internet as soon as I found these spots. Now I can buy more Catholic books! )

I’ve had occasion over the years to light up quite a few cradle Catholics. I love to see that happen. Of course, it isn’t me, it’s the Holy Spirit. He just uses my enthusiasm and my love for Holy Mother Church. And the fact that I am a voracious reader/listener who can’t help but share what she’s learned.

As for the adult formation, I’m working on my own formation too. I’ve gotta long way to go but God is good and He’s helping me. He’s allowed me to humble myself several times lately. Oy.

 

[Disciple96]

I have not read that one but i do like “This Is Our Faith” . A Catholic Catechism for Adults by Michael Francis Pennock (the old red cover version from 1988) Frankly, This Is Our Faith and a current Missal is really all I would use for 90% of the class

Yep, we used Pennock’s book in my “convert class”. I didn’t have to do the RCIA and I have to say I’m glad. I got to sit down at a table with my dear little old Irish priest with three other people one evening a week. And I loved it! We used This Is Our Faith and the Catechism, and the priest added to it from his long experience as a Catholic and a pastor. And he gave us good solid doctrine and taught us prayers and about the Mass. I wouldn’t trade that time for the world.

He also knew how to dramatize or set the stage, as it were, for rituals. Holy Week at his parish is very special indeed. I’ve always remembered that first Holy Thursday. Well, the whole Triduum. Wow. I’m digressing but those were intense times and I remember them with a whole lotta love. That’s the kind of love I want to help others find. I know I’m only a small part of the picture, but I want that for people who are searching. You know?

Thanks for your response. If you think of anything else or hear of anything, let me know, okay?

 

[Disciple96]

can you tell us whether you want resources for adults in RCIA or confirmation preparation? bible study or other resources for adult ed for practicing Catholics adults who want to go deeper into their faith? resources for parents of children preparing for sacraments? evangelization? apologetics?

Revisiting the Journey is a resource from Liguori on the same pattern as their “handout” pamphlet style Journey of Faith for RCIA. RTJ is a systematic study of the catechism of the Catholic Church for adults who want a more solid grounding, one packet for each of the 4 sections of the CCC, lends itself to an adult ed weekly format.

Marcello D’Ambrosio has several video and CD series and is a terrific speaker and presenter will post the link when I find it as I can never remember the name.

I’m looking for resources for adults who are inquiring, but not necessarily RCIA. I have very mixed feelings about that whole thing. It’s a project only in the planning stages. Bible study I’d love to do, using Scott Hahn and Tim Gray stuff. But what I’m looking for are resources that will help me present the true teachings of Catholicism and get into some of the roots of the faith too. Things that make the teaching come alive and have depth. I’m really dissatisfied with a lot of what I see happening in various classes and in material that’s out there. That’s why I’m ordering that Yarnold book I mentioned. I want to use the writings of the Fathers of the Church and things like that.

D’Ambrosio does have a lot of good things. I’ve been visiting his site for a while. I’ll look at that Liguori stuff too. Thank you so much for your response. Think of anything else, let me know.

 

[Disciple96]

We used “Journey of Faith”, two page phamphlets as a supplement to the book. They are somewhat lightweight in theology, but helped start excellent discussions, especially for people who usually didn’t say much during the class.

Yeah, that’s one thing I’m noticing: many people have absolutely no idea what the Church teaches or what’s in the Bible, much less do they know anything about theology. It’s been sobering to realize how much they don’t know.

Thanks for the suggestion. Anything else you think of, let me know.

 

[Disciple96]

I find a good source of adult continuing ed 4 page items come from the Franciscans in Cincinnati. Their update series treat one topic per issue in 4 pages. They have "Catholic Update’, Youth Update, Everyday Catholic, and several other series. Each comes out monthly. They can be subscribed to as individuals or groups. Website–American Catholic.org. On their website, they also have a daily Catholic News summary that I appreciate.

Is that St Anthony Messenger Press? Yeah, I’ve seen their stuff too. I like that Catholic Update, a parish I sometimes go to always has things like that and I always grab a couple, one for me and one for a friend.

Thank you for your suggestion. If you think of anything else, let me know, okay?

I appreciate all your responses. Thank you all for taking the time to read and to reply. This is an ongoing project and I’ll let you know more details as it develops. Please pray for me and I will pray for all of you too. Thanks again!

 

[puzzleannie]

if your plan is to begin with a systematic course on what the Church teaches, that goes deeper than RCIA, get the US CAtholic Catechism for adults. there are several resources and study guides, one from the USCCB, one from Our Sunday Visitor. That is our year-round course, and the follow-up to RCIA, and glad to say at least half our neophytes and confirmation candidates continue after their sacraments with this course. there is an audio CD set which is helpful at least for me, since the teachers don’t have to talk the whole time, we play the audio for certain sections, not just sit and listen to it for an hour.

I am really happy with this book, now being in the second year of using it.
I do use tapes by D’Ambrosio, some EWTN episodes and other resources on certain topics to vary the class a bit, but the response has been very positive.

the other post-confirmation course for adults is the Great Bible Adventure, first the 8 week intro, then the full course. the third alternative for them is the Apologetics club, which runs college seminar style, and is really taking off. they use the beginning apologetics series, supplemented with a lot of EWTN broadcasts, played right off the laptop with projector and speakers. they also use a lot of John Mangione’s (spelling?) CDs I think he is the bible catholic site.

 

[Disciple96]

if your plan is to begin with a systematic course on what the Church teaches, that goes deeper than RCIA, get the US CAtholic Catechism for adults. there are several resources and study guides, one from the USCCB, one from Our Sunday Visitor. That is our year-round course, and the follow-up to RCIA, and glad to say at least half our neophytes and confirmation candidates continue after their sacraments with this course. there is an audio CD set which is helpful at least for me, since the teachers don’t have to talk the whole time, we play the audio for certain sections, not just sit and listen to it for an hour.

I am really happy with this book, now being in the second year of using it.
I do use tapes by D’Ambrosio, some EWTN episodes and other resources on certain topics to vary the class a bit, but the response has been very positive.

the other post-confirmation course for adults is the Great Bible Adventure, first the 8 week intro, then the full course. the third alternative for them is the Apologetics club, which runs college seminar style, and is really taking off. they use the beginning apologetics series, supplemented with a lot of EWTN broadcasts, played right off the laptop with projector and speakers. they also use a lot of John Mangione’s (spelling?) CDs I think he is the bible catholic site.

John Martignoni? He runs Queen of Heaven radio. It’s on the other side of town but I listen to it when I’m in the car, unless I’m listening to CD’s of Fr. Groeschel or Scott Hahn or Tim Gray or Fr. Mitch Pacwa or, well, you get the picture.

Your class sounds really really interesting. That’s what I want to do. I want folks to walk out of these classes stunned, truly stunned, and realizing, perhaps for the first time no matter how long they’ve been Christian or Catholic Christian, something of the vastness and grandeur of the Church. That’s why I want them to hear from the Early Fathers of the Church. And that’s a good idea, using the various EWTN series. I love EWTN. I go to Mass up there every chance I get. Love it, absolutely love it.

I’m going to have to get some of those D’Ambrosio CD’s. I’ve heard him on EWTN and I’ve visited his site many times. I bought three of the Lighthouse Catholic Media CD’s Wednesday, I’ve already devoured them and now I’m hungry for more. More, more, more! And they’re only $3 each. That fits my budget pretty good!

I’ve been looking at that US Catholic Catechism for adults. It does look interesting. I know I’m going to have to get a copy soon.

I want music to be part of this too. Sacred music. Real sacred music. Not what someone called that all-too-common Andrew Lloyd Weber-style church music. Blah! I think the attitude of the congregation is affected profoundly, for better or worse, by the quality (of lack thereof) of the music they are subjected to. So I want to convey the beauty of the Church’s treasury of prayer, devotion and music. You can touch people’s hearts with sacred music in a way that mere words will never be able to.

 

[puzzleannie]

I want music to be part of this too. Sacred music. Real sacred music. Not what someone called that all-too-common Andrew Lloyd Weber-style church music. Blah! I think the attitude of the congregation is affected profoundly, for better or worse, by the quality (of lack thereof) of the music they are subjected to. So I want to convey the beauty of the Church’s treasury of prayer, devotion and music. You can touch people’s hearts with sacred music in a way that mere words will never be able to.

I think this could be even more powerful than good DVDs

 

[Disciple96]

I think this could be even more powerful than good DVDs

This is my hope. It’s still in the brain-storming stage, but I want to convey somehow an experience of a hint of the grandeur and vast expanse of the Church, her history and traditions, her staggering beauty, the love she has for her Lord, her Divine Spouse.

Really, I think, all arguments and concepts and doctrines have great value but what I want is for people to have the opportunity to fall in love with Christ and His Church. I don’t think doctrines convert souls. Christ does. And His love for us.

 

[Orchanian]

I’ve been developing things to use in Bible Study and in a Book Club we do at our parish. I have always supplemented the Bible Study resources with my own assignments so that people get more into the Bible to learn how the OT and NT are connected. We are just beginning a study of the book of Mark.

The Book Club was started about 2 years ago because my mom was in a secular club that kept choosing books she didn’t want to read (Pope Joan, and pro-abortion books). So we began a Catholic Book Club and read and discuss a book a month. I pick the book, write the questions, and lead the discussion.

I post the materials I use on my web site, so feel free to use them. The Bible Study for Mark isn’t up there yet (we begin this week). I usually update the page each month. Maybe you will find something you can use. Here’s the address: www.RTTWorks.com/index/colleen

 

[Disciple96]

I’ve been developing things to use in Bible Study and in a Book Club we do at our parish. I have always supplemented the Bible Study resources with my own assignments so that people get more into the Bible to learn how the OT and NT are connected. We are just beginning a study of the book of Mark.

The Book Club was started about 2 years ago because my mom was in a secular club that kept choosing books she didn’t want to read (Pope Joan, and pro-abortion books). So we began a Catholic Book Club and read and discuss a book a month. I pick the book, write the questions, and lead the discussion.

I post the materials I use on my web site, so feel free to use them. The Bible Study for Mark isn’t up there yet (we begin this week). I usually update the page each month. Maybe you will find something you can use. Here’s the address: www.RTTWorks.com/index/colleen

Thank you very much, Orchanian. I’m always looking for material to steal–er, I mean, to browse and peruse and perhaps to use if it moves my muse. I’ll check it out.

 

[ProDeoEtPatria]

One of the books that I really studied during the process of my conversion to the Catholic church was Fr. Mark Romero’s book “Unabridged Christianity”. While the book is set up to answer questions usually posed by the protestant churches, it has a simple way of explaining complex doctrine. I have re-read this book twice afterwards, and handed out copies to many of my friends and family. It will help those who read it understand our faith, and be able to discuss it eloquently. I believe that knowledge is the key to passion, and passion is the fire you seek!

Just my humble opinion, hope it helps!

Peace be with you,

J.O. Ling