Why is more Catechism not taught in CCD?

[dconklin]

Hopefully, we do both. A child of Confirmation age has been required to memorize many things up to this point in his life, including complex tables of chemical formulae that he needs to use in various experiments - a list of ten relatively straightforward commandments should not present so much of a challenge that he doesn’t also have time to learn the meaning of each of the ten, or that “thou shalt not murder” includes every human being, whether born or not.

In High School I had to memorize chemical formulas. Does knowing that sodium and chlorine combines to make salt make my steak taste any better?

Let’s see a virtual show of hands of all those that have read Catechesi Tradendae. Yeah, just as I thought. When you find it, read it. All of it. Pay extra attention to paragraph #55 on memorization. Memorization is mentioned as “a real need” in some areas(10 Commandments, important scriptures and some prayers), though the Baltimore Catechesim is not mentioned. Of course there are many people who think PJPII messed things up too.

 

[Waiting]

In High School I had to memorize chemical formulas. Does knowing that sodium and chlorine combines to make salt make my steak taste any better?

Let’s see a virtual show of hands of all those that have read Catechesi Tradendae. Yeah, just as I thought. When you find it, read it. All of it. Pay extra attention to paragraph #55 on memorization. Memorization is mentioned as “a real need” in some areas(10 Commandments, important scriptures and some prayers), though the Baltimore Catechesim is not mentioned. Of course there are many people who think PJPII messed things up too.

I suspect you’re very young. You will learn over time that memorization is an invaluable tool. It especially helps remove fuzzy thinking. It allows for sound reasoning. It is the basis for knowing what you’re trying to prove when debating in any subject. It provides the exact facts required in countless situations. As I said, memorization is invaluable.

 

[MKF]

Yes, memorization is a giant help in facility, too.

Be encouraged, both students and parents, “the catechism” covers most of the same material in any version you read. If you didn’t receive different levels throughout the years, read an adult catechism and you will have covered all the levels. Do you need a refresher of the basics? Read a child’s catechism and brush up on the Ten Commandments, Six Precepts, Sacraments, and Prayers/Virtues.

Remember that the main powers of the human soul are the intellect and the will and this is what gets to Heaven first. We all have the obligation to seek and learn the truth. Once we know the good (intellect) we must choose it (will). If we don’t know it, we’re not so culpable unless we were derelict in our duty to learn what we should, or could, have learned. This lack of knowledge is what makes the difference between a mortal sin and a venial sin - just as children learn for First Confession.

It doesn’t help to make accusations, especially when one doesn’t know the course another has trod. We can pray for each other and make suggestions. Oh! How true it is that when we teach, we see our students not understand/pay attention/absorb what we taught. This is the effect of fallen human nature and we have to resign ourselves to “keep on keeping on” in spite of the frustration and even in spite of actual malice in the classroom.

Do be encouraged! It’s not that hard to catch up, especially if you have a good prayer life. Pray the Rosary, seek the truth, and practice what you learn. It can be that easy with a good disposition.

After that, add in biographies of the great saints and such books as The Imitation of Christ.

Remember that God loves you and wants you to know Him. His law is simple enough for children and complex enough for St. Thomas Aquinas! Pray that He keeps you in His Way. He promises that He will!

 

[dconklin]

I suspect you’re very young.

I am a young 44 - and a religious educator. I’ve been in the neighborhood for a while - 20-plus years.

You will learn over time that memorization is an invaluable tool. It especially helps remove fuzzy thinking. It allows for sound reasoning. It is the basis for knowing what you’re trying to prove when debating in any subject. It provides the exact facts required in countless situations. As I said, memorization is invaluable.

Memorization is an invaluable tool. It just should not be the only tool in the tool box. There are many people out there who want only use memorization as away to teach children about our Lord. When my 10 year old son is questioned on the playground about the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, he may loose that debate. When his soul is in peril over a moral decision, being able to rattle off the 10 Commandments probably will not help. Understanding what they are and how the related sins keep him from loving God is paramount.

Readiness to receive a sacrament should not be based on a written exam that tests to see how well something is memorized. This is done frequently.

But what could I know? I am suspected of being very young.

 

[Waiting]

I am a young 44 - and a religious educator. I’ve been in the neighborhood for a while - 20-plus years. Memorization is an invaluable tool. It just should not be the only tool in the tool box. There are many people out there who want only use memorization as away to teach children about our Lord. When my 10 year old son is questioned on the playground about the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, he may loose that debate. When his soul is in peril over a moral decision, being able to rattle off the 10 Commandments probably will not help. Understanding what they are and how the related sins keep him from loving God is paramount.

Readiness to receive a sacrament should not be based on a written exam that tests to see how well something is memorized. This is done frequently.

But what could I know? I am suspected of being very young.

Sorry, you did come across to me as young. I doubt if anyone would promote education by memorization only, but it is essential in education. Young people need to memorize facts, even those that they cannot fully explain. It’s as they mature that they grow in depth of meaning. Without prior memorization, it’s much more difficult to understand or explain the faith. A young child learns that there are seven sacraments, and can name them and briefly explain their usefulness. This doesn’t mean much to him. He did his required homework. As he matures, though, and the sacraments are denigrated or questioned by a challenger, that basic knowledge returns to his consciousness, and he draws on that knowledge. He doesn’t stutter or stammer because he is ignorant of the basics. Too many Catholics are drawn from the Church simply because they have no basis of defense for their faith. It’s like learning the multiplication tables. It’s hard to store all that away in memorization as a child, but comes in very handy throughout life when a quick solution is necessary.

 

[fred_conty]

Why is Catechism not taught in CCD? Answer: they don’t show up.

One parish sent postcards to the parents if they missed that night. Then the kids began
to tear up the postcards. Then the parish called the parents by phone.

It seems that all the kids should know the life of Jesus Christ. Who, what, when, where,
how, why. His infancy, 3 years teaching, death and resurrection, his personal love.
Beginning with first grade to the last grade and taught everyyear to fit the age group.
And repeated every year.

Then other agenda could fit into Jesus’ view, or associated after that into His view.

Personal knowledge of Jesus means more to someone than disasociated subjects.

 

[jmcrae]

In High School I had to memorize chemical formulas. Does knowing that sodium and chlorine combines to make salt make my steak taste any better?

No, but I’m betting that knowing how much water to dilute the vinegar with when you’re cleaning your coffee pot makes your coffee taste a whole lot better.

And knowing which powders from the cupboard will put out a fire on the stove keeps your children a lot safer, too.

Let’s see a virtual show of hands of all those that have read Catechesi Tradendae. Yeah, just as I thought. When you find it, read it. All of it. Pay extra attention to paragraph #55 on memorization. Memorization is mentioned as “a real need” in some areas(10 Commandments, important scriptures and some prayers), though the Baltimore Catechesim is not mentioned. Of course there are many people who think PJPII messed things up too.

I agree that memorization is very important.

 

[Ruth_Catherine]

Being a cradle Catholic, I never went through RCIA, as many of you on this forum have. I attended public schools all my life, and although I am at a privately funded university now, it is not a Catholic school (it’s loosely affiliated with the ELCA, though there is a strong Catholic presence on campus ). My point is, the only formal education I have had in my faith was CCD at my parish, which I attended from preschool until my confirmation in the 10th grade, age 15.

Despite all the years of CCD that I attended, I feel as though it taught me very little of the actual Catechism of the Church. It taught me about God, Jesus, Mary, other major Biblical figures, and classic Bible stories, as well as themes such as faith and stewardship (all things that I could have learned about in any other Christian denomination), but I don’t remember ever being taught anything Catechism- or apologetics-related.

I suppose this could be because we were only children, and apologetics may have been too much for a children’s CCD class, but outside of CCD, I would have had no other opportunity to learn about apologetics or the Catechism had I not taken it upon myself to look it up, in places such as this.

I know that my faith has been greatly strengthened by learning about the Catechism and the apologetics behind it, and it saddens me to think that cradle Catholics such as myself may not be getting this information unless they too take it upon themselves to find it. I feel as though many teenagers, such as myself, could actually learn quite a bit by going through RCIA, even though we’re already confirmed.

I guess my question is, why is there not more Catechism/apologetics taught in CCD? I really think that it would be greatly beneficial, even if it isn’t until high school that it is introduced.

I am not sure if RCIA is going to help you with the Catechism either. Unfortunately alot of CCD classes and RCIA class don’t teach the catechism. There are alot of very good books out there that do teach the catechism, though. I went through two RCIA classes as a sponsor and neither class taught much. They were so vague. A few beliefs here and a few beliefs there. You need to dig into this stuff yourself. There are many websites that sell good books on the catechism. I would suggest type in Catholic homeschooling and you will find alot for kids, teens and adults.

 

[Ruth_Catherine]

and what kind of teaching am I offering if every confirmation candidate has memorized the ten commandments, yet cannot explain to a classmate why the abortion she is considering is wrong, or does not know how to respond when her brother comes out as gay, or does not see why gossip and internet bullying is wrong?

what good is it if every first communion candidate has memorized all the prayers yet cannot tell, in 3rd grade terms, what the priest is doing and why.

They need both. Hopefully they are learning both because someday they are going to need those prayers and know what the priest is doing and know the ten commandments. Those things will come to their mind when faced with these issues and provide guidance.

 

[ANNE_2]

The OP’s question is a very good one. And I don’t understand the reasons myself, since the answer is so simple.

It has been in the past up to each Diocese Bishop to determine the teaching tools in his own Diocese. Teaching is each Bishop’s responsbility.
Look at the difficulties including heresis and schisms that have been taking place in the USA due to the lack of proper Catechesis.

However, here is what Pope Benedict said in his Motu Proprio of Oct 11, 2011.

QUOTE " 11. In order to arrive at a systematic knowledge of the content of the faith, all can find in the Catechism of the Catholic Church a precious and indispensable tool.
It is one of the most important fruits of the Second Vatican Council.
In the Apostolic Constitution Fidei Depositum, signed, not by accident, on the thirtieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, Blessed John Paul II wrote: “this catechism will make a very important contribution to that work of renewing the whole life of the Church … I declare it to be a valid and legitimate instrument for ecclesial communion and a sure norm for teaching the faith.”

It is in this sense that that the Year of Faith will have to see a concerted effort to rediscover and study the fundamental content of the faith that receives its systematic and organic synthesis in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Here, in fact, we see the wealth of teaching that the Church has received, safeguarded and proposed in her two thousand years of history.
From Sacred Scripture to the Fathers of the Church, from theological masters to the saints across the centuries, the Catechism provides a permanent record of the many ways in which the Church has meditated on the faith and made progress in doctrine so as to offer certitude to believers in their lives of faith.

In its very structure, the Catechism of the Catholic Church follows the development of the faith right up to the great themes of daily life.
On page after page, we find that what is presented here is no theory, but an encounter with a Person who lives within the Church.
The profession of faith is followed by an account of sacramental life, in which Christ is present, operative and continues to build his Church.
Without the liturgy and the sacraments, the profession of faith would lack efficacy, because it would lack the grace which supports Christian witness.
By the same criterion, the teaching of the Catechism on the moral life acquires its full meaning if placed in relationship with faith, liturgy and prayer.

1. In this Year, then, the Catechism of the Catholic Church will serve as a tool providing real support for the faith, especially for those concerned with the formation of Christians, so crucial in our cultural context… " UNQUOTE

vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_enc_19280106_mortalium-animos_en.html

The CCC is easy to understand for anyone over age 15, and contains the Doctrine of the Faith.
They make great Christmas and other occasion gifts.
No Catholic home should be without one.

In 2012 if your Parish or Diocese does not actively encourage the reading of the “CCC 2nd Ed” find out why.

 

[ANNE_2]

The “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition” definately needs to be taught.(read by those over age 15 level of understanding)

Because - - -

1. too many people who are instructing do not know their faith without error (including some Priests with poor formation);
2. there are too many accidental and purposeful errors being taught;
3. human beings make error based upon lack of knowledge, or on purpose due to bias or sinfulness.

There are no errors in the “CCC 2nd Ed”.
And we must stop heresy, and relativism.

The CCC explains all the things in this thread that people are complaining about - that Catholics must know.
Do you want people to be taught accurately, or hit and miss?
Do you want the Souls of those close to you to depend upon human error or dishonesty that could lead them to Hell for eternity ?

Please re-read the Quote from Pope Benedict that I posted at 1:49 pm today. It is of the utmost importance.

 

[dconklin]

The CCC is easy to understand for anyone over age 15, and contains the Doctrine of the Faith.

Sure, it is easy to understand, but what percentage of the people of our great Church would ever consider picking the book up?

How about the YOUCAT?

They make great Christmas and other occasion gifts.

My wife who is a devout Catholic and a catechist would not be happy with a copy of the CCC for Christmas.

No Catholic home should be without one.

I agree with this, but let’s get bibles on their book shelves first.

In 2012 if your Parish or Diocese does not actively encourage the reading of the “CCC 2nd Ed” find out why.

Do you have suggestions for getting this done at the diocesan and parish levels? I am an Asst DRE at a large parish and have monthly meetings with the other DREs and the diocesan RE staff. In my 20+ years of Rel Ed in three dioceses, I cannot say that I have ever seen this actively encouraged. What are the best “selling points” (I was in marketing once) for getting people to read it? Other than, “Because I said so.”, which was popular with the nuns in days gone by.

I can say that the Rel Ed materials we use on the parish and school levels have to be based on the CCC. The program we use at our parish references the specific paragraphs of the CCC or the GDC in the catechist guides. Is this enough?

 

[jmcrae]

Do you have suggestions for getting this done at the diocesan and parish levels? I am an Asst DRE at a large parish and have monthly meetings with the other DREs and the diocesan RE staff. In my 20+ years of Rel Ed in three dioceses, I cannot say that I have ever seen this actively encouraged. What are the best “selling points” (I was in marketing once) for getting people to read it?

Tell them that it contains little-known information about the Church that most Catholics don’t know anything about. (It’s true - you’re not lying to them.) Tell them that some Bishops have said that lay people are too stupid to understand it. (Also true.)

People jump at the chance to know things that nobody else knows, and to be seen as smarter than average. But if it’s made to seem like a chore, or ultra-virtuous, they won’t bother, except for those few who are zealous to collect extra Indulgences.

I can say that the Rel Ed materials we use on the parish and school levels have to be based on the CCC. The program we use at our parish references the specific paragraphs of the CCC or the GDC in the catechist guides. Is this enough?

For most average people, it’s enough that what they are taught is faithful to the teachings found in the Catechism. For people who are going to be teaching CCD classes or RCIA classes, they need to be reading the real thing on a regular basis - one chapter a week, at a minimum (and hopefully, chapters that are related to what they are teaching).

 

[ANNE_2]

dconklin -
For some reason many Bishops in the USA do not publically promote the reading of the CCC.
You’d be surprised how many Catholics do not even know it exists.

Many errors are accidentally taught by “devout” Catholics who think they know the faith. If you do not have a copy of the CCC 2nd Ed in your home it is a wonderful gift to read and then for constant reference.
Everyone who reads it learns something from it, and is reminded about other some things. (I attended a Catholic elementary, high and univdersity, and I learned.)

Approved lessor catechisms are not as complete as the CCC 2nd Ed. Nor do they explain the “why” as well.
Lessor catechisms are very good for children (15 an under), and those who are not literate or are below normal intelligence.

This is what I did to promote the CCC, hope it helps.
I emailed our Diocese Bishop and asked that a link to the CCC be put on his website. - It was done.
I emailed our Pastor and asked the same for the Parish web site. - It was done.
I donated a copy of the CCC to our Parish office for ‘display use only’, and ask that copies be sold - it was done.
I sent an email to 5 other Archbishops and Bishops asking them to put a link to the CCC on their web site - it was done.
I made an 8/12 x 11 poster that included a picture of the CCC for our Church narthex. It is still there.
I sent an email to the Pope last year about the need for the CCC.
I just sent an article I wrote for our Parish bulletin, and our Diocese paper. It is too soon to tell if it will be printed.

I always quoted Pope JP II’s statement:
**“ **The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which I approved … and the publication of which I today order by virtue of my Apostolic Authority, is a statement of the Church’s faith and of catholic doctrine, attested to or illumined by Sacred Scripture, the Apostolic Tradition and the Church’s Magisterium.
I declare it to be a sure norm for teaching the faith and thus a valid and legitimate instrument for ecclesial communion. “ – Pope John Paul II.

Now we have the Motu Proprio from Pope Benedict " PORTA FIDEI ".
See paragraph 11.
vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_ben-xvi_motu-proprio_20111011_porta-fidei_en.html

 

[ANNE_2]

Next - the question was asked how do we get people to read it.

1. The CCC is from the Magisterium (see pg 5 in your CCC). There are no errors in the CCC.
2. We must adhere to everything in the CCC to the best of our ability. If someone has not read it yet knows of its existance, how does he/she know they are obedient ?
   CCC - " 892 Divine assistance is also given to the successors of the apostles, teaching in communion with the successor of Peter, and, in a particular way, to the bishop of Rome, pastor of the whole Church, when, without arriving at an infallible definition and without pronouncing in a “definitive manner,” they propose in the exercise of the ordinary Magisterium a teaching that leads to better understanding of Revelation in matters of faith and morals.
   To this ordinary teaching the faithful “are to adhere to it with religious assent” which, though distinct from the assent of faith, is nonetheless an extension of it. "
3. Regarding "IGNORANCE" of the CCC which was given to us by the Magisterium -once someone knows of the existence of the CCC and that it is available from the USCCB and most Catholic catalogues/book stores, there is no longer any excuse not to read it for the following reasons -
   CCC - " 1792 Ignorance of Christ and his Gospel, bad example given by others, enslavement to one’s passions, assertion of a mistaken notion of autonomy of conscience, rejection of the Church’s authority and her teaching, lack of conversion and of charity: these can be at the source of errors of judgment in moral conduct.** "**
   and
   CCC - " 1791 This ignorance can often be imputed to personal responsibility.
   This is the case when a man “takes little trouble to find out what is true and good, or when conscience is by degrees almost blinded through the habit of committing sin.” In such cases, the person is culpable for the evil he commits. "

Regarding reading of the Bible. Yes, the Church encourages all Catholics to read the Bible, and we should do so.
By reading the CCC, many footnotes at the bottom of each page specifically reference passages of the Bible, and may help those who want to know “why” about a certain teaching.
There is also a ‘Plenary Indulgence’ if you read the Bible for at least 30 minutes and complete the other requirements. (See Enchiridion Indulgentiarum “Manual of Indulgences” printed by the USCCB).

Give the CCC as a gift, it can save souls for eternity.
Then Pray.
Your close relatives and friends will eventually read it. Just keep praying.

I have even given the CCC to non-Catholic relatives - saying: This is for your bookshelf, if you are ever interested in the truth regarding the teachings of the Catholic Church. Then pray, and keep praying.

 

[andy60]

I taught confirmation for 10 years and the two items most used were my CCC and Holy Scripture. Most texts used in ccd are lacking

 

[TrueLight]

Before I began instruction, I read through the CCC. It was very readable.

However, when I was given instruction, I was given the below set of books instead, which I posted in another thread.

These books are used for High School catechesis at an FSSP-run school. They don’t refer to the CCC, 2nd edition, because they were written in the 40’s and 50’s I believe, so they are based on an earlier catechism.

When I was first told which books we would be using, I scoffed, “High School”

Boy, was I wrong.

I STRONGLY recommend that those of you who are CCD or RCIA instructors, if you’re able, buy the first one and see what you think. They are about $10 each and can even be used to develop material.

The material is written in an organized, logical manner which flows from point to point. They can be used in conjunction with the CCC…

A Course in Religion: Book 1 - Chief Truths of the Faith
A Course in Religion Book II - Mass and the Sacraments
A Course in Religion Book III - Catholic Morality

 

[ANNE_2]

The “CCC 2nd Ed” was first published in the USA in March 2000 with the copyright held by the Holy See.
There are no errors.

If you read it, you can correct Teachers, Priests and anyone else who is mistaken OR teaching falsehoods.

All Catholics (including the Pope and Bishops) are required to adhere to the “CCC 2nd Ed”.
vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htm

In the USA, do not purchase any catechisms that are not approved by the Apostolic See, or USCCB. Unapproved may or may not contain errors.