Why is more Catechism not taught in CCD?

[bamaster47]

I did not insinuate anything, I made no personal allusion whatever. I stated a fact, any given student at any given time may or may not be receptive, for whatever reason, to the content of a given lesson. Please do not look for ill intention where none exists.

Thank you for clarifying. I was simply unsure of what you meant by what you said. Let’s put it behind us.

In our program we offer apologetics, more advanced scripture study, moral theology and several other topics to post-Confirmation students, and usually only 3 or 4 come back each year after confirmation. If they want this, it is available, and the catechists make several invitations and presentations to the confirmation class and parents so they know what is offered, yet I get complaints almost word for word from what your OP says. Those complainers simply did not respond and take what was offered, yet are critical of the parish. Go figure.

My parish offers very little of that. We have an intro-to-Catholicism type class that is intended for non-Catholics interested in learning about Catholicism, a youth group that is very much focused on socializing and not educating, and we might have an adult Bible study (I can’t recall if we do or not). We don’t have any sort of post-Confirmation catechesis classes that would teach the sort of thing that I am lamenting the lack of.

My observations are very much in the same vein as the posts in this thread by users Usige, chaunceygardner, and Waiting. They probably did an even better job of illustrating my point than I did. I would just like to point out that what they have described is what I am relating to.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Catechesis in general has really got to be the lowest-quality, poorest aspect of Catholicism. I’ve said it several times, and I’ll say it again. With religious education, Protestants have Catholics BEAT and IN THE DUST. That’s the one thing Catholicism needs to learn from Protestantism. When I was a Baptist (at an enormous semi-mega church), it was pretty much the societal norm that you went to Bible Study, Morals Class, or something else after church “services” were over, and if you didn’t, you were the weird one out. Protestantism is fundamentally flawed in so many ways, but Protestants really do make sure that they know their religion up and down, left and right, front to back. And it’s a lifelong expectation that you attend these types of classes, not just some 6-14 thing or whatever pitiful expectation we Catholics have.

No wonder we have people leaving left and right. No wonder half our churches barely have one priest. No wonder our music programs are laughable. People don’t KNOW about their religion, therefore they don’t care much about it. Catholicism does do a decent job in implanting that “I have to go to church” guilt into peoples’ minds. But that’s not enough. There needs to be a one-hundred percent expectation by our clergy and laity alike that people attend catechetical sessions throughout their lives. And I’m talking something that gradually gets more theologically complex, not “God loves me and that’s all I care about and that’s all that matters now let’s have coffee and doughnuts and go home to plan dinner.”

To whoever said the Catechism is hard to read, I challenge that. It’s like reading an eighth grade social studies book. It’s written in plain, easy English. I don’t even have a year of college under my belt, and I can read any of the several pages I’ve randomly flipped to.

 

[PiousTemplar]

Catechesis in general has really got to be the lowest-quality, poorest aspect of Catholicism. I’ve said it several times, and I’ll say it again. With religious education, Protestants have Catholics BEAT and IN THE DUST. That’s the one thing Catholicism needs to learn from Protestantism. When I was a Baptist (at an enormous semi-mega church), it was pretty much the societal norm that you went to Bible Study, Morals Class, or something else after church “services” were over, and if you didn’t, you were the weird one out. Protestantism is fundamentally flawed in so many ways, but Protestants really do make sure that they know their religion up and down, left and right, front to back. And it’s a lifelong expectation that you attend these types of classes, not just some 6-14 thing or whatever pitiful expectation we Catholics have.

No wonder we have people leaving left and right. No wonder half our churches barely have one priest. No wonder our music programs are laughable. People don’t KNOW about their religion, therefore they don’t care much about it. Catholicism does do a decent job in implanting that “I have to go to church” guilt into peoples’ minds. But that’s not enough. There needs to be a one-hundred percent expectation by our clergy and laity alike that people attend catechetical sessions throughout their lives. And I’m talking something that gradually gets more theologically complex, not “God loves me and that’s all I care about and that’s all that matters now let’s have coffee and doughnuts and go home to plan dinner.”

To whoever said the Catechism is hard to read, I challenge that. It’s like reading an eighth grade social studies book. It’s written in plain, easy English. I don’t even have a year of college under my belt, and I can read any of the several pages I’ve randomly flipped to.

I’m in grade 11 and the Catechism is an easy read.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Another thing. If people in charge of religious education classes would stop thinking people are so dumb and that they need to be spoon-fed everything, and be a little more intellectual in their approach, I think many adults would be interested in catechesis. The Church in general does a bad job at judging how smart her people are, and how much they can “handle,” so to speak.

 

[dconklin]

Another thing. If people in charge of religious education classes would stop thinking people are so dumb and that they need to be spoon-fed everything, and be a little more intellectual in their approach, I think many adults would be interested in catechesis. The Church in general does a bad job at judging how smart her people are, and how much they can “handle,” so to speak.

Ha! I love this. I am one of those people that are in charge of faith formation. At our parish the materials we use list the paragraph of the CCC or the GDC the info is coming from. Of course, this is in the catechist guide. Teaching children directly from the CCC is crazy. Teaching most adults from the CCC would fail. Intellectual approaches in faith formation only work for a few intellectual people. Spoon feeding is definitely needed.

We have the best catechists and our diocese strongly encourages catechist development. Our parish has been chosen to try out an online catechist training program. Parish Rel Ed programs are only as good as the catechists it finds. We offer faith formation five times a week and twice over the summer. I would love to have a staff of paid catechists. That would be one good way of making sure they are teaching what needs to be taught.

 

[guanophore]

Catechesis in general has really got to be the lowest-quality, poorest aspect of Catholicism. I’ve said it several times, and I’ll say it again. With religious education, Protestants have Catholics BEAT and IN THE DUST. That’s the one thing Catholicism needs to learn from Protestantism. When I was a Baptist (at an enormous semi-mega church), it was pretty much the societal norm that you went to Bible Study, Morals Class, or something else after church “services” were over, and if you didn’t, you were the weird one out. Protestantism is fundamentally flawed in so many ways, but Protestants really do make sure that they know their religion up and down, left and right, front to back. And it’s a lifelong expectation that you attend these types of classes, not just some 6-14 thing or whatever pitiful expectation we Catholics have.

No wonder we have people leaving left and right. No wonder half our churches barely have one priest. No wonder our music programs are laughable. People don’t KNOW about their religion, therefore they don’t care much about it. Catholicism does do a decent job in implanting that “I have to go to church” guilt into peoples’ minds. But that’s not enough. There needs to be a one-hundred percent expectation by our clergy and laity alike that people attend catechetical sessions throughout their lives. And I’m talking something that gradually gets more theologically complex, not “God loves me and that’s all I care about and that’s all that matters now let’s have coffee and doughnuts and go home to plan dinner.”

To whoever said the Catechism is hard to read, I challenge that. It’s like reading an eighth grade social studies book. It’s written in plain, easy English. I don’t even have a year of college under my belt, and I can read any of the several pages I’ve randomly flipped to.

Somebody give that young Trad a megaphone!

 

[MKF]

I agree with the OP. It sure seems that a CCD (Confraternity for Christian DOCTRINE) would have the basics of the catechism pretty well taught in 5 years, that is DOCTRINE. I can remember that no one ever required me to even learn the Ten Commandments and I didn’t until my children had to learn it for First Communion! I am so glad that we have covered the basics by helping them with their Baltimore Catechism questions in the parish and in the various Catholic homeschool programs that we have used.

Basically, after having taught my children all 12 years of school, I rejoice to find that the structure of any catechism is the same: the Apostles’ Creed, the Ten Commandments, the Sacraments, Prayers, Virtues. Any “level” simply talks about higher or tricky situations. When I told that to my youngest children we were all thrilled. The first years were the hardest for any of us, me included! I really think that once you’ve read one good catechism, you can keep the Faith for life if you’ll pray and receive the sacraments.

If you’re looking to learn more, there are audio catechisms out there, even audio Baltimore Catechisms which are more concise to the facts and easy to listen to, too. If someone is looking to learn the Catholic prayers, they can learn them on audio, too.

I agree with Chauncey’s great post, the catechism “should form the basis of what is taught. That and a generous portion of the Bible. And it should start early and continue building in depth and breadth as the student gets older and more mature.” The Bible stories help cement the reality of the doctrine; Adam and Eve – God is the Creator of Heaven and Earth; Moses – the Ten Commandments; the Nativity (Luke…), Life, Passion and Death of Jesus – the Incarnation and the Redemption, Communion, the Apostles…… I agree that you can read other books to beef out your knowledge of the Faith. I, personally, have learned a lot by reading different saints’ lives. The children love them.

It’s good to hear young folks saying that the catechism is easy to read!

 

[amerrychase]

I’ve said it several times, and I’ll say it again. With religious education, Protestants have Catholics BEAT and IN THE DUST.

Amen. My sister has been in the Lutheran school system her whole life. They started their catechism in 1st grade. They memorized it, in huge blocks. Once they worked their way through the most basic version, they started on Luther’s Little Catechism, and they’re up to the big one now she’s an upperclassman in HS. They started the Bible in kindergarten. They continued Bible studies until this year, which is the year the school finally considers them grounded enough in the faith to look at other religions. Bible studies at church are still required.

I went to Catholic grade school in the 90s. I didn’t even know Catholics had a Catechism until my grandfather died and I found it in his books. That was three years ago. My religious education was videos and posters and two coloring books- one for First Communion and the other for Confession, in that order. We learned about other religions in 4th grade. I think maybe one person in my class could tell the 10 commandments at that time. We didn’t really talk about the Bible, either. I changed schools before Confirmation, so I don’t know what prep was like for that. But still, it was pretty sad.

I dream of the day I’m confirmed and can jump straight into being a catechist.

 

[Waiting]

Amen. My sister has been in the Lutheran school system her whole life. They started their catechism in 1st grade. They memorized it, in huge blocks. Once they worked their way through the most basic version, they started on Luther’s Little Catechism, and they’re up to the big one now she’s an upperclassman in HS. They started the Bible in kindergarten. They continued Bible studies until this year, which is the year the school finally considers them grounded enough in the faith to look at other religions. Bible studies at church are still required.

I went to Catholic grade school in the 90s. I didn’t even know Catholics had a Catechism until my grandfather died and I found it in his books. That was three years ago. My religious education was videos and posters and two coloring books- one for First Communion and the other for Confession, in that order. We learned about other religions in 4th grade. I think maybe one person in my class could tell the 10 commandments at that time. We didn’t really talk about the Bible, either. I changed schools before Confirmation, so I don’t know what prep was like for that. But still, it was pretty sad.

I dream of the day I’m confirmed and can jump straight into being a catechist.

I know you’ll be a great teacher. Stick with it. You’re needed. Good luck and God bless.

 

[MrZosimus]

The Catechism is not that difficult to read. Maybe if they don’t want to go through the whole thing, a summarized form could be used, like the Compendium CCC, but it is easily within the expected reading level of any high schooler.
As for what some people have said about correcting students if they do not believe certain things, I definitely it should just be left alone, but the correcting needs to be handled right. Just telling a student “No, you’re wrong about that” isn’t really helpful. A better approach would be something like, “Well, that’s not what the Church teaches, and here’s why…”. This is especially important I think for older teenagers. Regardless of whether they really are intellectually mature, they certainly think they are, and if one doesn’t make an effort to convince them why they are wrong and deal with their objections, they will simply disregard what you have to say. This is why I think that, while it is important to make sure that students actually do believe in Church teachings before they get confirmed, dissenters should be kept in the program as long as possible in order to teach them. For example, my older brother was kicked out of the Confirmation Prep program for having “too many questions” after he had a mandatory interview with the youth director about his beliefs. But this was still a whole year before Confirmation. Seeing as how he is now an atheist, I can’t help but wonder if a year’s worth of learning about the faith would have made a difference. A few years later, when I was in the program, I probably would have been kicked out too, but they moved the interview to the end of the programs, just before Confirmation. That way, some of my questions were answered throughout the year, and I did end up believing in the Church and getting confirmed.(I did fall away for a year or two afterwards, but that’s a different story).
Another problem I found with the whole religious education process, particularly surrounding confirmation, is the pressure people get from parents. I know plenty of people whose parents knew they didn’t believe in or care about God and yet still essentially forced them to get confirmed. And so many of these people went passively through CCD, not really caring enough to bring up any questions they had, and lying about what they believed so that they could get confirmed and not get in trouble with their parents.

 

[PatriceA]

Amen. My sister has been in the Lutheran school system her whole life. They started their catechism in 1st grade. They memorized it, in huge blocks. Once they worked their way through the most basic version, they started on Luther’s Little Catechism, and they’re up to the big one now she’s an upperclassman in HS. They started the Bible in kindergarten. They continued Bible studies until this year, which is the year the school finally considers them grounded enough in the faith to look at other religions. Bible studies at church are still required.

I went to Catholic grade school in the 90s. I didn’t even know Catholics had a Catechism until my grandfather died and I found it in his books. That was three years ago. My religious education was videos and posters and two coloring books- one for First Communion and the other for Confession, in that order. We learned about other religions in 4th grade. I think maybe one person in my class could tell the 10 commandments at that time. We didn’t really talk about the Bible, either. I changed schools before Confirmation, so I don’t know what prep was like for that. But still, it was pretty sad.

I dream of the day I’m confirmed and can jump straight into being a catechist.

Your experience in Catholic school is very similar to my daughter’s experience. The religious education classes were laughable at the school.

BUT, the CCD program at our parish where my daughter is now enrolled has been a very positive experience so far. The lesson plans are right where I’d expect them to be for 7th graders.

I would caution painting the whole CCD program and lesson plans with a wide, negative brush. There are some truly wonderful programs and there are some truly awful religious education classes in both CCD AND traditional Catholic schools. As a parent, you have to be pro-active in the faith formation of your children, you can’t always assume that the classes are up to standard or if the teachers are even fit to teach the classes. Sometimes its the parents fault for not being more involved or even knowing the material themselves.

 

[puzzleannie]

I I can remember that no one ever required me to even learn the Ten Commandments and I didn’t until my children had to learn it for First Communion! I !

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.

 

[jmcrae]

The OP says he stopped attending classes when he was 15. It wouldn’t have mattered what kind of text they were using. It wouldn’t have equipped him with everything he needed to know about Catholicism for the rest of his life.

I agree. Especially with regard to the teachings on sexuality, 15 is very young to be given more than a basic outline and general principles. There would also most likely be legal ramifications around teaching about masturbation and homosexuality in any kind of detailed way in a public classroom - these are topics for priests to address in the Confessional, and for parents to address as part of the child’s ongoing sex education at home.

We need to encourage all our parishes to offer continuing formation for adults and we need to encourage people to attend!

 

[jmcrae]

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.

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.

 

[Prairie_Rose]

A couple of decades back I was a confirmation instructor at the parish I was a member of at that time. At the first session we reviewed the Nicene Creed (figured it was an easy and familiar way to introduce the concepts that they should know and understand). These were high school sophomores. I was rendered speechless when, after reading through the creed, one of the students asked: “What is a Pontius Pilate?”

Very quickly I realized that few of these students had any strong foundation in the basics of their faith. And this was at a parish that was noted for having a strong religious formation program. I realized that there was not much I could do in a few months to counteract a dozen years of inadequate education. But I tried to do as much as I could. I basically scrapped the curriculum and used the gospels, primarily several chapters from Matthew, and wove them into the themes we instructors were supposed to cover. I gave them homework, something unheard of until that time. Part of it consisted of questions that could only be answered by using the bible that each student had received when they entered the program. In essence I forced them to open up the bible and read it (also a new concept for most).

I also asked several Protestant friends of my own kids about what religious formation they received. It was considerably better than anything our parish was doing. One girl said that their pastor quizzed each candidate for confirmation individually, and if they didn’t know their stuff, they did not get confirmed.

In contrast, I told our religious education director that I could have only recommended perhaps two out of my 12-14 students as being really ready for confirmation (I was teaching the first year of a two year program). Some, I said, didn’t even accept the core tenets of Catholicism; a few were borderline atheists. But that didn’t matter, as long as they attended enough of the sessions over a two year period, they were confirmed. It was quantity that mattered, not quality.

Most of these kids were rarely seen in church except for the Mass that was part of each Sunday’s class. Were their parents there? No, most dropped their kids off for the class and picked them up after Mass. I wondered what example these parents were giving their children? There was little faith building of any kind, just a feeling by the kids that they had to “do the time” and get confirmed, mostly for appearances sake.

That was my long answer. My short answer is that the catechism does not have to be taught, but it should form the basis of what is taught. That and a generous portion of the Bible. And it should start early and continue building in depth and breadth as the student gets older and more mature.

One last point. Just like the kids in my confirmation class, most Catholics stop growing in knowledge of their faith once they get confirmed. There is litttle that I have seen in the way of continuing, comprehensive religious formation for adults. Most Catholics get what amounts to, at best, a grade school level education in their faith. Yet we expect them to make adult decisions from that, and to be able to defend their faith when they lack the training and weapons to do so. Contrast that with many Protestant faiths (and Judaism and Islam) which expect much more and provide the means to achieve it. Some Protestants I know spend hours and hours at their church each week, praying and learning and working and sharing (and evangelizing). Most Catholics, unfortunately, stop “growing in their faith” when they are 14 or 15. So start early, make it meaningful, and never stop.

Yes, this quote was long, but definitely needs repeated!! This could’ve been written by me - it is exactly what I’ve been saying to the people in my Parish, that are unfortunate enough to ask me how my 1st year of teaching Confirmation is progressing. I had no idea until week 2 how far behind my students are. The Confirmation curriculum I’ve been instructed to use, is geared towards the Jr. High age group, but my 13 & 14 yr old kids are woefully behind in basic Catholic terms, practices, terminology, etc… I’ve had to basically create my own curriculum with as much basic info as I can find. I hope and pray that somehow I can try to make up enough ground with my students, so that with good conscience, I can recommend them to be Confirmed. Like the student that wondered what a Pontius Pilate was - one of my students said he couldn’t write a report about Consecration - because he didn’t know what the word meant. Uhh, that’s the reason WHY you’re writing the report, to learn what the word Consecration means!!!

To all that teach - may God Bless You - and to those that have the knowledge to be a good teacher - please volunteer!

 

[MKF]

What a sweet answer PrairieRose.

And I agree that one needs to memorize something like the Baltimore Catechism AND learn the whys and whens… It takes both to recognize circumstances that are in our lives, but without much catechism, a CCD course is gutted. The D stands for Doctrine. If a child doesn’t know “Thou shalt not kill.” there is no basis by which to build that thou shalt not commit abortion or euthanasia.

Also,

There are some truly wonderful programs and there are some truly awful religious education classes in both CCD AND traditional Catholic schools. As a parent, you have to be pro-active in the faith formation of your children, you can’t always assume that the classes are up to standard or if the teachers are even fit to teach the classes. Sometimes its the parents fault for not being more involved or even knowing the material themselves.

The whole idea of teaching the catechism is so that the applicants will live the Faith in their lives, put it in action… And after all, it really is our duty as parents to do the best we can to teach the faith to our children. God will ask me at the pearly gates and hold me more responsible than any particular priest or teacher, even though they do carry their own responsibility for their share.

 

[Waiting]

What a sweet answer PrairieRose.

And I agree that one needs to memorize something like the Baltimore Catechism AND learn the whys and whens… It takes both to recognize circumstances that are in our lives, but without much catechism, a CCD course is gutted. The D stands for Doctrine. If a child doesn’t know “Thou shalt not kill.” there is no basis by which to build that thou shalt not commit abortion or euthanasia.

Also,

The whole idea of teaching the catechism is so that the applicants will live the Faith in their lives, put it in action… And after all, it really is our duty as parents to do the best we can to teach the faith to our children. God will ask me at the pearly gates and hold me more responsible than any particular priest or teacher, even though they do carry their own responsibility for their share.

Amen to all this. If only parents knew how much their children’s love for God and learning responsibilities towards neighbors depended on them, the parents, things would be so different. Of course, that’s assuming the parents know the basics of the faith and put them into practice themselves.

 

[Prairie_Rose]

Amen to all this. If only parents knew how much their children’s love for God and learning responsibilities towards neighbors depended on them, the parents, things would be so different. Of course, that’s assuming the parents know the basics of the faith and put them into practice themselves.

Yes - if the PARENTS know is the key. Also, I’ve discovered many other adults in the 30-50 yr old age group in our Parish that do not know their Faith very well either. I’m currently a member of a focus team at our Church that is trying to come up with Adult faith continuing ed programs.
We don’t have anything beyond the 1 hour of Mass each weekend. Well, there is daily Mass 3 days a week, but it’s at 7am and many working parents aren’t able to attend.
I’ve tried for several years to get a Bible Study going, but with little success. I guess that’s why I come here to CAF.

 

[1ke]

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.

Newsflash:

Your PARENTS are the primary educators of their child in the faith. If your parents did not teach you, take your complaints to THEM.

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.

Yes, and the students I have taught for 3 years have now attempted to tell the teacher that they have this year (my husband) that they “never learned” X, Y, or Z.

They are (a) purposely lieing or (b) really that stupid. Because the topics they are attempting to feign ignorance of were topics we drilled on for three years. And, yes, they were from the Catechism.

If only they could remember something from one week to the next let alone from one year to the next.

I suspect you have a skewed memory of what was taught in your catechism classes, as well.

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.

Those topics are more appropriate for upper high school-- and you seem to have stopped your religious education at age 15.

The parish religious education program is a supplement to, not a replacement of, the formation you should have received from your parents.

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.

Ah, now you are catching on. It is YOUR responsibility.

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.

It saddens me that people think it is someone else’s responsibility other than their own and their parents.

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.

Oh, yes, I’m sure you would have been there with bells on had someone told you that you could attend.

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.

Great, then volunteer to teach it and start a program.

 

[bamaster47]

Newsflash:

Your PARENTS are the primary educators of their child in the faith. If your parents did not teach you, take your complaints to THEM.

You’re right. I’ve often wished that my parents (my father at least, my mother is Lutheran) had taught me more themselves. My parents never talked to me about sex, relationships or chastity either, other things I had to learn on my own. I think that for a child to have to learn about sex and relationships on their own (forget sex ed in public schools, all they tell you is to use a condom) is very dangerous. The child’s opinion of sex and relationships will be very much influenced by their peers if not their parents, and if their peers have questionable morals, there is obvious danger. The same goes for the faith as a whole.

Yes, and the students I have taught for 3 years have now attempted to tell the teacher that they have this year (my husband) that they “never learned” X, Y, or Z.

They are (a) purposely lieing or (b) really that stupid. Because the topics they are attempting to feign ignorance of were topics we drilled on for three years. And, yes, they were from the Catechism.

Do you teach the students about why things like abortion, gay marriage, and masturbation are wrong? If you do, that’s wonderful. My experiences could be limited to the parish that I attended. If not, then you see my point. At parishes where these things are not taught, it will be up to the individual to form a conscience. I have already explained the obvious danger in this.

I suspect you have a skewed memory of what was taught in your catechism classes, as well.

I suppose I can’t prove anything to you unless you were to quiz me on my CCD curriculum. All I will ask in response to your comment is this: Does it not mean anything to you that I care enough to complain about this? I could have been any other student, going to CCD and getting confirmed because my parents wanted me to, not paying attention to what was being taught, and not caring enough to continue my faith formation. I cared enough about my faith to realize that I had not been taught nearly enough about my faith to be able to defend it against naysayers. If I had been taught enough, I wouldn’t have started this thread.

Those topics are more appropriate for upper high school-- and you seem to have stopped your religious education at age 15.

You’re right. A continuation of Catechism classes that would teach upper-high school aged teens would be a wonderful tool to educate those people about modern applications of our faith. However, my parish did not, and does not have this, and I suspect this may very well be the case at plenty of other parishes as well.

The parish religious education program is a supplement to, not a replacement of, the formation you should have received from your parents.

Again, you are right. However, if my parents did not teach me these things sufficiently, should that doom me to remain oblivious to Church teaching?

Ah, now you are catching on. It is YOUR responsibility.

Is it not a community’s responsibility to educate its children? The children can’t be expected to educate themselves. I educated myself, but if more had been taught in CCD or in a young adult faith formation class, there would be even more educated folks like me.

It saddens me that people think it is someone else’s responsibility other than their own and their parents.

The parents definitely need to be proactive in finding a good education for the child, if not teaching the child themselves. However, if the Church wants its teachings to be known and understood, and wants to spread its message, why would some parishes not make more effort to teach? Those parents who may not be able to answer every question their child has should be able to trust that the parish will be able to answer the questions for them.

Oh, yes, I’m sure you would have been there with bells on had someone told you that you could attend.

I don’t appreciate your sarcasm. This is a true concern of mine, as I have experienced its effects first hand.

Great, then volunteer to teach it and start a program.

I would absolutely love to do that. I may very well do that sometime after I get out of college.