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Maggie
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| Posted: July 28 2011 at 2:35pm | IP Logged
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Hi Moms~
My dh and I are trying to gather First Communion materials for dd, and dh wanted to know what the Church thinks of the St. Joseph First Communion Catechism?
Is our parish priest going to raise an eyebrow? If so, why? (Up until two days ago, I had never seen a Baltimore Catechism in my life--we have no preconceived notions other than it seems that people associate Baltimore Cathechisms with Pre-Vatican II Catholics? Why? We really just don't know these things...and want to choose the best materials for our dd).
While it may be "approved", is it "preferred"?
I'm just trying to think from the perspective of a parish priest who has NO home schoolers at his parish (we are the first), and who will already be a bit skeptical...
Thoughts?
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Wife to dh (12 years) Mama to dd (10) ds (8), dd (1), ds (nb) and to Philip Mary (5/26/09), Lucy Joy (12/6/09), and Margaret Mary (3/6/10) who entered Heaven before we had a chance to hold them.
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ekbell
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| Posted: July 28 2011 at 3:31pm | IP Logged
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First of all since the truths of the Catholic haven't changed and will not change, once a text is declared in conformity with the teachings of the Catholic Faith, it remains in conformity. Older approved catechisms may need updating on areas of Church law but otherwise remain current (the relevant section of the Baltimore catechisms clearly explain the difference between the Church's laws which can be changed when appropriate and God's laws which never can be changed)
The first communion catechism was confirmed as being in conformity with the teachings of the Catholic faith when it was first published (it has the Nihil Obstat and Imprinter from the relevant Church authorities). It has the up to date fasting regulations and is otherwise as relevant now as always.
As for your priest's approval, that depends on the priest and his familiarity with the material. No priest can be familiar with all or the wide variety of materials available to teach catechism and some are less comfortable looking over and judging materials then others. Some simply prefer that everyone use the same material so that they know what preparation every one has.
The local diocese regulations also matter (the sacramental prep classes in our diocese are required and use specific materials - on the other hand they are not burdensome nor are they meant to cover more then thr bare essentials - we have free choice for our main catechism)
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jdostalik
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| Posted: July 28 2011 at 3:46pm | IP Logged
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I have always used the St. Joseph First Communion Catechism with my first communicants.  I have never had a problem...but I also use a wide variety of other materials, including living books on lives of the saints as well as Ignatius Press' Faith and Life for 2nd grade (which has appealed to my pastor as it is an up-to-date catechetical series for children).
Hope this helps!
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God Bless,
Jennifer in TX
wife to Bill, mom to six here on earth and eight in heaven.
Let the Little Ones Come
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guitarnan
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| Posted: July 28 2011 at 6:03pm | IP Logged
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We have used it, but always in conjunction with at least one other archdiocese-approved text. (I am constitutionally unable to use just one book for, well, any subject...especially the most important of them all!)
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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KC in TX
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| Posted: July 28 2011 at 9:06pm | IP Logged
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I received my FHC using the Baltimore Catechism. But, I'm also like Nancy, and can't use just one resource.
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KC,
wife to Ben (10/94),
Mama to LB ('98)
Michaela ('01)
Emma ('03)
Jordan ('05)
And, my 2 angels, Rose ('08) and Mark ('09)
The Cabbage Patch
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MaryM
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| Posted: July 29 2011 at 12:40am | IP Logged
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AN EWTN response to a question about the Baltimore Catechism: Since the Baltimore Catechism was first prepared in the nineteenth century for use in the United States (it is not a universal catechism like the Catechism of the Catholic Church), it probably should be supplemented with materials that take into account the Second Vatican Council, but it is certainly not "invalid."
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Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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Dove
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| Posted: July 30 2011 at 8:36am | IP Logged
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I've used the Baltimore Catechisms and also the CCC with my little kids.
I am grateful that our local parish priest is fine with any materials as long as the kids know Church teaching. My older daughter started going to confession nearly a year before her classmates. She asked if she could, she knew what it was about, I asked the priest, he said fine, so I sent her on in.
Some areas require some classes-- but how many people sign their kids up and only show up a few times and nobody says anything and their kids go into their first communion with practically no actual catechesis? I figure if we don't like the materials used but have to sign up, we sign up, show up a few times, reteach and correct the materials taught (sigh) and then do our own catechesis and show up for the sacrament.
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Ann Seeton
hg2au.com
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Is St. Joseph Comm. Catechism approved?
