Customer Reviews

Father McBride's Teen Catechism: Teaching Guide

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I am the Director of Religious Education for a Military Chapel and was looking for a good study program for my post confirmation class when I stumbled upon this book. It answers all of the questions that teens have asked our own parish Priest. It answers them precisely and in such a way that it makes the teens learn whether they want to or not. I highly recommend it for new teacher CCD teachers as well as established CCD teachers.

Fr. Alfred McBride has written a stellar catechism for teens based on the first edition of the Universal Catechism, published in 1994. It is very effective in its style. Offering a wide group of quotations from saints and prominent Catholics of the past, Fr. McBride gives the reader a connection to the history of his faith and helps him to recognize his membership in the communion of saints. Also, in style, the book smells of scholastic argumentation. A problem or inadequate explanation of an article of faith is posed, then the question is answered by the Catechism, and then the problem is addressed directly. A wonderful tool.

I agree that this is designed with teens in mind, but also with adults who may be hesitant to pick up the thicker volume of the most recent Catechism. This is real life, with real life examples of partial truths being clarified by precise, yet down to earth answers and quotes. We love this book and recommend it for after Confirmation, along with Theology of the Body and for Post RCIA or for an ongoing adult education. Don't let the title "for Teens" mislead you. This is a catechism like no other and a small, quick to read, hard to put down little book. There's a helpful teacher's manual as well and NO, you don't have to add other sources to the program but it's always a good idea to have prayer and praise during one's class. Speaking of which, each section has a prayer and saint's life highlighted as well. This is a priceless little book and would make an excellent Confirmation gift, too!

Each chapter has the same format: start with a question, discuss what some people think is the answer, contrast that with what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says (excerpts), discuss again what Catholics believe, and provide further inspiration. I really liked the secular history and Catholic history that is provided, for instance, the beliefs of Karl Marx and Sigmond Freud, the acts of courage by Catholics during WWII, the conversion of CS Lewis, the life of the prophet Isiah, and the history of some of the saints. The only trouble is that it doesn't seem to be written with teenagers in mind. I think it is more suited for adults. Also, I was surprised to find that in some chapters the same questions were asked as in earlier chapters, which makes me think there is room for improvement.

This book is very well done for the most part. It's one fatal flaw is the lack of a proper index. It could also use a refresh seeing as it is over 10 years old, and needs to appeal to teens today.

If a new addition were published with a good index I would use it in any teen confirmation program.

The book is simple and straight forward. It is really a framework for a teacher to use to teach over 20 lessons. The material does require other material including several different Hymn books in order to deliver the full program. The lessons proceed in a logical fashion.

I can't recommend this book as an alternative to the Baltimore Catechism. They're very different. While it's probably great for personal reading, I wouldn't suggest it as a teaching resource. It's pretty wordy and may not be suitable for all environments such as a CCD class where attention spans tend to be short.