This Is Our Faith: A Catholic Catechism for Adults [Paperback]

Michael Francis Pennock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1989 | ISBN-10: 0877933898 | ISBN-13: 978-0877933892

This catechism is specifically designed for Catholic adults, for those who are new to the church, and especially for those who are journeying through the Rite of Chrisitian Initiation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: Ave Maria Pr (May 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877933898
• ISBN-13: 978-0877933892
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,412,645 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to Catholicism...ideal for RCIA, December 10, 2000

By 

Stephen M. Bainbridge "www.professorbainbridg... (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: This Is Our Faith: A Catholic Catechism for Adults (Paperback)

We have been using "This is our Faith" by Michael Francis Pennock in our RCIA class. Written in a simple and direct style, "This is our Faith" is an eminently readable and highly accessible introduction to Catholic teaching and theology. Pennock divided the text into four sections that parallel those of the Catechism: The Profession of Faith, focusing on the creeds; The Celebration of the Christian Mystery, which focuses on liturgy and the sacraments; Life in Christ, which emphasizes Christian morals; and Christian Prayer. Individual chapters consist mostly of Questions and answers--making "This is our Faith" sort of a FAQ for Catholics. Each question is cross-referenced to the Catechism. Curiously, the teachers of my RCIA class sort of discourage us from reading the Catechism. (Is that typical?) But I like having the cross-references so that I can follow up where the text doesn't provide enough detail. Pennock's theology seems sound and conventional, yet he reflects both traditional church teaching and current thinking. Anyone in RCIA ought to pick up "This is our Faith."

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book to tell you what, perhaps not as great for why., January 9, 2002

By 

_-aaron-_ "_-aaron-_" - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Is Our Faith: A Catholic Catechism for Adults (Paperback)

I thought this book did a wonderful job of explaining Catholic beliefs in a straightfoward manner. It touches on pretty much every topic that you could be interested in, and I especially like its question-and-answer format. I believe that one of the best aspects of this book is that, for the most part, you can skip around. If you just have questions about the sacrament of marriage for instance, you can just read that chapter to get your information; it doesn't depend too heavily on all the chapters before it (although everything leading up to it is certainly important also, specifically things like the basis of the Catholic faith)
What I don't feel is covered as well is the reasoning behind the beliefs. In many sections of the book, references are made to the bible as well as various papers the Vatican has composed. However, I feel that many of the topics warrant much more information about the history behind them, how certain decisions were made, etc. After thinking about it though, I think perhaps that is outside the author's intention for this book; I'm sure someone could write a book on the history of each topic alone.
Ultimately, this is a great no-nonsense book about the beliefs and teachings of the Catholic church. You'll have to look elsewhere to find out WHY they believe and teach it, though.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Impressive presentation of Catholic faith and practice., August 1, 1998

By 

Fr. A. McKay, cssr ([e-mail]) (Sumter, SC, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Is Our Faith: A Catholic Catechism for Adults (Paperback)

This a well-thought-out book, very readable, and an excellent introduction of Catholic teaching. Ideal for use as a text book in RCIA, used in conjunction with the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.