Learning the Catholic Faith Resources
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (USCCB)
The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, USCCB
A lay person’s version of the Catechism, very readable and approved by the Vatican.
Catholic Q and A: The Question Box, Father John Dietzen
Contains answers to many questions about Catholic traditions laws and customs.
Catholicism for Dummies, Fr. John Trigilio and Fr. Kenneth Brighenti
This book is no joke. It is very well - researched and has the imprimatur. IF you are looking for a good resource on Catholic practices and laws as well as doctrine this is your book.
Catholic and Christian, Alan Schreck
An explanation of commonly misunderstood Catholic beliefs with scriptural references to defend them
The Essential Catholic Handbook
A summary of beliefs, practices and prayers of the Catholic Church. Includes a glossary of terms
The Catholic Source Book, Rev. Peter Klei
An anthology of information about the Bible and the Catholic Church
The Essential Catholic Survival Guide, Catholic Answers Staff
A resource that provides in depth answers to common and not so common challenges to the Catholic faith from a variety of religious traditions.
Catholic Christianity, Peter Kreeft
A readable summary of catholic teachings based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Catholic Answers to Catholic Questions, Paul Thigpen, Fr. Ray Ryland, Fr. Francis Hoffman
Provides solid answers to hundreds of questions that Catholics have asked.
The Catholic Answer Bible, (Inserts by Paul Thigpen, Dave Armstrong)
A New American Bible that contains 80 colorful inserts each of which responds ot a question often asked about Church teaching or practice.
- Read the online version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, comprehensive and systematic presentation of fundamental Catholic teachings. Each of the videos introduces the basic themes of each section of the Catechism.
- Video: The Creed (USCCB)
- Video: The Sacraments (USCCB)
- Video: Morality (USCCB)
- Video: Prayer (USCCB)
The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, USCCB
A lay person’s version of the Catechism, very readable and approved by the Vatican.
Catholic Q and A: The Question Box, Father John Dietzen
Contains answers to many questions about Catholic traditions laws and customs.
Catholicism for Dummies, Fr. John Trigilio and Fr. Kenneth Brighenti
This book is no joke. It is very well - researched and has the imprimatur. IF you are looking for a good resource on Catholic practices and laws as well as doctrine this is your book.
Catholic and Christian, Alan Schreck
An explanation of commonly misunderstood Catholic beliefs with scriptural references to defend them
The Essential Catholic Handbook
A summary of beliefs, practices and prayers of the Catholic Church. Includes a glossary of terms
The Catholic Source Book, Rev. Peter Klei
An anthology of information about the Bible and the Catholic Church
The Essential Catholic Survival Guide, Catholic Answers Staff
A resource that provides in depth answers to common and not so common challenges to the Catholic faith from a variety of religious traditions.
Catholic Christianity, Peter Kreeft
A readable summary of catholic teachings based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Catholic Answers to Catholic Questions, Paul Thigpen, Fr. Ray Ryland, Fr. Francis Hoffman
Provides solid answers to hundreds of questions that Catholics have asked.
The Catholic Answer Bible, (Inserts by Paul Thigpen, Dave Armstrong)
A New American Bible that contains 80 colorful inserts each of which responds ot a question often asked about Church teaching or practice.
Faith Sharing for Parents & Adults
Lectionary-based
Advent Awakenings/Reflexiones en Adviento
The Advent Awakenings series is based on the three-year cycle of the Lectionary. Each book contains four sessions corresponding with the Gospels of the four Sundays of Advent. Each session includes reflections, prayers, action responses, and song suggestions, plus seasonal devotions that families can use at home to enrich their Advent experience.
Disciples On The Journey/ Discípulos en la Jornada (Lent)
Faith-sharing booklet for small groups - Cycle Thirty-six page booklet includes Sunday Reading, Opening Prayers, Commentaries on Sunday Readings, Saints of the Week, Faith-sharing Questions, Practical Ways to Live as Disciples, Closing Prayers and Rituals. Faith-sharing questions, ways of discipleship and closing prayers are specific to each group, adult, teens and family. Available in English & Spanish.
Exploring the Sunday Readings/Para meditar las lecturas dominicales
A monthly newsletter with commentary on all three readings, plus reflection questions for individual and group use. The commentaries offer insight into ways the message of the readings can be applied in everyday life.
Lenten Longings/ Reflexiones en Cuaresma
Lent invites us to a time of prayer, reflection, and conversion. Based on the three-year cycle of the Lectionary, each book contains six sessions corresponding to the six weeks of Lent. Song suggestions, prayers, and action responses included.
Open Our Hearts (Lent)
Lectionary-based and action-oriented, Open Our Hearts: A Small-Group Guide for an Active Lent is a dynamic six-week Lenten program that links Catholics more deeply to the traditions of the Church and to their fellow parishioners. The pastoral expertise of Sr. Donna Ciangio, O.P., and Fr. Thomas Iwanowski enables Catholics to connect what they hear on Sunday to their daily activities during the rest of the week.
PrayerTime/Oremos
PRAYERTIME is a faith-sharing resource based on the Sunday Gospel reading. The themes for reflection have been designed to be used either personally or in a group. Each book offers gentle but insightful reflections that help the gospel come alive. Written in an easy-to-read style that leads to profound questions about faith, each session sheds light on everyday life and should bear fruit in realistic action.
Quest - Archdiocese of Hartford
Each weekly unit offers the elements for a complete small community session:
Suggestions for creating a reflective environment
Opening prayer
Introductory focus question designed to tap into some basic human experience addressed by the week's scripture. ·
Commentary on one or more of the lectionary readings for the up-coming Sunday
Several experience-based faith sharing questions
Suggestions for individual or group response in action
Closing prayer
Theme-based
At Prayer with Mary/No temas, María
Mary, the mother of Jesus, has been revered since the earliest days of the Church. Over the centuries, her example has inspired Christians to imitate her by saying “yes” to God’s call in their own lives. Mary’s faithfulness, as it is portrayed in the Gospel narratives, is a model of the prayerful kind of life Jesus calls us to. During this Year of Faith, we are called to recognize the special role of Mary and to follow her as a model of faith and virtue. Scripture, Catholic teaching, personal testimonies, and Marian prayer—including the rosary—provide a renewed appreciation of Mary’s place in today’s world, where she, as always, points the way to Christ.
Lifting Up Our Hearts
A six-session small group faith-sharing process which will renew parishioners' spiritual life and their appreciation of the liturgy. Originally written to help people understand the changes to the peoples’ responses at Mass, this resource is an excellent process to re-educate adults on Eucharist. It emphasizes the role of the assembly and leads Catholics in an opportunity to talk about their experiences at Sunday liturgy and come to a deeper understanding of the meaning of the Mass and its significance in their lives.
Longing for the Holy
Longing for the Holy is for those who want to enrich their sense of the presence of God. Based on the gentle spiritual guidance and practical wisdom of best-selling author, Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, OMI, it concerns the way we channel the deep longing at the core of our beings. Designed for either a small group faith-sharing experience or personal reflection, participants explore the implications of the central mysteries of faith-- the Incarnation, the Eucharist, and the Paschal Mystery -- for spirituality. Attending to the cultural challenges that keep us from realizing our true desire, it considers the important themes of church community, justice, sexuality, the practices of the spiritual life, and being a mystic of the everyday.
Multi-theme based
Come to the Table
An easy-to-use process of small group meetings, organized around 7 major themes with 30 total topics. Parishes may set a curriculum for several years, or small groups may set their own course. Each session includes prayer, study, conversation, and decisions for specific actions. All of this pours out into the everyday lives of participants to enrich the parish and change the world.
Growing Faith Project
A”growing in faith” process that offers 48 eight-page booklets covering the entire content of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Can be used in six week sessions or longer.
Advent Awakenings/Reflexiones en Adviento
The Advent Awakenings series is based on the three-year cycle of the Lectionary. Each book contains four sessions corresponding with the Gospels of the four Sundays of Advent. Each session includes reflections, prayers, action responses, and song suggestions, plus seasonal devotions that families can use at home to enrich their Advent experience.
Disciples On The Journey/ Discípulos en la Jornada (Lent)
Faith-sharing booklet for small groups - Cycle Thirty-six page booklet includes Sunday Reading, Opening Prayers, Commentaries on Sunday Readings, Saints of the Week, Faith-sharing Questions, Practical Ways to Live as Disciples, Closing Prayers and Rituals. Faith-sharing questions, ways of discipleship and closing prayers are specific to each group, adult, teens and family. Available in English & Spanish.
Exploring the Sunday Readings/Para meditar las lecturas dominicales
A monthly newsletter with commentary on all three readings, plus reflection questions for individual and group use. The commentaries offer insight into ways the message of the readings can be applied in everyday life.
Lenten Longings/ Reflexiones en Cuaresma
Lent invites us to a time of prayer, reflection, and conversion. Based on the three-year cycle of the Lectionary, each book contains six sessions corresponding to the six weeks of Lent. Song suggestions, prayers, and action responses included.
Open Our Hearts (Lent)
Lectionary-based and action-oriented, Open Our Hearts: A Small-Group Guide for an Active Lent is a dynamic six-week Lenten program that links Catholics more deeply to the traditions of the Church and to their fellow parishioners. The pastoral expertise of Sr. Donna Ciangio, O.P., and Fr. Thomas Iwanowski enables Catholics to connect what they hear on Sunday to their daily activities during the rest of the week.
PrayerTime/Oremos
PRAYERTIME is a faith-sharing resource based on the Sunday Gospel reading. The themes for reflection have been designed to be used either personally or in a group. Each book offers gentle but insightful reflections that help the gospel come alive. Written in an easy-to-read style that leads to profound questions about faith, each session sheds light on everyday life and should bear fruit in realistic action.
Quest - Archdiocese of Hartford
Each weekly unit offers the elements for a complete small community session:
Suggestions for creating a reflective environment
Opening prayer
Introductory focus question designed to tap into some basic human experience addressed by the week's scripture. ·
Commentary on one or more of the lectionary readings for the up-coming Sunday
Several experience-based faith sharing questions
Suggestions for individual or group response in action
Closing prayer
Theme-based
At Prayer with Mary/No temas, María
Mary, the mother of Jesus, has been revered since the earliest days of the Church. Over the centuries, her example has inspired Christians to imitate her by saying “yes” to God’s call in their own lives. Mary’s faithfulness, as it is portrayed in the Gospel narratives, is a model of the prayerful kind of life Jesus calls us to. During this Year of Faith, we are called to recognize the special role of Mary and to follow her as a model of faith and virtue. Scripture, Catholic teaching, personal testimonies, and Marian prayer—including the rosary—provide a renewed appreciation of Mary’s place in today’s world, where she, as always, points the way to Christ.
Lifting Up Our Hearts
A six-session small group faith-sharing process which will renew parishioners' spiritual life and their appreciation of the liturgy. Originally written to help people understand the changes to the peoples’ responses at Mass, this resource is an excellent process to re-educate adults on Eucharist. It emphasizes the role of the assembly and leads Catholics in an opportunity to talk about their experiences at Sunday liturgy and come to a deeper understanding of the meaning of the Mass and its significance in their lives.
Longing for the Holy
Longing for the Holy is for those who want to enrich their sense of the presence of God. Based on the gentle spiritual guidance and practical wisdom of best-selling author, Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, OMI, it concerns the way we channel the deep longing at the core of our beings. Designed for either a small group faith-sharing experience or personal reflection, participants explore the implications of the central mysteries of faith-- the Incarnation, the Eucharist, and the Paschal Mystery -- for spirituality. Attending to the cultural challenges that keep us from realizing our true desire, it considers the important themes of church community, justice, sexuality, the practices of the spiritual life, and being a mystic of the everyday.
Multi-theme based
Come to the Table
An easy-to-use process of small group meetings, organized around 7 major themes with 30 total topics. Parishes may set a curriculum for several years, or small groups may set their own course. Each session includes prayer, study, conversation, and decisions for specific actions. All of this pours out into the everyday lives of participants to enrich the parish and change the world.
Growing Faith Project
A”growing in faith” process that offers 48 eight-page booklets covering the entire content of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Can be used in six week sessions or longer.
Resources for Teen Faith Sharing/Small Christian Community
Faith Sharing for Teens: 25 Experiences That Connect Faith and Life,
Provides 25 creative, easy-to-use faith-sharing experiences (centered around 25 different topics) designed for small groups of 5 to 7 teens. Each experience can be carried out in 15-20 minutes, so they are perfect for incorporation into retreats, youth gatherings, religious education sessions, lock-ins, and campus ministry settings.
Gospel Connections for Teens: Reflections for Sunday Mass, Cycles A, B, C,
Living as a Christian teen in today's world is a challenge, but there is help. Fr. Corey Brost's Gospel Connections for Teens connects weekly Gospel messages with teen ups and downs. In just twenty minutes a week, young people can read and reflect on the Gospel reading for the coming Sunday and an insightful reflection by Father Corey. His writings on Jesus's words and actions will prepare young people for the Sunday liturgy and encourage them to live their faith to the fullest!
Sharing the Sunday Scriptures with Youth: Lectionary-Based Resources for Youth Ministry, Cycles A, B, C,
Today's young people are hungry for the word of God. The Sharing the Sunday Scriptures with Youth series is filled with a wide variety of relevant, action-oriented resources to help satisfy that hunger with God's word in the Sunday Scriptures. Each book covers the Sunday lectionary readings of cycles A, B, or C, with resources included for Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter, based on lectionary and Scripture citations. A synopsis of the Scripture reading and a directed activity are also included, on themes that relate to teens, such as being open to God's will, beating temptation, and forgiving others. An index of themes and an index of Gospel citations round out each book. This series is an excellent resource for youth ministers, high school religion teachers, parish leaders, and liturgists.
Provides 25 creative, easy-to-use faith-sharing experiences (centered around 25 different topics) designed for small groups of 5 to 7 teens. Each experience can be carried out in 15-20 minutes, so they are perfect for incorporation into retreats, youth gatherings, religious education sessions, lock-ins, and campus ministry settings.
Gospel Connections for Teens: Reflections for Sunday Mass, Cycles A, B, C,
Living as a Christian teen in today's world is a challenge, but there is help. Fr. Corey Brost's Gospel Connections for Teens connects weekly Gospel messages with teen ups and downs. In just twenty minutes a week, young people can read and reflect on the Gospel reading for the coming Sunday and an insightful reflection by Father Corey. His writings on Jesus's words and actions will prepare young people for the Sunday liturgy and encourage them to live their faith to the fullest!
Sharing the Sunday Scriptures with Youth: Lectionary-Based Resources for Youth Ministry, Cycles A, B, C,
Today's young people are hungry for the word of God. The Sharing the Sunday Scriptures with Youth series is filled with a wide variety of relevant, action-oriented resources to help satisfy that hunger with God's word in the Sunday Scriptures. Each book covers the Sunday lectionary readings of cycles A, B, or C, with resources included for Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter, based on lectionary and Scripture citations. A synopsis of the Scripture reading and a directed activity are also included, on themes that relate to teens, such as being open to God's will, beating temptation, and forgiving others. An index of themes and an index of Gospel citations round out each book. This series is an excellent resource for youth ministers, high school religion teachers, parish leaders, and liturgists.