Textbooks - Faith and Life Catechism

The FAITH AND LIFE religion series has been hailed as a breakthrough in the field of religious education. It is a comprehensive Catholic program that combines beautiful classical and original artwork with a solid doctrinal and scriptural presentation in an easy-to-read and stimulating format that is being praised by teachers, students and parents everywhere. Keeping in mind the popularity of the original edition of the Faith and Life textbooks, Ignatius Press has made only minor alterations to the revised student texts. The majority of the revisions within the student texts appear in the question and answer segments of the book. Each question and answer set is now related directly to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Second Edition) and tied specifically to the material covered in each chapter. Further, the questions and answers are now more age appropriate to each grade level.

Other changes in the new edition of the student texts include:

The setting of key terms in boldface to allow students and teachers easy access to important terminology within the text

Grammatical refinements in some portions of the texts

More direct quotations from Holy Scripture (from the Ignatius Revised Standard Version)

While much of the text, including the use of traditional language and themes, remains unchanged, it is hoped that the revised edition will be easier to use for both students and teachers. The great works of art that appear in the original edition are maintained in the revised edition.

REVISED AND UPDATED TEACHER'S MANUALS

The new Teacher’s Manuals feature daily lesson plans in a wrap-around format. In a large (9"x12") page layout, the new manuals facilitate speedy references and are perfectly coordinated with the student texts, outlining an entire school year of plans for lessons, games, songs, and activities. The new Teacher's Manuals also include:

Lesson overviews with Scripture and Catechism references

Easy-to-follow directions for classroom activities for each lesson

Complete lesson plans with options for five day presentations with suggestions for one day presentations

Prayer experiences for each lesson

Practical suggestions for using art, photographs, music and questions as teaching tools.

References to supporting materials and resources now found in an appendix at the back of the Teacher's Manuals

"Culture boxes", which contain additional information for catechists, such as chalk talk diagrams, short biographies of saints, and other useful reference material

Student text pages are now included within the Teacher's Manuals for easy reference for the catechist

Answer keys for activities and quizzes

Blackline masters of quizzes and unit tests

Supplementing the new Teacher’s Manuals (and providing much of the material necessary for the lesson plans) are the expanded activity books, featuring enjoyable and creative activities for children at every grade level.

The new FAITH AND LIFE religion series is being hailed as a new breakthrough in the field of religious education. It is a comprehensive Catholic program that combines beautiful classical and original artwork with a solid doctrinal and Scriptural presentation in an easy to read and stimulating format that is being praised by teachers, students and parents everywhere.

SPECIAL FEATURES OF FAITH AND LIFE

Clear, comprehensive and interesting presentation of the Catholic Faith, tailored for the different grade levels, with a foundational emphasis on Scripture and Vatican II.

Quotations from Scripture, the liturgy, Church documents and the saints highlight important points in each lesson.

Inspirational classical and original artwork and photographs connect the lessons to the life of Christ and of the Christian.

Questions and answers at the end of the chapters help review vital material and aid retention.

Helpful supplementary sections include: Prayers and Devotions, Liturgical and Seasonal Life of the Church, Words to Know.

Follows guidelines laid out by the General Catechetical Directory, Pope John Paul II's "Catechesi Tradendae", and the U.S. National Catechetical Directory.

The lessons in FAITH AND LIFE incorporate the four principal components of catechesis--the Creed, the Commandments, the Sacraments and Liturgy, Prayer and Scripture.

Throughout the series, every aspect of Christian life is addressed:

What we believe (the Creed)

What we do (the Commandments)

The means to our end (Sacraments and Liturgy)

What we hope for (Prayer and Scripture)

The FAITH AND LIFE Activity Books, designed for use in the home or classroom, provide creative activities for review and reinforcement of each lesson. Through carefully developed and selected activities, the emphasis is on understanding and putting into practice the teachings of Christ in everyday life.

WORDS OF PRAISE FOR FAITH AND LIFE

"These catechetical publications are, in my experience, unsurpassed in lucidity of doctrine; in fidelity to God's revelation; in pedagogical approach; in stimulation of real interest in, and love for the Faith; in application to daily Catholic living; in true formation of young people; in skillful adaptation to the age of students to whom they are presented; and in sheer attractiveness of artistic publication. They have about them the ring of eternity because they lucidly proclaim the TRUTH. And 'it is the truth that sets us free'"

-- Bishop Thomas Muldoon

FAITH AND LIFE - SCOPE AND SEQUENCE

Grade One: Our Heavenly Father
Student / Activity / Teacher
THEME: Introduction to the Trinity, with emphasis on the life of Jesus, the plan of salvation, and the child's part in the plan. Acquaints child with Mary, angels and saints. Child learns basic prayers.
SEQUENCE: Ch.1-8: The Old Testament, God our creator; our home in Heaven lost through original sin; the world prepares for the Savior.
Ch. 9-21: The Incarnation, life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus.
Ch. 22-28: The Holy Spirit, the Church, and Mary our mother.
AIM: To give the first grade student a basic introduction to God, the life of our Savior, and to prayer, with a special emphasis on growing to know, love, and trust God.

Grade Two: Jesus Our Life
Student / Activity / Teacher
THEME: Preparation for the first reception of the sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion, with the law of God and salvation history as background. The lesson emphasizes God's mercy and love. Covers Commandments, Creation and Redemption.
SEQUENCE: Ch. 1-16: God teaches us through his law; we obey through love.
Ch. 17-23: We find forgiveness of sins through Jesus' sacrifice.
Ch. 24-34: We prepare for life in Heaven by reception of Jesus in the Eucharist and our life in the Church.
AIM: To prepare second grade students for Confession and Holy Communion, and to help them appreciate God's love for them shown in these two sacraments. There is an added emphasis on the order of the Mass and on prayer.

Grade Three: Our Life With Jesus
Student / Activity / Teacher
THEME: God's plan of salvation, from creation to the Incarnation and Redemption to the birth of the Church at Pentecost and our life in the Church. Special emphasis on the importance of Confession, Communion and the Mass.
SEQUENCE: Ch. 1-7: The Old Testament covenant with God.
Ch. 8-14: Obedience through love of God and his laws. In Confession we meet Jesus in his mercy.
Ch. 15-25: The life of Jesus and Jesus in the sacrifice of the Mass.
Ch. 26-30: Our part in the Church born of the Holy Spirit; our relationship with Mary and the Communion of Saints.
AIM: To show the third grade students that they belong to God's chosen people and the child's family is an important part of God's family, the Church. Also, to encourage prayer and love for God's law.

Grade Four: Jesus Our Guide
Student / Activity / Teacher
THEME: God's plan to save his people from sin (Salvation History), how we participate in that plan, and the many ways God helps us in our pilgrimage on earth to Heaven through his word, his law, and his Church.
SEQUENCE: B.C.: Before Christ
Ch. 1-14: The fall and the first murder. The sin and suffering of mankind. God chooses his people and their leaders. A.D. In the Year of Our Lord
Ch. 15-30: History changes when Jesus the King comes. Through grace, especially in the sacraments, we receive the strength to do good.
AIM: To help fourth grade students understand their purpose and goal in life, and to see God's plan in history and society to lead us all to Heaven, our true, eternal home.

Grade Five: Credo: I Believe
Student / Activity / Teacher
THEME: A thorough study of the articles of the Creed as the basic belief of our Catholic faith, with a special emphasis on careful understanding of definitions through the words of the Gospels, and the prophets, and the prayers of the Church.
SEQUENCE: Unit 1: God the Father of All. The Old Testament and mankind's participation in and loss of God's life.
Unit 2: God the Son, the Redeemer. The fulfillment of God's plan in Christ, God and Man.
Unit 3: God, the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier. Our call to holiness and witness in the Church.
AIM: To help fifth grade students acquire a solid and specific knowledge of God and his Church through the understanding of the Creed we profess, and the distinguished truths of our faith from error that leads away from love of God.

Grade Six: Following Christ
Student / Activity / Teacher
THEME: The blueprint for a life of love: the law of God, especially in the Ten Commandments, and the presence of Jesus in the Holy Mass. The interaction of the challenges of God's law and his gifts of grace that help us fulfill his law.
SEQUENCE: Part 1: The Ten Commandments. Forming the conscience and increasing closeness to God.
Part 2: The Holy Mass. An emphasis on the Real Presence and Christ's sacrifice and explanation of the parts of the Mass.
Part 3: The Last Things. Death and God's judgment of us, with an emphasis on the great happiness of Heaven.
AIM: To help the sixth grade student learn to love the law as Christ did and to cherish and love the Mass as our best prayer to God, and especially to revere and adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

Grade Seven: The Life of Grace
Student / Activity / Teacher
THEME: Grace as our link with God, his gift to us to bring us to Himself and his eternal life, with an emphasis on transmission of grace through the seven sacraments and on God's loving gifts of revelation, of himself through the prophets, the Incarnation, and the Church. The role of grace in developing the virtues.
SEQUENCE: Part 1: God Reveals Himself. The revelation of God through creation, the prophets, and to the chosen people.
Part 2: God becomes Man. Jesus, true God and true Man, Priest and Sacrifice.
Part 3: God Shares His Life. The operation of grace in our lives, in developing the virtues especially through each sacrament.
AIM: To help the young person treasure the sacraments as indispensable to a full Christian life of love and truth. To understand how grace works in our soul and its relation to practicing the virtues and to appreciate our gifts of reason and faith.

Grade Eight: Our Life in the Church
Student / Activity / Teacher
THEME: The history of the Church--its founding by Christ, its birth in the Holy Spirit, the marks of the one, true Church, the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, the saints and the role of the religious and laity up to the present. The structure of the Church Jesus planned, the role of the Magisterium, the clergy, the religious and the laity and our own vocations.
SEQUENCE: Part 1: The Church. Christ's plan for the Church's structure and its necessary attributes; the Church's teaching authority. The early Church: Martyrs, Fathers, Saints and Mary.
Part 2: The Christian in the World. Religious and laity, Holy Orders, Marriage, and family life; call to holiness.
Part 3: The Last Things. Death, Judgment, the end of the world.
AIM: To help the teenager know and love the Church as Christ's Body and the Magisterium as the sure voice of Jesus, so that the young person may be strengthened through his life in the Church to face the confusion and secularism of modern-day society.

REVIEW PACKAGES (for Schools and Parishes only)

Review packages of the Faith and Life curriculum materials are available to schools and parishes new to the series. There are 2 review packages available. The standard review package allows you to examine the entire series or any part thereof for 90 days. Within 90 days, you may purchase the books at a 50% discounted price or just pay the shipping charge to return them (in resalable condition) to Ignatius Press. The second option is to review any 4 grades completely free with no return necessary. Review packages will be sent to you upon request. To order online, go to the Faith and Life website and fill out the online form.

Visit our new website for schools and parishes, IPReligiousEd.com for more religious education materials.