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left coast mystic
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| Joined: | Sat May 10th, 2008 |
| Location: | La Honda, California USA |
| Posts: | 128 |
| First Name: | Marcee | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | nondenominational charismatic, Presbyterian, long-time lover of the RCC |
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Posted: Wed May 28th, 2008 01:33 am |
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I don't know what forum this belongs in, but I'd like to understand what part the Catechism is expected to play in the life of a believer. I hear people on Catholic radio quoting it extensively, and it's not clear to me if there is an epectation that you should read it daily, like the Bible, or refer to it, like you would a concordance if you're doing a Bible study, or what.
-Marcee
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Godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Tim. 6:6)
In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength. (Isa. 30:15)
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mg57
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Tolland County, Connecticut USA |
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| First Name: | mg57 | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Infant Baptised Catholic |
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Posted: Wed May 28th, 2008 01:54 am |
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Marcee -
I use mine as a reference.
Depending on whether I've read something, been in conversation with someone, or reflecting on the daily Mass readings for example, I'll look at the subject listing in the index of the CCC to get a bearing on the particular topic in mind. There's also many footnoted Biblical cross references as well as those in the back sections.
Hope that helps ! 
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David W. Emery
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
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| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Wed May 28th, 2008 01:56 am |
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First, if one is literate, the Catechism is a delight to read. Its text is beautiful, its message divine. Second, the book contains all of the positive doctrine one is required to accept as a Catholic. (There’s a lot more helpful information that isn’t in there, but it’s not doctrine. Some of those things would be apologetical arguments, Catholic customs and traditions, familiarization with the liturgy and prayer life of the Church. These are things to be learned in the instruction one receives before being accepted into the Church and in ongoing enrichment as one lives the Christian life.)
As one who deals with many people on a wide range of Catholic Christian topics, I use the Catechism as a ready reference alongside the bible. Others, with different needs, will use it in different ways. But the important thing is to learn from it.
Finally, there are some people who, for whatever reason, simply cannot get into the Catechism of the Catholic Church or profit from it. Well, there are other catechisms and other materials and approaches that may be of value to these people. We all need to know the basics of our faith if we are to practice it and profit by it.
David
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Zosan
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| Joined: | Mon Dec 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Biloxi, Mississippi USA |
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| First Name: | Norm | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Roman Catholic - Worldwide Church of God - Assemblies of ... |
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Posted: Wed May 28th, 2008 03:46 am |
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I started a Catechism Class at my home 6 weeks ago. There are 10 students in attendance and we are using Father Corapi's DVD series as our guide. Also I provide copies of the Vatican II documents, such as Dei Veribum, that are some of the source documents used to created the Catechism.
All of us feel the experience and education is enriching our faith as Catholics. Especially when I challenge them with one of Father Corapi's Quizes!
This series is aired on EWTN weekly and hopefully will continue to be reaired as long as ETWN is on the air. I don't believe it would matter much if someone were to start watching the programs at any point since he is systematically working through the Catechism in 50 one hour talks.
In Christ We Are One
Norm
aka Zosan
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BodRod
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| Location: | Apple Valley, California USA |
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| First Name: | Cliff | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised an SDA, then Generic Christian, finally at home with ... |
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Posted: Wed May 28th, 2008 01:09 pm |
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| Some of us, who help out with RCIA, bring the CC and the Bible to each RCIA meeting. We use them in our presentations and as a reference to answer questions that come up in the discussions. Most of the groups seem to think that the CC is very clear in its points and easy to understand.
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Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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Steven Barrett
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| Joined: | Tue Nov 14th, 2006 |
| Location: | Hadley, Massachusetts USA |
| Posts: | 894 |
| First Name: | Steven | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Episcopal communicant, Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed May 28th, 2008 10:28 pm |
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 Now, if only we can get our folks to view the Cathechism with the same level of SERIOUSNESS (GRIM-FACED, RED-FACED, TOUGH, AND TAKE NO PRISONERS ATTITUDES REEKING OUT ALL OVER WHEN THEY SAY --
The Catechism says it, I believe it, that does it!)
That'll be the day ... That might even momentarily startle the Pope, though no doubt Benedict would surely be warmed by the long overdue intensity. But surely it'd scare the daylights out of any Kumbaya Katholics, and an encounter worth beholding!  Rest assured, it'd never "be allowed" to occur in this frosty neck of the woods. "Too retro-pre Vat II-grade." 
Oops, don't want to miss the even'n "news."
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For anybody interested in reading commentary from a Catholic's socially conservative/fiscally liberal viewpoint, go to my new blog at http://www.politicsramble.com/ .
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left coast mystic
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| Joined: | Sat May 10th, 2008 |
| Location: | La Honda, California USA |
| Posts: | 128 |
| First Name: | Marcee | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | nondenominational charismatic, Presbyterian, long-time lover of the RCC |
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Posted: Thu May 29th, 2008 06:28 pm |
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BodRod wrote: Some of us, who help out with RCIA, bring the CC and the Bible to each RCIA meeting. We use them in our presentations and as a reference to answer questions that come up in the discussions. Most of the groups seem to think that the CC is very clear in its points and easy to understand.
So it sounds like you use it sort of the way protestants might use a bible commentary, although the Catechism holds the authority of the Church whereas a commentary is only one man's opinion.
Doing bible studies is such a basic spiritual activity among protestants, but I'm not sure how common it is in Catholic life. How can I find a lively Catholic bible study or prayer group near me? When I look at the websites of the Catholic churches nearby, I can't find much mention of anything like the small "covenant" or "home" groups I'm used to in my protestant background.
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Godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Tim. 6:6)
In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength. (Isa. 30:15)
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BodRod
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 2nd, 2006 |
| Location: | Apple Valley, California USA |
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| First Name: | Cliff | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised an SDA, then Generic Christian, finally at home with ... |
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Posted: Thu May 29th, 2008 10:50 pm |
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left coast mystic wrote: BodRod wrote: Some of us, who help out with RCIA, bring the CC and the Bible to each RCIA meeting. We use them in our presentations and as a reference to answer questions that come up in the discussions. Most of the groups seem to think that the CC is very clear in its points and easy to understand.
So it sounds like you use it sort of the way protestants might use a bible commentary, although the Catechism holds the authority of the Church whereas a commentary is only one man's opinion.
Not exactly. I see Bible commentaries as someone's opinion. But I see the CC as the teachings of the Church.
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Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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Intercessor
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| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
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| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Jun 3rd, 2008 04:22 am |
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left coast mystic wrote:
So it sounds like you use it sort of the way protestants might use a bible commentary, although the Catechism holds the authority of the Church whereas a commentary is only one man's opinion.
Doing bible studies is such a basic spiritual activity among protestants, but I'm not sure how common it is in Catholic life. How can I find a lively Catholic bible study or prayer group near me? When I look at the websites of the Catholic churches nearby, I can't find much mention of anything like the small "covenant" or "home" groups I'm used to in my protestant background.
Marcee, here's a past thread that may interest you.
Click here for past thread on Catholic Bible Study Groups.
I missed Sunday School so much that I began leading a Bible study in my home. We've been going strong since this past August and have been blessed with the presence of at least one priest in almost every meeting.
About the CCC-- I think the biggest shift in thinking (for the sola scriptura person) is coming to see the CCC as the final authority rather than the Bible alone. We keep a copy of the Compendium, the CCC, and Fr. Hardon's Catholic dictionary handy during Bible study. If the Bible passage seems to suggest an interpretation running counter to what is presented in the CCC, we remember that the CCC is based on Sacred Tradition as well as Scripture and that we must abide by the teachings of the Magisterium.
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"The perfection of a soul may be measured by the degree to which it does the will of God, and finds its happiness in doing it.... O my God,...the only thing necessary is Your holy will," Divine Intimacy, pp. 15-16 Father Gabriel, O.C.D.
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left coast mystic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 10th, 2008 |
| Location: | La Honda, California USA |
| Posts: | 128 |
| First Name: | Marcee | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | nondenominational charismatic, Presbyterian, long-time lover of the RCC |
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Posted: Tue Jun 3rd, 2008 07:40 pm |
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Becky -
Thanks; your suggestions and your description of what resources you use in your bible study are a big help. Now if I can just find a prayer group nearby!
____________________
Godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Tim. 6:6)
In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength. (Isa. 30:15)
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Steven Barrett
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| Joined: | Tue Nov 14th, 2006 |
| Location: | Hadley, Massachusetts USA |
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| First Name: | Steven | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Episcopal communicant, Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Jun 4th, 2008 12:24 am |
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I came across a few copies of adult sun school reading/class discussion material in my family's local baptist church and what hit me with the force of a 2 x 4 was the near nitpicky nature of the subject at hand: the plucking of grain on the sabbath.
Bible studies are helpful, but they can't hold a candle to even one individual's time spent in reading through the Catechism. Only in the Catechism do you you get the "rules of the road" for Catholics seeking to learn how best to practice their faith, but there's' always some scriptural lesson on every page with commentary.
It's a Three-Fer or from a very street-wise viewpoint, a Spiritual Trifecta!
As for classes centered around grain plucking on the Sabbath ... I'd hate to imagine what their leader would consider unexciting, or painfully boring. 
Yes, I'd really hate to imagine. On the other hand, it sure as heck beat seeing copies of pages from any of Tim LaHaye's screeds. Rapture me up, there's no ... 
Last edited on Wed Jun 4th, 2008 12:29 am by Steven Barrett
____________________
For anybody interested in reading commentary from a Catholic's socially conservative/fiscally liberal viewpoint, go to my new blog at http://www.politicsramble.com/ .
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