Table of Contents

Decoding the Catechism     1
Not Your Grandmother's Catechism     3
What Catechism Is, and Is Not     4
A New Approach     6
Understanding Catechesis     6
What's in It for You?     7
It's Not as Scary as It Looks     8
Pop Quiz     9
Survey Says     11
A Little History, Please     13
Catechism 101     14
Theology Degree Not Required     15
In the Beginning     16
Getting Started     17
How to Use It     17
Extra Resources     18
The Next Step     18
A Profession of Faith     21
Why We Believe     23
The Desire to Know God     24
God Meets Man-and Woman     25
God's Plan Revealed!     26
Isn't That Divine?     27
Is All This in the Bible?     28
Responding to Transcendent Love     29
God the Father     31
Two Creeds, One Message     31
What's in a Name?     35
Understanding the Trinity     36
Father and Son     37
Everlasting Spirit     37
Spirit of Controversy     38
The Trio of One     38
Opposing Forces     41
How Did We End Up Here?     42
Good, Bad, and Evil     43
What Are Angels?     44
Why Me?     45
Original Sin     46
How Is Sin Possible?     47
Satan's Legacy     48
Son of God Is Born     51
God Becomes Man     52
He Is the Christ, and the Messiah     53
Son of God     54
Lord of Lords     55
The Incarnation     56
He Is Body and Soul     57
Hail Mary, Full of Grace     57
The Immaculate Conception     58
A Virgin Birth     59
Mother to Us All     60
The Journey of Jesus Christ     63
The Meaning of His Life     64
Birth and Baptism     64
Temptation in the Desert     67
Signs and Wonders     68
Transfiguration     69
Agony and Death     70
Resurrection and Ascension     72
Spirit of God     75
Who Is the Holy Spirit?     76
Signs of the Spirit      77
The Spirit at Work     78
Pentecost     80
The Spirit in the Church Today     82
The Holy Catholic Church     83
Mission Possible     84
People of God     85
The Church's Role     86
What About Everyone Else?     86
Other Christians     88
Non-Christians     88
Are Only Catholics Saved?     89
The Pope and Bishops     89
Calling All Faithful     90
Lay Men and Women     90
Consecrated Life     91
Religious Vocations     93
A Potpourri of Piety     95
Communion of Saints     96
How Does Mary Help?     97
The Power to Forgive Sins     99
Life Everlasting     99
Resurrection of the Body     100
Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory     101
The Final Judgment     102
New Hope     103
A Mystery Not Meant to Be Solved     105
Mass: It's Not Just for Sundays     107
What Is Liturgy?     108
On Earth as It Is in Heaven     109
Signs and Symbols     110
Words and Actions      111
Making Music     112
Sacred Images     112
A Church for All Seasons     113
The Liturgical Year     114
Liturgy of the Hours     114
Location, Location, Location     115
Sacraments of Initiation     119
I Baptize Thee     120
Water, Water, Everywhere     120
Rite of Baptism     121
Anyone, Any Time     123
Baptismal Benefits     124
Sacrament of Confirmation     125
Sealed with the Spirit     126
From Pentecost On     126
Eucharist: The Greatest Mystery     127
Last Supper, First Communion     129
A Never-Ending Sacrifice     130
Really, This Is My Body     132
Sacraments of Healing     135
Understanding Confession     136
Penance Is Not Punishment     137
How to Repent     138
Forgiveness Rules!     141
Anointing of the Sick     142
Spiritual Care of the Suffering     142
The Who and Why of Anointing     143
Sacraments of Commitment     147
That's an Order     148
The Priesthood     148
Ordination Explanation     149
What Are Deacons?     151
I Now Pronounce You     152
What Makes Marriage Holy?     153
Unbreakable Vows     154
Conjugal Love     156
Domestic Church     157
Sacramentals and Devotions     158
Christian Funerals     159
Living the Good Life     161
Morality: The Root of All Dignity     163
Choosing Free Will     164
The Voice in Your Head     166
Virtue over Vice     167
Cardinal Virtues     167
Theological Virtues     168
Gifts and Fruits     169
Sin: The Sequel     169
Our Place in the World     173
The Human Vocation     174
Working for the Common Good     175
Social Justice and Solidarity     176
Moral Law     177
Natural Law     178
Old Law     179
New Law     180
Learning to Be Grace-Full     181
Church as Mother, Teacher     182
The First Three Commandments     185
God First-No Matter What      186
Faith, Hope, and Charity     187
Virtue of Religion     188
Superstition and Magic     189
Rejecting God     190
Taking the Lord's Name in Vain     191
Keeping Holy the Sabbath     192
Sunday Obligations     193
For God's Sake, Rest     193
Honor Thy Father and Mother     195
It's a Family Affair     196
Duties of Children and Parents     198
Citizens of the World     199
Authority Figures     199
For God and Country     200
You Shall Not Kill     203
Crime and Punishment     204
Seamless Garment     205
Abortion     206
Euthanasia     207
Suicide     208
Human Dignity     209
In the Name of Science     209
Respecting the Body     210
War and Peace     211
You Shall Not Commit Adultery     215
A Primer on Catholic Sexuality     216
Chastity Is Not a Dirty Word     217
Offenses Against Chastity     219
Teaching on Homosexuality     220
Sex in Marriage     221
Birth Control     222
The Gift of Children     224
On the Offense     224
Adultery     224
Divorce Decrees     225
Other Serious Offenses     226
You Shall Not Steal     229
Private Property, Public Promises     230
Care for Creation     232
Economic Justice     233
Right to Work     233
Just Wage     234
Worldwide Solidarity     235
Loving the Poor     235
The Last Three Commandments     237
To Tell the Truth     238
Beyond Lying     239
Keeping Secrets     240
Communications and Sacred Art     240
Not Lusting After Another     241
Not Keeping Up with the Joneses     242
Banishing Greed and Envy     242
Poverty of Spirit     243
The Greatest Desire     243
Turning Toward Heaven     245
Why Do We Pray?     247
The Old Masters of Prayer     248
Abraham     248
Moses     249
David     249
Elijah     250
Jesus Teaches Us      251
Mary: The New Eve     252
Prayer Essentials     253
Blessings and Adoration     253
Petitions and Intercessions     254
Thanksgiving and Praise     254
The Way of Prayer     257
Sources of Prayer     258
Spirit of Prayer     258
In Communion with Mary     259
The Rhythm of Prayer     259
Vocal Prayer     260
Meditation     261
Contemplation     261
On the Battlefield of Prayer     261
The Enemy Within     261
Prayer Interferences     262
Hello? Is This Thing On?     263
Pray Without Ceasing     263
The Prayer of All Prayers: The Our Father     265
The Sum of Its Parts     266
Daring to Call God "Father"     267
The Seven Petitions     267
Hallowed Be Thy Name     268
Thy Kingdom Come     268
Thy Will Be Done     268
Give Us This Day     269
Forgive Us Our Trespasses     269
Lead Us Not into Temptation     270
Deliver Us from Evil     270
The Final Doxology      270
Appendixes
Glossary     273
Additional Resources     281
A Treasury of Catholic Prayers     285
Index     297