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Faith and Life Religion Series

Book cover: 'Faith and Life Religion Series'

This is a very popular religion series for Catholic homeschoolers. There are probably many reasons for this: they're reasonably priced, they're filled with beautiful selections of fine religious art, and they're unquestionably orthodox. The series incorporates questions from The Baltimore Catechism for memorization. Some homeschoolers don't like the brief content (the text contains approximately one lesson per week - although there is also a work book, teacher's manual and extensive resource guide available for each grade).

Faith Quest: The Basics

Book cover: 'Faith Quest: The Basics'
Author(s): 
Michelle Willis, M.Ed.

Faith Quest, The Basics is an interactive computer program that covers the fundamentals of the Catholic faith. The package includes a CD-Rom and a Facilitator Resource Guide. It has both a Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur.

The Facilitator Guide includes an overview of the materials, Lesson Worksheets, Quizzes, Crossword Puzzles, Unit Practice Test, Unit Test, and Answer Keys.

Catholic Children's Treasure Box, Volumes 7 and 8

Author(s): 
Maryknoll Sisters

These two volumes of the Treasure Box Books contain a very simple story of Mary's life, appropriate for very young children. The full-color illustrations are quite charming. Please note that this story has the marriage of Mary and Joseph come before the Annunciation, which is not in accordance with the actual Bible account. Perhaps the authors felt that very young children weren't ready to understand this part of the story.

The Lady of Guadalupe

Book cover: 'The Lady of Guadalupe'
Author(s): 
Tomie de Paola

This has been one of my family's very favorite picture books since our oldest was a toddler. It is a beautiful re-telling of a beautiful story with illustrations that complement it nicely and which are very appealing to children. I especially like Tomie de Paola's attention to detail. It's informative enough to be interesting even for adults.

The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima

This is a full length color movie of the story of Our Lady's apparitions to three children in Fatima, Portugal in 1917. It is faithful to the true story with just enough "Hollywood" to make it entertaining and likable even for the little ones. The scene where the three children are interrogated by the government officials might be is a little intense, so I wouldn't recommend having your little ones watch it without supervision. Otherwise, it's a great film for the whole family. My daughter (almost 6 years old) received this for Easter (Thank you Grandma! : ) and absolutely loved it.

Catholic Book of Quotations

Book cover: 'Catholic Book of Quotations'
Author(s): 
Leo Knowles

This inexpensive paperback offers a wide variety of memorable Catholic quotations from both ancient and modern sources. The book is organized according to subject. Here are just a few: Abortion, Art, Baptism, Blessed Sacrament, Conscience, Devil, Divine Mercy, Dying Words, Family, Fasting, Free Will, Generosity, Grace, Guardian Angel, Incarnation, Justice, Marriage, Our Lady, Prayer, Priesthood, Rosary, Sin, Suffering, Transubstantiation, Virtue and Vocation. Authors quoted in this work include: St. Augustine, Pope John Paul II, Msgr. Robert Hugh Benson, St. Josemaria Escriva, St.

The Power of the Cross

Book cover: 'The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ to Your Life'
Author(s): 
Michael Dubruiel

This is a meditative book, divided into a six week program of daily readings and meditation ideas, based on the Passion of Christ. Ideally, and Dubruiel suggests this, this book would fit in perfectly with a Lenten reading plan. However, the book can really be started any time. In addition to individual use, the book is well suited for a small group, as it contains discussion questions at the end of each section. These questions could be used individually, to help you get as much out of the reading and meditation as possible, or in a group.

Surprised by Canon Law

Book cover: 'Surprised by Canon Law: 150 Questions Catholics Ask about Canon Law'
Author(s): 
Pete Vere
Michael Trueman

Pete and Michael are Canon Lawyers for the Catholic Church. This means they answer lots of questions about the rules that guide our faith. Canon law in many instances determines how theological truths apply to the daily practice of the Catholic faith.

This book gives a good introductory look at canon law. From the basic, "What is canon law all about?" to the more obscure, "What relationship does a Catholic association have with the larger church?" this book will give you a good, basic concept of what canon law is, and what canon lawyers do.