Religion

This book is first divided into three categories based on age or grade level (Primary - grades 1-3; Intermediate - grades 3-5; and Advanced - grades 6-8). Each of these is subdivided into four segments based on the major parts of the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

• "The Profession of Faith"
• "The Celebration of the Christian Mystery"
• "Life in Christ"
• "Christian Prayer"

Each of these 12 sections offer as many as 25 activities, puzzles, games, skits, essays etc. All worksheets are reproducible. An excellent and cost-effective supplement to your religion curriculum.

The format is particularly nice for homeschoolers since children at different grade levels can be studying complementary materials.

A complete answer key is included in the back of the book.

1st copy FREE for one "Hail Mary"; suggested donation $2-$5 thereafter

What a lovely, little prayer book! Sized to fit into a shirt pocket, this paperback prayer book can be tucked into your pocketbook, favorite tote bag, or even your lunch box. It contains a selection of familiar and long-forgotten prayers arranged under the headings of "Morning Prayers", "Prayers Throughout the Day", "Prayers for Those in Purgatory", "Prayers in Reparation", and "Evening Prayers". The prayers have been gathered from various sources, and the texts are printed in an eye-pleasing typeface in English.

Sophia Institute Press has reprinted another gem! In an easy conversational manner, Marigold Hunt tells the story of the Life of Christ. She begins by spending one chapter on the time before Christ, the promise, and the prophets. Then she tells of his birth and young life, his preaching and miracles, and his death and resurrection. The last chapter, His Kingdom is the Church, tells of the Pentecost.

The pictures make this edition really special. There are thirty, done in an almost icon-like style. I have two favorites. The first is of the storm on the Sea of Galilee while Jesus sleeps and the apostles panic. The view is from above. The second is a picture that has a small drawing of each apostle with some symbol to represent who he is. The spot for Judas is darkened. My children had a fun time deciding the name of each apostle based on the symbols. Another interesting detail is that the artist is a homeschooling dad!

When I first saw the book, I wondered at the need of it. If you wanted your children to know the story of Christ, I thought, why not read the Bible. But as I read it I saw that the way Mrs. Hunt tells the story makes a big difference. She claims that she is not telling everything that is in the bible, but a little, so that the children understand and can someday read the bible themselves. It is almost like a conversation she is having, with stops for explaining things, just as I would tell my children about something. For example when she talks about the coming of the Messiah, she explains why He is called the Messiah and the Christ and the King. I thought the storytelling fashion, the second person manner of writing, must be what it was like in the early days of the Church when the story of Christ passed to people by word of mouth, or like in later ages when not everyone read, but yet knew the story of Christ. For this reason I think it would make a great read aloud.

When I see Ann Ball's name on a book, I expect a treat. This book is no exception. A Litany of Saints begins with an introduction to the Communion of Saints and Catholic practices regarding their veneration. This section is clear and easy-to-read, including the changes instituted as a result of the Second Vatican Council. The footnotes provide many sources for additional reading. Next comes a history of litanies in general and the text of the formal "Litany of the Saints". Following this is the bulk of the book: a fascinating, documented collection of information about 26 well-known saints as well as shorter summaries of 17 more saints. This book contains prayers, photographs, legends, and the stories of these saints. It is written in a titled-paragraph style that makes it easy to pick up, read a few pages, and put down again---perfect for a busy person to read in those few available minutes each day.

Do you know why we should ask the saints to pray for us? Do you know what happened to St. Christopher? Do you know who is the protector from cancer? If not, then you need to read this book and have your questions answered!