Religion High School

Envoy Magazine

Book cover: 'Envoy Magazine'
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 

1-800-55-ENVOY
Website: http://www.envoymagazine.com
A beautiful full-color glossy magazine on Catholic apologetics. The magazine is trendy in format (meant to appeal to teens and "Generation Xers") but orthodox in content. Although we don't subscribe to this magazine, I've seen a few issues and have been very impressed. Some articles I read included sample scenarios of how to explain Catholic teachings in particular situations. I thought this was a very helpful way of preparing people for apologetics. This magazine also includes Scott Hahn's newsletter Scripture Matters.

Update by webmaster, March 2024: Envoy Magazine has been out of production for several years now. Some of Pat's articles from the magazine can be found at his blog: https://patrickmadrid.com/articles/ 

For a Catholic apologetics magazine that is still available, check out our review of Catholic Answers Magazine.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1999/2008

Faith Charts: Catholicism at a Glance

Book cover: 'Faith charts: Catholicism at a Glance'
Author(s): 
Reverend Raymond Cleaveland
Number of pages: 
6 pages
Copyright: 
2006
Publisher: 
Our Sunday Visitor
Binding: 
Other
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
This is a really nifty overview of the faith organized into 16 segments over 6 pages: The Transmission of Divine Revelation The Blessed Trinity God the Father God the Son, Jesus Christ God the Holy Spirit Creation and the Fall, Redemption The Holy Catholic Church The Four Marks of the Church The Blessed Virgin and the Saints The Seven Sacraments Grace, Justification and Virtue Catholic Moral Teaching Sin The Commandments The Last Things Each segment gives a brief, but surprisingly complete, overview of Catholic teaching with references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Bible as well as details on when and where major dogmas of the Church were defined. This seems like a great overview for parents and teachers wishing to get a better handle on Church teaching or for high school students in the midst of Catechism and Apologetics studies. Handy for general reference as well. Here's a small sample, a segment from The Commandments section which explains the 5th Commandment:
5. You shall not kill (CCC 2318-30) - Commands us to respect the lives of others and our own, honoring our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. - Prohibits murder, abortion, suicide, euthanasia, sterilization, mutilations and non-therapeutic amputations, kidnapping, gluttony, drug use, drunkenness, seeking revenge, anger, hatred, and illegitimate war.
Nicely illustrated with images of stained glass windows.
Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
9-20-2007

Faith Charts: The Bible at a Glance

Author(s): 
Scott Hahn
Number of pages: 
6 pages
Copyright: 
2008
Publisher: 
Our Sunday Visitor
Binding: 
Other
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
When you study the Bible, do you find yourself confused by how what you're reading fits in with other parts of the Bible? Wouldn't it be nice to have an easy visual resource that helps you connect the pieces together and start to get a better sense of the whole? This may be just what you're looking for. This colorful six-page laminated fold-out chart (written by Scott Hahn!) is a handy reference guide to have by your side when studying the Bible. It has brief, but helpful overviews on the following topics: What is the Bible? The Shape of the Bible? Who Wrote the Bible? What Belongs in the Bible? The Bible and the Church Interpreting the Bible Your Reading Program The Books of the Bible Where to Find... The last two sections constitute the bulk of this resource and, I believe, will be very helpful to many students of the Bible. The "Books of the Bible" segment provides brief overviews of each book of the Old and New Testaments (including information on the Deuterocanonical books - those that have been left out of Protestant Bibles) and provides a helpful understanding of the major sections in both the Old and New Testament. The "Where to Find..." section provides an easy to follow chart of major events from the Bible and what passage they can be found in. This section is divided into the following segments: Old Testament: Stories of the World's Beginning Stories of the Patriarchs Stories of Moses and the Exodus Stories of the Conquest and the Judges Stories of the United Kingdom Stories of the Divided Kingdoms Stories of the Exile and After Prophecies of Christ New Testament: Jesus' Life - the Mysteries of the Rosary Other Events in Jesus' Life Jesus' Parables The Birth of the Church The Sacraments The Bible in the Mass Some Famous Sayings I think it's particularly nice for busy homeschool moms to be able glance through this reference and find exactly what they're looking for. It also looks to be excellent for independent high school (and upper grade school) studies. You don't have to look very many years back to find a time in which Catholics had to purchase Protestant materials in order to find such helpful, colorful Bible resources. This is happily no longer the case! Here, not only do you find relevant Biblical information, but also explanations of things like basic Catholic teaching on the relationship of Scripture and Tradition and where our Bible came from. This chart also goes nicely with Scott Hahn's little Pocket Guide to the Bible (79 pgs, approximately 4x6 in.) which includes a great deal of the content found on this resource, but with more extensive explanations and less in the way of charts and overviews.
Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
10-19-2008

Faith Quest: Deepening Your Knowledge and Faith in the Person of Jesus Christ

Book cover: 'Faith Quest: Deepening Your Knowledge and Faith in the Person of Jesus Christ'
Author(s): 
Michelle Willis, M.Ed.
Copyright: 
2001
Publisher: 
Ocean East
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
FaithQuest: Deepening Your Knowledge and Faith in the Person of Jesus Christ is a religious education resource for students in grades 7 to 12. It is a multimedia package which includes a Facilitator Resource Guide and two CD-ROMs.

The course is divided into three modules. The first one aims to increase knowledge about the life and character of Jesus Christ, the second one focuses on the Lord's Prayer and getting to know God as Father, the third one focuses on Jesus's teachings in the Sermon on the Mount and how to live as Christians in the world. Each module has three or four lessons, for a total of 10 lessons. There is also a supplementary CD-ROM on the Ten Commandments.

The structure of the course is much like Faith Quest: The Basics. The curriculum is based on the CD-ROM which comes along with the Facilitator's Guide. You open the program and pick the lesson you are working on from the main menu. You can begin from the middle of a lesson if you left off without finishing. The first section of each lesson is on Vocabulary; the second section requires that you read the Youth Update, and the third section is a comprehension check to reinforce and review the information given in the Youth Update. For the first and third steps, there is a writing element as you write down the vocabulary or q&a on the reproducible sheets provided in the Guide.

When you have completed these steps, you can take the lesson Quiz. The quiz has true or false questions, a vocabulary bank, and multiple choice style questions. When a Module is completed, there is a paper crossword puzzle to review vocabulary, then a practice test on the computer, and then a Unit Test on paper.

The Facilitator's Guide contains instructions for how to install and use the software, a glossary of all the vocabulary words used in the curriculum, reproducible worksheets and quizzes, an answer key and "Youth Update" articles for each section of the course. The content of the course is based on these Youth Updates, which are nicely done several-color reprints of articles from St Anthony Messenger Press and have an Imprimatur. If you are using the program with more than one student, you need to get additional copies of these articles, and the address for ordering is in the Guide.

Both the paper material and the computer material are very nicely laid out, attractive without being flashy or distracting. The Youth Updates tie contemporary youth concerns and topics in with truths of our faith. The structure of the computer and paper parts of the course is designed to let the student work at his own pace and to provide plenty of review and practice. Since every lesson and module have an identical structure, once the student understands the method there are no surprises. He is free to work on mastering the actual content.

There is a supplementary Ten Commandments CD-ROM which covers the commandments and the vocabulary associated with them.

A complete religious education program needs to include some time for students to interact with real people, in discussion and involvement in the community and the church. This program in itself doesn't provide that. What it does provide is something that is often lacking in religious education nowadays: mastery of essential doctrine. This resource would work well as one component of a religious education class that had the technology: computer stations with WIN95 or higher and headphones. It takes most of the guesswork and dullness out of ensuring that every student knows basic terminology and concepts. Each student can work at his own pace, and each student must master the vocabulary and concepts before proceeding.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
9-2-04

Father McBride's Teen Catechism

Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church
Book cover: 'Father McBride's Teen Catechism: Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church'
Author(s): 
Alfred McBride, O.Praem.
Number of pages: 
180 pages
Copyright: 
1996
ISBN: 
9780879737047
Publisher: 
Our Sunday Visitor
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 

Teen Catechism is a nice entry point into the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In spite of its name, Teen Catechism could be used by an adult convert or any person who wants a solid introduction to or review of our Catholic faith. It follows the topic sequence of the Catechism, covering the Creed, the Sacraments, Morality, and Prayer in its 36 chapters.

Each chapter begins with a passage quoted from another source which is selected as a lead-in to the chapter's topic. The purpose is to raise questions in the reader's mind, or make him aware that there is a question involved. This is followed by a "Some Say" section which is a wrong or incomplete version of the answer. Then there is a "The Catechism Teaches" section which contains quotes from the Catechism on that topic, and "We Catholics Believe" which translates the CCC quotes into everyday language. The "Reflection" is a quote from Scripture or a saint's writings which allows one to meditate further on the topic. Each chapter concludes with "In my Life" a series of open-ended questions which lead the reader to ponder how to apply the stated truths of the chapter to his life. Finally, there is a Prayer and a glossary of theological terms used in the chapter.

The layout is very clear and easy to follow. A variety of fonts are used to distinguish the different parts of the chapter from each other. Brief Scripture verses introduce and conclude the meditations. There is at least one black and white illustration per chapter, either a photograph or a sketch related to the topic. The strategy within the chapters is somewhat similar to St Thomas Aquinas's layout in the Summa Theologicae — a question, some objections, then a reply to the objections. This approach is well suited to the world we live in today, where we often hear a multiplicity of different opinions on a topic, and it is difficult to sort out which is closest to the traditional teachings of the Church.

The book could easily be used in a discussion group, or even as topics for personal devotions. It would be easy to plan "extensions" or further study on a given topic, either by looking into what the Catholic Catechism says in full, or by doing further research on the saints and other people mentioned within the book.

So much of the time, the word "teen" is associated with trendy, lightweight resources, but this book is quite the opposite. It is a solid and thoughtful introduction to the basics of our Catholic faith. One caution for younger readers: in the sections on the 6th and 9th Commandments, the opening stories are of St Maria Goretti, and the story of Susannah and the wicked judges. While the stories are not unnecessarily graphic, they do cover the topic of rape and violence, and may need to be discussed by parents with their younger teenagers.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 
Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
7-1-04

Fit for Eternal Life

A Christian Approach to Working Out, Eating Right, and Building the Virtues of Fitness in Your Soul
Book cover: 'Fit for Life'
Author(s): 
Kevin Vost, Psy. D.
Number of pages: 
229 pages
Copyright: 
2007
Publisher: 
Sophia Institute Press
Binding: 
Softcover
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
With an eye-popping cover that is sure to catch your attention, Fit for Eternal Life is not your typical, Catholic fare. Blending spiritual fitness with physical fitness and eating right, Fit for Eternal Life offers a balanced, Christian approach to a healthy lifestyle. With a background in weightlifting and fitness training, Kevin Vost, Psy. D. shares his expertise, giving common sense answers to cardiovascular workouts, dieting, and strength and endurance training. Fit for Eternal Life blends spiritual fitness with a Christian approach to physical fitness, “a theology of the bodybuilder.” For those of us who would rather curl up with a book, than jog around the block or lift weights, Vost hopes to encourage us to see the importance of caring for our bodies as much as our souls. He wants to remind us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and if we treat them well, we will feel better, achieve more in all areas of our life, and live longer. Quoting Pope John Paul II and Pope Piux XII, he hopes we will see the value of proper and orderly exercise. “There is a need to find free time in order to exercise strength and dexterity, endurance, and harmonious movement, so as to attain or guarantee that physical efficiency necessary to man’s overall equilibrium” (Pope John Paul II). This book would especially appeal to those interested in fitness training, specifically weightlifting, aerobic exercise, and a balanced diet, yet reaches out to a wider audience. In fact, it might be a sneaky way of exposing a weak Catholic to the importance of living a virtuous life as he learns to do better bench presses. You won’t find any grapefruit diets or pleas to buy his super vitamins, because he doesn’t sell any. Vost does share plenty of tips on the HIT (high intensity training) methods, offers sample weekly workouts, and explains how to get the results you want. He gives lots of specific advice to encourage everyone to gain maximum strength with the minimum amount of time, yet seek a balanced, healthy lifestyle. I especially like the section that acknowledges that yard and house work are actually aerobic exercise. Logically laid out, the book takes you step by step through the process of finding a fitness program that works for you. Building on virtue and not sheer will power, Vost knows most good intentions fall easily by the wayside if not established on the proper foundation. To encourage and motivate you along the way, each chapter and section begins with quotes from a variety of sources, St. Thomas Aquinas, Aristotle, Xenophon, and others. For women, older people, and teens, Vost includes additional advice, so that they too can tailor the program to fit their specific needs. To keep the reader going, especially those who might not normally spend time reading, the chapters are short and easy to breeze through. His pleasant, engaging voice gives an informal, confidential tone as though he is there for you as your personal fitness coach. Even though the cover displays a rather brawny bicep, the focus is not to imitate the false images of the world, obsessed with physical beauty, but to lead a balanced, healthy lifestyle for the right reasons. If you are wondering where to begin a sensible, Christian approach to health and fitness, Fit for Eternal Life may be the ticket for you.
Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
9-25-2008

How-to Book of the Bible

Author(s): 
Karl A. Schultz
Number of pages: 
351 pages
Copyright: 
2004
Publisher: 
Our Sunday Visitor
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
I was pleasantly surprised when I sat down with this book—actually, I was hooked! And another thing: I wish this book was available during my years of Bible study.... If you think the subtitle—Everything You Need To Know But No One Ever Taught You—is a little pretentious, it isn't. This book really does live up to its claim: it answers all of those questions you may have had about the Bible. Which translation is best? Why? Protestant Vs. Catholic Bible? And what about the Old Testament? How to understand puzzling passages? And more, much more. If you are a curious person and are always willing to learn something new, chances are you will love this approach to understanding and tackling the Bible. Furthermore, even if you have participated in Bible study for many years, I believe you will find something in this friendly volume that you didn’t know before! The book is divided into three sections following an explanatory introduction, presenting to the reader the way the book works. It is in the introduction for instance that the first question appears: Why read the Bible? A solid argument for the importance of the most influential book of Western Culture follows, along with spiritual reasons. Here we also become familiar with the format of the book and icons used throughout, along with several considerations to be made. The three sections are entitled "How to read the Bible", "How to read the New Testament", and "How to read the Old testament". Each section contains from six to eleven chapters. It would be smart to read the book in the order presented, but it is also possible to fully enjoy it by just picking it up and reading a page chosen at random. There is a useful bibliography of sources, but I would have liked to see an index. It would have been more useful to those using this book as an aid to a Bible study. Yet, the book is so well and clearly sectioned that the table of contents should serve a similar function.
Editorial Review: Perhaps you know very little about the Bible … or enough to realize there’s so much more to discover! Maybe your previous attempts to read the Bible have not been fruitful, and you don’t get much out of the readings at Mass. You observe the role the Bible plays in the lives of others and feel that you’re missing something. The How-To Book of the Bible, by Karl A. Schultz, is your key to unlocking this treasure. Unlike other Bible-related books, this one not only introduces you to the Scriptures but also helps you develop a deep, fulfilling, and lasting bond with the Bible. I believe this would make a fantastic choice for a high school homeschool student who needs a year of Bible. The format and language will appeal to the young student and in comparison with the dryness of the texts available to homeschoolers, this will shine. I would love to see a workbook companion for this, complete with tests and an answer key!
Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
9-17-2006

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