THE
P RTAL
December 2018
Page 21
A Pocket Catechism
for Kids: Updated 2017
Fr Simon Ellis has been looking over this book
by Fr Kris D. Stubna and Mike Aquilina
A
t first glance, the only problem I could find with this condensed catechism was the designation
‘kids’ which always makes me think of goats. Yes, it’s American, so ‘get over it’, ‘period’. But seriously,
this contribution is commendable because it is based on the four sections of CCC (Catechism of the Catholic
Church – the adult version) and it is handy - it could fit onto your child’s pocket. Imagine how subversive
that would be in some parts of the US to carry this to school!
Also on the plus side, there
is a very good section on how
to make a good confession and
there is the inclusion of an act
of faith, hope and love in the
section on praying.
There is the inclusion of the
Salve Regina (though, sadly,
not in Latin) and there is a
good section on the Rosary,
although maybe we shouldn’t
assume that all children (I guess
aged 7+) would know how to
reflect on the Transfiguration,
for example, without some
explanation.
One could conclude from
most of these books that the
success of the book would be
in using it together in a Junior
Church setting with a leader.
Elizabeth Sefton (4 January)
but no reference to Trinity
Sunday or Corpus Christi (on
the Thursday or the Sunday).
Finally, there are precious
few illustrations. This could
be a wise move, as they can
become dated. However,
there is a lot of text which
means there is no relief from
the printed word. Even CCC
has that.
The only interactive part
is writing in your name, but
maybe people do not expect
to write in a text book? The
creators of ‘Transformed in
Christ’ (including Hannah
Vaughan-Spruce) think you
should, and I am inclined
to agree.
In short, a useful contribution, but I will personally
On the down side, there are references to American
school year groups (Grade 8 and the like) throughout, be sticking to ‘Transformed in Christ’ and ‘YouCat’:
but you could just ignore them. There are also no but they do not fit in your back pocket…..yet!
number references to CCC or YouCat.
Furthermore, there is also a good number of Saints
days and holy days of obligation, but St Peter and St
Paul are omitted because, bizarrely, it is not a holy day
of obligation in the USA. And there is a prayer for
A Pocket Catechism for Kids
Fr Kris D. Stubna and Mike Aquilina
ISBN 978-0-87973-722-1
Our Sunday Visitor, USA
www.osv.com
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