Assesses the current status of catechesis and religious education in Australian Catholic schools and parishes. Notes recent efforts and offers suggestions for improving religious education in those settings. (DMM)

Traces changes in the content and instructional methods of catechesis from the early centuries of Christianity, when the focus was on evangelization, to the twentieth century. Reviews the influences of developmental psychology and social consciousness on modern catechetical renewal. Considers the educational needs of the twenty-first century. (DMM)

Reviews recommendations put forth in "The Challenge of Adolescent Catechesis: Maturing in Faith." Enumerates principles related to the development of a personal faith and Catholic identity in adolescence, stressing respect for variability in maturation rates and learning needs and the need for variety in learning formats, environments,…

Uses the Archdiocese of New York to illustrate the Catholic Church's successes and failures in religious education. Discusses the archdiocese's efforts to reduce widespread ignorance of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, including a community needs assessment and a weekend Synod. Highlights religious education needs. (DMM)

This document is a discussion of civil and canon law as they apply to directors of religious education and youth ministers working in the Catholic Church. Courts no longer exercise judicial restraint with regard to matters of religion as they did before 1960; nor does the doctrine of charitable immunity still protect churches and other charitable…

Many principals want to respond to their faculty's increasing interest in and need for meaningful community prayer. This publication was prepared for the teaching community with selections of prayer forms and programs, and plans for extending the program to spouses and family. Part 1, "Introduction," is comprised of scriptural…

Discusses the features of the National Catholic Educational Association's newest instruments for assessing students' faith, attitudes about religious and social questions, and religious practice. Describes the 1989 administration of the Assessment of Catholic Religious Education multi-level instruments. (DMM)

Reviews guidelines and objectives established by the United States Catholic bishops report on teaching human sexuality, identifying the goal of such education as the "realization of total sexual identity" and affective maturation. Describes workshops designed by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to train sexuality educators in accordance with the…

General interest books on North American religions are cited in this annotated bibliography for church and synagogue librarians. Over 130 publications, including references, children's books, and adult literature, are listed under the following categories: general books, Judaism, Christianity, and interfaith dialogue. The section on Christianity…

This publication completes the series that focuses on the five groups of persons involved in the educational "ministry" of the Catholic school. Based on a survey of pastors and diocesan and archdiocesan superintendents of concerns related to the pastor and his role within the school community, this essay discusses seven areas of pastoral concern…

Highlights 1989 findings from an ongoing national study of the characteristics, functions, responsibilities, attitudes, and educational needs of parish directors of religious education. (DMM)

Summarizes findings from the "National Study Regarding At-Risk Students." Discusses the role of Catholic religious educators and pastoral ministers working in rural areas. Suggests that they seek individual ministry opportunities, target the individual rather than the group, see religious education through the lens of the family, and develop…

Analyzes the Vatican publication, "Educational Guidance in Human Love," which underscores the responsibilities of family and church in sex education. Affirms the positive aspects of the report and points to its weaknesses and omissions. Suggests possible responses to the document by parishes and schools. (DMM)

Describes Catholic education as a process of developing capacities for two roles--one as a member of the Catholic church and the other as a citizen of the nation and the world. Points to sectarian and secular temptations to be avoided in Catholic education. (DMM)

A survey of Roman Catholic bishops (N=276; total population) and priests (N=655; random sample) on the purpose, effectiveness, and administration of parish religious education programs revealed a broad range of opinion. The respondents were almost unanimous in stating that such programs help people grow in faith into mature adult Christians; that…