Celebrating Church Catechist Guide (Finding God 2005, 2007)

Finding God for grades 1-8, serves your whole parish by offering innovative, imaginative, and practical approaches to lifelong faith formation.

Something Different
Young people in junior high—grades seven and eight—are beginning to sense that they are different. They no longer want to be treated like children. They want to take on more ownership in the process of learning. This also holds true for their faith formation. Finding God for junior high fulfills this need.

Magazine Format
The Finding God books are designed to capture the imagination of adolescents who are tired of ordinary textbooks. The full content of the Catholic faith is presented in an engaging format that carries the appeal of a popular magazine. The Catechist Guide provides parish and Catholic School catechists with directions for bringing this content to life in ways that are creative, imaginative, and effective.  

Working with Adolescents
Young people desire to know God in a personal way in order to find meaning in their lives. The desire to share the faith is written in the heart of the catechist. The aim of catechesis as expressed in the General Directory for Catechesis is “to put people, not only in touch, but also in communion with Jesus Christ” (GDC 80). Loyola Press carefully crafted Finding God for junior high to help catechists as they invite young people and the significant adults in their lives into a deeper relationship with God and the Catholic Church in service to the world.
The National Directory for Catechesis reminds us that “since adolescence is the age of hero worship, it is helpful to present the words and example of Jesus as well as the lives and deeds of the saints in ways that appeal to young people” (NDC 48D). Finding God for junior high appeals to young people by creating opportunities for them to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Maximum Flexibility
Catechists have repeatedly stated the need for flexibility when it comes to faith formation in junior high. The two Finding God books, each with five units, can be used in any sequence—as complete books or as modules. You can use one text to teach both seventh and eighth graders. Or, each unit can function separately for a modular structure. For more suggestions on various ways of using Finding God for junior high, see the Director Guide.

 

Barbara is Vice President for Catechesis and Faith Formation for Loyola Press. Her role involves her in the development of faith formation resources and services designed for the benefit of parishes and schools. Prior to accepting her position at Loyola Press, Barbara served as the Associate Executive Director of NCEA's Department of Religious Education, working primarily in service to members of NPCD, NCEA's national membership association serving parish catechetical leaders. Her experience also includes diocesan and parish work in Religious Education and Youth Ministry as well as extensive teaching experience at high school and college levels. She completed her Doctor of Ministry degree at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, IL. She also holds a Master of Divinity degree from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, MO.

Jim Campbell is Staff Theologian for Loyola Press. His role includes planning and development of catechetical and faith formation materials to be used in parishes and schools. Jim also reviews material from the text editorial and trade divisions. Jim has been a teacher, writer, and administrator in the field of catechesis for over 30 years. He has served as Consultant for Curriculum Development for the Office for Catechesis in the Archdiocese of Chicago. He was Director of the Orange Catechetical Institute, the adult ministry formation program for the Diocese of Orange, California. Jim has taught religious studies courses at Chapman University, Orange, California and the Aquinas Institute of Theology, Dubuque, Iowa. Jim was the General Editor for Harper’s New American Bible Study Program. He has written Mary and the Saints: Companions on the Journey, Understanding Scripture: The Genesis Creation Story; Stories of the Old Testament: A Catholic’s Guide and Serving the Catechetical Mission of the Church, all for Loyola Press. Jim has a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Education and Master of Arts in Theology from the Aquinas Institute of Theology. He also has a Master of Arts in European History from the Monterey Institute of International Studies.