Diocesan Educational Materials
To make the most of faith formation, the Diocese recommends using the following materials in the appropriate religious education settings.
Pre-K-12 Religion Course of Study (Revised)
PreK-12 Religion Course of Study
Religious Reference Documents
Conformity Listing of Catechetical Texts and Series
Resources for Chastity and Human Sexuality
Parish Course of Study Questions
Diocese of Toledo RCIA Handbook
Home-Based Religious Education Guidelines
Bible Study Series & Programs
Great Adventure Bible Study Programs — These are excellent programs for both individual and group study.
Kingdom Bible Study series from Emmaus Road Publishing — So far, this series has four volumes:
- Mission of the Messiah by Tim Gray (on Gospel of Luke)
- Mystery of the Kingdom by Edward Sri (on Gospel of Matthew)
- Witness of the Messiah by Steven Pimentel (on Acts 1-15)
- Envoy of the Messiah by Steven Pimentel (on Acts 16-27)
Catholic Scripture Study International — This Catholic organization is devoted to group and parish Bible study. There are groups throughout the US, Canada, and the UK using their materials.
Catholic Bible Studies at St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology (free and online) — This organization is dedicated to educating both the clergy and the laity in Catholic biblical studies and biblical theology. Excellent resource.
Understanding the Scriptures: A Complete Course on Bible Study — This is an excellent work published by Midwest Theological Forum. The textbook can be used in both teen and adult education settings. See the write-up about it online. The volume on Scripture is part of the Didache textbook series, published by the Midwest Theological Forum. There are three other volumes — on Catholic moral teaching, church history and an introduction to Catholicism.
Ignatius Bible Study Series — These are individual booklets that will eventually be published as a single Catholic study Bible. So far, there are booklets for almost all books of New Testament. They can be used for both group and individual study. Very well done.
Catholic Biblical Theology Journal — Check out this excellent new academic journal called "Letter and Spirit: Catholic Biblical Theology for the New Millenium." They also have a great section of resources for scholarly study of Scripture and biblical theology.
Books
Barber, Michael. Coming Soon: Unlocking the Book of Revelation and Applying its Lessons Today. Steubenville: Emmaus Road Publishing, 2005.
Boguslawski, Steven and Ralph Martin, editors. The New Evangelization: Overcoming the Obstacles. New Jersey: Paulist Press, 2008.
Guardini, Romano. The Lord. Washington, DC: Gateway Editions, Division of Regnery Publishing, Inc., 1982. (This edition of a classic work on the life and teaching of Jesus has an introduction by Pope Benedict XVI.)
Hahn, Scott. The Lamb’s Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth. New York: Doubleday, 1999. Reasons to Believe: How to Understand, Explain and Defend the Catholic Faith. New York: Doubleday, 2007.
Martin, Ralph, and Williamson, Peter, eds. Pope John Paul II and the New Evangelization: How You Can Bring the Good News to Others. Cincinnati: Servant Books, St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2006. (Helpful collection of articles written by many different authors, covering wide range of topics in evangelization.)
Nichols, Aidan. Lovely like Jerusalem: The Fulfillment of the Old Testament in Christ and the Church. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2007.
Olsen, Carl. Will Catholics Be “Left Behind”? A Catholic Critique of the Rapture and Today’s Prophecy Preachers. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2003.
Pope Benedict XVI. Jesus of Nazareth. New York: Doubleday, 2007. The Apostles. Huntington: Our Sunday Visitor, 2007.
Rivers, Robert S. From Maintenance to Mission: Evangelization and the Revitalization of
the Parish. New York: Paulist Press, 2005.
Sheed, Frank. To Know Christ Jesus. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1980.
Sri, Edward. Dawn of the Messiah: The Coming of Christ in Scripture. Cincinnati: Servant Books, St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2005.
Winzen, Damasus. Pathways in Scripture: A Book-by-Book Guide to the Spiritual Riches of the Bible. Cincinnati: Charis Books, St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2003.
Personal Conversion Stories
Cuddy, Chris, ed. I Choose God: Stories from Young Catholics. Cincinnati: Servant Books, St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2007. (This book is a collection of very inspiring conversion stories from young Catholics)
Herbeck, Peter and Debbie. When the Spirit Speaks: Touched by God’s Word. Cincinnati: Servant Books, St. Anthony Messenger Press: Cincinnati, 2007. (An inspiring collection of personal testimonies from ordinary people who had life-changing encounters with the Holy Spirit.)
Madrid, Patrick, ed. Surprised by Truth: Eleven Converts Give the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic. Irving: Basilica Press, 1994. (Inspiring collection of personal conversion stories --- and there’s also a second and third volume of more stories from more people.) Surprised by Truth 2: Fifteen Men and Women Give the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic. Manchester: Sophia Institute Press, 2000. Surprised by Truth 3: Ten More Converts Explain the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic. Manchester: Sophia Institute Press, 2002.
Murray, Lorraine V., Confessions of an Ex-Feminist. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2008.
Steichen, Donna, ed. Prodigal Daughters: Catholic Women Come Home to the Church. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1999.
Lectio Divina
An ancient, devotional method for prayerful reading of scriptures
Salvail, Ghislaine. Duggan, Paul transl. At the Crossroads of the Scriptures: An Introduction to Lectio Divina. Boston: Pauline Books and Media, 1996.
Masini, Mario. Lectio Divina: An Ancient Prayer That is Ever New. New York: Alba House, 1998.
Biblical background of Rosary
These books go into the biblical background and meaning of the mysteries of the rosary and will deepen one’s understanding and love for this prayer.
Sri, Edward. The New Rosary in Scripture: Biblical Insights for Praying the 20 Mysteries, Cincinnati: Servant Books & St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2003.
Gray, Tim. The Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary: Biblical Reflections on the Life of Christ. Steubenville: Emmaus Road, 2005.
Catholic Teaching on the Holy Spirit
Apostoli, Andrew. Paraclete: The Spirit of Truth in the Church. Cincinnati: Servant Books, St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2005. The Advocate: The Spirit of Truth in the Life of the Individual Christian. New York: Alba House, 1999. The Comforter: The Spirit of Joy. New York: Alba House, 1995. The Gift of God: The Holy Spirit. New York: Alba House, 1994.
Cleveland, Rich. Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit: A Catholic Bible Study. Ijamsville, MD: Word Among Us Press, 2004. (This is a basic Bible study good for group or individual study.)
Herbeck, Peter. When the Spirit Comes in Power. Cincinnati: Servant Books, St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2003. Herbeck, Peter and Debbie. When the Spirit Speaks: Touched by God’s Word. Cincinnati: Servant Books, St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2007. (An inspiring collection of personal testimonies from ordinary people who had life-changing encounters with the Holy Spirit.)
Martinez, Archbishop Luis M. The Sanctifier. Unabridged Edition. Boston: Pauline Books and Media, 2003.
Scanlan, Fr. Michael. Let the Fire Fall. Steubenville: Franciscan University Press, 1997. (Inspiring autobiographical story of a former attorney who became a Franciscan priest and Catholic University president --- and his life-changing encounter with the Holy Spirit.)
Schreck, Alan. Your Life in the Holy Spirit: What Every Catholic Needs to Know and Experience. Ijamsville, MD: The Word Among Us Press, 1995.
Sheed, Frank J. The Action of the Holy Spirit: The Lord and Giver of Life. Ijamsville: The Word Among Us Press, 2006.
Catholic Catechesis and Evangelization
Magisterial Documents: Evangelii Nuntiandi (On Evangelization in the Modern World), Pope Paul VI, 1995.
Redemptoris Missio (On the Permanent Validity of the Churches Missionary Mandate), Pope John Paul II, 1990.
General Directory for Catechesis. Congregation for the Clergy, 1997.
National Directory for Catechesis, USCCB, 2005. (Does not appear to be available online, but can be purchased here)
Go and Make Disciples: A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States, USCCB, 1992.
USCCB Secretariat of Evangelization: Consult the USCCB Secretariat of Evangelization and Catechesis website for extensive listings of Catholic evangelization organizations, programs, books, etc.
Promoting Catholic Ministry to Women
Endow (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women): From their website, “ENDOW... is an educational organization that provides women with a forum through which to explore and understand what it means to be a feminine person created in Gods image. As a basis for discovery, ENDOW promotes the New Feminism, which is defined by Pope John Paul II. The New Feminism recognizes and affirms the true genius of women and responds to our cultures desperate need for an authentic feminine presence in every aspect of life and society.”
Promoting Catholic Ministry to Men and Family
St. Joseph’s Covenant Keepers: A Catholic ministry and support network for men. From their website, “St. Josephs Covenant Keepers is an informal international network of Christian men, under the patronage of St. Joseph, dedicated to strengthening the family.”
Occult and New Age
Article on Catholic teaching on occult practices from October 2008 issue of Catholic Chronicle
Vatican Documents
Some Aspects of Christian Meditation, Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith
Jesus Christ: The Bearer of the Water of Life, Pontifical Council for Culture and Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue (This document examines the New Age movement and evaluates some of its main aspects in light of Catholic teaching.)