Praise for Faith and Life

I give the Faith and Life series my highest recommendation. We teach our children with these texts and encourage others to do the same. The Faith and Life series presents the faith with clarity, depth, and great beauty, allowing for both the teacher and student to deepen their knowledge and love for the faith.

—Scott Hahn
Steubenville, OH

When CUF came out with its Faith and Life series, printed by Ignatius Press, and I began using it in my parish, within one year I could tell the difference for the better in the knowledge of true faith among the children of my parish.

—Father Robert J. Fox,
Spiritual Director of the Fatima Family Apostolate

Kolbe Academy, a small, private Catholic school, opened its doors on September 8, 1980. As soon the Faith and Life series was published, we began using it in the day school. We had been aware of CUF’s reputation and Msgr. Kevane was my high school principal at Heelan Catholic High School in Sioux City, IA. We also were familiar with Ignatius Press’s adherence to the true teaching of the faith. We did not hesitate in the implementation of the series because of those who were promoting it. We now have a large home school program, an outgrowth of the day school, and the series has been part of our core curriculum since its inception. We have never been disappointed with the series, and our home schooling parents are quite enthused about it. It is absolutely in line with the teachings of the faith and has beautiful artwork throughout. Now, with the new enhanced teachers’ editions, it is even better and more home school friendly.

There are over 150 private Catholic schools like Kolbe Academy, most of whom use the Faith and Life series.

—Dianne Muth
Kolbe Academy
Napa, CA

The catalyst that started the reaction that produced our CUF chapter was the dire state of catechetics in the ‘70s and ‘80s. When faced with texts that were Catholic in name only, some parents turned to CUF’s national office for help. A CUF chapter sprang up and before long, the chapter was teaching religion in two homes every week. As the number of children grew to more than fifty, our religious education classes were held in a local school. Our Faith and Life Religious Education Program flourished for ten years, distributing certificates and awards, enrolling children in the scapular, showing films and even taking field trips to the cemetery on All Souls’ Day. The Faith and Life series was a blessing for our families. God bless all who were responsible for this wonderful catechetical tool, and may God bless the new edition as it presents the faith to the next generation.

—Frances E. Loch,
Virginia Beach, VA

Thank you, CUF, for existing. Thank you for being a reason for hope for the Church in America in her battle with the Church of America. ‘It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.’ Thank you for lighting many candles, especially the Faith and Life series, which will save souls and sow seeds of sanctity among the next generation. We were the “lost generation” but they will find the way again, thanks partly to your work.

—Dr. Peter Kreeft

I’m always wary when I read that a product is “new and improved.” We’ve been told that the Faith and Life series is just that—but it really is. The first edition was an excellent offering, but with the passage of time came concrete suggestions to make the series more “user-friendly” and more “student friendly.” The activity book truly engages children in the process of assimilating the doctrinal presentations of the text. The teacher’s manual is masterful, providing assistance for those who may not have the background and resources at their disposal like the women religious of yesteryear. The student edition is attractively laid out, with classical works of art there not simply to decorate but to edify and educate. As a professional educator, I am delighted that for once we don’t have a “dumbing down.” The reading level sets a higher bar, giving the pupils the opportunity to respond to a challenge. All this, coupled with a total orthodoxy, should make every pastor and principal commit to this series for the next academic year.

—Fr. Peter M. J. Stravinskas, Ph.D., S.T.D.
Editor, The Catholic Response

It’s hard to think of anything more important than forming children in the faith. Faith and Life does it, and does it well. Congratulations on the new edition!

—Russell Shaw
Washington, DC

As a CCD teacher for 10 years, I used the first grade Faith and Life series weekly. The textbook I had originally been given lacked any “meat,” and so I found Faith and Life to be a great resource. I read it in the classroom and also used it for preparing my classes.

—Carole Hummel
Green Bay, Wisconsin

When my family moved four years ago, the parish we joined used the Faith and Life series. As a parent, I was immediately struck by the beautiful art adorning the pages that told me something really special was inside. All the texts I had seen before seemed to provide only cartoon pictures of Gospel scenes. Faith and Life brings out the beauty of the scenes and conveys to children a special message of awe, wonder, and majesty. Upon taking a closer look, I realized the textbooks were very thorough in teaching the faith. In my son’s first grade text, I found myself learning the definition of words like “grace” and “original sin.” You see, I am the product of years of watered-down catechesis and my poor parents, one of whom is a convert, didn’t receive adequate formation either. So for 35 years, I was left in a state of ignorance about my faith. I can assure you that my journey in learning the fullness of our faith began with the first grade Faith and Life textbook. That following summer, I was approached to teach third grade Faith Formation. I was very honored, frightened, and most unworthy to teach the faith. Anyway, I accepted and am eternally grateful for that opportunity. I found myself learning right along with the nine-year-olds I was teaching. That’s the beauty of Faith and Life, even if the teacher isn’t as well formed as one would like, the material is so complete, concise and authentic that it is not open to interpretation or error. I learned so much those two years of teaching third grade and taught second grade last year. Again, I found the texts perfect in presenting the faith to children receiving First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. The “bells and whistles” that other texts use to supposedly draw kids in actually distracts them. The Faith and Life texts beautifully incorporate Scripture from Genesis through the New Testament and help children (as well as parents and teachers) to understand their faith through a timeline that makes sense.

Long story short, these texts are wonderful, and I wish all children had an opportunity to learn with them. I am confident if we all used these texts with our children, they would all understand the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and would never leave their faith.

—Renee O’Brien
Charlotte, NC

Many years ago, my husband and I decided to home school our children in their Catholic Faith even though they were attending a Catholic elementary school. We wanted to be sure that they were thoroughly instructed in the fundamentals of Catholicism.

We chose the Faith and Life series based on the recommendation of a priest friend who runs a Catholic bookstore.

We went through the entire series with each of our three children. On Sundays, we would sit together, one-on-one, read through the textbook pages, and help them do the workbook exercises. A bond of shared faith was created between parent and child which continues to this day.

Our children were often singled out by their religion teachers as having a far greater knowledge of their faith than their peers. And peers approached our kids for answers to questions about the faith. Many times in the older grades, these involved questions of the following type: “What does the Church really teach about . . .?

With confusion rampant, and serious teaching scarce, our children were able to help others with clear answers. One of our children, through God’s grace, has been instrumental in the conversion of two of her friends.

We recommend the Faith and Life series to all families and parishes in search of age-appropriate, appealing, thorough, and current instruction in the Catholic faith.

—Stuart and Barbara Kolner
Ames, Iowa

I am home schooling my five children; I use the Faith and Life series to teach my three oldest their Catholic faith. The bulk of my children’s religious education is coming from the Faith and Life series, I find their answers are decidedly Catholic, for which I am grateful.

I am very grateful for the Faith and Life series. It not only gives my kids a comprehensive yet accessible grounding in their Catholic faith, I have found that it also generates a great many questions and comments, which act as the starting point for some fascinating religious discussions. Kids have eager minds; oftentimes, it just takes a little thing to get them started on a whole wide path of inquiry and discovery. The Faith and Life series has supplied many such “little things,” and plenty of big ones, as well!

—Gabrielle LeBlanc
Timisoara, Romania

It’s difficult to put into words the positive effect Faith and Life has had on me, my children, and hundreds of children in my parish.

During the five years I used the series in Faith Formation, I came to a better understanding of the faith and was able to pass that understanding on to the children I prepared to receive First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. The text taught them, so clearly, why we were created and the effects of sin in the lives of each and every one of us. Furthermore, the text taught without apology or excuse why man needs a Savior and why we need His Church, the priesthood, and the sacraments.

If our mission is to help children return to Christ, we must begin by teaching them to know Christ. Faith and Life gives them that knowledge which, with God’s grace, will develop into a love and service to Him while on earth and happiness in heaven.

—Mary Summa
Charlotte, NC

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