This Is Our Faith

Rating:
Summary: Used in my RCIA class, I found it exceedingly helpful.
Review: I have recently been enrolled in RCIA classes, leading to full communion with the Catholic Church at Easter. Being a new student of Catholicism, I found this book to be an ESSENTIAL companion to the Catechism, as it offers explanations that are far easier to comprehend than those contained in official Vatican documents.

Regardless, many life-long Catholics who are in my RCIA class as sponsors believe that the book is an essential tract to read to gain a fuller understanding of Catholicism.

Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: Used in my RCIA class, I found it exceedingly helpful.
Review: I have recently been enrolled in RCIA classes, leading to full communion with the Catholic Church at Easter. Being a new student of Catholicism, I found this book to be an ESSENTIAL companion to the Catechism, as it offers explanations that are far easier to comprehend than those contained in official Vatican documents.

Regardless, many life-long Catholics who are in my RCIA class as sponsors believe that the book is an essential tract to read to gain a fuller understanding of Catholicism.

Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: Great book to tell you what, perhaps not as great for why.
Review: I thought this book did a wonderful job of explaining Catholic beliefs in a straightfoward manner. It touches on pretty much every topic that you could be interested in, and I especially like its question-and-answer format. I believe that one of the best aspects of this book is that, for the most part, you can skip around. If you just have questions about the sacrament of marriage for instance, you can just read that chapter to get your information; it doesn't depend too heavily on all the chapters before it (although everything leading up to it is certainly important also, specifically things like the basis of the Catholic faith)
What I don't feel is covered as well is the reasoning behind the beliefs. In many sections of the book, references are made to the bible as well as various papers the Vatican has composed. However, I feel that many of the topics warrant much more information about the history behind them, how certain decisions were made, etc. After thinking about it though, I think perhaps that is outside the author's intention for this book; I'm sure someone could write a book on the history of each topic alone.
Ultimately, this is a great no-nonsense book about the beliefs and teachings of the Catholic church. You'll have to look elsewhere to find out WHY they believe and teach it, though.

Rating:
Summary: Great book to tell you what, perhaps not as great for why.
Review: I thought this book did a wonderful job of explaining Catholic beliefs in a straightfoward manner. It touches on pretty much every topic that you could be interested in, and I especially like its question-and-answer format. I believe that one of the best aspects of this book is that, for the most part, you can skip around. If you just have questions about the sacrament of marriage for instance, you can just read that chapter to get your information; it doesn't depend too heavily on all the chapters before it (although everything leading up to it is certainly important also, specifically things like the basis of the Catholic faith)
What I don't feel is covered as well is the reasoning behind the beliefs. In many sections of the book, references are made to the bible as well as various papers the Vatican has composed. However, I feel that many of the topics warrant much more information about the history behind them, how certain decisions were made, etc. After thinking about it though, I think perhaps that is outside the author's intention for this book; I'm sure someone could write a book on the history of each topic alone.
Ultimately, this is a great no-nonsense book about the beliefs and teachings of the Catholic church. You'll have to look elsewhere to find out WHY they believe and teach it, though.

Rating:
Summary: Impressive presentation of Catholic faith and practice.
Review: This a well-thought-out book, very readable, and an excellent introduction of Catholic teaching. Ideal for use as a text book in RCIA, used in conjunction with the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent introduction to Catholicism...ideal for RCIA
Review: We have been using "This is our Faith" by Michael Francis Pennock in our RCIA class. Written in a simple and direct style, "This is our Faith" is an eminently readable and highly accessible introduction to Catholic teaching and theology. Pennock divided the text into four sections that parallel those of the Catechism: The Profession of Faith, focusing on the creeds; The Celebration of the Christian Mystery, which focuses on liturgy and the sacraments; Life in Christ, which emphasizes Christian morals; and Christian Prayer. Individual chapters consist mostly of Questions and answers--making "This is our Faith" sort of a FAQ for Catholics. Each question is cross-referenced to the Catechism. Curiously, the teachers of my RCIA class sort of discourage us from reading the Catechism. (Is that typical?) But I like having the cross-references so that I can follow up where the text doesn't provide enough detail. Pennock's theology seems sound and conventional, yet he reflects both traditional church teaching and current thinking. Anyone in RCIA ought to pick up "This is our Faith."

Rating:
Summary: Excellent introduction to Catholicism...ideal for RCIA
Review: We have been using "This is our Faith" by Michael Francis Pennock in our RCIA class. Written in a simple and direct style, "This is our Faith" is an eminently readable and highly accessible introduction to Catholic teaching and theology. Pennock divided the text into four sections that parallel those of the Catechism: The Profession of Faith, focusing on the creeds; The Celebration of the Christian Mystery, which focuses on liturgy and the sacraments; Life in Christ, which emphasizes Christian morals; and Christian Prayer. Individual chapters consist mostly of Questions and answers--making "This is our Faith" sort of a FAQ for Catholics. Each question is cross-referenced to the Catechism. Curiously, the teachers of my RCIA class sort of discourage us from reading the Catechism. (Is that typical?) But I like having the cross-references so that I can follow up where the text doesn't provide enough detail. Pennock's theology seems sound and conventional, yet he reflects both traditional church teaching and current thinking. Anyone in RCIA ought to pick up "This is our Faith."