A REQUEST FROM THE BISHOP

The Baltimore Catechism No. 1 contains 420 questions which the Third Council of Baltimore considered basic to the Catholic faith. Bishop Serratelli selected 67 questions and 7 basic prayers which he wants “every young Catholic in our Diocese to know and to internalize” before they are confirmed. Copies have been sent home to the parents of our Confirmation candidates. Our sophomores are to be confirmed on September 15, 2018. This means there are 5 months and 15 days to learn the answers to the 67 questions and the words to 7 basic prayers: the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, the Act of Contrition, the Sign of the Cross, the Apostles Creed and Prayer for Eternal Rest. While some may not agree with the pedagogy, is it really too much to expect our youth (who are Catholics from birth) to know? When these children were baptized, the priest or deacon mentioned that “(parents) are the first teachers of their child in the ways of faith. May they also be the best of teachers bearing witness to the faith by what they say and do.” Parents, this is your opportunity to teach your children something about their Catholic faith and at the same time to brush up on the basics yourself. Anyone who has children who are not yet in the confirmation program, but are interested, can request a copy of the questions by sending an email to Grace Davin at [email protected]