Fr. Alfred McBride has written a stellar catechism for teens based on the first edition of the Universal Catechism, published in 1994. It is very effective in its style. Offering a wide group of quotations from saints and prominent Catholics of the past, Fr. McBride gives the reader a connection to the history of his faith and helps him to recognize his membership in the communion of saints. Also, in style, the book smells of scholastic argumentation. A problem or inadequate explanation of an article of faith is posed, then the question is answered by the Catechism, and then the problem is addressed directly. A wonderful tool.

I am the Director of Religious Education for a Military Chapel and was looking for a good study program for my post confirmation class when I stumbled upon this book. It answers all of the questions that teens have asked our own parish Priest. It answers them precisely and in such a way that it makes the teens learn whether they want to or not. I highly recommend it for new teacher CCD teachers as well as established CCD teachers.

Catholic Beliefs From A to Z Review by the author: Alfred McBride (Norbertine Priest) Professor of Homiletics at Blessed John XXIII Seminary, Weston MA I address this book to anyone who is seeking truth and faith and God. It seems to me that behind this search is the desire to be truly happy. The offer of happiness comes from God through the Church. Catholic beliefs have always been rooted in this conviction. I also think the book will interest people who are curious about Catholicism as well as cradle Catholics who have questions about various issues of faith. My book is an organized list of terms which constitute the vocabulary of of an informed Catholic. The alphabetical format has the advantage of putting words and ideas into a predictable sequence. These hundreds of words are the outcome of centuries of prayerful use. Believers have taken them, sung them, spoken them, and polished them with the faith experience of generations. The purpose of Catholic beliefs is to open us to the power of the Holy Spirit. These are not mere words. They point to thoughts, convictions, and the experience of God's active presence in the world and in the center of the human soul. Faith confronts the deepest of all human questions - the origin and destiny of each human being. These words ought to become thoughts in your minds, and even prayers. "My words fly up, my thoughts remain below; words without thoughts never to heaven go." The editors asked me to think of this book as an inspirational dictionary so that they become an invitation to faith in father, Son and Spirit. I thank my publisher, Bert Gheezi for asking me to do this book. I also thank the Holy Spirit whose help I sought and which was generously given.

This book is the cutest book! Excellent book to explain to children 3-6 years old an often uncomfortable topic. It is a great way to open communication between children and parents with great text and precious pictures.

As a convert from Protestantism, I have struggled with the place of the Blessed Virgin Mary in my personal spirituality as well as my defense of the Faith. Father McBride's Images of Mary has been a turning point for me. He has treated the reader as a thinking adult and as a pilgrim. His synthesis of personal devotion with the writings of the Church Fathers, Church Councils, and contemporary writers has resolved many objective and subjective dilemmas for me. I have given the book to many friends. My wife and teenage children are studying it with me. I am particularly thankful for his tender use of iconography as way of catechizing from the heart.

Fr McBrien's book, "To Love and to be Loved by Jesus" is a remarkable and valuable resource for reading, understanding and putting into practice the messages for Christian living found in the Gospel of St Mark.

The book's outline follows that of the gospel, and each chapter in "To Love and to be Loved by Jesus" are like written homilies that expound on the messages contained in each chapter. Moreover, McBrien includes archaeological, historical, cultural and historical commentary when and where in reference to certain chapters to help the meaning of the evangelist's message fully come to life for the reader.

Finally, at the end of chapter the author provides a list of reflection questions designed to help the reader further discern the good news and a prayer to help the spirit to contemplate and grow.

An easy read, Fr McBrien's book will make your understanding and appreciation of the Gospel of St Mark increase. An indispensible tool for the Year B cycle gospel readings.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is an extremely popular reference for Catholics and others interested in the Catholic Church. However, it can be a difficult read, given that it changes voices all the time--quoting from Scripture, writings of the saints, Church documents, etc. In this case, these strengths can be a weakness to readers unfamiliar with reading Church documents. Father McBride provides a guide to the Catechism, complete with cross-references. He has an easy-to-read style that is accessible to all readers. His chapters are short and succinct. They are divided into useful sections: glossary, summary questions, reflection, etc. A good investment for anyone who would like to understand the Catholic faith.

I read this book while on retreat, and found that it was very helpful in the way it too ten different approaches to the message of Jesus and suggested specific ways to explore that access in one's own prayer. He introduces each of the ten sections with passages from the Gospel illustrating that aspect (the suffering Christ, for instance, or the Christ who heals the sick) along with personal reflections. At the end of the section comes a series of short "invitations" to pray along with Jesus, both to deepen one's own experience and to make it an active part of one's life. Recommended both for the beginner and for the more experienced person of faith

While this is a pleasant book, it would be extremely pretentious to suggest it is a serious history text. Of course, Fr. McBride is trying to cover 2000 years of history in less than 200 pages and therefore I am certain he had a particular audience in mind; I just know few of them. In fairness, the book doesn't overtly bill itself as a serious history, or even as a reasonably complete overview. In that aspect, it succeeds. It uses a series of imagined dialogues to introduce historical periods or concepts. I found them distracting. The method probably appeals to those who find factual reading of history unappealing. The nihil obstat and imprimatur assures us freedom from doctrinal error or moral error, and Fr. McBride's credentials are unimpeachable (far greater than mine, I should add). On a more constructive note, an index would be extremely helpful; it has none. Also, it references many other sources, such as videos and further readings. These could be an extremely valuable resource, especially in a parish religion class, if the author could see fit to provide greater assistance accessing those tools such as a bibliography detailing the publisher's/producer's address. The author includes a section in each chapter called "Connecting to Our Times." This is a great idea, and many of the ideas expressed in the questions address very relevant issues, however, the phrasing of the questions themselves sometimes seem awkward, especially in the context of the level of understanding required of the readings. I believe an especially good teacher would be required to facilitate discussion.