"How
to Use the Cards" - Kathy Andes
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In the Vatican II document on ecumenism,
the Church asks that the Catholic faith be "explained more
profoundly and precisely, in such a way and in such terms as
our separated brethren can also really understand." (Decree
on Ecumenism, Section 11)
Teaching young people to explain the Catholic
faith clearly and easily is the primary goal of the Friendly
Defenders Catholic Flash Cards. The cards offer clear and concise
explanations to questions about the faith in an effort to bring
about the unity that Jesus intended for all Christians.
Each card has a question with a Catholic
response, a memory verse, and a follow-up response including
a bit of Church history. The answers are designed to be memorized,
especially the Bible verses. It is not necessary for the memory
work to be "word perfect," as comprehension is more
desirable than recitation.
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Here
are some tips on how to use the cards:
1. Your first goal should be to teach the first card
in each of the 12 categories. With just these 12 cards, children
will be able to answer the Faith against the most common challenges.
2. Next, teach the cards by category and in the order
recommended in the List of All Topics (the button is located in
the upper right hand corner of this page). Most children memorize
very easily (just ask them to recite a favorite song or TV commercial)!
My children memorize the cards simply by reciting a verse three
times a day for the first three days of the week. By the 4th or
5th day of the week the verse is learned. TIP: You could even
have your child write it out, sing it, or even act it out.
3. A good time for teaching at home is after breakfast
or dinner. Take time to discuss the concepts on the cards and
also "role play," with the parent or teacher playing
the role of Questioner. Don't be afraid to change the wording,
as in real life the questions might come a little differently
and the aim is for understanding.
4. As your children or students learn more and more
cards, be sure to set up a weekly review schedule. If you don't
review, they will forget them. As even more cards are learned,
some cards can be moved to a monthly review, then a bi-monthly
review, etc.
5. Be sure to convey to your child the need for charity
when discussing his or her faith. These cards and answers are
not intended to mock or ridicule non-Catholics, but to help Catholic
children (and their parents) know, appreciate, and share their
faith .
If you discover any special ways to teach
your children these cards, please share them with us on our website
(see the ''Other Information" on the homepage)
We hope you enjoy the Friendly Defender cards.
God bless,
Katherine Andes
Catechist, writer, and mother of two great kids
Copy and aaart used
by permssion of Ascension Press.
