Catechist Joyce Donahue of the Diocese of Joliet Says Liguori's Journey of Faith for Children Is Flexible and Adaptable

Early reviews for Liguori’s improved RCIC program Journey of Faith for Children are both positive and enthusiastic. Catechetical Associate Joyce Donahue, MA, MPS, of the Diocese of Joliet Religious Education Office, who writes the popular blog The Liturgical Catechist, says the program is flexible and adaptable.

“Journey of Faith for Children can be used in age-level classrooms or small group formation, or in a mixed family group with parents and older siblings using Journey of Faith for Adults or Journey of Faith for Teens which correspond to the same lesson topics. It is a flexible, adaptable, and simple resource to prepare children over the age of 7 for the sacraments,” Donahue said.

Journey of Faith for Children and Jornada de Fe para para Niños is the most recent program from the series to be revamped. Last year, Liguori revised both its Journey of Faith for Adults and Journey of Faith for Teens in English and Jornada de Fe para Adultos and Jornada de Fe para Adolesentes in Spanish. Liguori first published Journey of Faith 25 years ago and is the market leader for RCIA programs.

“Participants could break into age-appropriate groups or could even participate in family discussion or do some of the activities together with parents and older siblings using the adult or teen levels of Journey of Faith,” Donahue said. This kind of flexible and interchangeable information between age groups helps keep children engaged in the material. The new format consists ongoing story lines as well as hands on activities for the kids.

“Liguori’s Journey of Faith for Children include colorful illustrations, age-appropriate activities, and reflection questions that connect the faith topic to real life,” Donahue said.

“This adaptable program consists of 48 four-page lessons that come in packets for the stages of RCIA: Inquiry, Catechumenate, Enlightenment (formerly called Lent), and Mystagogy. Because of the flexible handout format, the order can be adjusted to fit the liturgical calendar or the schedule of the local program,” Donahue said

One of the other new features that Donahue was enthusiastic about was “the improved full-color set of three Leader Guides, which provides preparation for the leader for each session, along with objectives, a guide for welcoming participants as they arrive, and a more-detailed wrap-around session plan than in the past.” The revised version of the Leader Guides better prepares the Leader to be able to smoothly run a RCIA lesson regardless of experience.

The revised version of Journey of Faith for Children has a publication date of August 1—Inquiry has already shipped—with the Spanish version, Jornada de Fe para Niños, of September 1.

Joyce Donahue serves as Catechetical Associate in the Diocese of Joliet Religious Education Office, supporting parish leaders forming adults and children. Her work also involves formation of catechists and Catholic school teachers. She earned her BA and MA in English from University of Illinois, Champaign, and a Masters in Pastoral Studies from Loyola Institute of Ministry, New Orleans. Joyce has served as a catechist for adults and children, an RCIA team leader, pastoral musician, liturgy coordinator and director of liturgy/religious education in parishes. She is the author of From Mass to Mission: Understanding the Mass and its Significance for our Christian Lives for Children (Liturgy Training Publications, 2016.) Joyce has written articles for The Living Light, Pastoral Liturgy and Ministry & Liturgy and is a regular contributor to several group blogs. She regularly gives presentations on liturgical catechesis at parishes and catechist conferences. Her website is The Liturgical Catechist.