Bishop Thomas John Paprocki | Diocese of Springfield

When it comes to educating children about faith, parents often seek resources tailored to different age groups. In response to a question from a parent in Springfield, Father Daniel McGrath, parochial vicar at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and chaplain at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, offered guidance on selecting appropriate materials.

Father McGrath noted the challenge of explaining complex faith topics to children at various developmental stages and finding resources that match their understanding. He highlighted that while many resources exist—ranging from textbooks to video series in parish programs—effective teaching relies on the person presenting the material.

For teenagers and adults, Father McGrath recommended several sources: "The Bible itself and a good Catholic commentary, better found in print than online. Catholic Answers is one of the best because you can type your question right there. There is also the tried-and-true Catechism of the Catholic Church. Ascension Presents has hundreds of videos that tackle questions about our faith. Anything on Formed.org (your parish may have an account). Newadvent.org has more academic answers and primary sources. Youcat.org is a youth Catechism based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. They also have other books that introduce the teachings of the Catholic faith to this age group."

For children aged 12 and under, he suggested: "EWTN has good children’s resources online... Going back to Formed.org, they also have good resources and videos for children. The Baltimore Catechism is rarely used anymore but is very good if you are looking for concise and simple answers to questions from kids."

Father McGrath emphasized that no resource can replace parental involvement: "There you have some resources, but the question then becomes less about finding information than about teaching that information to the age group in question. An ordinary 5-year-old and even a 10-year-old is not going to read the Catechism very fruitfully, if at all. They may watch a video you show them, but even then, there is probably going to need to be some level of further explanation from you in order for the information to be received well."

He concluded by stressing personal witness as key: "No resource can possibly replace your own personal witness and teaching after your own personal intake and synthesis of the truths of the faith... As you read, listen, and reflect — especially through resources intended for adults — and as you build relationships with your children, I’m confident you’ll become a better teacher for them than almost any online video out there."

"Ultimately you present and teach the faith by having an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ yourself and engaging in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church," he said. "Draw them into that relationship. They will see your life and hear your words and, God willing, they will follow. I pray that you can say to your children (to at least some extent!) what St. Paul said to the Corinthians, 'Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.'"