• Sacramental Guidelines for First Reconciliation
• Agreement Document Regarding First Confession and First Eucharist

 

Additional Resources

• How to Go to Confession
• How to Go to Confession (Español)
• USCCB Examinations of Conscience 
• Go Make Disciples Newsletter "Confession"
• Go Make Disciples Newsletter "Confesíon" (Español) 
• Video: Confession is a Place of Victory
• Video: Making a Good Confession

• Sacramental Guidelines for First Holy Communion
• Agreement Document Regarding First Confession and First Eucharist

 

Additional Resources

• The Sacrament of the Eucharist (Catechism of the Catholic Church)
• Prayers Before the Blessed Sacrament
• The Mass (USCCB) 

• USCCB Guidelines for the Reception of Holy Communion 
• Short Quotes about the Eucharist
• Scripture & Prayers to use during Eucharistic Adoration

Visit Confirmation Page

Preparation Information

• Confirmation Curriculum Guidelines
• Confirmation Preparation in the Diocese of Madison
• High School Formation in the Diocese of Madison
• Agreement Form for Exceptional Circumstances Regarding Confirmation
• The Catechism of the Catholic Church: Confirmation

 

Liturgical Information

• Confirmation Liturgy Planner (Print out, then mail, fax, or email)
• Emcee Notes for Pastors
• Information and Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacrament
• NEW Presentation of Candidates
• NEW Presentation of Candidates - Group
• Online Confirmation Scheduling in the Data Hub

Catechetical Sandards by Grade Level

Schools Format

• Complete Catechetical Standards and Benchmarks Document

 

Parish Format

• Cover Page
• Bishop Morlino's Introductory Letter
• Canonical Decree Promulgating New Norms for Catechesis
• Grade Pre-K through Kindergarden
• Grade 1
• Grade 2
• Grade 3
• Grade 4
• Grade 5
• Grade 6
• Grade 7
• Grade 8
• Glossary

Other Useful Links

• Select Prayers in Spanish (oraciones seleccionados en español)

In order to best complement our new PreK-8 Catechetical Standards, Bishop Morlino has identified four series of catechetical textbooks that will best assist our teachers and catechists in their generous efforts to hand on the faith to our K-8 students. The following constitute the approved list of textbook series for K-8 students in the Diocese of Madison. When your school or parish religious education program is purchasing new texts, please select from this list of textbook series. These selections remain the only full, basal text series authorized for purchase for our K-8 students in parishes and schools. As new materials are published by other companies and authors in the coming years, this list has the potential to change. A more detailed comparison between the textbook series can be found here.
 

All parishes and schools are expected to conform by Fall 2015.

Middle school and high school texts that are not in a K-8 program have not yet been reviewed and will be reviewed in this upcoming year. The recommendation of the OEC is to use the middle school books from the above list or wait to purchase (using what you have currently) until the middle school and high school texts have been reviewed by the OEC.
 

Approved Textbooks and Curriculum

Grade School and/or Middle School

• Faith & Life (Ignatius Press)
• Alive in Christ (Our Sunday Visitor)
• Spirit of Truth  (Sophia Institute Press)
• Image of God (Ignatius Press)
• Be My Disciples (RCL/Benzinger)
• Word of Life  (Ignatius Press)
• We Believe (Sadlier - to be phased out of the list by 2025)
  • If you are interested in this text contact the OEC before purchase
• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd - Montessori Based Instruction
• Edge - Middle School Parish RE/Youth Formation (Lifeteen)

 

Confirmation

• Chosen: Your Journey Toward Confirmation (Ascension Press)
• Decision Point (Dynamic Catholic)
• Didache Sacramental Preparation Series: The Sacrament of Confirmation (Midwest Theological Forum)
• Purpose (LifeTeen)
• YOUCAT: Confirmation Book (Ignatius Press)
  • • In accompaniment with the YOUCAT or Catechism of the Catholic Church 

 

Family Formation

• Family of Faith (Sophia Institute Press)
• Family Formation (Familyformation.net)
• Forming Families & Alive in Christ (Our Sunday Visitor)

 

Human Person & Identity 

• Ruah Woods (Ruahwoodspress.com)
• TOBET (tobet.org)

 

Highly Encouraged Supplemental Resources

• Heart To Heart   6-9 Guide on Prayer
• Philo & Sopie-Philosophy for Children Philosophy for Children

1. Which junior high and high school textbook series can be used in our parish programs?

Some companies produce only middle school and high school textbooks. These textbooks have not yet been reviewed but will be in this upcoming year. The recommendation of the OEC is to use middle school books from the above list or to wait to purchase (using what you have currently) until the middle school and high school texts have been reviewed to choose a new program.
 

2. I noticed that you do not have Our Sunday Visitor, Loyola Press, and many other companies on the list. Is there a reason you did not choose those companies?

During the textbook approval process, we did not choose or avoid books based on the press company to which they belong. We simply looked at the texts themselves and matched them to our new Catechetical Standards as they are written for grade school children. We acknowledge the value of the many materials offered by these different companies for different parish ministries and recognize the advantage of continuing to utilize such resources. We encourage parishes to continue utilizing the best materials for evangelization and catechesis that they can find, regardless of the publisher.
 

3. Can parishes use other materials and press companies as supplements to the primary texts on the approved diocesan list?

Absolutely. The books that were chosen are the basal catechetical text series that best complement our catechetical/religious education standards for grade school students. We understand and support the utilization of other solid supplemental and monograph materials to strengthen our catechetical outcomes.
 

4. What materials can be used for sacramental prep, high school, and adult programs?

At this time, the Diocese of Madison is not limiting/approving texts for first reconciliation, first communion, RCIA, confirmation, high school, or adult programs. If you are considering a basal text series for high school students, please select from the USCCB's list of catechetical texts at this time. If you are considering supplementary materials, please use your best judgment by paying close attention to whether or not the materials under consideration have an Imprimatur.

More and more families are choosing to home school their children, not only in "reading, writing and arithmetic," but in religious education as well. This page presents some thoughts on how a parish catechetical program can best serve these families, as well as links to some pertinent resources.
 

Thoughts on Homeschooling in Religious Education

The Catholic Church understands and affirms that parents are "the primary and principal educators" of their children (Vatican Council II's Gravissimum Educationis, art. 3).  We "strenuously affirm the right and duty of parents and guardians to educate children in a Christian manner" (Apostolicam Actuositatem, art 13).   Pope John Paul II called this right not only "essential" but also "irreplaceable and inalienable and therefore incapable of being entirely delegated to others or usurped by others." (Familiaris Consortio, art. 36)

The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis maintains a reference library of diocesan-approved catechetical text series along with suplemental material from all major publishers.  Homeschool families are encouraged to drop by and review materials.  Additionally, we maintain a free lending library of audio and video materials available to all.  Call the OEC at 608-821-3160 for information.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I am undertaking homeschooling for religious education. What requirements need to be met by the Diocese of Madison?

There are not a lot of specific diocesan “requirements” for religious education, but we would love to help you form your children and instruct them in the Catholic faith.  For starters, we suggest you dig through the diocesan website. You might find the following pages pertinent:

• The main launching point for the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis here.
• Diocesan “Standards and Competencies” for grades K-8 here.
• Confirmation preparation here. 
• List of diocesan approved K to 8 textbooks here.

The OEC maintains a curriculum library with copies of each currently approved diocesan text series. Stop by sometime and browse these texts and perhaps get other ideas. We also have an extensive library of audio and video recordings that can be borrowed. Some of these are top-notch catechetical programs, such as the T3 Bible Timeline, Theology of the Body for Teens, etc.

Beyond our approved K to 8 textbooks, we recommend that you consider “Introduction to Catholicism” (link on the above Confirmation prep page) for your 10th grader.

Contact your parish or the OEC if you have questions or need help.

2. My son knows his faith, is active in our parish, and does works of mercy for our elderly neighbor. It seems senseless that he should have to do so many things required by the diocese. Why can't he just get confirmed now?

The "requirements" for receiving sacraments in the Catholic Church are frequently a source of confusion.  This issue usually arises in regard to First Communion, Confirmation or Marriage.  Basically, it is a process of resolving the tension between two principles:

• The sacraments are free, unmerited gifts from Jesus Christ to us.  They are available to all who appropriately understand them, desire them, and are in the state of grace to receive them.
• The sacraments are holy and must be treasured and respected.  Those receiving them should properly understand them to the degree they are able.

Apart from the requirements established by canon law (click here to see paragraphs 889-891), the judgement of whether a person is "ready" to partake in a sacrament is left to the person's pastor. Usually, the pastor is assisted in both the preparation and assessment.  Often "requirements" are established to help form a framework so that all can understand the expectations and assess whether those expectations are being met. 

Ask yourself:

• Does your child know the faith as he should?
• Does your child pray and regularly receive the sacraments?  
  Including confession?
• Does your child participate actively in the life of the parish?
• Why might your pastor or youth minister feel your child doesn't actually desire the sacrament?  How can you help in this?

Read the sections of the Catechism pertaining to Confirmation here (see no. 1306). Sit down with your pastor or parish youth minister and discuss appropriate plans to prepare your child for Confirmation.

Find out more about the process of preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Diocese of Madison by clicking here.
 

Recommended Resources

• Homeschooling Defended by Canon Law
• Homeschooling Based on Catholic Teaching
• Apostolate for Family Consecration
• Seton Home Study School
• Faith and Life Textbook Series
• New St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism
• Bible History (from TAN Books)
• Love 2 Learn
• Cathy Duffy Reviews
• Holy Family Homeschoolers
• Catholic Parents Online