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How to Use
the Cards - Kathy Andes
 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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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
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