In convening the task force, the Ad Hoc Committee will outline certain principles that are to be reflected in the national curriculum guide. Among the principles the committee initially identified were the introduction of essential elements of faith at a young age, parental involvement, and content presented in age-appropriate manner. In addition, the committee determined that the curriculum guide would not only address itself to grades K - 12 but to the Christian initiation and ongoing formation of adults as well.

The Ad Hoc Committee to Oversee the Use of the Catechism will seek professionals with expertise in the areas of doctrine, pedagogy and curriculum development to serve on the task force. The committee looks forward to working closely with the task force throughout the entire process. The opportunity for broader input and review from catechetical experts and the publishers of catechetical materials has yet to be finalized.

The convening of a task force to develop a national curriculum guide for catechetical materials is part of a larger objective given to the Ad Hoc Committee by the Administrative Committee of the NCCB. That objective is to study the feasibility of a national catechetical series. The committee sees the development of a national curriculum guide as an essential step toward the achievement of that objective.

• The Learning Media Center and the Religious Education Office of the Diocese of Pittsburgh are cooperating to produce an adult faith formation project consisting of thirty-six 20-minute video segments as well as leader and participant materials for group discussion. The Catechism series, entitled A Review of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, features lessons by Bishop Donald Wuerl spanning the four pillars of the Catechism. Each lesson is comprised of liturgical, scriptural, and "life experience" components providing opportunity for groups to pray together, reflect upon sections of the Catechism, read relevant Scriptural passages, and consider the lesson's challenges for their lives. For more information, contact the Department for Religious Education, Diocese of Pittsburgh, 111 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Phone: 412-456-3112.

• The Diocese of Toledo has published its second video format program of four such videos on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The 60-minute video, titled The Celebration of the Christian Mystery, includes teaching and discussion by Bishop James Hoffman who speaks with four other Catholics about sacraments and the liturgy. The first video (Book One) of the series, covering primary topics, e.g., God, Jesus, Scripture, Church, was released in Lent ‘95. The subsequent two videos, Morality (Book Three) and Prayer (Book Four), will be released during the Lenten seasons of 1997 and 1998 respectively. The total cost for each video is $35. Orders and requests for information regarding the videos may be directed to: Catechism Office, Diocese of Toledo, 1933 Spielbusch Ave., P.O. Box 985, Toledo, OH 43697-0985. Phone: (419) 244-6711, ext. 277; Fax: (419) 244-4791.

McBride, Rev. Alfred, O.Praem. Teen Catechism. Our Sunday Visitor/Good Will Publishers, 1996.

Stravinskas, Rev. Peter, A Tour of the Catholic Catechism. Marytown Press, 1996.

J. Michael Miller, CSB has written an article in the "Spring/Summer 1995" issue of Faith and Reason entitled "The Pope's Challenge to the Church in America." The article comments on the most recent ad limina addresses offered to the U.S. bishops in March-June 1993. Of particular interest is the Pope's design of the ad limina discourses to follow the structure of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In his concluding address, the Holy Father recalled that "the thoughts which I have shared with the United States Bishops during this year's ad limina visits have been guided by the outline and content of the Catechism of the Catholic Church."

The Sisters of the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart have produced a complete "Sacred Heart Kids' Club" video catechesis entitled "The Catechism: A Symphony of Faith for All." The catechesis is directed toward parochial schools, religious education, and family catechesis. The project includes videos and a textbook complement (in English and Spanish versions), as well as "Scope and Sequence Chart" displaying the parallel arrangement of material in the Catechism and in the video catechesis series (following the structure "Creed, Sacraments, Commandments, Prayer"). For further information, contact the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart, 869 South Rimpau Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90005. Phone: (323) 935-2372; Fax: (323) 935-5943.

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