with discussion questions by Aimee MacIver & resource pages
“There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church — which is, of course, quite a different thing.”
-Archbishop Fulton Sheen
What is Catechism Caviar?
Caviar is considered a delicacy – something thought to be delightful or pleasing and known for its rareness and richness. Many people have never tried this tasty cuisine because it tends to be expensive and is not often available at your typical restaurant. You might have never considered the teachings of our Catholic Church to be like a delicacy, but there are some sensible similarities.
Doctrinal truth is also very high in value and can only be found within the Church Christ started, but it is not often dug into enough to experience its rich depth of flavor.
Many go about each day with more inaccurate perceptions of Church teaching than authentic understanding of it. We don’t all come to the same conclusions despite great effort to make good, life-giving choices. But if God created humanity and awarded us with instructions on how to travel the most fulfilling and efficient path to heaven with him, it would be helpful to understand what those are. Like caviar, these instructions are rich and flavorful, but rarely explored. And many teachers of the faith don’t know how to, or don’t want to, touch those sensitive topics.
Catechism Caviar will unpack these teachings for the small group within your home or your parishioners carefully and with the respect that they, and those touchy topics, deserve. You and your parishioners need easy access to these teachings. They are not reserved for a select few, but for everyone. And while we’ll probably be okay living our whole life without tasting the expensive appetizer version of caviar, we all need the direction of the Church. Catechism Caviar will help.
Have a Taste.
Click play for a preview of what you can expect to find in Caviar videos.
What’s the structure & difficult topics?
Caviar comes with a leader guide and discussion questions for each topic. Each video is 6-11 minutes long and because of the density of these topics, I suggest presenting them to small groups and spreading them out 1-4 x’s/month (your choice). Here are the current topics offered:
Introductions (these should be played & discussed on the same day):
- Part 1: What is Caviar? (3:52)
- Part 2: What is Church Teaching? (6:49)
Difficult Topics:
- How to Approach Communion Faithfully (7:15)
- *Birth Control & Alternatives (8:59)
- *IVF & Alternatives (11:09)
- *Pro-life Issues & Adoption (10:03)
- Fasting & Prepping for Lent (5:39)
- Sexual Intimacy within Marriage (7:26)
*These three must be played in this order because some pro-life issues addressed include the abortifacient actions of birth control and IVF. Viewers should have the foundational teachings of these issues and alternatives before diving deeper into even more difficult aspects of these topics, some of which may be shocking, especially for those who have already gone down that path.
The Unique Approach of Catechism Caviar
In many years of ministry and throughout my own personal journey, I have generally encountered two approaches to communicating the teachings of the Church at different parishes: “[Teaching x] is a mortal sin and the Church is opposed to it” or complete silence, neither of which tend to be effective or Christ-centered.
It wasn’t until I was met in my own suffering and confusion with love and given the freedom to wrestle and ask questions that I was truly drawn in to the heart of Jesus and his Church. I have recognized this need in many others as well and it is how I try to share the love of God and the gift of the Church he started.
The hallmark of Catechism Caviar is meeting people where they are without watering down the rich, and sometimes very difficult, truths of the Church – and giving individuals the space they need to accept them, ask hard questions, and/or wrestle with them for a while. I have personally struggled through most of these topics, so it is from that perspective that I hope to bring you these presentations with sincerity and compassion. This is one step taken towards accomplishing my goal of meeting people where they are.
For example, as an infertile woman, I know how difficult it would be for me to connect with information on the topic of IVF given by someone who has never experienced the trauma of not being able to achieve a pregnancy. I believe these sensitive topics require this very special and unique approach.
Another important objective of Caviar is to teach and encourage people to dive into Church teaching on their own and directly at the source, whether that is the Catechism, Papal Encyclicals, Canon Law, and/or Scripture to discover the clarity and richness themselves no matter what comes up in their individual lives.
Each Caviar is set up to:
- Explain what will be addressed.
- Identify with the viewer on how difficult and confusing this situation can be in an effort to meet them where they are.
- Quote Church teaching directly from the Catechism, Canon Law, Papal Encyclical, and/or Scripture throughout.
- Remind them in some way that it is okay if this hits hard or causes discomfort and that the Church sits with them in their pain or confusion.
- Provide alternatives when applicable, i.e. fertility awareness rather than birth control, Napro over IVF.
- Always close with something hopeful and/or a message of unity regardless of where the viewer’s heart and mind are.
I hope you’ll join the waitlist today and share with others whose life Caviar might enrich!
Email mary.g.bruno@gmail.com for transcripts and full sample videos.
Mary G Bruno 