Looking Ahead: A Catholic Handbook for School Students

by Catholic Truth Society, The Association of Catholic Women

Looking Ahead answers big questions about life, God, and the world. Full of useful information, quirky facts, assorted prayers, stories of saints and heroes, and beautiful illustrations, this is a book to help you make sense of your amazing calling to follow Jesus Christ.

Figuring out what it means to be a disciple of Christ as a young person today is tricky. If you think about it, you probably have a lot of questions: How am I supposed to know what’s true? Or know what to do? Who has the answers? Is it science? Is it the Bible? How does it all fit together? And what does it mean for my life? Looking Ahead answers big questions about life, God, and the world.

Full of useful information, quirky facts, assorted prayers, stories of saints and heroes, and beautiful illustrations, this is a book to help you make sense of your amazing calling to follow Jesus Christ.

112 pages, Hardcover

Published March 7, 2023

About the author

Catholic Truth Society (CTS) is a body that prints and publishes Catholic literature, including apologetics but also prayerbooks, spiritual reading, lives of saints and so forth. It is based in London in the United Kingdom.

The CTS had been originally founded in 1868 by Cardinal Herbert Vaughan, but became defunct when he was made a bishop, since he no longer had time to devote to it. Some years later, others came up with the same idea and were directed to Vaughan, who suggested that they revive the defunct body. Accordingly, the organization was refounded on November 5, 1884, under the presidency of Cardinal Vaughan, with Msgr. W. H. Cologan and James Britten, a layman and the principal spirit behind its refounding, serving as secretaries.

Reviews

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the last several years I have read 352 different volumes from the Catholic Truth Society, many of them more than once. I have nearly 200 others I want to read. And each year they come out with new ones that often end up on my wish list. I picked this one up shortly after it released. I picked it up for my daughter in grade 7 that is about to be confirmed. She absolutely loved it, and much to my surprise so does her older brother. I have had to order a second copy for him. I read it one afternoon over a couple of mugs of tea. It is an excellent volume. It is stunning with full page colour on every page. Each chapter has a clear colour on the edges of the pages. It is well laid out. With the information presented in a variety of formats, text boxes, asides, and main text. I was really impressed with the quality and craftsmanship.

The description of this book is:

“Looking Ahead answers big questions about life, God, and the world. Full of useful information, quirky facts, assorted prayers, stories of saints and heroes, and beautiful illustrations, this is a book to help you make sense of your amazing calling to follow Jesus Christ.

Figuring out what it means to be a disciple of Christ as a young person today is tricky. If you think about it, you probably have a lot of questions: How am I supposed to know what’s true? Or know what to do? Who has the answers? Is it science? Is it the Bible? How does it all fit together? And what does it mean for my life? Looking Ahead answers big questions about life, God, and the world.

Full of useful information, quirky facts, assorted prayers, stories of saints and heroes, and beautiful illustrations, this is a book to help you make sense of your amazing calling to follow Jesus Christ.”

The chapters and section in this volume are:

Forward
Faith and History
Who is Jesus Christ?
How do we know Jesus Christ existed?
What is the Bible?
Can we trust the Gospels?
When did Christianity arrive in Britain?
Britain’s patron Saints
The Lord’s Prayer in Gaelic
The Lord’s Prayer in Irish
The Lord’s Prayer in Welsh
The Lord’s Prayer in English
The Reformation in Britain
Good News across the world
Our World and Science
Genesis: the beginning … his love
But …
Why is this?
Our World
What is the Big Bang Theory
The Church and evolution
Noted Catholic Scientists
Hildegard of Bingen (c.1098-c.1179)
Roger Bacon (c.1214-c.1294)
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Nicholas Copernicus (1473-1543)
Albert Curtz (1600-1671)
Athanasius Kircher (1602-1680)
Jean Picard (1620-1682)
Nicholas steno (1638-1686)
Georg Joseph Kamel (1661-1706)
Maria Gaetana Agnesi (1718-1799)
Louis Braille (1809-1852)
Luis Pasteur (1822-1895)
Alois Alzheimer (1864-1915)
Georges Lamaitre (1894-1966)
Jerome Lejeune (1926-1994)
Young Saints
Pope Benedict XVI speaks to the young people of Britain
Carlo Acutis
Charles Lwanga and companions
Dominic Savio
Maria Goretti
Bernadette Soubirous
Living the Christian Life
About Prayer
We start our prayers with the Sign of the Cross
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Apostles Creed
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Prayer in the Morning
Morning Offering
Prayer at Night
Prayer to my Guardial Angel
Prayer to St Michael
Grace before meals
Grace after meals
The Memorare
The Hail Holy Queen
Sub tuum
Fatima Prayer
Popular Devotions
The Rosary
The Stations of the Cross
The Divine Mercy Chapley
Catholic Doctrine
The Ten Commandments
The Seven Sacraments
The Five Precepts of the Chuch
The Sacrament of Penance
Going to Confession
An Examination of Conscience
The Mass
Making a Spiritual Communion
Adoration of the blessed Sacrament
Quick Queries
Why are there different Christian Denominations?
Can’t al;l Christians just unite?
Why must we go to Mass on Sundays?
Why do Holy Days matter?
How does the Church Calendar work?
Are priests always holy?
Why are all priests men?
Are men and women different?
What does the Church teach about LGBT people?
Why is there suffering in the world?
Have Catholics always behaved well?
Are the internet and modern technology good?
Are saints always people from long ago?
Over to YOU
What could help you be a better Catholic?
First things first
What and listen: TV, video, radio, film and theatre
Films for young people
Radio Stations/Podcasts for young people
The Wintershall plays
Get involved!
Get together with friends
Your local church … and further afield
Find out about going on a pilgrimage
Go deeper! (List or resources and links)
Trust in God
Do not be Afraid

As you can see in 111 pages it packs in a lot of information. The pages are a nonstandard size. And it stands out on the side table or bookcase. It is a great book for children from first communion to confirmation, and even beyond. I just really wish there was an eBook edition. That way they could keep it on them at all times. And my son and I could both use adaptive technology. I have a dual form of dyslexia and prefer eBooks to change the font, font and page colour, and my son has eye tracking issues and often has 1 line at a time highlighted. But other than the lack of a digital edition, this is an incredible resource. This would be a wonderful addition to any child’s library, church, home or school library as well.

An excellent resource the whole family loves.

Read reviews of other books by from the Catholic Truth Society on my blog Book Reviews and More.

This book is part of a series of reviews: 2023 Catholic Reading Plan!

[Anne-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Catholic handbook for young people on faith and history, our world and Science, young saints, common prayers, main teachings of the Church, questions such as why are there different Christian denominations, why do we have to go to Mass on Sunday, why can't women be priests, are men and women different finishing with an appeal to the reader to get involved, be part of the Church, make a difference. Very inspiring.