Students 'bowl' through catechism questions

Published: 2004-05-27

ST. JOHN, Ind. (CNS) -- Students already compete in spelling, math and science, so why not their religion? Combining elements of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" with sound effects from "Jeopardy" and other game shows, St. John the Evangelist School in St. John held its first Catechism Bowl May 17 in the church. Nearly 300 students from grades 6-8 in the parish school and religious education program competed. "It's a fun way for students to learn catechism and to compete," said Jennifer Krol, a religion teacher at St. John the Evangelist. Following a series of qualifying tests, students took one final test before reaching the finals. Fifteen students -- five per grade level -- qualified for the finals, but with each student having three other students as "life lines" for help with answers, 60 students actually participated in the final round. Krol said the Catechism Bowl was the brainchild of Colleen Anderson, director of religious education at St. John the Evangelist. Anderson, who has copyrighted the competition, first thought about such a contest three years ago. "We feel that our children should have a forum in which to show their knowledge of their awesome Catholic faith," said Anderson.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .