Nail down the facts, tear down the barriers! The Catechism of the Catholic Church is over nine hundred pages long, so it comes as no surprise that many Catholics think of their faith as complex—and certainly too complex to share with others! A Well-Built Faith —cleverly developed around a construction theme—makes it easy and flat-out fun for any Catholic to know what they believe and to feel confident in sharing those beliefs with others. The eighteen-chapter book—at times profound, at times humorous, always practical—follows the structure of the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Creed, Sacraments, Morality, and Prayer). Taking otherwise difficult topics about the Catholic faith and making them accessible and relevant to the lives of average Catholics, acclaimed author and teacher Joe Paprocki does so in a way that never compromises the rich depth of Catholic teaching and tradition. From the Trinity to the seven sacraments, from the Ten Commandments to the Lord’s Prayer, A Well-Built Faith will help Catholics nail down the facts of the faith and tear down the barriers keeping them from sharing their beliefs with others.' Also available in Spanish! Una Fe Bien Construida Nail down the facts, tear down the barriers! The Catechism of the Catholic Church is over nine hundred pages long, so it comes as no surprise that many Catholics think of their faith as complex—and certainly too complex to share with others! A Well-Built Faith —cleverly developed around a construction theme—makes it easy and flat-out fun for any Catholic to know what they believe and to feel confident in sharing those beliefs with others. The eighteen-chapter book—at times profound, at times humorous, always practical—follows the structure of the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Creed, Sacraments, Morality, and Prayer). Taking otherwise difficult topics about the Catholic faith and making them accessible and relevant to the lives of average Catholics, acclaimed author and teacher Joe Paprocki does so in a way that never compromises the rich depth of Catholic teaching and tradition. From the Trinity to the seven sacraments, from the Ten Commandments to the Lord’s Prayer, A Well-Built Faith will help Catholics nail down the facts of the faith and tear down the barriers keeping them from sharing their beliefs with others.Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press in Chicago. Joe has over twenty-five years of experience in pastoral ministry in the Archdiocese of Chicago. He is the author of numerous books on pastoral ministry and catechesis, including the best sellers God’s Library and The Catechist’s Toolbox. Currently an eighth-grade catechist, Joe blogs about his catechetical experiences at www.catechistsjourney.com.   JOE PAPROCKI, D.Min. , has been a catechetical leader and religious educator in the Chicago area for more than thirty years. His books include Living the Mass, The Bible Blueprint, The Catechist’s Toolbox (Loyola Press).  He is the National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press in Chicago.  Joe blogs about his work as a catechist at Catechist’s Journey (www.catechistsjourney.com). Introduction—A Little H.E.L.P. The Right Tools and a Firm Foundation I was getting my tires changed on my car one day and, as I sat in the waiting room at the auto mechanic, I noticed something interesting. There before me was an entire wall filled with framed certificates for all of the mechanics on duty. It seems that they had been trained in the knowledge and skills needed to service cars properly. They had not only learned how to use the right tools as mechanics, but they had also, through their training, acquired a firm foundation for getting the job done properly. What was even more impressive was that some of the mechanics who had been working there for some time had continued to compile certificates. As technology and cars progressed and changed, so too did the mechanics. We Catholics seek to be people who have the right tools and a firm foundation to serve God and others. How do we do this? Through faith formation. Catechesis is the process through which we become equipped with the right tools and a firm foundation to live out our baptism. This is a process that is never finished—it is ongoing and lifelong. We all need to start somewhere. That’s where A Well-Built Faith: A Catholic’s Guide to Knowing and Sharing What We Believe comes in. This book is designed to give you a firm foundation to get started in a lifelong process of developing a well-built faith. Whether you are a catechist, a liturgical minister, a parish pastoral council member, a catechumen or candidate in the RCIA, or an everyday Catholic trying to remain faithful to your baptismal call and grow closer to the Lord, A Well-Built Faith is designed for you, “so that the one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17). A firm foundation pro