Catholic Home Study Service... sponsored by the Vincentian Community and the Missouri Knights of Columbus, offers free correspondence courses on the Catholic Faith....

spacer

Welcome to our Home Page

Catholic Home Study Service

spacer Catholic Home Study Service (CHSS), sponsored by the Vincentian community and the Missouri Knights of Columbus, has been offering free courses on the Catholic Faith for more than seventy years. It is based at Saint Mary's of the Barrens, in Perryville, Missouri. Father Oscar Lukefahr, C.M. is Director of Catholic Home Study Service and preaches parish missions. Click on the link below for a mission schedule.

Studying with CHSS

Catholic Home Study Service invites you to learn more about our faith by studying at home. Nine free courses, faithful to the teachings of the Church, are available. When you request a course, you will receive a textbook and a workbook with study questions. After reading a section of the book, you can send your workbook answers to us either over the internet or by postal mail. We will make whatever corrections are necessary and answer any questions you want to ask. All who complete the course receive a graduation certificate. There is no charge for the course, and no one will call on you. You may take the course alone or with friends or family members.

The Home Study Program Offers the Following Courses:

spacer WE BELIEVE... A SURVEY OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH
An explanation of Catholic teaching, cross-referenced to the Catechism of the Catholic Church and following the same structure as the Catechism: Creed, worship, Christian life, and prayer. The course studies belief in God, the Bible, the life and teaching of Jesus, the Church, Mary, the saints, life after death, the Sacraments, moral living, and Catholic prayer. Foreword by Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia.
spacer WE WORSHIP:  A GUIDE TO THE CATHOLIC MASS
This course tells why Jesus wants us to attend Mass, gives the fascinating history of the Mass, explains Mass ceremonies step by step, shows how to pray the Mass, answers frequently asked questions, and describes how to live the Mass after we leave to "love and serve the Lord." Foreword by Most Rev. Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York. (Newly updated with the Roman Missal, Third Edition)
spacer WE LIVE: TO KNOW, LOVE, AND SERVE GOD
Written in an easy-to-read style, this book explains the purpose and meaning of life. Why are we here? So we can find truth in knowing God, happiness in loving Him, and real meaning in serving Him. We Live shows from everyday experience, common sense, and modern science the reasons to believe in God. It demonstrates how following Jesus will bring happiness here and forever. Foreword by Bishop James V. Johnston of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.
spacer
WE PRAY:  LIVING IN GOD'S PRESENCE
This is a "how-to-pray" book for everyone. It explains how God speaks to us and how we should reply. It gives Bible teachings about prayer, spotlighting the prayer of Jesus. It describes the ACTS of prayer (Adoration, Contrition, Thanks, Supplication), and ways of praying (meditation, vocal prayer, etc.). It addresses issues like prayer to the saints, examines difficulties in prayer, and shows how prayer joins us to God now and forever.
spacer
THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS
Everybody wants to be happy, and God wants us to be happy.  This course explains the four levels of happiness (body, mind and will, heart, soul) and uses Scripture, stories, and common-sense to help us achieve emotional health, spiritual growth, and real happiness.
spacer
A CATHOLIC GUIDE TO THE BIBLE
Explains Catholic principles of interpreting the Bible. Takes the student through the Bible, offering pertinent information about the historical background, author, and literary style of each book. Selects readable passages from each book of the Bible so that the student can become familiar with the whole Bible and understand it as the Word of God.
spacer
THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING CATHOLIC
Explains the most distinctive beliefs of Catholics and points out how they are based on the goodness of God's creation, our Redemption by Jesus, and the love of the Holy Spirit. Shows what it means to be a Catholic, and why we believe as we do, explaining the reasons for doctrines like the Real Presence, confession, sacramentals, and devotion to the saints.
spacer
THE CATECHISM HANDBOOK
A summary and study of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Condenses the Catechism into a brief and readable format, and offers explanations of difficult passages. A good way to become familiar with the whole Catechism in a short time.
spacer
CHRIST'S MOTHER AND OURS
This course explains what the Bible says about Mary, what the Church teaches, Mary's apparitions, how Mary relates to us in our daily lives, prayer and liturgy relating to Mary, the meaning of the Rosary, Marian sacramentals, and more. It will help you understand Catholic devotion to Mary and explain it to others.

You may send your workbook answers to us over the internet or by postal mail. Please specify your preference when you enroll.


Request a Course Today
You may enroll by postal mail or through this web page. ENROLL IN ONLY ONE COURSE. AFTER YOU COMPLETE THAT COURSE, YOU MAY ENROLL IN ANOTHER. Allow 3-6 weeks for delivery. There is no charge. Your name will not be placed on mailing lists. No one will call on you.

1. Enroll through this web page.

2. Enroll by Postal mail
Include your name, your mailing address, and the course you want. Please specify whether you wish to send your workbook answers to us over the internet or by postal mail.   Mail it to:

Catholic Home Study Service
PO Box 363
Perryville, MO 63775-0363 USA

We need donations to continue this program. Our expenses now exceed $300,000.00 per year, as we send about 12,000 free courses to people everywhere in the world. We are low on funding, and we need your help. All donations go directly to Catholic Home Study Service, and all donors are remembered daily in Father Lukefahr's prayers and Masses. For information about donating to Catholic Home Study Service, please click here

Want to know more about Catholic Home Study Service? Click here

For a schedule of Father Lukefahr's Parish Missions, Click here


This home page is sponsored by the Association of the Miraculous Medal.
Please send your comments and suggestions about this web page to the Webmaster at the Association of the Miraculous Medal.

The material on this page is the property of the Catholic Home Study Service, and the Association of the Miraculous Medal.

gipoco.com is neither affiliated with the authors of this page nor responsible for its contents. This is a safe-cache copy of the original web site.