WASHINGTON, D.C.—Time to take the Challenge! The AMS “Disciple Challenge,” that is. The Office of Faith Formation of the AMS (Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA) has opened a two-month window from April 1 through May 31 for students in families on active duty to test and develop their knowledge of the Catholic Faith, free of charge, by answering Challenge questions ranging in complexity by grade level.
For example, pre-kindergarteners are asked, “What sign reminds us of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit? (A) The star of David; (B) The star of Bethlehem; or (C) The Sign of the Cross.” Seventh-graders are asked, “What is the proper response to God sharing His life and friendship with us? (A) fear; (B) penance; (C) self-confidence; or (D) faith.” High schoolers are asked, “How is Mary’s role in the Church recognized as a collaboration with the redemptive work of Christ? (A) Partial; (B) Mentoring; (C) Initiatory; or (D) Inseparable;” and, “What ultimately opens our eyes to the meaning of Scripture and belief in God? (A) participation in a Bible study; (B) inspiration of the Holy Spirit; (C) dedication to a life of study; or (D) imagination.”
The Challenge can be found on the portal, AMS Family Witness to Christ, at https://amsfamilywitness.catholicbrain.com/login. The portal provides online games, videos, songs, lessons, quizzes, challenges, and other innovative tools to support pre-K-through-12 religious education. AMS Family Witness to Christ is powered by CatholicBrain.com, a site founded in 2017 by a devout Catholic parent and catechist with help and direction from school teachers, priests, and education consultants.
AMS Family Witness to Christ is loaded with participatory instructional aids meant to encourage growth in the Catholic faith by making it fun for kids to learn. The games, for instance, include a name match puzzle covering a wide range of Catholic topics including the life and person of Jesus Christ, the Bible, the Catholic Church, the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Sacraments and Prayer, Sin, and Penance. The video library offers dozens of animated videos illustrating stories of the Old and New Testaments, Sunday Gospels, Saints, and more. The song repertory provides a broad selection of singalongs on topics ranging from Advent and Christmas, the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, prayer, and walking with Jesus.
Families interested in accessing AMS Family Witness to Christ may obtain the AMS Code from the priest or Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) at their respective military installations. AMS Family Witness to Christ is free to active-duty Catholic military families and is available 24/7 year-round. For more information, families should consult their installation’s priest or CRE, or contact Mr. José Amaya, AMS Director of Faith Formation, at FaithFormation@milarch.org or (202) 719-3623.
