Faith Folders for Catholics

Lapbooks^TM With the Catholic Family & Classroom in Mind

"Lindy Meyer is a busy mother and active parishioner at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Concordia. She has developed a very practical tool which parents and catechists will find helpful as a supplement to their catechetical programs. I am grateful for her initiative in designing these Faith Folders for Catholics."
Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley, Bishop of Salina

In the Works:

St. Therese the Little Flower Faith Folder
More in the Series of Saint Faith Folders
More Individual Sacrament Faith Folders
Stations of the Cross Faith Ring
Many more ideas in the works...

What is a Faith Folder?

A Faith Folder is our version of a Lapbook^TM. Our Faith Folders are Catholic based and are used to teach and spread the Catholic Faith. They are sold as a digital product to be downloaded as a pdf file by the customer.

What is a Lapbook?^TM

A lapbook^TM is a tool used to showcase and consolidate material studied and learned on a given topic. A lapbook^TM is created from a file folder, refolded to create a book which can be held in the lap. Many different mini-books and other special projects are then stored and displayed in the lapbook^TM. Lapbooks^TM can be used for science, social studies, phonics, religion and so much more. The possibilities are endless!

For more information about lapbooking^TM, check out our Related Links page.

"Lap Book"^TM is a trademark owned by Michael and Tammy Duby of Tobin's Lab. Used by permission. www.tobinslab.com

What are Faith Rings?

Faith Rings are a new product available from Faith Folders for Catholics. Each ring holds a set of laminated cards on a variety of faith based topics. Examples include Catholic Prayers, Ten Commandments and Works of Mercy. These are sold as a finished product that will be shipped to the customer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is a Faith Folder?
Answer: A Faith Folder is my version of a Lapbook^tm. The Faith Folders are Catholic based and are used to teach and spread the Catholic Faith and are available on a variety of topics, with more being made available continuously. They are sold as a digital product to be downloaded as a pdf file by the customer.

Question: What is a Lapbook^tm?
Answer: A lapbook^tm is a tool used to showcase and consolidate material studied and learned on a given topic. A lapbook^TM is created from a file folder, refolded to create a book which can be held in the lap. Many different mini-books and other special projects are then stored and displayed in the lapbook^TM. Lapbooks^TM can be used for science, social studies, phonics, religion and so much more. The possibilities are endless!

Question: What is a Faith Ring?
Answer Faith Rings are a separate product available from Faith Folders for Catholics. Each ring holds a set of laminated cards on a variety of faith based topics. Examples include Catholic Prayers, Ten Commandments and Works of Mercy. These are sold as a finished product that will be shipped to the customer.

Question: Will I receive something in the mail or by email?
Answer: That depends on what you order. If you order a Faith Folder, you will receive this electronically. Depending on the shopping cart you use (see shopping cart question below) you will either receive an email with the download codes shortly after you check out or you will receive an the file in an email from me, which may take a little longer, based on my availability. If you purchase a Faith Ring it will be shipped to you. I always try to put the Faith Rings in the mail within 1-2 days of the order being placed.

Question: What will I receive and what do I need to purchase on my own?
Answer: If you are purchasing a Faith Ring, you are purchasing a completed product. You will receive it in the mail and can use it right away. If you purchase a Faith Folder, you are purchasing a template of sorts. It is a digital file in pdf format that can be read using an Adobe Reader. The Faith Folder pdf file will have the templates or components of the Faith Folder that you will print out as desired on your own paper at home. You (or the children) will cut out each component, assemble and glue into the Faith Folder base. The base is made from a file folder which you will need to purchase on your own. So, a basic supplies list for creating a Faith Folder would be: lots of typing paper in a variety of colors, scissors, a file folder, and glue. Some of the Faith Folders also use small brad fasteners and staples for assembling the mini-books.

Question: Where do you get the file folders for the base of the Faith Folder?
Answer: Any file folder will do. You can use the plain manilla kind, colored or designed file folders. Choosing the file folder is just the beginning of making the Faith Folder your own. File folders can be found at many office supply stores (Office Max, Office Depot, etc.) or your basic retail stores (Wal-Mart, Target, etc.).

Question: What kind of glue is best to use?
Answer: I usually use glue sticks to glue the pieces or pages of the various mini-books together. Using liquid glue can get messy with this phase and it's easy for the kids to get too much glue which will wrinkle the pages and can cause the colors in the ink to bleed. When gluing the finished mini-book into the Faith Folder, and for mounting them on scrapbooking paper or cardstock, I usually do use liquid glue as it helps things stay in place better. For those Faith Folders that have an insert or pocket I use either tacky glue or double-sided tape to attach the cut pieces to the base of the Faith Folder.

Question: Are there detailed instructions with the files? How will I know how to assemble everything?
Answer: Yes, there are lots of instructions! There are detailed instructions for each individual component. There are also instructions and diagrams for assembling the base of the Faith Folder and the layout of the finished product. There are also sample pictures of the various components and the completed Faith Folder. And, if you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me at questions@lapbooksforcatholics.com as I am happy to help.

Question: Do I need to purchase a separate copy of the Faith Folder for each child?
Answer: No, you do not need to purchase one copy per child. My suggested guideline is 10 uses per purchased copy. So, if you were going to work with 15 kids, you would need to purchase two copies, but if you are working with 9 kids you only need one copy. I also have a large group use option available for anyone who will be working with a big group or for those who would like to use the file year after year with a group of kids. It is all at your discretion, just selected the needed option as you add the item to your cart. If you aren't sure which option you need, just ask.

Question: Yikes, I just opened the file and it is 165 pages! Am I going to have to print the whole document for each child?
Answer: No. You must print with a plan! The files are large, but it's because there are a variety of options for each component of the Faith Folder. There are black and white and colored options. There are options with the text pre-written and those with blank pages so the child can write in the information or draw a picture. There are also informational pages that will not need to be printed. Look through the whole document, decide yourself or with the kids which options you will use, and print only those pages.

Question: I purchased a Faith Folder but I haven't received it yet, what do I need to do?
Answer: If all else fails, email me. Sometimes the checkout process appears to be complete, but it actually isn't. If you purchased using the automatic shopping cart system you should receive an email with the download codes shortly after you check out. Did you delete that email thinking it was spam? Check your spam or junk email folder as it may have gone directly to that folder. If not, email me. If you used the PayPal cart and you haven't received your file it's most likely because I haven't had time to check my email yet. You should expect to have an email from me within 24 hours of purchase. If it has been longer than that and you haven't received the file, email me just in case something got lost in cyber space. So, if you purchased a Faith Folder and haven't received it, email me: questions@lapbooksforcatholics.com.

Question: I lost my Faith Folder pdf file, what do I do?
Answer: Email me! The list of possible ways and/or reasons a file can get lost in the world of computers is endless. Computers crash, little ones (or husbands) delete files, the file is on the computer somewhere but just can't be found, on and on. If this happens to you, just email me at questions@lapbooksforcatholics.com and let me know which file(s) you purchased and I will email them directly to you.

Question: I purchased my Faith Folder a while back and now, when I try to download the file it says my time has expired. What do I do?
Answer: Email me! I needed to put an expiration date (30 days afer purchase) in the automatic shopping cart system, but you are not bound by that. If this happens to you, just email me at questions@lapbooksforcatholics.com and let me know which file(s) you purchased and I will email them directly to you.