CARLSBAD, Calif. — Move over Parker Brothers and Milton Bradley: There are some new games, action figures and audiotapes in town just in time for Christmas — with a Catholic twist.

Aside from merely entertaining, these items are designed to teach children and their parents about the Catholic faith. Created by former entrepreneurs and devoted Catholic families, these game-makers hope their products will strengthen and inspire the Church's future.

Lee Leichtag, who is now in his 80s, began creating games with a Catholic focus at age 74. What's more, Leichtag is Jewish. In 1973, he started M.D. Pharmaceuticals, a generic drug and vitamin manufacturing business. Upon retirement in 1991, he sold the company for millions. In 1992 he founded Catholic Games — the creator of the Divinity Catechism board game, a series of Catholic Quiz flip books, and Bible and catechism CD-ROMs.

“I wanted to work with a religious organization that has an approval process,” Leichtag explained. “The Catholic faith is the only one that has an imprimatur” (official Church approval).

As a result, Leichtag's products are the only Church-approved series of learning games in the world, having received the imprimatur of Bishop Robert Brom of San Diego.

“I wanted children and parents to feel comfortable that they have the right answer,” Leichtag said. “That's critical for what I'm doing.”

“Who would have believed you could discuss the catechism with a 5-year-old?” he asked.

He hopes children and adults will learn their purpose for living by playing the games.

“It's just possible that the answers to many people's problems might be found in religion,” he explained. “I feel so strongly about the place tradition and values have in a family, I feel committed to this project, no matter how much money it takes.”

Former bankers Maryann and Michael Cottrell of Arlington, Texas, heard the call as well. They have turned their home into the distribution center for their realistic plastic figurines.

“Six years ago, Michael woke up one morning and said, ‘We are going to make toys,’” recalled Maryann. Tired of the gory action figures commercially available, Mike was inspired by the need for better toys for his eight children to play with. The result: Christian Soldiers, the business they started.

Although they had no background in toy production, the two set out to explore how to create sets of Christian action figures, eventually creating their first set — of David and Goliath — within the first two years. Six months later they created a set featuring Daniel and the lion.

Each set features 12-inch “Fontanini-style” polymer action figures, a hardcover book and a dramatized audiotape. In addition to David and Daniel, they also produce a Baby Jesus set.

The business has become a family affair. The family built a warehouse in the back yard and created a home office in their barn. Their 12-year-old son, Daniel, helps his father create the play scenes that are included in the sets. Daughters Sarah, 11, and Elizabeth, 9, help their mother package and ship the sets.

In addition to individual sales, vacation Bible schools have often used the sets as “Christian happy meals,” giving children various figures with their lunch each day. To date, the Cottrells have sold more than 5,000 sets.

Saints on Tape

Former physician Bruce Carroll and his wife, Cindy, a former loan officer, trace the creation of their Topeka, Kan.-based Regina Martyrum Productions to their early interest in theater.

Both belonged to a theater group in the early 1990s that did stage productions. In 1991, some friends loaned the couple an old phonograph recording of the life of St. Dominic Savio. Listening to the recording, the Carrolls wondered if Catholic audio dramas could be produced on tape. During the next three years, their dream began to take shape.

In 1994, the Carrolls produced their first production, “Christian Soldiers.” It is their only production not dealing with the life of a saint and it tells the story of a group of teen-age boys that form a Christian “gang” in response to an uncontrollable gang in town.

For many listeners, that cassette became a favorite. “The story is good and I like the professional sound effects,” said Anthony Jay, 17, of Morris, Minn. The Jay family owns Regina Martyrum's entire tape collection.

The Carrolls produced their second tape, “Model of Humility,” on the life of St. Gerard Majella, only a few months later, followed by “Recourse to Thee.” The pace has continued, with Regina Martyrum producing as many as four tapes per year. To date, they have produced 34 and sold more than 30,000.

Featuring full casts, digital sound, inspiring music and realistic Hollywood-like sound effects, the tapes are not books on tape but rather dramatic re-enactments that tell engaging stories. A dozen volunteer readers help to select scripts, auditions are held for the various parts and the tapes are produced in the Carrolls's own professional studio.

Most of the cassettes last from 45 minutes to an hour. Cindy Carroll noted they offer an excellent alternative to television, movies and video games. “Each tape has something for everyone … the young and the old,” she said. “Families particularly seem to enjoy them before bed or in the car on long trips.”

Physician George Jay, Anthony's father, agreed.

“All is silent from our five children, ages 8 to 18, as we listen to the tapes in the car. They are glued to the tape player,” he said. “The cassettes are entertaining, factual and touching … often moving us to tears.”

“We continue to receive many letters from dedicated fans writing to share how the tapes have touched their lives,” Cindy Carroll explained. “One mother told us her son chose Dominic as his confirmation name after listening to that tape. Another mother wrote to tell us that her son had given up sweets for three weeks after listening to a similar story on the tape about St. Mother Cabrini.

“One woman wrote to say that she had heard our Miraculous Medal tape while outside the Catholic Church. After listening to the tape she started wearing the medal. She later converted to the Church.”

Tim Drake is executive editor of Catholic.net.