You aren’t the first to say my experience was not the norm. I truly hope that is the case, because a lot of bad things happened there. Unfortunately, what happened in my parish was typical of the whole diocese. The cardinal turned a blind eye to problems. I don’t know what’s happening there currently.
We did not study scripture much in catechism. We talked about topics related to scripture, but with unbiblical beliefs attached. And yes, there was scripture in the homilies, but again expounded upon based on the doctrines and traditions of man.
I feel I should point out in the interests of fairness that what ViLaLuz said regarding “reading the Bible on your own” is actually quite common among “older” Catholics. My grandmother, for example recently told me how she was told to not read the Bible on her own, as it might lead her to error. One can go to many “older” Catholics (people over say 60, who were/are cradle Catholics) and ask them if they were told this, I’d be willing to wager they were.
What one must realize is that before Vatican II this was the norm, really, as even to associate with Protestants was considered “sinful”. Many, including myself, like to criticize the reforms made in Vatican II (and with good reason, sometimes, I believe, don’t get me wrong, it was taken too far to the “left” so to speak), but there were some solidly good things done in that Council, namely the re-emphasis of Scripture as important in daily life. “Ignorance of the Scriptures is Ignorance of Christ.”, as the venerable St. Jerome is quoted as saying in our most recent Catechism.
All of this said, anyone reading this post right now must realize it was TECHNICALLY, never really official Church teaching to discourage people from reading the Bible on their own, but in practice, before Vatican II, it was very common to do so. So we should focus on what is being taught today, and not dwell on the mistakes of many men (not the Church, but men IN the Church) in the past.
Now, today Catholics in every parish are encouraged to read Scripture, reflect on it, and ask their local priest for instruction should questions arise. (which really isn’t THAT much different than the “Catholicism of our grandparents” if one really thinks about it)