Topic

Eighth Grade Curriculum

Our Life in the Church

The eighth grade covers the history of the Church – its founding by Christ, its birth and life in the Holy Spirit, the marks of the one true Church, the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, the saints, and the role of religious communities in Church history. Also covered is the structure and hierarchy of the Church, the Magisterium, clergy, religious, and laity. Students come to know and love the Church as Christ’s Body, to better understand the nature of their life in the Church, and to respond to the teaching of the Magisterium as the sure voice of Jesus, strengthening their lives in the Church and leading them to discern their specific vocations and to live lives of Christian holiness in the world today.

Creed/Scripture

Students develop an understanding of the mystery of Christ through age appropriate teachings on Church doctrine and scriptural references as listed below and in the teacher’s manual.

Sacraments

All of the sacraments are presented in the eighth grade level.

Christian Life

Throughout the eighth grade, students develop their understanding of the dignity of the human person. Students learn to live out their faith and respond to what they learn by forming a moral conscience and by living out their call to justice and service by imitating the life of Jesus, particularly through the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

Prayer

Throughout the eighth grade, students develop a prayer life that includes participation in traditional Catholic prayers, the Mass as the greatest prayer, and spontaneous prayer.

Topic

Proclamation

Supporting Topics

Related Topics

Aims

Other

The Lord’s Presence

Jesus Christ is always with us, even

unto the end of the age.

· Jesus is present in the Word of God and in a special way in the Eucharist.

· The Father and Son sent the Holy Spirit for the life of the Church.

· Jesus is present in his Church.

· The Church that Jesus founded is both divine and human.

· The Church continues Christ’s saving mission.

· Canon law

· Church authority

· Bishops

· Mystical Body of Christ

· Church hierarchy

· Organization of the Church

· Bride of Christ

· Models / images for the Church

· Students will learn that Jesus suffered, died, and rose from the dead as an act of love for them.

· Students will learn that the Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit for the life of the Church, which continues Jesus’ mission in the world.

· Students will learn that Christ remains with them in the Word of God, the People of God, and most especially in the Eucharist.

· Students will know some of the elements of the governance and structure of the Church due to its being both human and divine.

· Saint Joan of Arc

· Prayer: Act of Faith, Prayer to the Holy Spirit

· Scripture: Incarnation, public ministry, Crucifixion, Resurrection, founding of the Church, Ascension, sending of the Holy Spirit, Emmaus, Mystical Body of Christ (1 Cor 12), Christ’s love for the Church (Eph 5)

· Chalk Talk: Matter and Form of the Church

Pentecost

Types

Great Commission

Jesus instituted his Church to spread the Gospel and dispense grace.

· The Father and Son sent the Holy Spirit upon the apostles at Pentecost.

· God gave us prefigurements of the Church in the Old Testament.

· God’s plan for the Church was gradually brought to fulfillment by the development of a hierarchical group of believers bound to God in a covenant.

· Jesus established and sustains the Church by his presence, his teaching, and the formation of his followers.

· Jesus entrusted the mission of the Church to the apostles who were instructed to bring all men to Christ.

· Birthday of the Church

· Holy Trinity

· Symbols and role of the Holy Spirit

· Old Testament timeline

· Salvation history

· Ekklesia / Church

· God’s gradual revelation

· Who Jesus is

· Keys to the Kingdom

· Treasury of graces

· Deposit of faith

· Twelve apostles

· Missionary work

· Great commission

· Students will learn that the Church was born on Pentecost through the power of the Holy Spirit.

· Students will learn that Christ entrusted the mission of his Church to the apostles and that the Church is to manifest herself to the world and bring all men to Christ.

· Students will learn that the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles and will empower them with many graces and gifts in order to fulfill Christ’s mission and bring the good news to all.

· The apostles

· Prayer: Prayer to the Holy Spirit

· Scripture: promise to send the Holy Spirit, gifts of the Holy Spirit (Is 11), Pentecost, protoevangelium, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Levitical priesthood, Davidic covenant, prophets, sending of disciples

Four Marks of the Church

The Church is the Kingdom of God and the Mystical Body of Christ and the very means Christ used to continue his mission of saving souls.

· Christ gave us images of the Church in the New Testament.

· The Church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. She can be identified by these four marks.

· The Church is human and divine

· The Church governs Christians and faithfully transmits the Faith.

· Church as sacrament

· Kingdom of God

· Images of the Church

· Church authority and power

· The Church: guide to a moral life

· Students will learn that Jesus
Christ fulfilled his mission on earth for all men in all times. He established the Church to continue the work of his mission and to communicate his grace to all men, especially through the sacraments.

· Students will be able to explain how the Church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.

· Saint Paul

· Prayer: Our Father, Nicene Creed

· Scripture: images of the Church, prayers for the unity of the Church

· Chalk Talk: The Church, Human and Divine; Apostolic Succession

Revelation

Creeds

Councils

Fathers and Doctors of the Church

Doctrine

God has given us his revelation in Christ, who is the Word of God. The Word of God is communicated

to us through Scripture and Tradition.

· The sacred deposit of the Word of God consists of Scripture and Tradition.

· Creeds are formulations of the Faith.

· Ecumenical councils are called to clarify Church teaching.

· We also have a great treasury of teachings from popes, Church Fathers, and the Doctors of the Church. This treasury contributes to the Church’s understanding of the deposit of faith.

· Public revelation

· Sources of revelation

· Magisterium

· Apostolic Fathers

· Early ecumenical councils

· Sensum fidelium

· Encyclicals

· Major Church Fathers

· Doctors of the Church

· Development of doctrine

· Students will learn that Christ teaches us through the Church and that they are to uphold the deposit of faith.

· Students will learn how Christ’s revelation is unfolded in the development of doctrine within the context of the Church’s Magisterium.

· Students will be familiar with important ecumenical councils and Fathers and Doctors of the Church throughout history.

· Cardinal Newman

· Prayer: Nicene Creed

· Chalk Talk: Sources of Revelation

Church Authority: Teaching and Governing

Infallibility

Jesus has given the Church the authority and duty to teach,

sanctify, and govern the members of the Church, and he has given her the gift of infallibility to protect

her from error.

· The hierarchy of the Church participates in the duties of teaching, sanctifying, and governing the Church.

· The Church is the greatest promoter of freedom because she helps us assent to truth and choose the good, two fundamental requirements for true freedom.

· The Magisterium of the Church exercises the gift of infallibility, which protects the Church from error in her teachings on faith and morals.

· The Church also has authority in matters of discipline.

· Primacy of Peter

· Holy Orders

· Authority of Christ and the Church

· Obedience

· Pope: servant of the servants of God

· Spirit of Truth

· Freedom for the truth

· Ex cathedra

· Church doctrine vs. discipline

· Students will learn that the Church has the authority from Christ to govern and to protect the truth.

· Students will learn that true freedom is found in being able to choose the truth of Christ.

· Students will understand the difference between doctrine and discipline, and will be able to explain their obligations of obedience with respect to both.

· Prayer: Saint Michael the Archangel

· Scripture: the Truth will make you free, freedom for the truth, infallibility, Jesus gives the Church governing authority

Hierarchy of the Church

Jesus gave the apostles the mission of baptizing and evangelizing the world. He instituted his Church with a hierarchy to continue that mission after the death of the apostles.

· Jesus gave the Church the mission to evangelize all nations. This implies the need for successors.

· The Church is divided into dioceses that are each led by a bishop who is assisted by priests and deacons. Together they teach and govern.

· Council of Jerusalem

· Apostolic succession (list of all popes)

· Vicar of Christ

· Diocese of Rome

· Priest’s duties

· Permanent and transitional deacons

· Sacrament of Holy Orders (three degrees)

· Monsignors

· Archbishops

· Cardinals

· Electing a pope

· Roman Curia

· Students will learn that the Church has the mission of evangelizing the world and that the hierarchy has an important role in that mission.

· Students will be familiar with the Sacrament of Holy Orders and the roles of ordained men in the governance of the Church.

· Prayer: Prayer for Vocations

· Scripture: Matthias (Acts 1)

· Chalk Talk: Apostolic Succession, Decision-Makers for Christ, Church Hierarchy

Baptism

Eucharist

Confirmation

The sacraments of initiation bring us into the Church and give us full participation in the life of the Church.

· The sacraments are the ordinary means by which the Church confers grace. Through grace we participate in the reward that Jesus won for us on the Cross.

· Baptism is the door to the other sacraments.

· The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Faith; it is Christ truly present.

· The Mass makes present the whole saving mystery of Christ.

· In Confirmation we receive the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit and are strengthened as full members of the Church.

· Rites are common ways of practicing the faith by a particular group of Catholics. Rites reflect cultures, languages, and histories of various places and peoples.

· Matter, form, minister, and effects of the sacraments of initiation

· Rites and symbols of Baptism

· Baptism of blood and desire

· Mystical Body of Christ

· True Presence

· Sacrifice and meal

· Worthy reception

· Titles for the Eucharist

· Parts of the Mass

· Confirmation name

· Holy oils

· Churches, or Rites, of the one Church

· Students will learn that they are initiated into the Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation; they are thereby given the graces and the responsibilities of full membership.

· Students will learn that Christ is the source of all grace and that he dispenses his grace through the Church and specifically through the sacraments.

· Students will be aware of the Eastern Rites and will recognize some of the key differences, as well as the fundamental unity between those Rites and the Roman Rite.

· Prayer: Profession of Faith

· Scripture: Good Samaritan, Baptism (necessity, institution, meaning, effects), Bread of Life discourse, Melchizedek, Christ’s priesthood (Heb 8-10), multiplication of the loaves and fish, Last Supper, Emmaus, Eucharist (meaning and effects), Jesus gives the Holy Spirit (Jn 20), Pentecost, Holy Spirit in the early Church (Acts 8, 9), action of the Holy Spirit (Tit 3), Confirmation

· Chalk Talk: Church Rites

Liturgy

Liturgical Year

We publicly worship God in the liturgy of the Church and celebrate Christ’s life throughout the liturgical year.

· The liturgy, which consists of the Mass, the sacraments, and the Liturgy of the Hours, is the official public worship that the Church offers to God.

· The Mass is the most perfect form of liturgy because in it we join in Christ’s perfect offering and worship.

· The liturgical year follows the life of Christ and is based on the feasts of Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost.

· Ends of worship

· Private devotion

· Liturgical rules

· Structure of the liturgical year

· Liturgical colors

· Liturgical seasons

· Cycle of readings

· Dedicated days and months

· Holy days of obligation

· Feast days

· Students will learn that they are called to worship God through the liturgical celebrations.

· Students will learn that the Mass is the greatest form of worship.

· Students will learn to follow the life of Christ throughout the liturgical year.

· Students will learn the basic elements and guiding spirit of each liturgical season: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and Ordinary Time.

· Prayer: Morning Offering

· Scripture: worship of the Church Triumphant (Rev 5)

· Chalk Talk: Prayer of the Church

Blessed Virgin Mary

Jesus gave Mary to us to be our mother, the mother of the Church.

· The angel Gabriel told Mary that she would bear the Savior.

· On the Cross, Jesus gave Mary to be our mother too.

· Mary was conceived without original sin through the grace merited by her Son on the Cross.

· Mary received the privilege of perpetual virginity.

· Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven without undergoing the corruption of the grave.

· Mary is a powerful intercessor and the mediatrix of grace. We honor her.

· Annunciation

· Visitation and Magnificat

· New Eve

· Mother and model of the Church

· Mother of God

· Effects of original sin

· Immaculate Conception

· Miraculous medal

· National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

· Perpetual virginity (Second Council of Constantinople)

· Coronation of Mary

· Consecration to Mary

· Litany of Loretto

· Images and titles of Mary

· Dulia, hyperdulia, and latria

· Ark of the Covenant

· Our Lady of Lourdes

· Mysteries of the Rosary

· Students will learn that Mary has an important role in salvation history and that all that she does leads us to her Son.

· Students will learn that Mary was given many privileges; she is the perfect model of grace and is a powerful intercessor of prayer.

· Saint Louis Marie de Montfort

· Saint Catherine Labouré

· Prayer: Loving Mother of the Redeemer, Prayer of Consecration to Mary

· Scripture: Annunciation, Visitation, Jesus gives Mary as our mother (Jn 19), wedding at Cana

Communion of Saints

The Communion of Saints is composed of the members of the Church: the faithful on earth, the holy souls in purgatory, and the angels and saints in heaven. The Communion of Saints is united in Christ.

· The Communion of Saints refers to the members, both living and deceased, of Christ’s Mystical Body.

· The Church Militant refers to those on earth who are united to Christ and are pilgrims journeying toward heaven.

· The Church Suffering refers to the holy souls who are being purified in purgatory. These souls long for union with God.

· The Church Triumphant includes those united with Christ in the eternal glory of heaven.

· Patron saints are models of holiness. They are entrusted with the petitions of those under their patronage.

· Intercessory prayer

· Mystical Body of Christ

· Corporal and spiritual works of mercy

· Unity of the Church

· God’s justice and mercy

· All Souls’ Day

· Partial and plenary indulgences

· Angels and saints

· Canonization

· All Saints’ Day

· Students will learn the relationship of the members of the Communion of Saints. They will learn to pray for all members of the Church Militant and the Church Triumphant and will know that the members of Christ’s Mystical Body pray for them also.

· Students will learn that they have a responsibility to all members of the Church on earth. The responsibility should be carried out in the works of mercy.

· Students will understand their call to be living saints.

· Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

· Prayer: Litany of Saints

· Scripture: where two or three are gathered (Mt 18), Paul on the saints (Rom 8, 15; Phil 1; Col 1, 12; 2 Cor 2; Eph)

· Chalk Talk: Prayers of the Church

Church History – The First Thousand Years

The Church grew and spread during her first thousand years. God raised up many saints in the midst of

those who persecuted and challenged the Church.

· During the first three hundred years of the Church there were persecutions, and many martyrs gave their lives for Christ.

· Even when Christianity eventually became legal, many saints of the Church still had to combat heresies that threatened the Church during their ages.

· During this time monastic orders played an important role in the Church by spreading Christianity through Christian education, witness, and prayer.

· Those called to a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience lived in monastic communities to serve Christ in this special way.

· As the first millennium came to a close, the Church faced threats from Islam, schism, and corruption of her clergy.

· Missionary journeys of the apostles

· Peter and Paul

· Martyrdom

· Constantine

· Heresies resolved by the first seven ecumenical councils

· Fathers and Doctors of the Church

· Monasteries

· Western monastic orders

· Rule of Saint Benedict

· Great schism of 1054

· Collapse of the Roman Empire

· Eastern and western churches

· Students will learn that through the power of the Holy Spirit the Church has prevailed through challenges and persecutions.

· Students will know the importance of the apostles, martyrs, Fathers and Doctors of the Church, and monasticism in the first thousand years of the Church.

· Martyrs

· Saint Helen

· Saint Athanasius

· Saint Augustine

· Prayer: Nicene Creed

· Scripture: Pentecost, great commission

Church History – The Second Thousand Years

God continued to bless the Church during her second millennium, raising up saints to combat heretics and rebels as well as to help the faithful grow in holiness.

· Holy men and women, who became saints, worked to reform the monasteries and crusaded to combat Muslims who had invaded the Holy Land.

· The Crusades opened western Europe to new theories in medicine, philosophy, and navigation.

· Many new religious orders were founded and missionary work flourished.

· During the Renaissance of the sixteenth century several groups rebelled and broke away from the Church in the Protestant Reformation.

· The Council of Trent defended and reasserted Church teaching in the face of the Protestant Reformation.

· In modern times the Church fights new heresies. She is called to evangelize.

· Crusades: mission and timeline

· Holy land

· Cistercians

· Mendicant religious orders

· Franciscans and Poor Clares

· Dominicans

· Carmelites

· Jesuits

· The great western schism

· Counter-Reformation

· Atheistic totalitarian governments

· Modernism

· New evangelization

· Students will learn that through the protection of the Holy Spirit the Church continues to prevail and grow in holiness.

· Students will learn about some of the many saints that God has raised to defend and protect the Church during times of turmoil.

· Students will learn some of the current threats to the Church and the Faith.

· Students will be able to look to the history of the Church and her saints to be inspired with hope to defend and promote the truth in the new evangelization.

· Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

· Saint Louis IX of France

· Saint Francis of Assisi

· Saint Clare

· Saint Dominic

· Saints Thomas Aquinas

· Saint Catherine of Siena

· Saint Ignatius of Loyola

· Saint Maximilian Kolbe

· Pope Saint Pius X

· Our Lady of Fatima

· North American martyrs

· Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

· Prayer: Nicene Creed

· Scripture: blessed are the poor in spirit, camel through eye of a needle

Non-Catholic Christians

Jews

Muslims

Ecumenism

All salvation comes from Christ through the Church, even for those outside the Church.

· All baptized Christians are united with the Catholic Church by virtue of their Baptism.

· The Jews believe in the one, true God, but do not believe in Christ.

· The Muslims believe in one God, but do not believe in the Blessed Trinity or that Jesus is the Son of God.

· Ecumenism is promotion of the restoration of unity among all Christians.

· Four marks of the Church

· Protestant Reformation

· Orthodox Christians

· Old Testament preparation for the Messiah

· Beginning and growth of Islam

· Pagans

· Polytheism

· Animism

· Atheists

· Agnostics

· New Age and occult movement

· Ecumenism

· The Church and salvation

· Baptism of desire and blood

· Students will learn that the Roman Catholic Church is universal, or for all. The fullness of the Faith is found in her.

· Students will learn that all salvation comes from Christ through the Church, even for those outside the visible Church.

· Students will learn that through ecumenism they can have hope for the restoration of unity among all Christians.

· Using the four marks of the Church students will be able to characterize the relationship that other Christians and non-Christians have to the Church.

· Prayer: Act of Love

· Scripture: difficulty accepting Jesus (Jn 6), rich young man, Messianic prophecies, salvation for the gentiles (Acts 11)

· Chalk Talk: Relation to the Church

Holiness

Concupiscence

Seven Capital Sins

Every Christian is called to holiness, but because of concupiscence man faces many obstacles in

answering this call. The capital sins are major obstacles in our path to holiness and we must learn to

recognize and avoid them.

· By Baptism every Christian is called to holiness and to evangelize.

· Each of us has a vocation that we must pray to discern.

· Three of the obstacles to our holiness are concupiscence, sin, and vice. We must learn to battle these.

· The seven capital sins are pride, covetousness, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth.

· Social Justice

· Premises of the call to holiness

· Apostolate

· Effects of original sin

· Vocations and talents

· Vice

· Idolatry

· Unitive and procreative ends of the marital act

· Students will learn that through Baptism they are all called to holiness and need to strive to overcome major obstacles in their path to holiness.

· Students will learn that through Baptism they are all called to evangelization.

· Students will learn that each of them has a specific vocation, which must be discerned.

· Students will be able to define and give examples of each of the capital sins. They will have taken the time to discern their own weaknesses and will entrust their battles against these sins to God’s grace.

· Saint Francis of Assisi

· Saint Bernadette

· Saint Augustine

· Saint Teresa of Avila

· Prayer: Act of Hope

· Scripture: New Testament references to the call to holiness, great commission, parable of the talents (Mt 25)

· Chalk Talk: Universal Call to Holiness

Cardinal Virtues

Moral Virtues

Theological Virtues

Virtue enables a person to do good actions easily and to avoid doing bad actions.

· Virtue is the disposition of the soul to do good.

· Cardinal virtues enable us to act rightly in our relationship with other men and created goods.

· All other virtues hinge on these four virtues.

· The moral virtues help us to counteract our inclination to the seven capital sins. These are humility, liberality, chastity, meekness, moderation/sobriety, brotherly love, and diligence.

· The theological virtues are supernatural infused virtues that are directed toward God.

· Natural and supernatural virtues

· Human and theological virtues

· Virtue, habit, and discipline

· Prudence

· Justice

· Temperance

· Fortitude

· Faith

· Hope

· Charity

· Students will learn that virtue is formed by habit and that we can strengthen our virtue through prayer and action.

· Students will learn that living a virtuous life can help us in our pursuit of holiness.

· Students will be able to distinguish between the different types of virtue and will be able to give examples of each virtue.

· Saint Thomas More

· Saint Maria Goretti

· Prayer: Prayer before a Crucifix

· Scripture: faith and virtue (2 Pet 1), Great Commandment

· Chalk Talk: The Virtues

Spiritual Works of Mercy Corporal Works of Mercy Beatitudes

Works of mercy express our love for Christ by helping our neighbor. Doing the works of mercy will lead us to beatitude.

· Man is comprised of body and soul, so man has physical and spiritual needs. Both kinds of needs are cared for through the works of mercy.

· The spiritual works of mercy look to the spiritual needs of others.

· The corporal works of mercy look to the physical needs of others.

· Beatitude is the state of happiness for those who live the Christian life. It is promised to those who follow Christ’s example.

· Dignity of the human being

· Created in the image of God

· Good works and grace

· Words of mercy and virtue

· Scenarios for practicing the spiritual and corporal works of mercy

· Students will learn that beatitude is the state of happiness of those who live the Christian life.

· Students will learn that they are called to express their love for Christ and others through the corporal and spiritual works of Mercy.

· Students will learn that they should act through the grace of
God to do his will and to give him the glory for all that they do.

· Blessed Pier Giorgio

· Prayer: Act of Love

· Scripture: Sermon on the Mount, Beatitudes, final judgment (Mt 25)

· Chalk Talk: Man the Metaphysical Mixture

Vocations

God calls each of us to a vocation that allows us to follow Christ most perfectly on earth.

· God has a plan for every person. We are called to seek holiness in the state of life God calls us to live.

· Religious life, by which one imitates Christ and bears witness to eternity through the three evangelical counsels, is the highest state of life.

· Holy Orders is the vocation in which a man is called to give his life to serve the people of God.

· Laity

· Discernment of gifts

· Vows and freedom

· Religious communities

· Contemplative orders

· Apostolic orders

· Religious attire (habits)

· Three degrees of Holy Orders

· Priestly promises

· Apostolic letter: Ordinatio Sacerdotalis

· Students will learn that God has a plan for every person, that he calls each of them to a vocation, and that it is profoundly important that they discern God’s will in their lives.

· Students will learn that their vocation allows them to follow Christ most perfectly on earth and that they are to seek holiness in the state of life that God calls them to live.

· Students will be able to identify the three vocations and will be able to describe, in some detail, what each entails.

· Prayer: Prayer for Vocations

· Scripture: poverty, chastity, obedience

· Chalk Talk: States of Life, Evangelical Counsels, Christ the Center

Topic

Proclamation

Supporting Topics

Related Topics

Aims

Other

Laity

The laity are called to serve God in the world by bringing the good news to all people they encounter.

· The laity are called to serve God in the world in their own particular manner.

· The laity are called to use their wealth, sexuality, and freedom for Christ and the good of the Church.

· The laity are called to either the single life or marriage.

· Some members of the laity live their vocation in an organized lay apostolate or secular institute.

· Witnesses to Christ

· Catholic culture

· Work and leisure

· Single life and service

· Consecrated single life

· Sacrament of Matrimony

· Lay apostolates and institutions

· Students will learn that most people are called to serve God in the world as laity and they are called to develop a strong spiritual life, uniting themselves with Christ through prayer, work, and the sacraments.

· Students will learn that the laity serve God in the world by bringing the good news to all people they encounter and to bring Christian justice and charity to the world.

· Students will learn that they are called to use the goods of the world to glorify God.

· Students will learn that both the married and single laity serve God and sanctify the world through their baptismal calling to be priest, prophets, and kings.

· Prayer: Prayer for the Laity

· Scripture: Creation

· Chalk Talk: Priest, Prophet, and King

Marriage

Family

The vocation of marriage is ordered to the unity of the spouses and the creation of new life. Marriage also forms a new community, the family.

· The bond of unity of spouses is mutual love and support in a lifelong exclusive union. They are called to help each other grow closer to Christ.

· Spouses must be open to having children.

· Marriage was elevated to be a sacrament by Christ.

· A husband and wife form a new community – a family.

· Vocation to human love

· Complementarity of men and women

· Chastity and modesty

· Conjugal love

· Mutual self-giving and sacrificial love

· Sacramental grace

· Holy Trinity

· Indissolubility of marriage

· Divorce vs. annulment

· Matter, form, grace conferred, ministers of matrimony

· Wedding liturgy

· Family and society

· Filial piety

· Obligations of marriage

· Students will know the end and obligations of marriage.

· Student will know that Christ’s grace is essential to a successful marriage.

· Students will learn that the Holy Trinity is a community of love.

· Students will learn that marriage and the family require self-giving love.

· Saint Gianna Molla

· Prayer: Prayer for Families

· Scripture: “Be Fruitful and Multiply”, Creation of woman, wedding at Cana, indissolubility of marriage (Mt 19)

· Chalk Talk: Big Trinities and Little Trinities

Society

Society is established by God to protect and ensure the common good of every man. Men naturally seek to live in societies.

· Authorities within societies must make just laws to ensure the common good.

· The state receives its authority from God and does not have the right to demand something or make laws that violate God’s laws.

· Citizens also have duties within societies.

· God gave man dominion over the created world so that in using it according to God’s plan, man might be united to God.

· Family: basic unit of society

· Types of societies

· Common good

· Law and freedom

· Patriotism

· Dignity and rights of the human being

· Stewardship

· Ten Commandments

· Command to love

· Church as interpreter of the law

· Students will learn that promoting the common good should also protect and promote the dignity of the human being.

· Students will learn that they should promote patriotism and pray for their country.

· Students will learn that God gave man dominion over the created world so that in using it according to God’s plan, man might be united to God.

· St. Francis of Assisi

· Saint Thomas More

· Prayer: Prayer for our Country

· Scripture: Creation, Saul, David

· Chalk Talk: Law

Law

Conscience

God’s providence governs all things and his eternal law cannot be repealed. Our conscience will be well-formed through knowledge of the law.

· Eternal law has two parts: physical law and moral law.

· Divine moral law has two parts: natural law and revealed law.

· Natural law is the basic moral law that God has placed in human nature and that we discover through reason.

· Man-made law has two parts: civil law and ecclesiastical law.

· We must follow the laws in both our actions and our intentions.

· Every man has a conscience, which is the capacity to judge what is right or wrong in a given situation.

· God’s providence

· Free will

· Precepts of the Church

· Code of canon law

· Intellect

· Reason

· Well-formed conscience vs. malformed conscience

· Students will develop a moral conscience and learn that they must form their consciences through knowing God’s law. They will learn that they are obliged to follow their consciences.

· Students will learn that the Church, who receives her authority from Jesus Christ, is the authentic interpreter of the law.

· Students will have a basic knowledge of all the laws that govern our lives.

· Saint Thomas Aquinas

· Prayer: Prayer before Confession

· Scripture: God’s loving providence (Lk 12, Mt 6), natural law written on the hearts of men

· Chalk Talk: How to Form Your Conscience

Social Order

As Christians we are obliged to help shape society so that public morality will be in conformity with Christian morality.

· The Church helps to shape society so that public morality will be in conformity with Christian morality.

· Man has a duty to protect human life.

· Social justice establishes conditions in society that allow individuals or groups to obtain their due.

· Great commission

· Encyclicals

· Papal encyclicals that address the four sins that cry out to God

· Dignity of human life

· Murder

· Capital punishment

· Self-defense

· Contraception

· Abortion

· Euthanasia

· Just war

· Just aggression

· Peace

· Students will learn that God is the author of all life, he gives life, and he alone has the authority to take life away. Life is shown to be a blessing from God, it is sacred.

· Students will learn that they have a responsibility to uphold social justice, and in doing so they must follow God’s will.

· Students will learn that they have a responsibility to care for the underprivileged.

· Students will learn that Jesus is the Prince of Peace and that true peace is found in him.

· Prayer: Prayer for Social Justice

· Scripture: four sins that cry out to God, great commission

Prayer

We are called to unite ourselves with Christ in prayer.

· Jesus taught about the necessity of prayer, which is the lifting of the mind and heart to God.

· The two forms of prayer are mental and vocal.

· There are many reasons for prayer. Some of these are adoration, thanksgiving, contrition, and petition.

· The prayers of the Church include the Mass (the supreme act of worship) and the Liturgy of the Hours, as well as other formal prayers.

· Five steps to prayer

· Seven last words of Christ

· Difficulties in prayer

· Meditation

· Formal and informal prayer

· Three methods or ways of prayer

· Divine Office

· Our Father

· Rosary

· Apostolic Letter: Rosarium Vriginis Mariae

· Students will learn that as Christians they are called to be united with Christ and the two principal means of doing this are prayer and the sacraments.

· Students will learn that the Mass is the supreme act of worship.

· Students will be familiar and comfortable with the different types and modes of prayer and will be encouraged to utilize their knowledge in seeking union with Christ.

· Prayer: Our Father, meditations on Scripture, including: God’s providential love, sins, heaven and hell, Our Father, Passion of Christ

· Scripture: Jesus in prayer (Mk 6, 14; Lk 6; Mt 19; Jn 17), agony in the garden, transfiguration, sending the Holy Spirit, seven last words of Christ

Sacraments

Penance

Eucharist

Christ instituted the sacraments as outward signs that confer his grace. Penance restores grace that we have lost due to sins after Baptism. The Eucharist, because it is Christ, is the source of grace.

· A sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ that confers grace.

· Mortal sin kills the life of grace in the soul. This life is restored in the Sacrament of Penance.

· The Eucharist, which is the sacrament of the Real Presence of our Lord, both confers grace, and at the same time, is the source of grace.

· Graces and holiness

· Seven sacraments: matter, form, and effects

· Precepts on the reception of the Sacrament of Penance

· Mortal and venial sin

· Seal of confession

· Steps to a good Confession

· Titles for the Sacrament of Penance

· Anonymity

· God’s merciful love

· Adoration and Benediction

· Steps to a worthy Communion

· Monstrance

· Eucharistic devotions

· Spiritual communion

· Students will learn that grace conferred through the sacraments is the source of divine life in them.

· Students will learn to appreciate their need for grace and that Jesus won grace for them through his death and Resurrection.

· Students will learn that through the Holy Eucharist they become one with Christ and are transformed in him through the grace received.

· Saint Mateo Correa Magallanes

· Prayer: Anima Christi

· Scripture: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, Matrimony

Death

Judgment

Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory

We should be prepared for the unknown hour of our death and judgment.

· Death is the separation of body and soul and the gateway to eternal life.

· Because of Christ’s death and Resurrection we do not need to fear our death but can transform it, with Christ, into an act of love and obedience to the Father.

· At the moment of death we will receive particular judgment.

· We will either go directly to heaven, be purified in purgatory then go to heaven, or go to hell.

· Heaven is the end for which we were made and for which we should long. We should live so as to receive this reward.

· The glories of heaven are made present at Mass.

· Communion of Saints

· Intercessory prayer to saints in heaven

· Intercessory prayer for the souls in purgatory

· One death (Heb 9)

· A happy death

· Anointing of the Sick

· Funeral etiquette

· Mary and the hour of death

· “The Dream of Gerontius”

· Heavenly liturgy

· Beatific vision

· Life of the soul

· Death and original sin

· Ark of the Covenant

· Students will learn that God has a plan for each of them to be one with him in heaven, and that he provides that which is necessary for their salvation. They are to respond in love.

· Students will learn the importance of living their life in preparation for death and judgment.

· Students will learn that God asks for faith and obedience and that he mercifully sent his Son so that we might have eternal life.

· Saint Thomas More

· Saint Joseph

· Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth

· Prayer: Prayer for a Happy Death

· Scripture: original sin and death (Gen 3), preparation for the kingdom, rich young man, Resurrection, God gave his Son for the life of the world, Eucharist and eternal life, Lazarus, plot to kill Jesus, holy death (Sir 1),one death, the Beatitudes, faith and the law related to eternal life (Mt 19, Jn 6), Heaven (Mt 13)

Second Coming

Jesus will come again at the end of time to judge the living and the dead; that will be the Second Coming of Christ.

· The time of the Second Coming is unknown. When Christ comes again this world will end.

· Jesus tells us to watch and pray as we await the Second Coming.

· Jesus will judge the entire human race in the general judgment. Each person will either be united to Christ or condemned forever.

· At the end of time our bodies and souls will be reunited and will together receive our eternal reward.

· At the end of time, all of creation will be perfected and transformed. At the end of the world our bodies and souls will be reunited in the resurrection of the body.

· Signs of the Second Coming

· End of purgatory

· Infinite justice

· Call to conversion

· Dies Irae

· Qualities of the resurrected body

· Assumption of Mary

· Glorified wounds of Christ

· A new heaven and a new earth

· Students will learn that God’s plan is a plan of love, one in which they are called to fully respond and in which they will be judged according to their response.

· Students will learn that their hope for heaven is found in the merciful love of God.

· Students will learn that they must always keep in mind that the world they live in will be transformed at the end of time. They will learn to live in a way that shows they understand and look forward to this.

· Prayer: Apostles’ Creed

· Scripture: Ascension and Second Coming (Acts 1), signs of the times (Mk 13), general judgment (Mt 24, 25), Resurrection, Transfiguration, Creation, creation transformed (Rom 8)