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CATECHIST Companion a Curriculum Guide for Catechesis & Religious Education

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CATECHIST Companion a Curriculum Guide for Catechesis & Religious Education CATECHIST Companion A Curriculum Guide for Catechesis & Religious Education Department of Faith Formation CATECHIST COMPANION: A CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR CATECHESIS AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CATECHIST Companion A Curriculum Guide for Catechesis Contents Letter from the Bishop 3 Introduction 4 Part I Curriculum for Catechesis and Religious Education Kindergarten 6 First Grade 8 Second Grade 11 Third Grade 14 Fourth Grade 17 Fifth Grade 19 Sixth Grade 23 Seventh Grade 26 Eighth Grade 30 Ninth Grade 33 Tenth Grade 38 Eleventh Grade 44 Twelfth Grade 48 Part II Catechetical Formation in Chaste Living 51 Part III Canonical Directives for Sacraments 59 Part IV Sacramental Preparation 65 Sacrament of Reconciliation 66 Sacrament of Holy Communion 67 Sacrament of Confirmation 72 Part V High School Curriculum for Catholic Schools 76 1 CATECHIST COMPANION: A CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR CATECHESIS AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 2 CATECHIST COMPANION: A CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR CATECHESIS AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 237 E. Amite Street / P.O. Box 2248 Phone 601-969-1880 Jackson, Mississippi 39225-2248 Fax 601-960-8455 MOST REVEREND JOSEPH R. KOPACZ, D.D., PH.D. Catholic Diocese of Jackson Dear Pastors Lay Ecclesial Ministers Parish Catechetical Leaders Principals Catechists Parents Th e most important and lasting work of the Church is in passing the faith on to subsequent generations. To that end every Catholic has the responsibility of not only understanding our faith, but living out our faith to its fullest expression in sharing it with others. It is essential that the work of faith formation builds on the solid foundation of the Gospel and the teaching of the Catholic Church. We are excited to publish these updated catechetical curriculum guidelines. Th ese guidelines are to provide concise expectations of what each grade level should comprehend at each year’s end. It is through teaching these beliefs that we aid those entrusted to us to deepen their relationship with God. Moreover, we hope to inspire a love for learning, growing and loving our faith in a way that is life-long. My prayer for you in your catechetical ministry is that you may be inspired as you inspire. Th ank you for opening your heart to the most critical work of the Church. Your work, and the work of cate- chists around the diocese, ensures the faith is appropriated to the next generation. It is my hope that these guidelines will help in the education of our young people through in- struction on Scripture, Tradition, prayer, liturgy, social justice and the life of the Church in the world today. Th is document is meant to be a living, viable resource to assist in the process of evangelization and catechesis. May the Lord continue to bless you in your ministry of serving God’s people. With prayerful best wishes, I am Sincerely in the Lord, Joseph Kopacz, D.D., PhD. Bishop of Jackson [email protected] www.jacksondiocese.org 3 CATECHIST COMPANION: A CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR CATECHESIS AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 4 CATECHIST COMPANION: A CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR CATECHESIS AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CATECHIST COMPANION A Curriculum Guide for Catechesis and Religious Education INTRODUCTION: Catechesis, properly employed, should lead both the catechists and students to a deeper understanding and knowledge of faith in an intimate relationship with God. This is accomplished through engaging equally both our intellect and our hearts in experiencing God’s presence (through prayer and liturgy) and daily living out our faith. This manual is to provide guidelines for those charged with the official teaching of the Catholic Church’s doc- trine, faith and traditions. These guidelines will aid in the application of teaching the fundamental theological and pastoral principles of the Faith. The National Directory for Catechesis (NDC) and the General Directory for Catechesis (GDC) identify the tasks of the catechetical ministry: • To promote the knowledge of the faith. • To promote a knowledge of the meaning of the Liturgy and Sacraments. • To promote moral formation in Jesus Christ. • To promote prayer and how to pray. • To promote living in community and participating actively in the life and mission of the Church. • To promote a missionary spirit that leads God’s people to be the living presence of Christ in society. Using these six tasks and employing the major themes from the General Directory for Catechesis (GDC), Na- tional Directory for Catechesis (NDC), and other appropriate catechetical materials, the Catechist Companion is divided by grade level. The major themes include: 1) The Trinity; 2) The Centrality of Christ in the Church, Sac- raments, and Prayer Life of the Christian; 3) The Treatment of the Theology of Church; 4) The Sacramental Life of Christ; 5) The Moral and Social Teachings of the Church; 6) The Church’s Teaching on the Dignity of Human Life and Value of a Chaste Life. Each of these themes should be developed on an age appropriate level with the ultimate goal of bringing children into closer relationship with God in order to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. “Every form of catechesis would do well to attend to the “way of beauty” (via pulchritudinis). Proclaiming Christ means showing that to believe in and to follow him is not only something right and true, but also some- thing beautiful, capable of filling life with new splendor and profound joy, even in the midst of difficulties. Every expression of true beauty can thus be acknowledged as a path leading to an encounter with the Lord Jesus.” ­ — Pope Francis It is our hope and prayer that these guidelines will aid the catechetical leader, the catechists, and parents in the educational ministry entrusted to them by the Church. May the joy and splendor of beauty in encountering Christ be brought to fruition in our parishes, schools, and homes. 5 CATECHIST COMPANION: A CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR CATECHESIS AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Curriculum Guidelines KINDERGARTEN God created all kinds of families. God gave each person a loving heart. God created all things. God wants each person to grow and learn. God created boys and girls alike and different. A baby is a gift from God to families. Friends are gifts from God. Jesus teaches us how to love and help others. Homes and families are places where we can be safe and happy. Families teach us to love. Learning to talk to parents builds trust and develops loving relationships. Children learn to stop inappropriate behavior. CURRICULUM FOR CATECHESIS KINDERGARTEN Goal: To help kindergarten-age children develop a relationship with God through knowledge and experience. Outcomes: 1. Children should feel they are special persons created by God. 2. Children respect themselves and others because God made them. 3. Children should show reverence for all creation as a gift from God. 4. Children should learn the Bible is a special book about God and God’s people. 5. Children should begin to develop some knowledge of the Church’s liturgies and rituals. Objectives: I. Profession of Faith The students will: • Identify God as Creator of all things • Recognize Jesus as God’s Son • List examples of creation • List ways they experience God’s love • Identify Mary as Jesus’ mother • Identify Joseph as Jesus’ foster father • Listen to stories of the saints and identify a saint as a holy person • Identify the three persons of the Trinity • Recognize heaven as a place where you will be happy with God forever • Listen to Bible stories; i.e. Noah, Creation, Christmas, Easter • Discuss Bible as the Word of God 6 CATECHIST COMPANION: A CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR CATECHESIS AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION II. Celebration of the Christian Mysteries The students will: Attend school liturgies (if in Catholic school) Attend Sunday liturgies with family Participate at Mass in an age appropriate-manner Participate in seasonal liturgical activities Tour the parish church Define Sacraments as an opportunity to meet Jesus and grow in relationship with Jesus Identify Baptism as a Sacrament Identify Baptism as moment they became a child of God Realize they became a member of Christ’s family through Baptism Identify water as a sign of God’s life and an important part of Baptism Become familiar with the other symbols of Baptism III. Life in Christ The students will: • Recognize they are made in God’s image and likeness • Recognize each person is special because God made them • Identify that the community of God includes their family, class, church, and outside community • Begin to show care and concern for others • Be able to discuss the differences between right and wrong • Realize God gives us the freedom to make right choices • Discuss obedience to parents, teachers, and other legitimate authorities • Recognize that God called us to share our gifts with others • List ways they can help others • Identify leaders in their parish/school – Pastor, Priests, Lay Ministers IV. Christian Prayer The students will: • Define prayer as talking to God and listening to God • Explore opportunities for prayer – morning, evening, meals • Demonstrate ability to pray spontaneously • Identify rosary as a private prayer form • Recite prayers: ­ ­­- Sign of the Cross ­ - Meal Time Prayers ­ - Our Father ­ - Hail Mary ­ - Glory Be ­ - Guardian Angel Prayer 7 CATECHIST COMPANION: A CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR CATECHESIS AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Curriculum Guidelines FIRST GRADE There is a difference between loving, life-giving words and cruel, ugly words. God created people in his image and likeness. God wants people in a family to help each other, care for each other, and love each other. God created everyone with feelings. God gave everyone five senses to help them learn. Love grows when we share love with others. Love takes work. CURRICULUM FOR CATECHESIS FIRST GRADE Goals: To help children to know, appreciate, and love God as their loving Parent who created everything.
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