High School Curriculum Framework
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Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the Development of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the Development of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age United States Conference of Catholic Bishops • Washington, D.C. Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the Development of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age i The document Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the Development of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age was developed by the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It was approved by the full body of the USCCB at its November 2007 General Meeting and has been authorized for publication by the undersigned. Msgr. David J. Malloy, STD General Secretary, USCCB Excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, copyright © 2000, Libreria Editrice Vaticana– United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Scripture texts used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, copyright © 1991, 1986, and 1970 by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC 20017 and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. Excerpts from Vatican Council II: The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents edited by Austin Flannery, OP, copyright © 1975, Costello Publishing Company, Inc., Northport, N.Y., are used with permission of the publisher, all rights reserved. No part of these excerpts may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without express written permission of Costello Publishing Company. ISBN: 978-1-60137-042-6 First printing, July 2008 Copyright © 2008, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright holder. Contents ABBREVIATIONS . iv INTRODUCTION . 1 CORE CURRICULUM . 2 I. The Revelation of Jesus Christ in Scripture . 2 II. Who Is Jesus Christ? . 6 III. The Mission of Jesus Christ (The Paschal Mystery) . .11 IV. Jesus Christ’s Mission Continues in the Church . 15 V. Sacraments as Privileged Encounters with Jesus Christ . .20 VI. Life in Jesus Christ . .27 ELECTIVES . .31 Option A. Sacred Scripture . 31 Option B. History of the Catholic Church . .35 Option C. Living as a Disciple of Jesus Christ in Society . 40 Option D. Responding to the Call of Jesus Christ . 44 Option E. Ecumenical and Interreligious Issues . 49 Abbreviations CCC Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: Libreria Editrice Vaticana– United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2000. CIC Code of Canon Law: Latin-English Edition: New English Translation (Codex Iuris Canonici). Washington, DC: Canon Law Society of America, 1998. CT Pope John Paul II. On Catechesis in Our Time (Catechesi Tradendae). Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1987. DV Vatican Council II. Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Dei Verbum). FC Pope John Paul II. On the Family (Familiaris Consortio). GDC Congregation for the Clergy. General Directory for Catechesis. Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1998. LG Vatican Council II. Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium). In Vatican Council II: Volume 1: The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents, edited by Austin Flannery. Northport, NY: Costello Publishing, 1996. NAB New American Bible. NDC United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. National Directory for Catechesis. Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2005. OS Pope John Paul II. On Reserving Priestly Ordination to Men Alone (Ordinatio Sacerdotalis). Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1994. RCIA Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. UR Vatican Council II. Decree on Ecumenism (Unitatis Redintegratio). USCCA United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2006. Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the iv Development of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age Introduction I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. (Jn 15:11) he definitive aim of catechesis is to put people of six core semester-length subject themes with room for a not only in touch but in communion, in diocese or school to choose two elective subject themes. It “Tintimacy, with Jesus Christ” (CT, no. 5). These is strongly recommended that the core courses be covered ends are evident in this framework—designed to guide in the order in which they appear in this framework. The catechetical instruction for young people of high-school sequence in which the core curriculum appears reflects a age wherever and however it takes place: in Catholic high systematic point of view in which each course builds on a schools, in parish religious education programs, with young foundation laid by those that precede it. In addition, some people schooled at home, or within the context of the national uniformity in catechetical instruction on the high- catechetical instruction which should be part of every youth school-age level would be a benefit in the modern mobile ministry program. The Christological centrality of this society. Five possible elective themes appear as part of this framework is designed to form the content of instruction framework. Normally, the elective themes should appear as well as to be a vehicle for growth in one’s relationship either as one in the third year and one in the fourth year or with the Lord so that each may come to know him and both in the fourth year. live according to the truth he has given to us. In this way, Since this is a framework and not a tool for direct disciples not only participate more deeply in the life of the instruction, the doctrines and topics designated are not Church but are also better able to reach eternal life with necessarily defined or completely developed. Such detail will God in Heaven. be present in the catechetical texts and materials that will As a framework, this document offers guidance to be developed on the basis of this framework. It is expected catechetical publishers in the creation of instructional that after developing new materials, publishing houses will material. Within each theme, doctrinal elements related to submit them for a review as to their conformity with the it are identified. The order in which the doctrinal elements Catechism of the Catholic Church. The process of that review within each theme are identified should not be understood will ensure that the materials authentically and completely to be an outline of a text or course. Rather, they are offered define and present the teaching of the Church. as building blocks that can be combined in any number of In addition to providing guidance about the doctrinal ways within that particular thematic structure and can be content of catechetical instruction for high-school-age augmented with additional doctrinal teaching, depending young people, this framework is also designed to help those on the creativity of authors and editors. In addition to same young people develop the necessary skills to answer or aiding those creating catechetical texts and materials, address the real questions that they face in life and in their this framework will also serve to aid those responsible Catholic faith. Within each theme, including the electives, for overseeing catechetical instruction within dioceses as there is a section titled “Challenges,” which raises examples well as those responsible for curriculum development or of these questions and provides direction for ways to the development of assessment instruments designed to answer them. This element is designed to give catechetical complement texts, programs, or curriculums. It is understood instruction for high-school-age young people an apologetical that implementation of a new curriculum will require time component. Publishers and teachers or catechists are to for the development of new materials as well as revision strive to provide for a catechetical instruction and formation to diocesan guidelines and curricular structures within that is imbued with an apologetical approach. Challenges schools and religious education programs. A successful that appear under one particular theme can also apply to implementation will rely heavily on catechetical publishers other themes in the framework, and such application is of high-school-age materials as well as on the teachers and encouraged. The identification and inclusion of additional catechists of high-school-age young people. challenges by publishers and by teachers or catechists to The framework is designed to shape a four-year, eight- achieve this goal is also encouraged. semester course of catechetical instruction. It is composed Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the Development of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age 1 Core Curriculum I. The Revelation of Jesus Christ in Scripture he purpose of this course is to give students a general knowledge and appreciation of the Sacred Scriptures. Through their study of the Bible they will come to encounter the living Word of God, Jesus Christ. In the course they will learn about the Bible, Tauthored by God through Inspiration, and its value to people throughout the world. If they have not been taught this earlier, they will learn how to read the Bible and will become familiar with the major sections of the Bible and the books included in each section. The students will pay particular attention to the Gospels, where they may grow to know and love Jesus Christ more person- ally.