Document

Sharing the Good News

This activity helps students prepare to share the Good News of Jesus with different individuals or groups, and then act out how they would do so, given the individual's or group's particular needs and characteristics.

Document

Guided Meditation before the Blessed Sacrament

An outline and script for a guided meditation before the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle. Have you explored Go Seek Find: Discover God’s Treasures yet? This one-of-a-kind sacrament prep program will help children discover how preparing for the sacraments is …

Document

Treasures of Our Faith Bingo Card

A fun activity to help children recall important facts of our Catholic faith.

Document

Which Way Shall We Go?

This handout provides a chart for students to list activities that are best to do on Sunday and those that should be saved for other days of the week.

Video

Crystalina’s Testimony (Part 1)—Love or Lust?

The Crystalina Evert video "Crystalina’s Testimony (Part 1)—Love or Lust?" available on YouTube (12:20), is best used on day 2 or day 3.

Video

The Cardinal Virtues, Part 1: Prudence

This video by The Christophers is available on YouTube (2:29). It features a priest outlining the meaning of prudence. It may be more helpful for teacher background than classroom instruction, in preparation for day 4.

Document

Handout: Scripture and Tradition

Connections between Scripture passages and Catholic Traditions.

Document

Handout: Being Catholic

Being Catholic: Beliefs, Practices, and Attitudes.

Document

Exploring Religious Orders and Congregations

A research assignment worksheet done in pairs to find important information about different religious orders.

Document

Inspirations and Charisms Worksheet

A partially independent and partially group completed worksheet for students to fill out about the inspirations and charisms of a particular religious congregation or order.

Document

Vocabulary for Unit 7

A vocabulary list for unit 7 defining terms associated with consecrated life.

Document

Final Performance Task Options for Unit 7

Final performance task options for unit 7 that assess the students’ knowledge of consecrated life. The options include writing a biographical essay about a woman or a man who chose the consecrated life, or giving an oral presentation on a …

Document

What Do Sisters Do?

An article that discusses the roles and responsibilities of religious sisters.

Document

Private Revelation

A reading taken from the Vatican document "The Message of Fatima", published by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The author is Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI.

Article

Biography of the Holy Father Francis

The first Pope of the Americas Jorge Mario Bergoglio hails from Argentina. The 76-year-old Jesuit Archbishop of Buenos Aires is a prominent figure throughout the continent, yet remains a simple pastor who is deeply loved by his diocese, throughout which …

Article

Who Is Jorge Mario Bergoglio?

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J., Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ordinary for Eastern-rite faithful in Argentina who lack an Ordinary of their own rite, was born on 17 December 1936 in Buenos Aires. He studied as and holds a degree …

Document

Who? What? When? Where? How? in the Local Diocese

An activity where students are asked to locate information about their local diocese.

Document

Terms Related to the Church

A worksheet where students are asked to define several vocabulary terms related to the Church and write a short essay on which term means the most to them.

Document

Aquinas' Five Proofs for the Existence of God

A listing of Saint Thomas Aquinas’ five proofs for the existence of God.

Document

Revelation: A New Testament Apocalypse

An article on the Book of Revelation.

Document

Christian Persecutions in the Roman Empire

An article on the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire.

Document

Pauline and Deutero-Pauline Letters

An article on the Pauline and Deutero-Pauline letters.

Document

Paul's Cultural Context

A reading on Paul’s cultural context.

Document

The Passion According to John

An article on the Passion according to John.

Document

Jesus and Judaism

An article on Jesus and Judaism.

Document

Oral Tradition

An article on oral tradition.

Document

Non-canonical Gospels

An article on the non-canonical Gospels.

Document

New Testament Christologies

An article on New Testament Christologies.

Document

Formation of the Canon

An article on the formation of the Canon.

Document

How Should We Interpret Scripture?

An article on how we should interpret Scripture.

Document

A Brief History of Catholic Biblical Interpretation

A reading that gives a brief history of Catholic biblical interpretation.

Document

Why the Second Vatican Council Really Is That Important

An article on the importance of the Second Vatican Council.

Document

Events at the Second Vatican Council

An article on the events that took place at the Second Vatican Council.

Document

The Domestic Church

An article on family life and the domestic Church.

Document

God's Story Plotline 4: Reconciliation

A reading on why God, whose love in unlimited, constantly picks out special groups.

Document

The Anointing of the Sick

A reading on the Sacrament of anointing of the sick, with a discussion of how the Sacrament was viewed in the past and how it is viewed today.

Document

War and Peace in Catholic Social Teaching

An article on war and peace in Catholic social teaching.

Document

The Challenge of Peace

An article on the foundations for a justified war and the just war doctrine.

Document

Thomas Merton and Nonviolence

A reading on Thomas Merton and nonviolence.

Document

Confirmation

A reading on the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Catholic Church.

Document

Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

A reading on the principles of Catholic social teaching.

Document

The Conversion of Saint Augustine

A reading on the Conversion of Saint Augustine, with excerpts from “Confessions and Enchiridion.”

Document

The Biblical Foundation of Justice

A reading on the Biblical foundation of justice.

Document

The Christian Sacraments

A reading on the Christian Sacraments.

Document

A Sacramental People

A reading on Sacraments and symbols.

Document

Vocabulary for Unit 1

Vocabulary terms for Unit 1 of "The Sacraments: Encounters with Christ."

Document

Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 1

A grading rubric for the final performance task options for Unit 1 of "The Sacraments: Encounters with Christ."

Document

Preassessment of My Knowledge of the Church's Liturgy

A preassessment of knowledge on the Church's Liturgy.

Document

Final Performance Task Options for Unit 1

Options for final performance tasks for Unit 1 of "The Sacraments: Encounters with Christ."

Presentation

Grace

A PowerPoint presentation on Grace.

Presentation

Life, a Precious Gift

A PowerPoint presentation on the precious gift of life.

Presentation

Finding Your Way

A PowerPoint presentation on finding your way.

Presentation

The Eighth Commandment

A PowerPoint presentation on the Eighth Commandment.

Presentation

Commitment to the First Commandment

A PowerPoint presentation on commitment to the First Commandment.

Presentation

The Lenten Scrutinies

A PowerPoint presentation on the Lenten Scrutinies.

Presentation

God's Plan

A PowerPoint presentation on "God's Plan" from "Christian Morality, Our Response to God's Love."

Document

The Fourth Commandment

An excerpt from Pope John Paul II's letter to families in 1994, the Year of the Family, dealing with the fourth commandment.

Document

Premarital Sex

An article on premarital sex, from "Christian Morality: Our Response to God's Love."

Document

Chastity

An article on chastity, from "Christian Morality: Our Response to God's Love."

Document

Reproductive Technology

This article presents a general overview of the Church’s teachings on reproductive technology, and then considers the ethical ramifications of some of the most common forms of reproductive technology available today.

Document

Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide

An article on euthanasia and physician assisted suicide, from "Christian Morality: Our Response to God's Love."

Document

Virtues

An article on virtues, from "Christian Morality: Our Response to God's Love."

Document

Conscience

An article on conscience, from "Christian Morality: Our Response to God's Love."

Document

The Strengths of Catholic Social Teaching

A document highlighting the strengths of Catholic Social Teaching, from "Christian Morality: Our Response to God's Love."

Document

Poverty and Wealth

An excerpt on poverty and wealth from "Christian Morality: Our Response to God's Love."

Document

Ignatius of Loyola and the Gift of Freedom

A reading on Saint Ignatius of Loyola and the Gift of Freedom, from "Christian Morality: Our Response to God's Love."

Document

Where Does the Church Say?

This handout is part of the Living in Christ Series. It is a good resource for identifying the differences between various Church documents.

Document

The Parable of Juan and the Fishbowl Reflection

This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can answer basic, advanced, and highly reflective questions about the story.

Document

The Parable of Juan and the Fishbowl

This story is part of the Living in Christ Series. It is a modern day parable that illustrates the necessity and perfection of the Incarnation. There is a PowerPoint that corresponds as a visual aid to the story.

Document

The Trinity

This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. Author Arthur David Canales offers an introduction to the Holy Trinity, including the dogma's historical development and key features.

Document

Canons and Their Development

This article discusses the development of the Old and New Testament Canons and provides charts which compare and contrast different Christian or Jewish canons.

Document

Vocabulary for Unit 2

This vocabulary list is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it as a reference for key theological terms to know.

Article

The Sacramental Priesthood

The Origins of the Priesthood The origins of the priesthood go back to the Old Testament. One of the tribes of ancient Israel, the tribe of Levi, was set apart for priestly service (see Numbers 3:5–10). The tribe's role was …

Article

The First Address from Pope Benedict XVI

"Grace and peace in abundance to all of you! In my soul there are two contrasting sentiments in these hours. On the one hand, a sense of inadequacy and human turmoil for the responsibility entrusted to me yesterday as the …

Article

Biography of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, former prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission and of the International Theological Commission, Dean of the College of Cardinals, was born on April 16, 1927 in Marktl …

Article

January 22: Reflection on Roe vs. Wade

I walked with George the other day, And this is what he had to say: "If this is what its come to, then I'm glad that I've passed on. For the foundation laid so long ago apparently is gone. What …

Article

Electing a New Pope

Choosing a new pope is somewhat of a mystery to people. In the early Church, a pope was elected not only by the bishops but also by the clergy and the laity. In later years, only the bishops took part …

Article

Did you know? Interesting Facts to Share with Your Students About the Papacy

The term pope comes from the Greek work pappas, or the Latin word papa, both of which mean "father." The pope's official titles include bishop of Rome, vicar of Jesus Christ, successor of the prince of the Apostles, supreme pontiff …

Article

Biography of Pope Saint John Paul II

Saint John Paul II was born Karol Josef Wojtyla (Voy-tee-wah) on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice (Vah-do-vee-juh), Poland, a small city just outside Krakow. He was the third and youngest child of Karol Wojtyla Sr., a lieutenant in Poland's army, …

Article

A Christian Response to Violence, Part 2:

Pacifism: "We No Longer Learn War" How can we apply Jesus’ command to love our enemies when our whole nation has been attacked? Over the centuries, how Christians have attempted to apply Jesus’ teachings on violence to their lives has …

Article

Religious Diversity in Catholic Schools

Pluralism of religions is a reality in the United States. We see it in the newspaper, and we encounter it in our own classrooms. Through television, the Internet, and the changing religious landscape of our own country, our students encounter …

Article

Maturing in Faith

Have you ever heard a parent say something like,"People should decide for themselves how to express their faith and what church to belong to. So we don't make our kids go to Mass on Sunday. When they get old enough, …

Article

The Late Great Catholic High School

"Jesus is everyone's department!" That is what I found myself exclaiming as I argued with a fellow teacher and friend about why she only wanted the religion teachers in our high school to offer extra credit to students if they …

Article

Following the Spirit Down the (Yellow?) Brick Road

The road is really a five-foot wide path. The bricks are more dappled browns than yellow. But the journey does have a wizard and feisty little black terrier. And along the way we found our hearts, our minds, and our …

Article

Let the Church Say Amen

Amen is a cry of complete reliance, of heartfelt abandonment to something or someone that is true and trustworthy. THE TWO-SYLLABLE WORD COULD BE HEARD by all in the front quarter of the sizeable church. It was said by a …

Article

Until a "lack of discretion" do us part

Ever since the church got involved in the wedding ceremony, relatively late in Christian history, it has stood by its main belief about a marriage. It’s the consent of the couple that binds. SEVENTH IN A 10-PART SERIES ON CHURCH …

Article

Thinking Catholic

Thinking Catholic is a mind-set, an attitude of the heart, a bundle of insights and presumptions and priorities that are derived from faith. In our American society people used to agree that abortion was criminal, that divorce was bad, that …

Article

Fighting Catholic Amnesia

I was a high school junior before I learned that the Catholic faith was something more than Mass, folk songs and the Bible. Father Corry turned me on to Church history in his religion class. He showed me how our …

Article

Everyday Works of Mercy

Are you more Christian than you give yourself credit for being? My belief is that there are many like that--that many dedicated Christian people have compartmentalized their lives and have excluded important and central areas of their lives from what …

Article

The Death Penalty and the Catholic Conscience

Some proponents say the death penalty is biblical: "an eye for an eye." This moral theologian shows how they are misreading the Bible. If someone murdered your child or closest friend, what punishment would you want for the criminal? If …

Article

The Church and the Bible: A New Understanding

The Catholic Church's attitude toward biblical study has undergone a sea of change in recent times. A world-renowned Scripture scholar explains why and how. Very often when older Catholics hear at Mass a presentation about the Bible they are puzzled. …

Article

Evil Never Looked So Good

Do you think you're a victim? Do you avoid making judgments because you'll hurt someone's feelings? Do you feel betrayed by your wrinkles or your balding dome? Be careful. You might be cuddling up to heresy, which just had a …

Article

The Spirituality of Work

Teachers who structure justice into their workday lives model a moral vision for their students. I requested a review copy of all religion textbooks used in Catholic high schools some years ago and scoured over 30 books looking for references …

Article

Seven habits of highly effective Catholic college graduates

Evidence of a total Catholic education may be found in persons who have cultivated these principles of action. The title of Stephen R. Covey's long-running bestseller The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (Simon & Schuster) kept circling in my …

Article

Six Ways to be Truly Catholic

I always thought that I would have made a great archbishop in Salzburg during the time of Mozart. But instead I'm the archbishop of Milwaukee in the time of rock 'n' roll. That's the way life turns out. We live …

Article

Top Ten Reasons to Be a Catholic

Many of us have been raised in the Church, but why do we remain Catholic? This author shares her favorite reasons and invites you to consider your own. “DO YOU ALSO WANT TO LEAVE?“ (JOHN 6:67). When Jesus first asked …

Article

The Church

Central Characteristics of Roman Catholicism Catholicism is a remarkably rich religion, characterized by a complex tapestry of beliefs, practices, values, rituals, traditions, and more. When viewed “from the outside”—that is, by those who do not share its communal life—Catholicism is …

Article

Gospel Values Across the Curriculum

Given the current educational climate in our country, most schools are making a concerted effort to create a clear vision for education that will carry them into the twenty-first century. That forward-looking "visioning" and "refocusing" for the future includes an …