Ecclesiology
103 results
Video
The Day of the Dead
The video "The Day of the Dead," available on YouTube (3:49), offers a good overview of the Mexican celebration for the "Day of the Dead" activity on day 4.
Video
C4: Ignite Your Catholic Faith—What are the Marks of the Church?
The video "C4: Ignite Your Catholic Faith—What Are the Marks of the Church?" is available on YouTube (3:32), and is used for the "On Your Marks" activity on day 1.
Video
Introduction to the Liturgy of the Eucharist
The video "Introduction to the Liturgy of the Eucharist," by dioceseofstpete, available on YouTube (1:50), offers an overview of material presented in the Handbook. It is especially helpful for day 1, but would be effective on any day.
Video
Precepts of the Church
The video "Precepts of the Church," by Saint Mary’s Press, available on YouTube (0:51), is an option for day 4.
Video
Catholicism is Universal
A personal story about discovering how Catholicism is truly universal.
Document
Chapter 23 Activity: How Much Do You Know about the Church?
The descriptions below relate to the Church, present and past. Write the word or name from the box that matches each description. Some words will be used more than once.
Video
The Wise Old Man on the Porch
A personal story about seeing the Church as a wise elder sitting on a porch.
Document
Chapter 14 Activities
Activities for Chapter 14 The Organization of the Catholic Church, including a core activity, core activity extension, and additional activities.
Document
Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 3
A rubric for the final performance task options for Unit 3 focusing on the Paschal Mystery, the Holy Spirit and the Church, and the mission of the Church. The options include exploring one important ministry in a diverse Church, creating …
Document
A Preassessment
Answer each question by writing what you know for sure, what you think you know but are unsure about, and things related to the topic that you would like to explore.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks in Unit 2
Rubric for grading the final performance tasks for Unit 2 focusing on faith, the Trinity, the Kingdom of God, and creation in the image of God. The options include writing a personal creed, creating a Holy Trinity play, or exploring …
Document
A Preassessment of My Knowledge
Answer the following questions, which reflect specific beliefs contained within the Apostle’s Creed. If you are uncertain about your answer, write the letter “U” next to it. If you have no knowledge of a particular topic, leave the space blank.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 1
A rubric for the final performance tasks for Unit One about the basics of Catholicism, Scripture and Tradition, and Reason and Revelation. The options include reflecting on the Catholic faith in an essay, writing a personal story about your salvation …
Document
What Do I Know about the Catholic Faith
In the time allotted for this exercise, answer each question to the best of your knowledge. Each set of questions corresponds to the units you will study in this course and represents content you will cover in more detail in …
Document
Rubric for Final Performance Tasks in Unit 7
A rubric assessing how well students did on the 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 …
Document
A Preassessment of My Knowledge of Consecrated Life
A preassessment for students about their knowledge of terms associated with consecrated life.
Document
Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 6
A rubric for grading the final performance tasks for unit 6 focusing on the vocation to ordained life and the Sacrament of Holy Orders. The options for final performance tasks include creating a brochure on priestly formation for prospective candidates, …
Document
A Preassessment of My Knowledge of the Sacrament of Holy Orders
A preassessment about things that a student already knows, thinks that they know, and wants to know about the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
Document
A Preassessment of My Knowledge of the Vocation of Holy Orders
A preassessment of one’s knowledge of terms and concepts associated with the Vocation of Holy Orders.
Video
Video: The Famous Verse
A short explanation of John 3:16, discussing justification by faith versus salvation as a gift.
Video
How Can God be in Purgatory and Hell at the Same Time?
A brief explanation of God's presence, or lack thereof, in Purgatory and Hell.
Video
30th Anniversary of John Paul II’s Assassination Attempt
A video explaining the assassination attempt on Pope Saint John Paul II's life.
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.
Video
When You Recite the Creed
A short video on why you shouldn't just say the Creed, you should pray the Creed.
Video
What About the Bad Popes?
A short video on how the Church is good, even though there have been bad popes.
Video
Leading with Humility: Pope Francis Blesses a Man with a Disability
A video clip of Pope Francis stopping to bless a man with a disability.
Video
Who's in Charge when a Pope Leaves His Post?
A short video clip that explains what happens when a pope leaves his post, either through death or resignation.
Video
Biography of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
A short video clip outlining the life and works of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Video
What’s in the Name ‘Francis’?
A video on Saint Francis of Assisi, and why Pope Francis chose his name.
Video
Who is Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio?
A video on the life of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who became Pope Francis.
Document
Researching the Role of the Magisterium
Several strips of paper that may come in handy when researching the role of the Magisterium.
Document
Where Does the Church Say…?
A chart outlining different types of Church documents, the author and audience of each particular document, and what’s in each document.
Document
Comparing and Contrasting the Three Degrees of Holy Orders
A chart that compares and contrasts the specific qualities of bishops, priests, and deacons.
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Reviewing the Leadership Structure of the Church
A number of questions on the leadership structure of the Church.
Document
Mary, Queen of Peace
A list of several questions regarding the Blessed Virgin Mary that can be used as writing or reflection prompts.
Document
Preassessment of My Knowledge of the Church's Liturgy
A preassessment of knowledge on the Church's Liturgy.
Video
9/9 The Life of Pope John Paul II
A movie chronicling the entire life of Pope Saint John Paul II.
Video
8/9 The Life of Pope John Paul II
A movie chronicling the entire life of Pope Saint John Paul II.
Video
7/9 The Life of Pope John Paul II
A movie chronicling the entire life of Pope Saint John Paul II.
Video
6/9 The Life of Pope John Paul II
A movie chronicling the entire life of Pope Saint John Paul II.
Video
5/9 The Life of Pope John Paul II
A movie chronicling the entire life of Pope Saint John Paul II.
Video
4/9 The Life of Pope John Paul II
A movie chronicling the entire life of Pope Saint John Paul II.
Video
3/9 The Life of Pope John Paul II
A movie chronicling the entire life of Pope Saint John Paul II.
Video
2/9 The Life of Pope John Paul II
A movie chronicling the entire life of Pope Saint John Paul II.
Video
1/9 The Life of Pope John Paul II
A movie chronicling the entire life of Pope Saint John Paul II.
Video
Mysteries: Celibacy
A documentary discussing the historical/theological precedents for celibacy.
Video
Mysteries of the Church: EUCHARIST
A documentary that provides: 1) A theological basis for the Eucharist, 2) An explanation of precisely what transpires during the Eucharist, 3) The process by which the bread of the Eucharist is created and 4) An instance of a Eucharistic …
Video
Mysteries of the Church: EXORCISM
A documentary discussing the traits of a possessed individual and the means by which a priest will exorcise the individual.
Video
Mysteries of the Church: PAPACY
A documentary detailing the development of the Papacy, the Pope's role in the Catholic Church, and the process by which a Pope is selected.
Video
Mysteries of the Church: CANONIZATION
A documentary providing a definition of Sainthood, descriptions of the lives of a number of Saints, miracles performed by the Saints, and the comprehensive process whereby an individual is declared a Saint by the Catholic Church.
Video
Mysteries of the Church: MARIAN APPARITIONS
An overview of the many Marian apparitions and their significance.
Video
Mysteries of the Church: SEMINARY
Explains how priests were formed in the early stages of Christianity.
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Mysteries of the Church: STIGMATA
Discusses the instances, credibility, and significance of the Stigmata.
Video
Mysteries of the Church: SIN
A documentary discussing sin, its manifestations, its history, and the ways in which Christianity is a response to it.
Video
Mysteries of the Church: GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
An explanation of the various gifts of the Holy Spirit and the way in which they help the church.
Video
Mysteries of the Church: AFTERLIFE
This documentary discusses conceptions of the afterlife and explains the historical basis for and characteristics of heaven, hell, and purgatory.
Video
Mysteries of the Church: ANGELS
Provides a description of the theology and historical basis for the existence of Angels and demons.
Video
Mysteries of the Church: APOCALYPSE
An explanation of the apocalypse as discussed in the book of Revelation.
Video
Mysteries of the Church: Women in the Church
A documentary discussing the integral and often contentious role of women, past and present, in the Catholic Church. Note: Viewing begins at 1:01.
Video
Mysteries of the Church: Christianity and Science
A cinematographically excellent documentary explaining in colloquial and relatable language the unexpectedly amicable relationship between science and Christianity.
Video
Mysteries of the Church: Creation and Evolution
A cinematographically excellent documentary explaining in colloquial and relatable language the Church's understanding of creation and its attitudes towards science and evolution.
Video
Mysteries of the Church: Christian Denominations
A cinematographically excellent documentary explaining in colloquial and relatable language the history of the development of many Christian denominations.
Video
Mysteries of the Church: Jesus and Art
A cinematographically excellent documentary explaining in colloquial and relatable language the signifiance of art for the representation of Jesus.
Document
Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 8
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. It serves as a guide for assessing students on projects about the Catholic Church, especially the role of community and sacraments in salvation.
Document
Agree/Disagree Preassessment Exercise: The Church
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may 'agree' or 'disagree' with various statements about the Church as a way to preassess the class.
Document
Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 7
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. It serves as a guide for assessing students on projects about the Catholic Church, especially the teaching authorities and roles of various members.
Document
Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 6
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. It serves as a guide for assessing students on projects about the Catholic Church, especially its relationship with other Christian church and other religions.
Document
Signs of the Domestic Church
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can identify various items that might be found in the "Domestic Church" - that is, the Christian home and family.
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Who, What, When, Where, How, - in the Local Diocese
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students are asked to familiarize themselves various places and people in their diocese and archdiocese.
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Catholic Church Role Description
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. It is a short answer activity that discusses the various roles of different people in the Catholic Church, including their responsibilities and qualifications.
Document
Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 5
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. It serves as a guide for assessing students on projects about the Catholic Church, especially the various vocational roles that members of the Church may serve.
Document
"The Church Is Mystery" Word Search
A word search on the mystery of the Church. Please note that this document is only available as a PDF.
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The Church Is One
This project is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students are asked to do research on the mark of the Church as 'One' using various websites.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 4
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers a guide for assessing students on projects about the Catholic Church, including themes of Apostolic Succession and the Body of Christ.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 3
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers a guide for assessing students on projects that communicate key ideas about the Catholic Church and its nature.
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The Top Ten Things
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students are asked to write down 10 things they know about the Catholic Church.
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The Power of the Holy Spirit in Acts of the Apostles
This worksheet is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can explores the effects of the Holy Spirit in the Acts of the Apostles and today.
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What Are They Saying
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can read about the Catholic Church through various media outlets and answer these questions.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 1
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers a guide for assessing students on projects that communicate various important ideas about the Church in the world today.
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
A Prayer for His Holiness
Lord God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, We lift up in prayer Pope Francis, The successor of Peter, The Bishop of Rome, Our Holy Father, The Vicar of Christ on Earth. He has been called to lead your Church. Strengthen …
Article
A Prayer Service For A New Pope
Preparation - Prior to the beginning of prayer, you may select three young people to assist: a presider and two readers. - You will notice that the response to the Litany of the Saints is in both English and Latin. …
Article
Must--Should--Can
Must--Should--Can Instructions: Check all the responsibilities you believe a pope must do in the MUST column, the responsibilities he should do in the SHOULD column, and the responsibilities he can do in the CAN column. # Responsibility MUST SHOULD CAN …
Article
A New Rock
OVERVIEW This is a youth catechetical session intended to lead young people to an understanding of Pope John Paul II's life, ministry, general papal responsibilities, and the procedure for electing a new pontiff. It can be used in a …
Article
A New Rock: Adaptations for Home Use
These activities are easily adapted for family members at home. When gathered for a meal, or for the specific purpose of these activities, family members can do one activity, a couple, or all of them, depending on the amount of time …
Article
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 probably most frequently identified by …
Article
Catholic Identity
For a couple of years, Saint Mary's Press sponsored a listserv discussion group online. Discussions on a variety of topics were pursued via e-mail. In this article I hope to summarize some of the highlights from postings on the timely …
