Living in a Material World
A worksheet where students are asked to rank items on their necessity for living a happy life.
Youth Ministry
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Video
Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace is taken from the album, Scandal of Mercy, available now! Find it on iTunes: http://apple.co/1Lxt5s1 · Amazon: http://amzn.to/21ek9Ru · Google Play: http://bit.ly/1Lb1bHy · and CD Baby: http://bit.ly/1Q0m9aZ. Discover more music of mercy on http://mission85music.com.
Video
Start a Fire
Start a Fire is taken from the album, Scandal of Mercy, available now! Find it on iTunes: http://apple.co/1XLQywI · Amazon: http://amzn.to/1PYujke · Google Play: http://bit.ly/1Qxgt5x · and CD Baby: http://bit.ly/1T750Rf. Discover more music of mercy on http://mission85music.com.
Video
Scandal of Love
Scandal of Love is taken from the album, Scandal of Mercy, available now! Find it on iTunes: http://apple.co/1SWQlbf · Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Ok31AB · Google Play: http://bit.ly/1T61tCK · and CD Baby: http://bit.ly/1Lcm05i. Discover more music of mercy on http://mission85music.com.
Video
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is taken from the album, Scandal of Mercy, available now! Find it on iTunes: http://apple.co/1LxreDP · Amazon: http://amzn.to/1VsJd3S · Google Play: http://bit.ly/1mWH6JJ · and CD Baby: http://bit.ly/1LG5k0Z. Discover more music of mercy on http://mission85music.com.
Video
Despite
Despite is taken from the album, Scandal of Mercy, available now! Find it on iTunes: http://apple.co/1SWQlbf · Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Ok31AB · Google Play: http://bit.ly/1KJgDLd · and CD Baby: http://bit.ly/1VEu1R9. Discover more music of mercy on http://mission85music.com.
Video
Scandal of Mercy (Acoustic)
Scandal of Mercy (Acoustic) is taken from the album, Scandal of Mercy, available now! Find it on iTunes: http://apple.co/1SSPEiI · Amazon: http://amzn.to/1oAiTK8 · Google Play: http://bit.ly/1oGlXFd · and CD Baby: http://bit.ly/1T75l6d. Discover more music of mercy on http://mission85music.com.
Video
Searching
Searching is taken from the album, Scandal of Mercy, available now! Find it on iTunes: http://apple.co/21eDzsQ · Amazon: http://amzn.to/1QbgfBV · Google Play: http://bit.ly/1QeApOJ · and CD Baby: http://bit.ly/1R1xsO7. Discover more music of mercy on http://mission85music.com.
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A Little Help Here!
After reading several real-life examples of conflict, students provide suggestions to mediate each situation.
Video
Song/video "Man in the Mirror"
The song/video “Man in the Mirror,” by Michael Jackson, is available on YouTube in a variety of versions. This contemporary song encourages individuals to change the world by first changing the way they act themselves. It is appropriate for use on day 3.
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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.
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Lesson Plan for Lesson 15
A lesson plan for lesson 15 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.
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The Narrow Door: A Guided Meditation
This guided meditation communicates the Gospel message of simple living in a way that engages the imagination and inspires young people to actively simplify their lives. This activity is an excerpt from the book Justice and Service Ideas for Ministry …
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The Disciples' Dilemma
This handout challenges students to decide how they would have reacted as a disciple after Jesus’ trial, death, and resurrection
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Who Is Your God?
A reflective worksheet where students identify meaningful definitions of God
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Jesus' Priorities
An individual worksheet where students rank the priority Jesus placed on certain values in his ministry
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Searching the Scriptures for the World of Jesus
Small-group activity that guides students to discover the culture of Jesus’ world by searching the Gospels
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To Know Another
An individual worksheet where students rank the importance of discovering specific types of information about another person
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Parish Council Committee Assignments
This handout assigns students to a made-up Parish Council Committee. Students must then brainstorm ideas and activities to help engage young people in the life of the parish.
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The Resurrected Jesus
Students answer questions about the story of Jesus' Resurrection from one of the four Gospels.
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The Miracles of Jesus
Students review many familiar miracles performed by Jesus in the gospels before choosing a favorite.
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The Good News Proclaimed to Me!
This handout asks students to reflect and write about the ways that Jesus' healing is needed in their lives.
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Called to Share the Mission of Jesus
This small-group activity provides each group with an example of Christ's mission. Groups must answer questions surrounding their particular example.
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Jesus Had Feelings Too
Students read passages from the Gospels to explore the numerous emotions that Jesus experienced during his time on Earth.
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Who Is Your God?
This handout presents a list of different definitions and identities for God. Students are asked to choose ones that resonate with them.
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Our Culture, Our Selves
This handout asks students to rank a list of items in life and society according to their importance.
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Prayer Service: Reflections on Relationships
This prayer service reflects on some of the aspects of relationships.
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Communication in My Family
This handout helps students to explore the communication and relationship they have with their parents by asking a series of reflective questions for students to answer.
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Telling Our Body's Story
This handout helps teens reflect on their body image and the influences on their attitudes towards their bodies.
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Relationships in Marriage
This handout presents numerous questions about healthy, life-long marriages for students to think about and answer.
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Cases to Examine: Changing Roles
This handout presents several real-life family situations about which students must evaluate and make a decision.
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Cases to Examine: Parenting Dilemmas
This handout provides several examples of parenting dilemmas. Students are to read the situations, choose a course of action, and explain their thoughts.
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Paths to Marriage
This handout gives a brief explanation for several types of relationships that end in marriage. Students are then asked to evaluate the reading and complete a journal prompt.
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Reflections on Relating
This poem provides a reflection on the fears and insecurities that we all carry underneath the outward impressions we give off.
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Scoring "My Responses to Conflict"
This handout provides the scoring that should be used to interpret the accompanying Handout 9-D.
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My Responses to Conflict
For this worksheet, students choose which behaviors match how they typically respond to conflict in relationships.
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Whom Will You Tell?
Students identify with whom in their life they would share a list of personal pieces of information.
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Listening Traps
Students reflect on and answer a series of questions about their listening skills.
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Interpersonal Style
Students reflect on and answer a series of questions about their interpersonal style and relationships with others.
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Cases to Examine: Where Is Love?
Students read and respond to several stories about what it means to love yourself and others.
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Please Help
This is a writing prompt to help students reflect on what it is like to be a virgin in society today.
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Facts About Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS
This article gives information about common STDs and AIDS.
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Questionnaire on Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS
This handout provides a list of True/False statements about sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS.
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Role-play: "I'm Pregnant"
This handout provides two role-play situations in which a couple has discovered they are pregnant.
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Opinionnaire on Gender Roles (Part 2)
Students share their opinions in response to a series of statements about gender roles in society.
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Opinionnaire on Gender Roles (Part 1)
Students share their opinions in response to a series of statements about gender roles in society.
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Word Association
Students identify the different associations with and meanings of sexuality as portrayed in the media, by peers, and from adults.
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Attitudes About Sexuality
This handout presents a series of statements about sexuality. Students are to indicate their level of agreement or disagreement with each.
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Measuring Fixed Costs
On this handout students calculate the fixed expenses of an independent adult on a monthly and yearly basis.
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How Much Did You Pay for That?
Students estimate the cost of a list of items needed to live independently. This exercise is meant to help students understand the amount of money needed to survive.
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Work Values
On this handout students explore the qualities they look for or want in a job and brainstorm possible jobs that fit those qualities.
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Ranking the Prestige of Occupations
Students rank a list of careers based on their importance and prestige in society.
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Perceptions of Leisureliness
This handout provides a list of statements designed to help students evaluate the leisureliness of a specific person.
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Support for Leisure Activities
This handout asks students to decide which types of leisure activities their peers encourage them to participate in.
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Checking Your Leisure Benefits
Students categorize their favorite leisure activities based on the primary benefit they receive from each.
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Cases to Examine: Leisure or Work?
This handout presents two real-life scenarios for which students must read and answer questions.
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Leisure Satisfaction
Students list leisure activities in which they participate before rating the frequency and satisfaction for each.
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Circles of Learning
This handout provides a diagram for students to fill in as they reflect on the impact of friendship and relationships.
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Goals of Formal Education
Students rank eight possible goals of formal education based on their importance or relevance.
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Cases to Examine: Levels of Independence
Students read several scenarios and rank the level of independence demonstrated.
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Personality Perceptions of __________
Students choose adjectives from a list to describe a specific person.
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About Myself
This handout provides a series of questions for students to answer about themselves.
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How Do I Know That I Am Fully Alive?
This handout asks students to rank statements according to their beliefs about what it means to be fully alive.
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Cases to Examine: Dealing with Conflict
This handout provides three situations for students to read and evaluate. Students must give a suggestion for how to respond to the conflict in each scenario based on the strategies in the book.
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The Ending is Yours
This handout provides the beginning of a story about a teen who is about to break up with his girlfriend. Students are to complete the story following teacher instructions.
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Cases to Examine: Self-respect
This handout provides three situations where teenagers are not fully respecting themselves. Students read the situations and respond with suggestions that demonstrate more self-respect.
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Role-plays: Kindness and Truth
This handout provides two role-play situations for students to practice open, honest communication in a kind, truthful way.
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TV Truth: Keeping a Record
This handout provides a chart to help students keep track of the types of truths and lies portrayed on TV.
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An Inventory on Money Matters
This handout provides a chart to help students keep track of their expenditures during one week
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Perspectives on Sex
This handout provides several comments from teenagers about sex. It can be used as a discussion starter or writing prompt.
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Three Perspectives on Drugs
This handout provides three different comments from teens about their drug and alcohol usage. This can be used as a discussion starter.
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Cases to Examine: What Are We Afraid Of?
Students read several real-life scenarios and explore the many fears, anxieties, and pressures that influence decisions.
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The Plight of the Worlds' Children
This handout provides several statistics and pieces of information about the alarming needs of children in our world.
Video
The Trinity - 3 in 1
A short video that uses the three forms of water (solid, liquid, gas) to explain the trinity.
Video
Tradition – Who We Are
A brief explanation of tradition versus Tradition.
A short video about how Catholic traditions that have been handed down help God reveal himself to us.
Video
The Paschal Mystery
A personal reflection on how Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension save us from sin and death and bring us to new life in him.
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Asking the Saints and Mary for Prayers
A personal reflection on why Catholics ask the saints and Mary for prayers.
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Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
An easy-to-understand explanation of what Catholics believe about Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory.
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Jesus’ Unconditional Love
A personal story about turning to Jesus for help and loving others unconditionally, just as Jesus loves us.
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What is Catholic Social Teaching?
A personal story about living out the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
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Catholicism is Universal
A personal story about discovering how Catholicism is truly universal.
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Learning How to Read the Catholic Bible
A personal story about learning how to read the Bible.
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How the Trinity is Like an Apple Tree
A wonderful analogy on how the Trinity is like an apple tree.
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Chapter 44 Activity: Ask Annie and Andy
Students are asked to answer a series of “Dear Abby” style questions that deal with Internet safety.
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Chapter 44 Summary: Respecting Sexuality
A nice summary of the Sixth and Ninth Commandments, and how God wants us to conduct ourselves in sexual matters.
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Life Issues B Activity: Meeting Jesus: A Guided Meditation
A guided meditation that uses the imagination to spend time with Jesus and understand how he wants us to live.
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Life Issues B Summary: God, Where Are You?
A nice summary of the ways God promises to be with us always.
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Life Issues A Summary: Dealing with Peer Pressure
A good summary on dealing with peer pressure.
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Living in a Material World
A worksheet where students are asked to rank items on their necessity for living a happy life.
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Middle School Retreat to Learn about the Church as a Saving Community
An outline to help plan a middle school retreat focused on the Church as a saving community.
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Catholic Mission and Volunteer Organizations
A worksheet where students are asked to research a mission or volunteer organization and answer several questions about their findings.
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Understanding the Lord's Prayer
An activity to help students understand the Lord's Prayer from "The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth" Teacher Guide.
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Teach Us to Pray
An activity to help students learn "The Lord's Prayer" from "The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth" Teacher Guide.
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Communal Prayer
A worksheet to help in preparing for a celebration of the Eucharist, from "The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth" Teacher Guide.
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Praying with Scripture The Magnificat
Praying with Scripture, using The Magnificat, from "The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth, Teacher Guide.
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Praying with Scripture A Guided Meditation
A guided meditation on praying with scripture from "The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth" Teacher Guide.
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Meditation on a Goal or Concern
A meditation on a goal or concern from "The Catholic Connections Handbook for Youth" Teacher Guide.
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Pray in Good Form
A worksheet, from "The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth" Teacher Guide, to assist students in researching and presenting different prayer forms.
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Prayer 101 An Introduction
An introduction to prayer from "The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth" Teacher Guide.
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What Is Prayer
A worksheet, found in “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth” Teacher Guide, that is based on students’ current understanding and experience with prayer.
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Vocabulary for Unit 6
A vocabulary sheet from Unit 6 of "The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth" Teacher Guide.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 6
A rubric for final performance tasks for Unit 6 of "The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth" Teacher Guide.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 6
Options for final performance tasks for Unit 6 of "The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth" Teacher Guide.
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The Cardinal Virtues
A handout on defining the Cardinal Virtues and describing how a person who exhibits the Cardinal Virtues acts.
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The Ten Commandments
A worksheet focused on what the Ten Commandments teach us about living in right relationship with God and with our neighbors.
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Interview Questions for Family Members
Several interview questions for family members on family life and the Fourth Commandment.
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Honoring God
A worksheet on honoring God based on students’ knowledge of the first three Commandments.
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What Makes Something Moral?
Two scenarios that involve people making moral choices. Students are asked to identify the object, intention, and circumstances surrounding the act in the scenario and indicate whether the choice is morally good or morally bad.
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Vocabulary for Unit 5
A list of vocabulary terms and definitions for Unit 5 of The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth, Third Edition.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 5
Several final performance task project options for Unit 5 of The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth, Third Edition.
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Just a Closer Walk with Thee
A worksheet where students are asked to read and reflect on the Gospel of Luke’s powerful image of how Christ is present in the celebration of the Eucharist through the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.
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What Is a Symbol?
A worksheet on symbols, their abstract meanings, and how they are integral parts of Church liturgies.
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Sacred Time: The Liturgical Calendar
A worksheet where students are asked to fill in information on the liturgical calendar.
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Sacraments as Privileged Encounters with Jesus Christ
A worksheet that looks at the seven Sacraments.
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Vocabulary for Unit 4
A list of vocabulary terms and definitions from Unit 4 of The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth, Third Edition.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 4
An evaluation rubric for the project ideas from Unit 4 of The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth, Third Edition.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 4
Several project ideas that coincide with Unit 4 of The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth, Third Edition.
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World Religions and the Catholic Church
An activity where students are asked to research several religious traditions, complete a comparison chart, and then reflect on their findings.
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Marks of the Church
A chart that students are asked to fill in with at least two examples of ways the Church models the four marks of the Church, and at least two examples of ways they model the four marks of the Church.
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Five Models of the Church
An activity where students are given a chart containing the meanings, strengths, and limitations of each of the five models of the Church and asked to answer related questions.
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Could I Walk in Your Shoes?
A survey that will help students consider how difficult it might be to walk in the shoes of another person who may be quite different from them.
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Jesus Reveals the Kingdom of God
Scripture passages that go along with the group assignment that uses parables to see the Kingdom of God.
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Seeing the Kingdom of God Through Parables
A group assignment on using parables to see the Kingdom of God.
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The Goodness of Creation
A worksheet on the goodness of creation, using Scripture passages from the Book of Genesis.
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My Understanding of the Mission of Jesus Christ
A worksheet on students’ understandings of the mission of Jesus Christ.
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Vocabulary for Unit 3 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth”
Vocabulary terms and definitions for Unit 3 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth.”
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 3 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth”
An evaluation rubric for the final performance task options for Unit 3 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth.”
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 3 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth”
Several final performance task options for Unit 3 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth.”
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What Is Faith?
An activity on the best description of faith, based on students’ experiences and understanding.
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Who Is Jesus?
An activity where students rate their level of agreement on statements about Jesus.
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Vocabulary for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth”
Vocabulary terms and definitions for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth.”
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth”
An evaluation rubric for the final performance task options for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth.”
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth”
Several final performance task options for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth.”
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Aquinas' Five Proofs for the Existence of God
A listing of Saint Thomas Aquinas’ five proofs for the existence of God.
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Interview Questions for a Practicing Catholic
A list of interview questions to ask a practicing Catholic.
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Vocabulary for Unit 1 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth.”
Vocabulary terms and definitions for Unit 1 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth.”
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What Do I Know About Catholicism?
An assignment where students test their knowledge of Catholicism.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 1 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth”
An evaluation rubric for the final performance task options for Unit 1 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth.”
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 1 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth”
Several final performance task options for Unit 1 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth.”
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Chalk Talk
Steps on how to facilitate a silent conversation in writing in response to a topic or question posed.
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Bloom's Taxonomy
A short reading where the six levels of Bloom’s taxonomy of the cognitive domain are explained.
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Sustained Silent Reading
An article on how to use sustained silent reading as an effective tool in the classroom.
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Abraham's Family Tree
A worksheet where students work to fill in Abraham’s family tree, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.
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Covenant, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide
A worksheet that uses certain Scripture passages to describe covenants, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.
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Historical Genre Stations, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide
An activity where students read certain Scripture passages and look for illustrations of community and identity, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.
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Small Passage Midrash, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide
An activity where students read an assigned Scripture passage of the mythical genre and then work on interpreting what they have read, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.
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Order of Creation, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide
A worksheet where students are to organize several Creation events into the proper order in which they occurred. Students are to look at both of the Creation stories in the Book of Genesis.
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JEDP Reading for Perspective, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide
An activity dealing with different perspectives of the same event, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.
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Vocabulary for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide
A sheet of vocabulary terms and definitions for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide
A grading rubric for the final performance task options for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide
Several final performance task options for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.
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Vocabulary terms for Unit 1 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.
A sheet of vocabulary terms, and blank spaces for students to write in the definitions, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.
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Mind Map
A mind map for a brainstorming activity on the Bible, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.
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Learning about Learning
A review of students’ understanding of unit material and their learning experiences. This review consists of several questions and encourages additional written feedback from students.
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Socratic Seminar Observation Form - Student
A student observation form for the Socratic seminar debate method.
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Socratic Seminar Symbol Codes
Socratic seminar symbol codes to help quickly evaluate a seminar speaker.
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The Socratic Seminar
A reading on the process and expectations for the Socratic Seminar debate.
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Using Rubrics to Assess Work
A reading on using rubrics to assess or evaluate students’ work.
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Using Final Performance Tasks to Assess Understanding
A reading on using final performance tasks in the classroom to assess students' understanding.
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The One-Act Play
One-act plays give students the opportunity to be creative as they explore a concept, issue, dilemma, person, or situation.
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Expert Groups
A reading on how expert groups are a valuable classroom instructional strategy that helps to build student confidence, class collaboration, and expertise in chosen topics.
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Suicide Prevention
A document on suicide prevention including warning signs, action steps, online resources, and lifesaving facts to consider.
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Using Graphic Organizers
A reading on how to use graphic organizers as learning tools to deepen understanding.
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Audits: Point of Inquiry
This document explains the educational benefits of an audit, instructions on how to assign an audit, and an example of an audit handout.
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Using Learning Stations
Instructions on how to effectively use Learning Stations in the classroom.
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Using a Mind Map
A reading on using a mind map, which is a creative way to introduce a concept.
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The Whip Around
A reading on a quick and participative assessment tool called the whip-around.
Video
Join JVC
A brief description of the work and lives of the college-age volunteers of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC). JVC is an example of an organization putting the ideas of Catholic Social Justice into practice.
Video
The Easter story animated 3/3 - Jesus is Alive
A short series using cartoons to depict the story of Jesus' death and resurrection.
Video
The Easter Story Animated 2/3 - The Death of Jesus
A short series using cartoons to depict the story of Jesus' death and resurrection.
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The Easter Story Animated 1/3 - Jesus is Nailed to a Cross
A short series using cartoons to depict the story of Jesus' death and resurrection.
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"Tools of Evangelization" Word Search
Please note that this document is only available as a PDF.
Presentation
The Mystery of Suffering - PowerPoint
This PowerPoint is part of the Living in Christ Series. Rather than a philosophical or theological discussion of the mystery of suffering, this resource asks students to meditate and think about Jesus' example of suffering for people he loves.
Presentation
Symbols of the Paschal Mystery - PowerPoint
This PowerPoint is part of the Living in Christ Series. It uses vivid images to discuss the various signs and symbols that represent the Paschal Mystery. Students are asked to reflect on why a certain symbol is significant.
Presentation
Bible Search Challenge 1
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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.
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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.
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Catechist Tip Sheet 6: Using the Scriptures
The Scriptures play a critical role in our faith growth as a source of inspiration, celebration, education, and formation. As a catechist you should become comfortable with using the Scriptures, and nurture such comfort in young people.
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The Holy Trinity
Student handout: Activity for an unnamed section of Cath Connections Handbook (pg 35-39 ish) word puzzle
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Pass the Bag: A Biblical Affirmation Exercise
Class activity that familiarizes them with scriptural values, increases vocab, and ups self-esteem
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Directions for Game on! Games for Catholic Connections
Original directions to go with Game On! Cards. instructions for Baseball, Dodgeball, Identity, Jeopardy...
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Let Your Light Shine: An Overnight Retreat on Self-Esteem
This overnight retreat on self-esteem invites the young people to explore their own personal gifts and encourages them to share those abilities with others. The retreat emphasizes the light of Christ in our Life, the special people who bring us …
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I Am More Like. . .
Class strategy. Activity to help students articulate and share some of their personal characteristics and develop an appreciation for differences among people
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Catechist Tip Sheet 5: Helping Young Adolescents to Pay Attention
Handout that Catechists attending Session need to print out/can use. Resource
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Giving Thanks for Special People: A Communication Activity for Thanksgiving
A thank-you card activity to give thanks for the special people in students' lives.
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Catechist Tip Sheet 3: Effective Story Telling
Handout that Catechists attending Session need to print out/can use. Resource
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Catechist Tip Sheet 4: Effective Group Management
Handout that Catechists attending Session need to print out/can use. Resource
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Catechist Tip Sheet 1: Developmental Characteristics of Young Adolescents
Handout that Catechists attending Session need to print out/can use. Resource
Video
Lifehouse's Everything Skit
This skit is a powerful depiction of the human weakness in the face of temptations and the love of Jesus Christ, who conquers sin and death.
Video
Porn - What's the Harm?
Jason Evert speaks with youths about pornography and its impact on love and relationships. This video addresses one of the most prominent issues for male adolescents, and is explained by one of the most relatable professionals.
Video
26 Years of World Youth Days
A video produced by Grassroots Films (http://www.grassrootsfilms.com/ ) for World Youth Day 2011 Madrid, showing the WYD experience.
Article
Play Ball
Preparation Gather the following items: * two foam balls or two beanbags * one copy of the resource A Communication Process(PDF) Secretly Ask a participant to help you with the activity. Explain that the second activity in this session is …
Article
From the Author: Beth Dotson Brown
God is always at work in my life and once in awhile, I am blessed with the knowledge about where God is guiding me precisely when it's happening.So it was in the summer of 2005. As a longtime freelance writer …
Article
Paul's Conversion
Background for the Teacher This session focuses our attention on Paul's conversion experience. Using a hard-boiled egg and a raw egg as focusing symbols, the young people reflect on the meaning of conversion. Then two or three of the participants …
Article
Taking Care of Myself: Prayer for Stress Relief
Reflection Sleep is a natural part of everyone's life, but many of us know little about how important it is. Sleep is something our bodies need to do; it is not an option. Sleep does indeed sustain us. Not only …
Article
Meeting Jesus at the Movies: Cinema Divina for Teachers
One of the most spiritually powerful essays I have ever read is "To Fall in Love with the World: Individualism and Self-Transcendence in American Life" by John M. Staudenmeier, S.J. (Institute of Jesuit Studies, May 1994). The author asks: "How …
Article
Nurturing Spirituality with Faculty and Staff
This vision paper presents stories and ideas of Catholic educators who care deeply about their faith, their vocation, and their school communities. It is a reflection on how staff spiritual development empowers the mission to teach as Jesus did. The …
Article
Blessed are the Media Makers . . .
Imagine if a teacher brought students to the school library and allowed them to read anything they wanted without ever asking a single question or demanding that students think critically about what they were reading. Preposterous! What teacher would ever …
Article
Program aims to get youth excited about Bible
Young people in the diocese are getting excited about Scripture and it's all part of a national effort called "Yes! Youth Engaging Scripture." YES is a Catholic teen-to-teen Bible sharing concept and to date, some 1,800 young people have been …
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A Friend for Life
Editor's note: The names of the minors in this story have been changed to preserve confidentiality, in accordance with the wishes of Holy Cross Children's Services. DETROIT--When Tonya entered a youth detention home of the Holy Cross Children's Services …
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Leader's Guide for The Master's Companion: A Christian Midrash
Table of Contents Beyond Scripture Helpful Hints for Using and Creating Midrash with Young People Classroom Activities Chapter 1: The Small Black Dog with the White Foot (John 4:1-30)--compassion for animals Chapter 2: A Night in the Garden (John 4:39-45)--significance …
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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 …
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Advent: Let God be God . . .
----- Being in the wilderness reminds me to let God be God. When I'm at home In the day to day I forget Sometimes I try to make God mine To make God do things the way I think they …
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November, National Child Safety Month: Preparing for safe and sacred places
Preparing for Safe and Sacred Places Some experts predict the presence of at least one abuser and one victim of abuse anytime there is a gathering focusing on this topic. Someone in your community might be experiencing abuse of some …
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November, National Child Safety Month: Preventing Abuse
Ongoing Prevention and Education Your community can do several things to inform, prevent, and respond to sexual abuse. The following are essential strategies you will want to incorporate into parish- or school-wide ministries: • All young people need to know …
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November, National Child Safety Month: Considerations in Ministry Planning
CONSIDERATIONS IN MINISTRY PLANNING All adults who work with children and or young people must be capable of exercising good judgment and wisdom in their ministry. We recommend that you consider the following questions when planning any activity involving children …
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Word-Association Exercise: Afterlife
(30 minutes) Prior to this exercise, have the all participants (including the facilitator) bring to the session a personal symbol. This symbol should be an object from among the participant's personal belongings that acts as a reminder of a much …
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Resources for Parents Who Want to View The Passion of the Christ with Their Teenage Children
Things to Remember Film is an art form, and many genres and subgenres exist within film. Comedy is a genre. Within that genre one could name romantic comedies, slapstick comedies, and dark comedies as subgenres. Before reading a piece of …
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Artist Appreciation Month: Graphic Images of Christ's Passion in Art
Mel Gibson is not the first person to shock the public with a graphically violent portrayal of the Passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In 1515, Matthias Grunewald revealed an artwork called The Isenheim Altarpiece to the monks and churchgoers …
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Survival in Youth Ministry
In 1994 Saint Mary's Press published a book called Survival in Youth Ministry, by Robert J. McCarty, executive director of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. As youth ministry continues to mature in the United States, we would like …
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Reflection Exercise: My Least Answerable Questions
(5 minutes) 1. Introduce this exercise by reiterating the idea that death is mystery and that since the beginning of time, people of all ages, cultures, and races have asked tough questions about death. Jesus himself struggled with such questions. …
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Talking Hands--Personal Attitudes Toward Death
(10 minutes) 1. Have the participants assemble and sit in a circle. Introduce this activity as Talking Hands. Explain to the participants the signals that they will need to use. Tell the young people that each time they hear a …
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Unbound!
OVERVIEW Praying for forgiveness sets us free. In this prayer the young people experience this message through a ritual of reconciliation. This strategy, which is ideal for a retreat or as a conclusion to a session on forgiveness, allows …
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Lenten Nails: A Reflection Exercise for Lent
OVERVIEW This two-part reflection exercise allows the young teens to evaluate their behaviors and attitudes and admit their faults, throughout Lent. The exercise is introduced at the beginning of Lent and concludes before Easter. Suggested Time: Approximately 10 minutes for …
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Ashes to Reconciliation: A Reconciliation Prayer for Lent
OVERVIEW This prayer can be used during the first week of Lent or any time the sacrament of Reconciliation (also called the sacrament of Penance) is discussed or celebrated. Suggested Time: 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of …
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Soup or Bowl: A Game and Service Project for Super Bowl Sunday
OVERVIEW This combination game and service project is played in relay style by teams of young people with cans of soup that they bring as donations for the local food pantry. Suggested Time: A minimum of 10 minutes, or as …
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Advent: Saint Joseph and Jesus
This can be easily adapted to a video call. 1. Gather the group in a circle for a moment of silence. Light the candle and read these passages about Joseph in the Gospel of Matthew (1:18-21 and 2:13-15). Ask the …
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Advent Buddies
Advent Buddies: An Intergenerational Relationship-building Activity OVERVIEW This activity helps young people learn from an older person in the parish and establish a faith relationship with that person. Suggested Time: About 15 minutes for each meeting during Advent Group Size: …
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Build a Meal: An Outreach Activity for Thanksgiving
Build a Meal: An Outreach Activity for Thanksgiving OVERVIEW This outreach activity invites the young people to build holiday meals and memories for families that might not be able to afford a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Suggested Time: 10 to 15 …
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All Saints' Day: Unmasking Saints
Unmasking Saints: A Learning Activity for All Saints' Day OVERVIEW This creative activity helps young adolescents learn a little about their Catholic heritage by exploring the life and work of their patron saint or a favorite saint. Group Size: This …
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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 …
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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 …
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Back to School: Latin 101
Invite your class or each student to create a motto for the year in terms of positive faith growth over the course of the year. Your students are most likely familiar with the tradition of mottos or creeds in Latin. …
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Unchurched Teens: Teens Who Don't Profess Church Affiliation Rises
According to a 2002 study the number of teens with no religious affiliation has risen by over 15 million young people since 1990. That is an average increase of over 1.15 million young people annually. When presented with such statistics, …
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Raising Up Leaders
I had a fascinating time with a group of young leaders. I was most struck by the diversity of the young people from a particular area. They came from single parent households, working-class families, and professional families. They were black …
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The Important of Process
I usually learn things the hard and long way. I have sponsored many prayer services, service projects and other such activities for teenagers. Prior to the event, I am usually consumed with details. Permission slips, transportation, food, and the schedule …
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God's Work or My Work? What is Ministry to Teens?
It had been a very successful year for the youth ministry program in the parish. Young people where involved everywhere in the church, adult volunteers were both plentiful and dedicated, and young people were being transformed. But I was perplexed. …
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Contemporary Music, Ageless Wisdom: Using the Language of Teens to Speak the Gospel
It is no secret that teens are absolutely immersed in music. The question for those ministering to youth is, "Should we make a stance against the kinds of music kids are listening to or should we use their music to …
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Why Is the World the Way It Is?
Why is the world the way it is? Why is it full of wrong? Why are her eyes so big? Why is his neck so long? Why is she so dark? Why am I so light? Why is she called …
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Adonai Shalom
Adonai Shalom “Lord of Peace” Adonai Shalom Lord, let there be peace in my heart, so that it may be open to feel love, kindness, and goodness. Adonai Shalom Lord, let there be peace in my life, so that I …
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A Prayer Invoking Peace
(For use before a meeting or gathering of youth workers.) Song "Give Us Your Peace," by Michael Mahler, Give Your Gifts: The New Songs (Chicago: GIA Publications, 2001). Leader: As we begin this meeting, let us begin with peace. Please …
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A Listening Session for Teens on the Mishandling of Sexual Abuse by Clergy
Materials Needed * a 3-by-5-inch index card for each young person * a pencil for each young person * prayer materials (Select one of the "Options for Ritual Actions" below.) * 3 readers for the closing prayer * handouts …
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Hunchback of Notre Dame: A Movie Activity
Disney's 1996 movie The Hunchback of Notre Dame can serve as a great starting point for discussions on the following topics: Moral Development. One can find examples of Quasi relying on childlike, adolescent and adult morality--which makes sense for an …
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What Every Teen Should Know
I often joke with my students that they help me parent my children! When my daughter Ellie was turning thirteen, all of a sudden I was struck with this idea that turned out to be an awesome activity for my …
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Patch Adams - Movie Reflection
Patch Adams is a great movie to use with students! It is the fact-based story of Hunter "Patch" Adams, the founder of the Gesundheit Clinic. Robin Williams plays the lead character with grace and skill. Synopsis: After spending some time …
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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, …
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Intergenerational Service Project
Objectives to provide layette and nursery supplies for families in need to bring together girls and women to serve, build community, and pray to stimulate intergenerational dialogue among girls and women to reflect on the physical and emotional needs of …
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Listening to the Voices of Girls
God is with her. God works for her. God fills her. God chooses her. God accepts her. God praises her. God listens to her. God cries with her. God knows her. God loves her. We are her. In eleven short …
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The Buzz About the Theology-Technology Connection
"What's the buzz? Tell me what's happenin'!" I'm sure many of you recognize those lyrics from "Jesus Christ Superstar." I think of that song whenever the topic of technology comes up, which is often. In-services, workshops, and professional journals regularly …
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Don't Cancel that Guilt Trip
A few weeks ago it was brought home to me how strongly our society has rejected the idea of struggling with one's conscience as necessary or beneficial. I was teaching Alice Walker's novel The Color Purple (Harbrace, 1982), and the …
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Young People's Beginning Experience
By now, divorce has touched the lives of many people in the United States--either directly or through a friend or relative. For a child or teenager, divorce can rip apart a comfortable home, leaving behind guilt, anger and depression. Today, …
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A Note on Kneeling
IT WASN'T UNTIL I COULD NO LONGER kneel that I began to savor the lovely simplicity of this ancient act, and guess at its provenance, and savor its humility, and notice it not only in Mass but in many other …
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Tuning in to youths' media culture
Rather than criticize teens' preoccupation with the media, these religion teachers use it in their faith formation efforts. Adolescents often feel most fully alive and in tune with their peers in the midst of a media experience--a rock concert, a …
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A Multiple Intelligence Approach
Helping students discover how they are smart should be the goal of assessment. Is multiple intelligence instruction the way to proceed into the 21st century? Many educators in Catholic settings with whom I have worked remark that the theory reminds …
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From Isolation to Liberation
At the age of ten, I was diagnosed with pre-leukemia. Before being diagnosed I had to undergo numerous blood tests and very painful bone marrow tests. These tests continued after the diagnosis. I had to miss the last part of …
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Using Literature in Theology Classes
Editor's note: The author of our feature article, Kathleen Hodapp, was one of the participants in last summer's workshop "The Catholic High School As Faith Community," held here in Winona, Minnesota, as well as on the East Coast and the …
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Service and Justice
We are standing on the brink, and our bishops are urging us to jump. Many of us don't know where we'll end up, and we aren't sure whether we'll land in one piece. Yet the sense of urgency is building, …
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A Thousand Teenagers Singing at Mass?
Every August, despite our enthusiasm to bring fresh ideas to our classrooms and curriculum, the same question lingers for us as we plan for another year of all-school liturgies: How do we get a thousand teenagers to sing at Mass? …
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A One-Day Retreat on Service in the Inner City
Our sophomore class day retreat focuses on finding spirituality in the inner city. It is a kind of "urban plunge" experience within a spiritual framework, and students go on this retreat during the same semester that they take a social …
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Forms for the Hermitage Experience
For more information see Leading Students to Hermitage. Preparation for Hermitage Dear __________________________, Your day for hermitage is _____________________ in the MORNING at 8:00 a.m. or AFTERNOON at 1:40 p.m. To come to hermitage, you must do the following things: …
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Story Collections for Classroom Teaching and Youth Ministry
The following is a list of story resources and collections for teaching or ministering with teenagers. [Editor's note: See the article "Helping students Get the Most Out of Stories" for ideas on using these stories with young people.] Most items …
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Helping Students Get the Most Out of Stories
For the past six years I have been researching the power of stories for communicating Catholic religious and moral values. At the same time, I have been experimenting with stories in my high school classroom (tenth- and twelfth-grade classes in …
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Fruit from the Vineyards of Faith Community
Participants in this summer's workshop "The Catholic High School as Faith Community" offered one another insights from their experience in the "vineyards" of Catholic high school teaching and campus ministry. We are happy to pass some of their "fruit of …
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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 …
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Committing to Your School's Catholic Identity and Mission
A group of fifty-four religion teachers, campus ministers, and administrators from thirty-seven Catholic high schools across the United States gathered in June 1995 to share dreams, struggles, and moments of grace around the theme of building faith community in their …
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When the School Play Becomes a Faith Experience
As a teacher in a Catholic school, I have always been concerned with trying to demonstrate to my students how, in a practical way, Catholic values and the Christian worldview are relevant to their lives. A Catholic school does not …
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Growing as a Faith Community
Over the past nine years as a campus minister and theology teacher at Saint John's Jesuit High School in Toledo, Ohio, I have witnessed and been part of the growth of our school toward the ideal of being a Christian …
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Questions for God
In a course on faith that he teaches at De La Salle Academy in New York City, David Detje, FSC, uses the film Oh, God! to shake up the students' notions of what God is like. He has gotten some …
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Lessons from an Inner-City Parish High School
Saint Paul High School in San Francisco, where I teach, is an inner-city parochial school. It is a school that, for all its shortcomings, has much to teach other Catholic secondary schools, precisely in view of the two attributes cited--namely, …
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Introductory Activities for Teaching Christology
Mimi McCaul, who teaches at La Salle High School in Pasadena, California, passes along to you some of the strategies she uses in the course Jesus of History, Christ of Faith. Thanks, Mimi! Introductory Activity On the first or second …
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Emmaus Poem
A strange place to make a new beginning here on a dusty road not leading much of anywhere in a time when the ritual seasons have already turned and at dusk almost dark, in fact what an unsuitable place and …
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Block Scheduling Tips
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. It is my hope that I can summarize some of the highlights from these old files …
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