DIOCESE OF TOLEDO Parish Religion Course of Study Guide PHILOSOPHY Religious education in the toledo Diocese supports and assits parents in preparing their daughters and sons to respons to the presence of God. The response develops as all hear the message of the Gospel and seek to achieve a personal relationship with jesus Christ. This relationship then compels each one to love and to serve God and others, therby transforming self and society. The students are enabled to assimilate, gorw, and mature in the knowledge, values, and attitudes to which they are called by jesus Christ and the teachings of th eroman Catholic Church. Total Religious Educaation provides opportunities for students to integrate their learning and living experiences at eac stage of their development. This integration thrives in a thoroughly Christian atmosphere where the parish community and catechists share and witness in their professional and private lives this same commitment to personal growth in Jesus Christ. Through this Religion Course of Study, students will be enabled and encouraged to extend their personal faith commitment through prayer and service to others. Together with parents, parish, and religious education staffs, students participate in liturgical celebrations and activities which foster community. They will also learn to work toward peacemaking and the promotion of justice. It is the purpose of this Religion Course of Study to engage students in an ongoing search which leads them to union with Jesus, the Way, the Turth, and the Life. GOALS The goals for the Religion Course of Study for Parish Religious Educations reflect three basic assumptions: We recognize the existence of a God who loves us and desires our love in return. Faith is a gift which cannot be taught but only nurtured. Parents are the primary educators of their children, and, with them, the parish community and catechists are commissioned to nurture the gift of faith. Goal 1: The students will know and understand the person, message and mission of Jesus, and the history and basic teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Goal 2: The students will be enabled and encouraged to witness to the integrate into their lives the message and mission of Jesus, especially through service. Goal 3: Through the interdependence of parent(s), catechists, and the parish community, the students will be enabled and encouraged to develop a sense of belonging to a faith community and to celbrate their communalk faith experience through meaningful participation in liturgies.
DIOCESE OF TOLEDO Parish Religion Course of Study Guide FIRST GRADE Focus: God is good; God loves us; we love God; Jesus is God's son and our friend Learn that God is a good and loving God who created the world and made each person special Come to know who Jesus is and what He taught by discussing Scripture passages Experience prayer as a way to communicate with God at any time and in any place Know and understand the Sign of the Cross Understand that God's laws are to be obeyed, but sometimes we make bad choices Name their own parish Know that Mary is the Mother of Jesus SECOND GRADE Focus: Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist Know that the Church is God's family, a community of the faithful and a symbol of Christ's presence Study the structure of the Catholic Church and know the names of those in roles of authority Know that through Baptism we become members of God's family, the Church Identify the Bible as a holy book about God and God's people Know that God gives people the freedom to make choices; to distinguish between good and bad choices Differentiate between the different kinds of sin: mortal and venial Prepare for the reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist Develop a deeper understanding of the Mass and actively participate in it Recite with understanding: The Our Father, Hail Mary, Act of Contrition THIRD GRADE Focus: Doctrine, Church Investigate the following doctrines: Trinity; Heaven; Incarnation; Redemption; Holy Spirit; Immaculate Conception Explain the significance of the following events: Easter, Ascension, Pentecost Recognize the bible as the word of God speaking to us today Become familiar with stories from both the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures Deepen their understanding of the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation Identify the season and feasts of the liturgical year Recite with understanding: The Grace Before and After Meals; The Glory Be
FOURTH GRADE Focus: Morality, Reconciliation Study the following doctrines: Grace; Annunciation; Virgin Birth; Assumption Know the two great commandments and the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy Develop a deeper understanding of sin, conscience, responsibility and reconciliation Know, understand and use the Ten Commandments to make responsible choices Identify key figures from the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures Know that the Mass is the central act of worship for Catholics Take an active role in preparing and participating in the liturgy Recite with understanding: the Rosary FIFTH GRADE Focus: Sacraments Study each of the seven formal sacraments and their scriptural basis Learn that all life is sacramental Know that at Mass the Church celebrates Christ's life, suffering, death and resurrection (Paschal Mystery) Study the Mass, the liturgical roles, and vessels Understand and celebrate the various seasons and feasts of the liturgical year Recognize and understand the meaning of the Holy Days Recognized that God calls all persons to holiness SIXTH GRADE Focus: Hebrew Scriptures Understand that the Bible is the inspired word of God and that it began as oral tradition Name the different kinds of literary forms and kinds of books found in the Bible Differentiate between the two divisions of the Bible Identify and locate Scripture references and books Investigate the Hebrew Scriptures, their sources and nature Locate on a map various sites of the Hebrew Scriptures Read and discuss the writings depicting Creation, the Exodus, the Passover, Ten Commandments, covenant Identify significant persons and events of the Pentateuch and the historical books of the Hebrew Scriptures Know the role of some of the major prophets Differentiate between serious and venial sins, and know the conditions for mortal sin; sins of commission and omission; original, personal and social sin
SEVENTH GRADE Focus: Jesus and the Gospel Message Develop a deeper knowledge of Jesus and the Gospel message Know, appreciate, and apply the Christian Scriptures Define the following terms: Revelation, evangelist, synoptic, parable, covenant, inspiration Identify the books of the Christian Scriptures by abbreviation Differentiate between the types of books of the Christian Scriptures Find and cite correctly Christian Scripture references Recognize and know the significance of various persons and places mentioned in the Christian Scriptures Use the Christian Scriptures to arrive at knowledge of the life, death, resurrection and teachings of Jesus Know and define the marks of the Church Understand the structure of the Catholic Church Focus: Morality and Moral Decision-Making Explore the concept of virtue, values, and living a moral life Identify the theological virtues as foundations of moral activity and the moral virtues as aids to moral living Know and explain the Beatitudes Know the necessity of an informed conscience and how to develop it Discuss contemporary moral issues Focus: Lifestyles Learn how to develop as whole and relational persons within the framework of their own particular vocations Articulate the characteristics of the various Christian lifestyles Position their understanding of sexual morality within the framework of the Catholic Faith
EIGHTH GRADE Focus: Church History Understand the images of the Catholic Church Trace the history of the Roman Catholic Church from the second century to the twentieth century View the church as missionary and ecumenical Refine their understanding of the sacramental system of the Catholic Church Focus: Lifestyles Evaluate dating patterns for their ability to foster growth and to develop healthy relationships Understand and appreciate the church's teaching on family planning Understand some of the pitfalls and social problems caused by inappropriate expressions of sexuality Identify and understand that all Christian lifestyles/vocations are a means of living out one's baptismal commitment Appreciate the uniqueness of each lifestyle: single, married, religious life, priesthood Recognized the myths and misconceptions of each of the lifestyles Focus: Morality Understand that respect for basic human dignity is the root of morality Understand respect-for-life issues; suicide, abortion, euthanasia, substance abuse, war, capital punishment, etc. Focus: Sacraments Know the signs and symbols of Baptism, confirmation and the Sacrament of the Sick Know the essential elements of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the three forms of the rite Note: Confirmation preparation may be part of this year's course
HIGH SCHOOL The guidelines in Formed in the Image of Christ, based on the document, The Challenge of Adolescent Catechesis, provide direction for high school programs. The following courses are suggested. NINTH GRADE Personal Growth/Relationships Introduction tot eh Bible/Hebrew Scriptures Experience of Church TENTH GRADE Person of Jesus/His Gospel Liturgy/Sacraments/Prayer Introduction to the Christian Scriptures ELEVENTH GRADE Morality and Moral Decision-Making Human Sexuality Social Issues TWELFTH GRADE Love and Lifestyles Faith and Identity Practicum