Chapter 4 CHAPTER 4 Confirmation Is the Sacrament of the Holy Spirit Centering Ask: How does Baptism make us new people? (It gives us grace to help us live like Jesus; it makes us members of God s family, the Church.) Say: When you were baptized, you were welcomed into God s family as a follower of Jesus. Sometimes it can be hard to act the way Jesus wants us to. But Jesus and the Holy Spirit are there to give us the strength to do what is right. Say: Today we will talk about the sacrament in which we review the promises we make at Baptism. Sharing PAGE 27 Read aloud the chapter title and The Holy Spirit Strengthens the Church s Faith on page 27. Ask: What is another name we use for the Holy Spirit? (Advocate) Have your child read aloud its definition from the Glossary. Ask: What was the first sign that the Holy Spirit was approaching? (the sound of wind) What sign told the apostles the Holy Spirit had come? (flames like tongues of fire) How did the apostles show their strengthened faith? (They spoke boldly about Jesus in the streets of Jerusalem. They were witnesses to Jesus wherever they went. They suffered and died for Jesus.) Say: The Holy Spirit first came to us in the Sacrament of Baptism. In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Holy Spirit renews his coming, and we recommit ourselves to living like Jesus. Lead your child in prayer using A Moment with Jesus. Sharing PAGES 28 29 Read aloud the first two paragraphs on page 28. Then have your child read aloud the parts of the children while you read aloud the part of Mr. Chen. Ask: Why is the bishop the usual minister of Confirmation? (The apostles were the first bishops of the Church. The bishops take their place.) Who confirms in the RCIA? (the priest) What signs of the sacrament are used in the rite? (laying on of hands, anointing with chrism, the words) What do the bishop and priests pray for as they extend their hands over those to be confirmed? (the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to make them stronger)
Chapter 4 Say: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit, which we receive at Baptism, are strengthened in Confirmation. They are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, fear of the Lord, and piety. These qualities help us follow Jesus, even when it is difficult. Ask: What does the bishop say when he anoints the person being confirmed? ( Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. ) What does sealed mean? (that the person belongs completely to God, that he or she is marked forever as a witness for Christ) What are the responsibilities of a confirmed Catholic? (to give witness to Christ, to profess the faith) What does it mean to live in a Christlike way? (to live as Jesus lived and taught) Have your child complete the word search on page 29. Sharing PAGE 30 Take turns reading aloud The Holy Spirit Makes Us Strong Witnesses on page 30. Ask: When did you first receive your call to witness and work for the Church? (at Baptism) What will the Holy Spirit do in Confirmation? (strengthen us to follow our baptismal call) How will the Holy Spirit help you become strong witnesses? (He will enable us to know Jesus better, love him more, and be more like Jesus.) Say: If you know Jesus better and love him more, you will become like him more easily. The more your thoughts, words, and actions are like those of Jesus, the better witness you will be. Have your child read silently Missionaries Give Witness. Ask: What are missions? (the work of Jesus continued throughout the world by the Church, helping the needy and spreading the Good News) Who are the people who go to work in the missions? (missionaries) Ask: How might you help missionaries continue their work? (pray for them; donate food, clothing, or money; become a missionary) Say: Remember that missionaries work all over the world and here in our country. You can be a missionary anywhere. Acting PAGES 31 32 Call your child to prayer. Say: Think of what it means to be a witness for Christ to think and act as he did, to live and profess your faith, to help the Church. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you accept the privilege of being a witness. [Pause.] Lead your child through the Summary and the Review on pages 31 and 32. Encourage your child to share the Things to Do at Home section with other members of your family, or together read aloud the section to review.
Chapter 4 Gather and Go Forth PAGES 33 34 INSPIRE Read aloud the text and the Scripture in the sidebar on page 33. Ask: What is another name for the Holy Spirit? (the Advocate) Say: An advocate can be a mediator or a comforter. PROCLAIM Read aloud the Know and Proclaim text and the chart. Say: Renewing our baptismal promises at Confirmation shows the world that we understand and live our Catholic faith. Read aloud the question and answers in Test Your Catholic Knowledge. Have your child answer the question and say: The Sacrament of Confirmation is also known as the Sacrament of the Holy Spirit. Read aloud A Catholic to Know on page 34. Say: Francis Xavier answered God s call. Ask: What are you doing to be open to God s call for your life? Read aloud the Witness and Share introductory text. Then read aloud each faith statement in My Way to Faith, pausing to allow time for your child to reflect on each one. Read aloud the Share Your Faith directions and have your child complete the activity. TRANSFORM Direct your child to the Prayer to the Holy Spirit on the inside front cover of his or her book. Ask your child to pray this prayer every day for one week. Challenge your child to act as a missionary. Say: This week, follow the example of Saint Francis Xavier. Be a missionary for Christ.
Chapter 5 CHAPTER 5 The Eucharist Is the Center of Christian Life Centering Ask: Why must we eat food every day? (to be strong and healthy, to live and grow) Say: Food nourishes us. Unless we eat every day, we will not have strength and energy. Ask: Which two Sacraments of Initiation have you studied already? (Baptism and Confirmation) Say: The third Sacrament of Initiation celebrates a person s full entrance into the Christian community. It also gives us the power to live up to the responsibilities of a Christian. Ask: What is the third Sacrament of Initiation in which Jesus Christ gives himself to us under the appearances of bread and wine? (the Eucharist) Sharing PAGE 35 Have your child read aloud the title and the first three paragraphs on page 35. Say: God knows how important food is. Just as Jesus fed those who were there to listen to him teach, Christ feeds us at Mass, where we have gathered to hear his teaching. Say: The most fearsome plague for the Israelites was when the angel of death passed over their homes. The Israelites were saved from the angel of death when they sacrificed the paschal lamb and put its blood on their doorposts. This event is what the Jewish people celebrate each year during the feast of Passover. Have your child read aloud the meaning for Passover in the Glossary. Say: Jesus celebrated Passover on the night before he died. However, he became the paschal lamb when he sacrificed himself for us. Take turns reading aloud the rest of the page. Ask: What does the Paschal Mystery include? (Jesus Christ s Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension) Say: In the eucharistic celebration, we enter into the Paschal Mystery as we pass from sin to new life in Jesus Christ. Sharing PAGE 36 Have your child read aloud the first paragraph of Christ Is Present in the Eucharist on page 36. Point out the boldface word and have your child read aloud its meaning in the Glossary. Say: We say real presence because Christ is really present under the appearances of bread and wine. In the Eucharist, not only are his Body and Blood present, but his soul and divinity are also present. Ask: To whom are we united when we receive Holy Communion? (Jesus Christ, the Father, the Holy Spirit, and all the people who share the meal with us)
Chapter 5 Have your child read aloud the rest of this section. Say: Because we commit sin, we need Christ s forgiveness. We need his strength to overcome temptation in the future and to live according to God s commandments. Read aloud the first paragraph of We Prepare to Receive Christ. Ask: Why can t people who have committed mortal sins receive Holy Communion? (They have separated themselves from God and the Church.) Say: Sin is a deliberate and free choice to think, say, or do something we know offends God. Freely choosing something that is seriously wrong is called mortal sin. Read aloud the rest of the section. Ask: What do we do to prepare for Holy Communion? (fast for one hour, pray, confess our sins) Sharing PAGE 37 Have your child read aloud the first three paragraphs of We Honor Christ s Presence in the Eucharist on page 37. Ask: How do we honor Christ s presence in the tabernacle? (We genuflect; a lamp is kept nearby; we make visits to church and pray to our Lord.) Say: By bringing Holy Communion to people who are too sick to come to Mass, the Church helps those members receive strength from the risen Christ. Have your child read aloud the rest of the page. Say: During exposition, the Holy Eucharist is made visible for us. Ask: Why? (for us to adore and worship Christ the Lord) Sharing PAGES 38 39 Invite your child to pray aloud together with you The Divine Praises on page 38. Then find pictures in books or on the Internet of the vessels and vestments listed on page 39. Say: We honor God by having the articles used in worship skillfully crafted from the best materials. They are consecrated. This means that they are set aside for God s use alone. Complete the activity together. Acting PAGES 40 42 Call your child to prayer using A Moment with Jesus on page 40. Say: This psalm prayer is prayed during some Masses in honor of the Holy Eucharist. Read for the leader and have your child read the other parts. Each response can be prayed by both you and your child. Lead your child through the Summary and the Review on pages 41 and 42. Encourage your child to share the Things to Do at Home section with other members of your family, or together read aloud the section to review.
Chapter 5 Gather and Go Forth PAGES 43 44 INSPIRE Read aloud the text and the Scripture in the sidebar on page 43. Say: Under the form of bread and wine, Jesus gives us himself. He is the living bread. We become one with him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. PROCLAIM Read aloud the Know and Proclaim text and the chart. Say: The Eucharist is the center of our Christian life. As Catholics, we believe receiving Christ in Holy Communion unites us with him and with one another. Read aloud the question and answers in Test Your Catholic Knowledge. Have your child answer the question and say: Jesus gave us the Eucharist at the Last Supper. Through his Crucifixion, Jesus Christ cleanses us of our sins and offers us eternal life with him in heaven. Read aloud A Catholic to Know on page 44. Say: Christ chose Margaret Mary to spread devotion to his Sacred Heart. Read aloud the Witness and Share introductory text. Then read aloud each faith statement in My Way to Faith, pausing to allow time for your child to reflect on each one. Read aloud the Share Your Faith directions and have your child complete the activity. TRANSFORM Encourage your child to become more aware of Jesus in Holy Communion. Say: At Mass, remember our Catholic beliefs and receive the Holy Eucharist thoughtfully. Have your child research Bread for the World, an organization that empowers faith communities to end hunger. Ask your child to list actions he or she can take to help end hunger.
Chapter 14 CHAPTER 14 Jesus Heals Us in the Sacrament of Penance Centering Ask: What gift has God given us to help us do what is good? (our conscience) Why do we need Jesus forgiveness? (because we do not always listen to our conscience; sometimes we sin) Say: Today you will learn what we must do to be forgiven. Sharing PAGE 113 Have your child read aloud the chapter title and read silently page 113. Ask: Why do you think Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus? (He was curious.) Why do you think Jesus chose to go to Zacchaeus s house? (Jesus loved Zacchaeus and wanted him to make up for his sins.) Say: Zacchaeus was moved by the love Jesus showed him. Jesus was probably very happy that Zacchaeus wanted to see him so much. Say: Jesus wants to visit us too, not just today, but every day. Sharing PAGE 114 Take turns reading aloud the section Jesus Wants to Meet with Us on page 114. Ask: What word means sadness we feel for our sin? (contrition) In what sacrament does Jesus give us his forgiving love? (the Sacrament of Reconciliation) Say: When we sin, we are not acting as God wants us to act. God created us because he loves us. To receive Jesus forgiveness and healing, we must admit that we have sinned. When we recognize that Jesus loves us even though we are sinners, we can admit our sins. Say: Zacchaeus gave us an example of an important thing to do if we are trying to live as God s children. The last paragraph on this page also gives examples of how we can make up for our sins. Ask: What are they? (give up our selfishness and share, be kind to those we have hurt) Call your child to prayer using A Moment with Jesus. Sharing PAGE 115 Have your child read silently the paragraph at the top of page 115 and complete the activity Making Up. Discuss his or her answers. Say: Jesus loves us very much, but we sometimes do not return that love. We think so much about ourselves that we forget about Jesus. When we recognize our sins, we want to return to the Lord and say we are sorry.
Chapter 14 Say: It isn t easy to ask forgiveness or to forgive others. But whom can we ask to help us? (Jesus) Read aloud Jesus Gives the Gift of Peace. Ask: When did Jesus give us the Sacrament of Reconciliation? (Easter Sunday night) To whom did he give the power to forgive sins? (his disciples) How can we celebrate the sacrament? (privately or communally) Which do you like better? Sharing PAGE 116 117 Have your child read silently the first column on page 116. Ask: What three things do we do to prepare our hearts to receive forgiveness in this sacrament? (examine our conscience, tell God we are sorry, promise to try to be more loving) When we confess our sins, what things could we tell the priest? (what our sins are, how often we committed them, why we committed them) Say: Sometimes it is difficult to confess our sins. The important thing is to tell it the way it is. Take turns reading aloud the children s stories. Discuss how the priest might help each child understand how Jesus can help him or her. Have your child complete the activity Person Penance on page 117. Take turns reading aloud the remaining sections on page 117. Say: After we confess, the priest usually talks to us. He tries to help us find out how we can be more loving children of our heavenly Father. Then he gives us a penance. Ask: What is a penance? (a prayer to pray or something to do as a sign that we want to make up for our sins) When the priest says the words of absolution, he is forgiving us. Sharing PAGE 118 Help your child assemble the My Reconciliation Booklet from the back of his or her book. Have your child become familiar with the booklet by reading aloud the introductory paragraph on page 2. Lead your child through Celebrating the Sacrament on page 118. Point out how the steps in this section correspond to the steps in the booklet. Acting PAGES 119 120 Call your child to reflect and pray about one of his or her sins. Say: Look into your heart now and find one sin for which you are sorry. Think about why you committed that sin. [Pause.] Have your child pray aloud the Act of Hope found on the inside back cover of his or her book. Lead your child through the Summary and the Review activities on pages 119 and 120. Encourage your child to share the Things to Do at Home section with other members of your family, or together read aloud the section to review.
Chapter 14 Gather and Go Forth PAGES 121 122 INSPIRE Read aloud the text and the Scripture in the sidebar on page 121. Say: God s gift of Reconciliation is a gift of peace to us. What a wonderful gift! In Reconciliation, we meet Jesus where he shares his healing love with us. PROCLAIM Read aloud the Know and Proclaim text and the chart. Ask: What do you do to prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation? (pray an examination of conscience; apologize to those I ve hurt) Read aloud the question and answers in Test Your Catholic Knowledge. Have your child answer the question and say: The Sacrament of Reconciliation cleanses us from sin, which allows us to better share God s love. Read aloud A Catholic to Know on page 122. Say: Isidore wrote an encyclopedia that was used as a textbook for nine centuries. He earned the name The Schoolmaster of the Middle Ages. Read aloud the Witness and Share introductory text. Then read aloud each faith statement in My Way to Faith, pausing to allow time for your child to reflect on each one. Read aloud the Share Your Faith directions and have your child complete the activity. TRANSFORM Ask your child to write an examination of conscience. Have him or her think of questions to guide reflection before celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Encourage your child to seek forgiveness from someone he or she has wronged.
Chapter 18 CHAPTER 18 Christian Marriage Leads to Family Holiness Centering Say: Today we are going to talk about a vocation that two people share together. Ask: Can you guess what it is? (married life) Say: All vocations are challenging. Married life can be hard. God gives married people a special grace called the Sacrament of Matrimony. Say: A marriage is meant to be a great gift from God that will last for life. A happy marriage does not happen automatically. It takes thought and effort. Sharing PAGE 149 Have your child read aloud the chapter title and the first section. Ask: What is the love of married men and women a sign of? (Jesus love for his Church) Say: Before a man and a woman celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony, they should make the decision to help each other make their love grow. Say: The Church calls marriage a covenant. Ask: What do we mean by a covenant? (an agreement) Say: Husbands and wives make an agreement to take care of each other and be faithful for all their lives. Have your child read aloud the last section. Ask: What do Catholic husbands and wives ask Jesus to do for them when they choose to be married at Mass? (give them the strength to remain faithful) Sharing PAGE 150 Have your child read silently the first section on page 150. Point out the word Matrimony and have your child find its meaning in the Glossary. What is the sign in the Sacrament of Matrimony? (the exchange of promises) Why do the husband and wife give each other rings? (to remind them to be faithful in love) Ask: What three things does the priest pray for as he gives the special blessing called the nuptial, or wedding, blessing? (He asks God to bless them, to give them the graces they need, and to make them good parents.) Have your child read aloud the first two paragraphs of the section Unselfish Love Strengthens a Marriage. Ask: Have you ever had a disagreement with a close friend? Say: Disagreements also happen between husbands and wives. They have to work hard to overcome their disagreements and keep their love growing.
Chapter 18 Take turns reading aloud the bulleted list. Help your child come up with examples for each item. Say: Love is a wonderful thing, but it doesn t always come easy. It requires work and sacrifices if it is going to keep growing. Read the rest of this section and allow your child to answer the question. Sharing PAGE 151 Have your child read silently the first section on page 151. Say: In a marriage, a husband and wife face difficulties together. Both the husband and wife must seek the other s happiness. That means they are using the grace of marriage. Say: The need for the grace of marriage is obvious in difficult situations. People need God s help, God s grace, to live together so closely. It is a sign that they are accepting and using the grace of marriage when they try to make each other happy. Have your child read aloud the section Children Are Living Reminders of Love. Ask: What responsibility do parents have to their children? (to surround them with love and to teach them to love God and others) Ask: What helps a husband and wife care for their family? (the grace of the Sacrament of Matrimony) Say: It is important to remember that God loves all families very much. Call your child to prayer using A Moment with Jesus. Sharing PAGE 152 Have your child read silently the section Our Families Show God s Love on page 152. Say: Parents love their children and make sacrifices for them. Ask: How must we act to show our love? (unselfishly) What are some sacrifices parents make for their children? (staying home to care for sick children, helping with homework, paying for what children need or want) Ask: What is the most important message to give to each member of our family? (They are loved.) Have your child complete the activity Share Your Love on page 152. Acting PAGES 153 154 Have your child cut out A Prayer for My Family from the back of his or her book. Pray aloud the prayer together. Encourage your child to keep this prayer in a special place at home and to pray it often. Lead your child through the Summary and the Review on pages 153 and 154. Encourage your child to share the Things to Do at Home section with other members of your family, or together read aloud the section to review.
Chapter 18 Gather and Go Forth PAGES 155 156 INSPIRE Read aloud the text and the Scripture in the sidebar on page 155. Say: Through marriage, a family is formed. The family is a sign of Jesus presence in the world. PROCLAIM Read aloud the Know and Proclaim text and the chart. Say: When members of a family work to bring happiness to one another, they do as God himself does. Read aloud the question and answers in Test Your Catholic Knowledge. Have your child answer the question and ask: How do family members help you serve others? (by teaching me Christian values; by teaching me through their examples) Read aloud A Catholic to Know on page 156. Ask: What does Maria s example teach us about the healing power of forgiveness? (Maria forgave the man who killed her. Her forgiveness led him to repent for his sins, reform his life, and find God.) Read aloud the Witness and Share introductory text. Then read aloud each faith statement in My Way to Faith, pausing to allow time for your child to reflect on each one. Read aloud the Share Your Faith directions and have your child complete the activity. TRANSFORM Challenge your child to show respect. Say: Choose one person each day this week to give a special show of respect. Have your child choose a time each day to pray together with other family members to the Holy Spirit, asking for the grace to grow in respect for one another.
Chapter 19 CHAPTER 19 Holy Orders Is a Sacrament of Service Centering Ask: What special sacrament did Jesus give married couples to help them be holy in their vocation? (the Sacrament of Matrimony) Say: Today you will study the other Sacrament at the Service of Communion. Ask: What is it? (the Sacrament of Holy Orders) Sharing PAGE 157 Have your child read aloud the chapter title and the first paragraph on page 157. Ask: What is our priesthood called? (the common priesthood) Say: The word common is used for something that belongs to everyone. The common priesthood belongs to everyone who is baptized. Have your child read aloud the second paragraph. Point out the boldface terms and have them find their meanings in the Glossary. Say: The word ordained means that it belongs only to those who have been ordained through the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Have your child read aloud the rest of the section. Point out the boldface words and have your child find their meanings in the Glossary. Say: Clergy and laity match up with the ordained priesthood and the common priesthood. Ask: Which goes with which? (Clergy goes with ordained priesthood; laity goes with common priesthood.) Say: We need the clergy, and they need strength to carry on the work of Jesus with a loving and generous spirit. Sharing PAGE 158 Take turns reading aloud the first three paragraphs on page 158. Ask: What do both the bishop and priests who are present do? (They lay hands on the heads of those being ordained.) Why does the bishop do this? (to share the priesthood of Christ) Ask: What is a stole? (the long, narrow vestment a priest wears around his neck) What is a chasuble? (a full vestment worn over the other vestments) Say: It is a symbol of the priest s role. Ask: When does a priest wear it? (when he celebrates Mass) Have your child read aloud the rest of the first column. Say: During ordination, the bishop anoints the hands of the priest with holy Chrism. Read aloud the second column of the page. Ask: What does the bishop give each newly ordained priest? (a paten with bread, a chalice with water and wine) These are signs of one of the priest s powers. What is it? (the power to preside at Mass)
Chapter 19 Ask: From the last paragraph, what do you think a concelebration is? (one or more priests celebrating Mass with another priest or bishop) Sharing PAGE 159 Have your child read silently page 159. Say: Father Jim will have many duties at his parish. Ask: What does he consider one of his more important duties? (proclaiming the Good News) Ask: Why is proclaiming the Good News an important mission? (By proclaiming the Good News, the priest helps us know God better. The more we know God, the more we will love God and try to be like him.) Say: Celebrating the Eucharist is Father Jim s most important duty. But for him it is something else as well. Ask: What does he call it? (his greatest privilege) Say: We are all encouraged to pray for vocations to the priesthood. Call your child to prayer using A Moment with Jesus. Sharing PAGE 160 Have your child read aloud the first section on page 160. Say: Father Jim and his classmates were deacons who became priests. All ordained priests were first ordained as deacons. But not all deacons become priests. Some are called to serve the Church as deacons permanently. Ask: How is a deacon ordained? (The bishop ordains a deacon by laying his hands on the man s head and praying for him.) Say: A deacon might serve in many ways, but he cannot celebrate Mass. Have your child complete the activity and share his or her answers. Read aloud the last section of the page. Ask: What do bishops do for the Church? (They teach and lead us in the place of Jesus; they help us be holy people of God.) Ask: What are the three symbols of a bishop s ministry? (a ring, a miter, and a crosier) The miter appears on the second picture. Ask: What do we call the territory a bishop cares for? (a diocese) Talk with your child about your local bishop and diocese. Say: Archdioceses are main dioceses in a region. Bishops who are heads of archdioceses are called archbishops. Acting PAGES 161 162 Lead your child through the Summary and the Review on pages 161 162. Encourage your child to share the Things to Do at Home section with other members of your family, or together read aloud the section to review.
Chapter 19 Gather and Go Forth PAGES 163 164 INSPIRE Read aloud the text and the Scripture in the sidebar on page 163. Say: Jesus sends each of us out into the world to tell the Good News. PROCLAIM Read aloud the Know and Proclaim text and the chart. Say: Priests continue Jesus work on earth today by proclaiming the Good News, celebrating the sacraments, and building the Christian community. Read aloud the question and answers in Test Your Catholic Knowledge. Have your child answer the question and say: Knowing the facts of our faith and the history of the Church helps us teach others about Christ. Read aloud A Catholic to Know on page 164. Say: Pope John Paul II said of Father Kolbe, He won a victory of love. He loved both his fellow prisoners and those who put him to death. There is no greater love than this. Read aloud the Witness and Share introductory text. Then read aloud each faith statement in My Way to Faith, pausing to allow time for your child to reflect on each one. Read aloud the Share Your Faith directions and have your child complete the activity. TRANSFORM Say: Talk to leaders of ministries in our parish for ideas on how to serve. Consider being a greeter before Mass, distributing the bulletin, or being an altar server or a choir member. Ask your child to include the prayer he or she wrote for religious leaders in Share Your Faith in his or her daily prayers.