Ages 2, 3, 4/Pre-School

WE BELIEVE in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ God made everything. 
__ God made me.
__ I am special.
__ Jesus is my friend and teacher.

WE BELONG to one, holy, catholic and apostolic church
__ My family loves and cares for me.
__ My family is part of God's family.
__ The people at church belong to God’s family.
__ We go to Church to thank God for all we have.

WE RESPOND as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God.
__ Everything we have is a gift from God.
__ We should take care of the things we have.
__ We should take care of God's world.
__ We should be nice to other people because they are also God's
     people.
__ We should do what our parents and teachers tell us to do.
__ We make God happy when we work and play well.
__ We can pray by using our own words or by using the following
     gestures and prayers: the Sign of the Cross, Grace Before Meals.

 •   •   •

Ages 4, 5, 6/Kindergarten

WE BELIEVE in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ The Bible is God’s special book.
__ God is the Creator who is like a loving parent.
__ God made each person special and unique.
__ God loves us even when we make mistakes.
__ Jesus is a friend and teacher; he shows us what God is like and how
     much God loves us.

WE BELONG to one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.
__ We call Jesus, Mary, and Joseph the Holy Family.
__ Mary is the Mother of Jesus.
__ The Church is God’s family.
__ The Church Year celebrates the life of Jesus. It also includes special
     days to honor Mary and other holy people.

WE RESPOND as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God.
__ Animals and plants are part of God’s creation, we should care for them
    and not hurt them.
__ We learn about God and God’s creation from our own families.
__ Our bodies help us experience and appreciate God’s wonderful
     creation.
__ We should respect and love all God’s people.
__ There is a difference between right and wrong; we should try not to do
     things that are wrong.
__ Prayer is a special way we talk to God.
__ Playing, singing, working, and quiet time can be part of our prayer.
__ Being a boy or girl is a gift from God.
__ We should take care of our body.
__ It is good to think about the wonders of God’s creation.
__ We can pray by using our own words or by using the following
     gestures and prayers: the Sign of the Cross, Grace Before Meals, Our
     Father/The Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary.

•   •   •

Ages 5, 6, 7/Grade 1

WE BELIEVE in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ The Bible is God’s holy book; it tells us about God’s love for the human
     race.
__ God created human beings in God's image and likeness.
__ God wants everyone know, love and serve him and be happy forever in
     heaven.
__ The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all part of God.
__ Jesus is God’s Son; he is our brother and friend.
__ Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help us live the way Jesus did.

WE BELONG to one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.
__ Mary is the Mother of Jesus; she is also our spiritual mother.
__ Saints are holy people who loved God very much and are with God in
     heaven.
__ Angels are God’s special messengers; they guard and protect us.
__ The Church is a community (or family) of God’s people.
__ The Church is also a special building in which God’s family prays and
     worships God.
__ We show our respect for God and God's people by folding our hands,
     making the Sign of the Cross, bowing and kneeling (genuflecting),
     listening and singing when we are in church.
__ The Church Year celebrates the life of Jesus. It also includes special
     days to honor Mary and other holy people.
__ God shares his life with us in the Sacrament of Baptism; we become
     members of the God's family, the Church, by our baptism.
__ Holy water is a reminder of one’s baptism.

WE RESPOND as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God.
__ Being a good steward means respecting and caring for God's
     creation.  God's creation includes the animals and plants, the
     resources of the earth, and all human beings.
__ We need to respect and love other people, even if they are different
     from us.
__ There are good and bad ways to show and receive love.
__ We should think about what it means to be a child of God.
__ Our families are the first place where we learn to love God and pray to
     God.
__ "Spontaneous prayer" is using our own thoughts and words to pray to
     God.
__ We can pray by using our own words (spontaneous prayer), by using
     prayers or rituals we learn from our families, and by using the following
     gestures and prayers: Grace After Meals, the Glory Be, a Morning
     Prayer, Angel of God.

•   •   •

Ages 6, 7, 8/Grade 2

WE BELIEVE in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ The Bible is made up of two parts: the Old Testament and the New
     Testament.
__ God’s creation (the world) is filled with signs of God’s goodness and
     love.
__ Jesus is the Son of God.  He became human so that we could know
     God how much God loves us.
__ Jesus lived and died for the sins of everyone.
__ Jesus used parables to tell us about God and the way God wants us to
     live.
__ Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help us make good decisions and to live
     the way Jesus did.
__ We call the power to live the way God wants us to live grace.

WE BELONG to one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.
__ Mary is the Mother of Jesus; she is also called the Mother of the
     Church, and is the greatest of all saints.
__ The Church is the family of God's people; it is the Body of Christ on
     earth.
__ The Church remembers and celebrates the life, death, and
     resurrection of Jesus
     throughout the Church Year and at every Mass.
__ The Sabbath is a special day to worship God.  Catholics celebrate the
     Sabbath by going to Mass on Saturday night or Sunday.
__ The Church honors Mary and the saints throughout the Church Year.

WE RESPOND as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God.
__ Being a good steward means using one’s talents and gifts to serve
     God and help others.
__ We learn about God’s great love and forgiveness in our families.
__ Sin is a bad word, thought, or action that we do on purpose.  Sins are
     bad because they hurt other people or ourselves, or because they
     harm our relationship with God and others.
__ A conscience is like an inner voice that helps us know what is right or
     wrong.
__ The Ten Commandments are God’s laws; they tell how to love God,
     other people and ourselves.
__ God forgives our sins through Baptism, the Sacrament of
     Reconciliation and the Eucharist.
__ The Mass is also called the Eucharist; Eucharist means giving thanks.
__ The two main parts of the Mass are the Liturgy of the Word and the
     Liturgy of the Eucharist.
__ Catholics believe that Jesus is truly present in the bread and wine
     which is blessed at Mass. We say the bread and wine become Jesus’
     Body and Blood.
__ We call the Body of Blood of Jesus Holy Communion.
__ There are certain rules for receiving Holy Communion.
__ Family relationships and friendships need to include listening, sharing,
     forgiveness and trust.
__ Following good health and safety rules helps us provide for the
     goodness of our body and spirit.
__ It is important to remember God’s forgiveness and our need for God's
     love, forgiveness and grace.
__ We can pray by using our own words (spontaneous prayer), by using
     prayers or rituals we learn from our families, and by praying the Act of
     Sorrow (or Act of Contrition)
__ We should learn and follow: the Ten Commandments and the rules for
     receiving Holy Communion

•   •   •

Ages 7, 8, 9/Grade 3

WE BELIEVE in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ The Holy Trinity is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy
     Spirit— three persons in one God.
__ Some ways we express our belief in the Holy Trinity are the Sign of the
     Cross and the Apostles’ Creed.
__ Jesus was fully human and fully divine.
__ Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help us make good decisions and to live
     the way Jesus did.
__ The followers of Jesus received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
__ The gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, good judgment,
     courage, knowledge, piety and fear (or awe) of the Lord.

WE BELONG to one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
__ Catholics in the Americas honor Our Lady of Guadalupe as their
     special saint.
__ The first Christians were followers of Jesus; they formed the earliest
     Christian communities—the Church.
__ The Christian Church is one, holy, catholic and apostolic.
__ Christians call Sunday The Lord’s Day.  We celebrate Jesus'
     Resurrection every Sunday.
__ Sunday is a holy day of obligation for Catholics.  According to Church
     law, Catholics must attend Mass on Saturday evening or Sunday.
__ The Catholic Church has other holy days of obligation; Catholics are
     obliged by Church law to attend Mass on these days.
__ The Church Year consists of the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent,
     Easter and Ordinary Time. It also includes special feast days in honor
     of Mary and the saints.
__ The people of God are also called the Communion of Saints; this
     includes God's people who are living and those who have died.
__ The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and the pastor of the whole Catholic
     Church.
__ A parish is a specific gathering place for Catholics; Catholics belong to
     a parish faith community where they worship, learn and practice their
     faith under the leadership of a priest (the "pastor") appointed by the
     bishop.
__ Families are called "the domestic church" or "the church in the home"
     because we first learn how to live our faith in our families.

WE RESPOND as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God.
__ Being a good steward means sharing one’s time, talents and
     treasures with the Church and with God's people.
__ Grace is God’s life; it is a participation in the life of the Holy Trinity.
__ Sacraments are visible signs that celebrate God’s life.
__ Everyone is called to serve God and others through Baptism.
__ Married people are called by Marriage to serve God by raising a family.
__ Single people are called to serve God and others by being single or
     joining a religious community.
__ Bishops, priests and deacons are called and ordained to lead the
     church and serve God's people by the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
__ Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments with his Great
     Commandment: to love God and to love others as we love ourselves.
__ There are different kinds of prayers; prayers of praise and blessing,
     petition, thanksgiving and sorrow (contrition).
__ The Psalms are special prayers or songs written long ago.
__ Boys and girls are equal partners in God’s plan for creation.
__ Human beings grow and develop at different rates and in different
     ways; this is part of God's plan.
__ It is important to think about what it means to be a member of the
     Catholic Church.
__ We should learn and pray: the Apostles Creed and the Rosary
__ We should learn and follow: the Great Commandment and the
     Liturgical Year

•   •   •

Ages 8, 9, 10/Grade 4

WE BELIEVE in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ God’s everlasting love is revealed in the Old and New Testaments of
     the Bible.
__ God gave human beings the special gift of free will, which means we
     can choose to do what is right or wrong.
__ God responded to the sin of the first humans with mercy and
     forgiveness.
__ A covenant is a special agreement or pledge.  God made a covenant
     of love with Noah, Abraham, Moses and to all people.
__ The Beatitudes describe how to live the way Jesus lived.  Jesus taught
     us the Beatitudes and showed us how to live them.
__ Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help, guide and inspire us.

WE BELONG to one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
__ The Catholic Church is a community of God’s people; Catholic
     Christians profess certain beliefs and have certain responsibilities that
     are different from other Christians.
__ The Church is a visible sign of the kingdom of God.
__ Catholics have a responsibility to bring the light of Christ to everyone
     and to be a servant to the world.
__ The work of the Church is to show love, peace and justice in the world.
__ Mary is a special model of holiness.
__ The Church Year celebrates Jesus as Savior of the world. It also
     honors Mary and all the saints, living and dead.

WE RESPOND as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom.
__ Being a good steward means that we respect all forms of life,
     especially human life, from birth to death.
__ We learn how to live a moral life from our families and from the
     Church.
__ The Ten Commandments, the Great Commandment, the Beatitudes
     and the teachings of the Church help us form and use our conscience.
__ Personal and social sin weakens or destroys our relationship with God
     and others.  Very serious sins are called mortal sins; less serious sins
     are called venial sins.
__ Jesus gave the Church the power to forgive sin; Catholics celebrate
     God's forgiveness in a special way through the Sacrament of
     Reconciliation.
__ The Church has laws that help us strengthen our relationship with God
     and the Church community; these laws are called "Precepts of the
     Church."
__ Sunday is a holy day of obligation; that means Catholics are required
     by Church law to attend Mass and refrain from unnecessary work.
__ The Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy are ways we can show
     love for others, especially those in need.
__ Virtues are good habits which help us live as God wants us to live.
__ We call Faith, Hope and Charity (or Love) the "theological virtues;"  we
     call Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance the "cardinal
     virtues."
__ We should show respect and care for the ways our bodies grow and
     work; we should show this same respect and care for other people's
     bodies.
__ We should protect and nurture God’s gift of life from the beginning of
     life to the end.
__ It is important to think about what it means to live a moral life according
     to the way God wants us to live.
__ We should learn and pray: the Jesus Prayer, the Acts of Faith, Hope
     and Love and the Mysteries of the Rosary.
__ We should learn: the Seven Sacraments and the Beatitudes.

•   •   •

Ages 9, 10, 11/Grade 5

WE BELIEVE in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ The Holy Trinity is a communion of three "persons."
__ God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, or as the Creator,
     the Redeemer and the Sanctifier.
__ Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the greatest sacrament, or sign, of
     God’s love.
__ We call Jesus suffering, death, resurrection and ascension the
     "Paschal Mystery;" the Paschal Mystery shows us that there is life
     after death, and offers us eternal hope.
__ The Holy Spirit gives life and inspiration to the Church and its
     members.
__ Wind, breath and fire are some of the most common symbols of the
     Holy Spirit.

WE BELONG to one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.
__ Christians express our belief in the Holy Trinity in the Apostles’ Creed
     and the Nicene Creed.
__ The Immaculate Conception and the Assumption are two important
     Catholic beliefs and feasts about Mary.
__ The liturgical year of the Church celebrates the life, death, resurrection
     and ascension of Jesus.
__ The sanctoral year of the Church celebrates Mary and the saints.
__ Holy water, medals and blessings are sacred signs; the Catholic
     Church calls them sacramentals.
__ A good Christian family is a sign of God's grace; that is why we call the
     family "the domestic Church" or "the church in the home."

WE RESPOND as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God.
__ Showing respect for and enjoyment of God’s creation is a part of good
     stewardship.
__ Sacraments are visible signs that celebrate God’s grace.
__ The Catholic Church has seven sacraments.
__ The Sacraments of Initiation are Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
__ The Sacraments of Healing are Reconciliation and Anointing of the
     Sick.
__ The Sacraments of Service are Holy Orders and Matrimony.
__ Forming our conscience is a life-long responsibility.
__ The Paschal Mystery is celebrated in the sacraments, particularly in
     the Eucharist; the Eucharist is called the source and summit of
     Catholic life.
__ The Paschal Mystery can also be experienced in the daily happenings
     of our lives.
__ Baptized members of the Church can participate in different liturgical
     and ministerial roles.
__ We should show reverence in the presence of the Blessed
     Sacrament.
__ We should protect our body, mind and spirit; to do so, we should be
     able to recognize situations or people who can harm us.
__ We can learn positive ways to handle negative peer pressure and
     stress.
__ It is important to think more about what it means to live a "sacramental
     life."
__ We should learn and pray: the Stations of the Cross, the Memorare
     and the
     Hail, Holy Queen Prayer
__ We should learn the Precepts of the Church and the parts of the Mass.

•   •   •

Ages 10, 11, 12/Grade 6

WE BELIEVE in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ Revelation is the knowledge we have about God and how God wants
     us to live; Scripture and Tradition together form one source of God’s
     revelation.
__ God's infinite love, care, justice and goodness for all people is
     expressed through the covenant; a covenant is a holy commitment or
     promise between God and his people.
__ Jesus, is called the Messiah (which means "Anointed One") because
     he came to fulfill the old covenant and establish a new covenant.
__ Jesus described the Kingdom of God as living of peace, justice and
     love.
__ Jesus will come again at the end of time to judge the living and the
     dead.
__ The bible was written by human authors who were inspired by the Holy
     Spirit to tell the truth that God wanted to reveal.
__ There are 46 books in the Old Testament (called the Hebrew
     Scriptures) and 27 books in the New Testament (called the Christian
     Scriptures).
__ The Holy Spirit continues to inspire and guide God’s people.

WE BELONG to one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.
__ Abraham is called the "father of faith;" he is a model of faith for all of
     us.
__ The prophets are called to speak about God’s covenant and to call
     people back into faithful living according to the covenant with God.
__ Christianity has its roots in the Jewish religious faith of Jesus and the
     cultural/historical world of Jesus.
__ Mary is the perfect model of faith because she said yes to being the
     Mother of Jesus.
__ The four authors of the Gospels are also called evangelists; they are
     Mark, Matthew, Luke and John.
__ The Gospels have a special place of honor because they tell about
     what Jesus said and did.
__ The Acts of the Apostles tells of the coming of the Holy Spirit and about
     how Christians lived in the years after Jesus’ Resurrection and
     Ascension.
__ The Letters tell about the first Christian communities and what they
     believed; many of the letters were written by Paul.
__ The Church Year celebrates the story of salvation as it fulfilled in the
     life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus; it also honors Mary
     and the saints with special feast days.
__ Catholic Christians celebrate the Lord's Day by participating in the
     Mass or Eucharist; the Eucharist is considered the center of our
     Christian life.

WE RESPOND as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God.
__ Good stewardship means showing respect for the dignity of the human
     person
     and the responsible use of the Earth's resources.
__ Everyone who is baptized is called to be a saint; they are called
     "temples of the Holy Spirit".
__ Everyone who is baptized shares in the the priesthood of Christ; we
     are called to be priests, prophets and kings--holy teachers and
     servants.
__ We can participate in the life of the parish community in many ways.
__ Jesus tells us how to be happy and have eternal life with God in the
     Beatitudes.
__ Being a disciple of Christ means we are called to serve our families,
     community and Church.
__ Social justice is a responsibility of all followers of Christ.
__ Every person goes through various stages of life and each stage
     brings new changes and challenges; this is part of God's plan.
__ Our sexuality is a gift from God; sexuality includes/affects our physical,
     intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual development.
__ It is important to think about what it means to be on the journey to the
     the Kingdom of God (which Christians sometimes call heaven).
__ We should learn and read the four Gospels.
__ We should learn and use: the Fruits of the Holy Spirit and the Gifts of
     the Holy Spirit
__ We should learn and practice: the Corporal Works of Mercy, the
     Spiritual Works of Mercy, the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, the Gifts of the
     Holy Spirit and the Golden Rule.

•   •   •

Ages 11, 12, 13/Grade 7

WE BELIEVE in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ There is a hunger for God in every human heart.
__ We can know God through creation, human reason and divine
     revelation.  God the Father established a relationship of intimacy with
     his people through his Son, Jesus.
__ We are led to the Father's love through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
__ Jesus revealed God's compassion and love through his teachings, his
     miracles, his passion, death and resurrection.
__ Jesus Christ is the Son of God and King of Heaven and Earth.
__ The writings of the New Testament (the Christian Scriptures) reveal
     how Jesus Christ fulfilled the old covenant and established a new
     covenant.
__ "Paraclete" is another title for the Holy Spirit; it means "advocate and
     consoler."

WE BELONG to one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.
__ Mary was the mother of Jesus and is called the Mother of God.
__ Catholics believe God’s grace was with Mary from the moment of her
     conception; this is called "the Immaculate Conception."
__ Christians hope for eternal life after death because we believe in the
     resurrection of Jesus.
__ When we die we will experience a particular, or personal, judgment
     and enter heaven, hell or purgatory.
__ The final judgment, or "Last Judgment," will happen at the end of the
     world when Christ returns in glory.
__ In the course of a year, the Church celebrates the whole mystery of
     Christ—his incarnation and birth, resurrection, ascension, Pentecost
     and the awaiting of his second coming at the end of time.
__ The Church is the Body of Christ and temple of the Holy Spirit.
__ All baptized Christians are called to carry on the mission and ministry
     of Jesus through discipleship and evangelization.
__ Sunday is a holy day of obligation for Catholics; on Sunday we
     celebrate Jesus’ resurrection by attending Mass and resting from
     unnecessary work.

WE RESPOND as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God.
__ Stewardship means being a disciple of Christ who shares time, talent
     and treasures with our families, community, and Church.
__ Catholics are committed to the common good of every person through
     the sacrament of baptism; the common good means protecting the
     dignity, prosperity and peace of every person.
__ God calls people to be married, ordained, consecrated religious or
     single; this calling is called our "vocation."
__ Catholics celebrate our share in God’s life through the sacraments,
     which are rooted in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
__ The Holy Spirit calls baptized persons to participate in various
     ministries in the Church.
__ The teachings of Jesus and the Church and the power of the Holy
     Spirit help us make good moral decisions.
__ We can think about and experience the presence of Jesus through
     meditation and centering prayer.
__ A litany is a form of prayer in which we ask for the help of Mary and the
     saints.
__ Human dignity and sexuality are gifts from God that should be honored
     and respected in ourselves and in others. 
__ Chastity is a habit or virtue which helps use use our sexuality
     according to God's plan; we need to treat our own sexuality and that of
     others with respect and reverence.
__ Christians need honesty, discipline, and self-control in order to make
     good decisions about sexual intimacy, personal relationships, good
     health, and the appropriate use of alcohol and drugs.
__ We may not inflict physical or sexual violence on another person; we
     should report any physical or sexual violence inflicted on us to an adult
     we trust.
__ It is important to think about the meaning of being a disciple of Jesus   
     Christ.
__ We should learn and pray: the Nicene Creed, the Prayer to the Holy
     Spirit and the Angelus
__ We should know and observe: the Holy Days of Obligation and the
     Regulations for Fast and Abstinence
__ We should know and practice: the Three Theological Virtues and the
     Four Cardinal Virtues.

•   •   •

Ages 12, 13, 14/Grade 8

WE BELIEVE in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ Human beings were created in a state of original holiness. The loss of
     this state of original holiness is due to original sin.
__ Human beings are subject to ignorance, suffering, death and the
     inclination to sin due to original sin.
__ However, we believe God’s love and goodness will triumph over all evil
     and pain.
__ God’s plan is for all people to be freed from the bondage of sin and evil
     through the life, death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus.
__ The Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus to be with the Apostles in the early
     Church and continues to be with the Church today.

WE BELONG to one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.
__ The Christian Church had its roots in Judaism.
__ The Church is the sacrament of salvation.
__ The Church originates in the Trinity; it was planned by the Father,
     founded by Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
__ The Church both a human and divine institution; it is one, holy, catholic
     and apostolic.
__ Churches that are in communion with Rome are part of the Roman
     Catholic Church.
__ The Church has an obligation to dialogue with other churches and to
     strive for the unity of all Christians; this effort is called "ecumenism."
__ The teaching office of the Catholic Church is called the Magisterium;
     the Magisterium consists of the Pope and bishops, who guide God’s
     people in the truth.
__ Catholics believe that some of the Church's teachings are infallible
     (that means without error); infallible teachings are limited to important
     matters of faith and morals that are specifically declared to be infallible
     by the Pope and the bishops in union with the Pope.

WE RESPOND as disciples of Christ helping to build the kingdom of God.
__ Stewardship means using our time, talent and treasure in just and
     charitable ways to help the common good.
__ The parish and universal Church are partners in stewardship.
__ The family is called the domestic church or the church in the home; 
     parents have the first responsibility to teach their children about the
     Catholic faith.
__ The good that we do here on earth leads to the Kingdom of God, but
     the Kingdom will only be complete in heaven.
__ In the seven sacraments Catholics celebrate we participate in God's
     love and grace.
__ Charity is the greatest virtue; charity calls us to love God and other
     people.
__ The precepts or laws of the Church help us to know and to fulfill our 
     responsibilities and obligations as members of the Catholic Church.
__ Performing the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy are important
     ways we can live as disciples of Jesus Christ. 
__ Contemplative prayer is a silent attentiveness and love of God.
__ The Liturgy of the Hours is the daily public prayer of the Church; this
     prayer gives praise to God; it is an extension of the celebration of the
     Eucharist.
__ Novenas and pilgrimages are prayerful devotions in which we pray to
     God through the intercession of Mary and the saints.
__ Sexual attraction and sexual feelings are normal and natural, but we
     need to use wisdom, self-control and God's grace to use them well.
__ Catholics believe that sexual intercourse has meaning and purpose
     only within a marriage covenant.
__ Christians should not stereotype or discriminate against individuals or
     groups; such behavior devalues a person’s God-given dignity.
__ It is important to think about what it means to be a part of salvation
     history and a member of the Catholic Church.

WE RESPOND as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God
__ Some ways to deepen one’s relationship with God include
     spontaneous prayer, we have learned from our families, and formal
     prayers or devotions we have learned from the Church. 
__ We should learn and pray: the Prayer of St. Francis, the Magnificat,
     Psalm 23 (the Good Shepherd) and the Confiteor
__ We should know and avoid: the Seven Capital Sins
__ We should learn and understand: the Four Last Things.

•   •   •

Sacrament of Reconciliation

WE BELIEVE in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

__ God gives us the freedom to make choices.

__ The Holy Spirit helps us make right choices.

__ God always forgives us for making wrong choices when we are sorry.

__ Forgiveness of sins has it’s origin when Jesus gave the apostles the
     power to forgive sins. 
__ God's mercy frees us from sin and gives us the grace we need to live
     the way God wants us to live.

 

WE BELONG to one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.
__ Catholics celebrate the gift of God's forgiveness in the Sacrament of
     Reconciliation (which is also called "Penance" or "Confession").

__ The Sacrament of Reconciliation welcomes restores our friendship
     with God and the community of God's people, the Church.

__ A priest has the authority to forgive sins in the Sacrament of
     Reconciliation.

__ A priest is never allowed to repeat anything he hears in confession,
     even in a court; this is called the "seal of confession."
__ According to the rules of the Catholic Church, the Sacrament of
     Reconciliation is necessary for the forgiveness of very serious
     ("mortal") sins, except in the case of an emergency.

WE RESPOND as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God.

__ All sin damages our relationship with God, other people and ourselves.
__ Very serious sins are called mortal sins; less serious sins are called
     venial sins.
__ We take time to think about our sins before we celebrate the
     Sacrament of Reconciliation; this is called an "examination of
     conscience."
__ The Ten Commandments and Jesus' teachings such as the Great
     Commandment and the Beatitudes help us know what sins we have
     committed.
__ There are five steps in celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation:
     -- examining our conscience
     -- confessing our sins a priest
     -- expressing our sorrows through an Act of Sorrow or Act of Contrition
     -- receiving the priest's blessing, which is called "absolution"
     -- doing something good that the priest asks us to do, which is called
        our "penance"
__ Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly helps us grow in
     faith; it can also help us avoid sin.
__ To understand the Sacrament of Reconciliation we should know the
     following bible stories: the Prodigal Son (or Loving Father), the Lost
     Sheep, the Good Shepherd and the story about Zacchaeus.

__ To celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in a meaningful way we
     should know and use the following prayers: the Sign of the Cross, the
     Our Father/Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary, Glory Be, an Act of Sorrow or an
     Act of Contrition.

__ To celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in a meaningful way we
     should be able to identify the following terms: absolution, confession,
     conscience, contrition, examination of conscience, forgiveness, grace,
     sin, penance, reconciliation, sorrow, temptation, virtue.

 

•   •   •

 

Sacrament of Eucharist

WE BELIEVE in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

__ Jesus came to show us God's love; one of the ways he did this was by
     sharing food with people.

__ At the Last Supper, Jesus changed bread and wine into His body and
     blood.

__ Catholics believe that Jesus is truly present in the bread and wine;
     after the bread and wine are blessed by the priest they are called the
     "Blessed Sacrament."

__ We call Jesus the "Bread of Life."

__ The sacrament of the body and blood of Jesus is called the Eucharist
     or the Mass.

 

WE BELONG to one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.

__ The Eucharist (or Mass) is both a meal and sacrifice.
__ The Eucharist re-presents the Last Supper and Jesus' death on the
     cross.

__ The two big parts of the Mass are the Liturgy of the Word and the
     Liturgy of the Eucharist.

__ The Mass commemorates Jesus’ life and his sacrifice on the cross.
__ The priest repeats Jesus' own words and actions in the Liturgy of the
     Eucharist.
__ The bread and wine are blessed by a priest; this is called the
     "consecration."

 

WE RESPOND as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God.

__ Jesus gives himself to us as spiritual food at every Mass.

__ The Eucharist (or Mass) is the most important prayer of the Catholic
     Church.
__ Sunday is also called the Sabbath or the Lord's Day; Christian's give
     thanks for Jesus' life, death and resurrection at the Eucharist.

__ For Catholics, Sunday is a holy day of obligation; we are required to
     attend Mass to avoid unnecessary work on Sunday.

__ We share the Body and Blood of Jesus in Holy Communion; we
     become "the Body of Christ" through the Eucharist.
__ To understand the Eucharist better we should know the following
     bible stories: Multiplication of the loaves and fish, the Last Supper and
     the Emmaus story.

__ To celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in a meaningful way we
     should know and use the following prayers: the Sign of the Cross, the
     Our Father/Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and the responses of
     the Mass.
__ To celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in a meaningful way we
     should be able to identify the following terms: altar, Blessed
     Sacrament, body and blood of Christ, bread, chalice, ciborium,
     communion, consecration, Eucharist, fasting, grace, host, Liturgy of
     the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist, Mass, paten, Sacrament of
     Eucharist, sacrifice, tabernacle.

 

•   •   •

 

Sacrament of Confirmation

 

WE BELIEVE in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

__ God’s effort for our salvation never ends.
__ The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Blessed Trinity; the Spirit was
     sent by the Father and Son guide each of us and to unite us with God's
     people in faith.
__ The Holy Spirit strengthens our relationship with Jesus and empowers
     us to proclaim and live the mission and ministry of Jesus in the world.

__ The Holy Spirit enlightens our choices so that we can do God's will in
     our lives.
__ The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit help us make good choices and live a
     holy life.

 

WE BELONG to one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.

__ In baptism become members of the Catholic faith community and are
     called to holiness.
__ The Sacrament of Confirmation is one of three sacraments of
     initiation; it completes the Sacrament of Baptism.
__ The Sacrament of Confirmation helps us continue on our life-long
     journey of faith with the help of the Holy Spirit.

__ Like Baptism, the Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated only once
     in our lives.
__ The imposition of hands during the Confirmation ritual symbolizes the
     divine power of the Holy Spirit which we receive in Confirmation.

__ The anointing with oil during the Confirmation ritual symbolizes the
     strength given to us in this sacrament.

__ Being marked with the sign of the cross during the Confirmation ritual
     is a reminder that we share in the life, death and resurrection of Christ.

__ In the Catholic Church, the ordinary minister of Confirmation is the
     bishop, although he may delegate that responsibility to a pastor.

__ Confirmation sponsors represent the Christian community; they
     should be models of faith.

__ The parish faith community has a responsibility to witness to and
     foster the faith of those who are Confirmed.

WE RESPOND as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God.

__ The grace of Baptism is deepened in the Sacrament of Confirmation.
__ When we are confirmed we are empowered with the gifts of the Holy
     Spirit so that we may be better able to participate in the mission and
     ministry of Jesus by sharing his or her faith with others.

__ Our faith journey is a lifelong process.
__ During the Confirmation ritual our response to the bishop ("Amen")
     indicates our personal desire to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and an
     active member of the Church.
__ The theological virtues of faith, hope and love are gifts from God; they
     dispose us to live in close relationship with the Holy Trinity.

__ The practice of good habits, or virtues, leads to good relationships with
     God, ourselves and others.
__ The four cardinal virtues—prudence, justice, fortitude and
     temperance—guide our conduct in accord with reason and faith.

__ When we are open to the workings of the Holy Spirit, we are enriched
     with the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
__ Through the Sacrament of Confirmation we make a deeper personal
     commitment to become more involved in the life of the Church.

__ To understand Confirmation better we should know the Bible story
     about Pentecost.

__ To celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in a meaningful way we
     should be able to identify the following terms: Amen, Fruits of the Holy
     Spirit, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, holiness, lifelong faith journey, the
     mission and ministry of Jesus, Sacraments of Initiation, sponsor,
     virtue.

 

•   •   •