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Overview
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Grade:
1
2
3
4
5
6
Grade 3
Unit 1
Chapter 1 - Connection to Liturgy
As the children learn about Jesus' life and his public ministry, explore with them the events from Jesus' life that are reflected in the liturgy of the Church today. For example, explain that at the Eucharist we pray as Jesus did when he taught his disciples the Our Father. Encourage the children to recall this when they pray the Our Father at Mass.
Chapter 2 - Connection to Stewardship
Helping others is not always easy. Children may feel unsure at times as they attempt to offer their help to those in need. Explain to them that they need to learn the skills to help others. One of the ways to learn how to care for the sick, get food to the hungry, or comfort people is watching other people doing these good deeds. Suggest to them that they take notice of adult parishioners who help those in need, such as eucharistic ministers or volunteers who organize the parish's food drive at Thanksgiving.
Chapter 3 - Connection to Liturgy
In the celebration of the Eucharist, we remember and celebrate the entire life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus. Explain to the children that, after all Jesus has done for us, we now look forward to something just as wonderful-Christ's return in glory. The Last Judgment should not be seen as an isolated event but as the completion of God's entire plan to save all people. In God's eyes, we are all his sons and daughters.
Chapter 4 - Connection to Church
How does the Church of today compare to the early Church? Help the children discover the following similarities: the early Church and the Church of today gather to share the Eucharist; the Church continues to bring the good news to others; the Scriptures remain an important source of God's word; the Church continues to do the work of Jesus by caring for those in need; the Church continues to be served and guided by its leaders.
Chapter 5 - Connection to Parish
Just as the early Church could not have been so successful without the apostles and disciples, so, too, today's Church relies upon the hard work and dedication of volunteers, parishioners, and Church leaders. Consider having your children make a list of all the people in the parish who contribute to the life of the parish. Decide on a way to thank them for their service.
Chapter 6 - Connection to Liturgy
Encourage the children to join the celebrant in praying for our pope and bishops at each Mass. Point out to the children that the general intercessions is one prayer of the Mass that mentions the leaders of the Church. During the eucharistic prayer the celebrant again prays for the Church leaders: "Lord, remember your Church throughout the world; make
us grow in love together with N. our Pope, N. our bishop, and all the clergy." (Eucharistic Prayer II)
Unit 2
Chapter 9 - Connection to Stewardship
As the children learn about their responsibilities as the people of God, help them to think of ways that they can care for one another and the earth. If possible, alert children to community activities for which they might volunteer. There may even be an opportunity to volunteer as a class for a project in the community, such as raising money for a parish project or giving their time to an environmental project.
Chapter 10 - Connection to Saints
After their death, some individuals who led exemplary lives for Christ are canonized by the pope and become recognized as saints. We join our prayers to the prayers of these saints because the Church teaches that the saints can intercede on our behalf. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the greatest saint the Church honors and the greatest intercessor before God. As you work through the chapter, look for opportunities for the children to ask Mary and the saints to intercede for us.
Chapter 11 - Connection to Parish
Catholics believe that human beings grow and achieve fulfillment in community with others. Look for opportunities to connect this idea with the activities of the parish. One concrete example is the welcoming committee that makes new parishioners feel at home. Help the children see that the parish is a natural place for people to participate in society, seek the common good, and extend a helping hand to others.
Chapter 12 - Connection to Stewardship
Ask the children to brainstorm about their own rights and responsibilities. Put these words on the board. First list rights. Encourage specifics; for example, the right to play peacefully on the playground. Then list responsibilities-for example, "no pushing" or "play nicely." Link the two columns by explaining that when we are responsible, we protect our rights and the rights of others. Discuss this saying: "My right ends where another's right begins."
Unit 3
Chapter 15 - Connection to Community
Encourage the children to receive the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation frequently. Remind them that their adult family members, friends, or neighbors can learn more about becoming a Catholic and receiving the sacraments through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. A parish priest can answer their questions about participating in this preparation process.
Chapter 16 - Connection to Family
Many families celebrate important events by sharing special meals. Encourage the children to talk about a special meal they have shared with their families. Ask them to describe an event that was celebrated, what was served at the meal, who was present at the meal, and where the meal was shared. Invite them to comment on the fellowship and enjoyment that come from sharing a meal with others. Have them discuss ways they can help with their next family celebration meal
Chapter 17 - Connection to Stewardship
The call to love and help others is an important part of our Catholic life. We should be willing to devote ourselves to good works. How can the children be good stewards of their own classroom? Help them to know ways they already do this, and to think of ways to improve their school environment. (Some ideas: "a paper patrol" of school grounds, cleaning flowerbeds, a poster campaign to encourage use of waste cans)
Chapter 18 - Connection to Parish
Explain to the children that a community Reconciliation service offers a wonderful opportunity for them to join with others in the parish in expressing repentance for their sins. Remind them that we are all part of one faith community that grows closer to God by receiving his healing and forgiveness in the sacrament. In a parish Penance service, we have the chance to celebrate God's forgiveness and healing when we participate as a community.
Chapter 19 - Connection to Community
Jesus showed his great love to those who had faith in him by healing them of their illnesses. There are many stories in the gospels that demonstrate Jesus' love and compassion for others. Help the children recognize that Jesus continues to heal people today. Sometimes Jesus heals us directly, but more often Jesus heals through members of the community who work in the healing professions. Have the children brainstorm a list of those who work in the healing professions, such as doctors, nurses, and therapists.
Chapter 19 - Connection to Stewardship
In 1 John 4:7-8 we read that we need to have love in our lives. Discuss different ways we can show our love for others. Encourage the children to pray for others who are in need of God's healing, whether they know these people or not. Suggest that the children also tell others that they are praying for them. Remind them that our ages are not important, but our actions are. Anyone can go to God in prayer at any time. Urge the children to show their love for others through prayer.
Unit 4
Chapter 22 - Connection to Liturgy
Encourage the children to pray for missionaries. Tell them: When you attend Mass you can join with other members of our parish to pray for the missions. Ask them to make a series of posters that will remind people to pray for the missions. Each poster should say, "Pray for the mission in ___________" (put in the names of other countries as well as the United States). Invite the children to design the posters.
Chapter 23 - Connection to Catholic Social Teaching
The Call to Family, Community, and Participation
Tell the children that Saint Paul refers to the Church as one body, with Christ as the head: "Now you are Christ's body, and individually parts of it" (1 Corinthians 12:27). Remind the children that each member has a special gift that contributes to the unity of the entire Church. Encourage the children to think about the ways they can use their talents for the common good.
Chapter 24 - Connection to Catholic Social Teaching
The Call to Family, Community, and Participation
The Catholic Church teaches that people grow and achieve fulfillment within a community. We are to be one family working together to appreciate our differences and learn from them. Establish communications with the children from a parish that is very different from yours. Learn about their cultures and lives and teach them about yours. Encourage all the children to look for similarities among the two groups.
Chapter 25 - Connection to Saints
This chapter discusses the communion of saints as well as our calling to become saints. When the children hear that they should be like saints, some children may find it difficult to believe they can do so. As you teach the chapter, look for opportunities to stress that God wants us to live holy lives in our own way. Point out day-to-day acts of kindness that the children can perform.
Chapter 26 - Connection to Liturgy
Talk about the importance of the Lord's Prayer during Mass. The Lord's Prayer is prayed after the priest consecrates the Eucharist and before Communion. It summarizes in one profound liturgical prayer all of the community's petitions and intercessions. When we pray the Our Father, we anticipate the Lord's return and the fulfillment of all our prayers. We unite ourselves with those around us. We forgive and pray for forgiveness before we receive the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion.
Grade:
1
2
3
4
5
6
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