St. Andrew Catholic Church

Curriculum Objectives for Level 3

The Church

The presence of Christ is continued in His Church:

as seen in the Bible;
as seen in the Pope, Benedict XVI; and our Bishop, Frank Dewane;
and as seen in other bishops, priests and all people of God;
as seen in the Mass or Eucharist;
as seen in the Seven Sacraments;
as seen in the New Commandment - to love as Jesus loves;
as seen in the Great Commandment - to love God with our whole heart, mind and spirit and our neighbors as ourselves;
as seen in the Ten Commandments;
as seen in the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy;
as seen in the Beatitudes.

Four Marks of the Church

The Church Is One

One of the marks, or signs, of the Catholic Church is that it is one, or united. The Holy Spirit draws Jesus' followers together as sisters and brothers in one Christian family.

The Church Is Holy

One of the marks, or signs, of the Catholic Church is that it is holy. To be holy means to listen to God. It means loving God and caring about all people.

The Church Is Catholic

One of the marks, or signs, of the Catholic Church is catholic. The word "catholic" means universal. Jesus wants his Church to welcome people of all kinds just as he does.

The Church Is Apostolic

One of the marks, or signs, of the Catholic Church is apostolic. The Church is founded on the teaching of the apostles. We are called to be apostolic by sharing what we have learned from the apostles.

Creed

Creeds are prayers that express our belief in God. One creed is called the Apostles' Creed because it sums up the teachings that go back to the time of Jesus' Apostles.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Prayer

Prayer is one of the ways God keeps in touch with us and we keep in touch with God. The Sacraments are very important prayers; the Mass, or Eucharist, is our greatest prayer. We have many ways to pray alone, wherever we may be. We also have many ways to pray with others, including praying the Bible and joining in popular devotions, such as the Rosary or the Stations of the Cross. Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit to teach us to pray and to lead us in prayer.

Sacraments

Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist are the sacraments of initiation into the Church.

Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick are sacraments of healing.

Matrimony and Holy Orders are sacraments of vocation.

Commandments

For a long time, God's people have been guided by the Ten Commandments. Jews and Christians use these commandments as guides to living good and happy lives.

The Ten Commandments:

I, the Lord, am your God. I have brought you out of Egypt,
1. You shall not have other gods besides me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
4. Honor your father and mother.
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
10. You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.

(Based on Exodus 20:2-17)