St. Andrew Catholic Church

Curriculum Objectives for Level-4

(Presupposes, reinforces, and builds on child's grasp of concepts presented in Level-1 through Level-3)

"The basic dignity of each person is the life of God which is shared: O Christians! Stop and see who you really are, you share in God's own nature." (CCC1691).

"You are partakers of the divine nature . . . Coming to see in the faith this new dignity, Christians are called to lead henceforth a life worthy of the gospel of Christ." (CCC1692).

You are alive in Christ, participating in the life of the Risen Lord who invites you to:

a. be imitators of Christ as beloved Christians

b. walk in the love of Jesus, The Christ, our devoted friend and Lord

c. conform all thoughts, words, and actions to the mind of Christ following the lead of Christ.

d. honor the Holy Spirit whose temple we have become

e. join in with the Holy Spirit who prays within us:

who teaches us to pray
who prompts us to ask so as to bear the fruit of the Spirit of Christ
who heals the wounds of sin
who makes us alive in Christ
who enlightens and strengthens us to live as "children of light" through all that is good and right and true
who leads us to the way of Christ, teaching us the importance of moral decisions for our salvation
who is "the interior Master of life according to Christ, a gentle guest and friend who inspires, guides, corrects, and strengthens this life."

The Beatitudes express our vocation, our calling to manifest the glory of God in Christ's Passion, Death and Resurrection.

In the beatitudes we find "the action and attitude of a true Christian life." The Beatitudes are at the heart of Jesus' preaching. The Beatitudes fulfill the promises made to the people in the Hebrew Scriptures, ordering them no longer merely to take possession of a territory, but the Kingdom of heaven:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.
(St. Matthew's Gospel, Ch 5:3-10)

The New Commandment

Jesus himself is the basis for the new commandment. By loving his own "to the end," He shows us the Father's love which He receives. By loving one another, the disciples imitate the love of Jesus which they themselves receive. When Jesus says: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love." And again: " This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
(St. John's Gospel, Ch 15:12)

Mortal and Venial Sin; Conscience; Temptations

At times one might go against God or self or neighbor. A serious offense against God is called a mortal sin, a less than serious offense is called venial sin.

Social Justice

Social Justice happens when we respect others as Jesus does. Social Justice offers respect to others as we want to be respected.

Ten Commandments

(Based on Exodus 20:2-17)

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.

The Great Commandment

"You shall love the Lord, your God, with your all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."
(Saint Lukes's Gospel, 10:27)

The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy

Corporal Works of Mercy

Feed the hungry.
Give drink to the thirsty.
Clothe the naked.
Visit those in prison.
Shelter the homeless.
Visit the sick.
Bury the dead.

Spiritual Works of Mercy

Help others make good choices.
Teach those who lack knowledge.
Give advice to those who are confused.
Comfort those who are hurting.
Be patient with others.
Forgive injuries.
Pray for the living and the dead.

Questions for Level 4

What is meant by the word "dignity"?
What is the great dignity of each Christian person?
How do we participate in the Life of the Risen Savior?
What is meant by "The Holy Spirit prays within us"?
What does the word "vocation" mean?
What does the word "beatitude" mean?
How do the beatitudes express our vocation?
What is the New Commandment?
Who gave us the commandment?
In which Gospel do you find this New Commandment?
What is sin?
Name and explain the two kinds of sin.
What is a temptation?
What is conscience?
What do the words "social justice" mean?
What are the Ten Commandments?
What is the Great Commandment?
What is meant by the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy?