St. Andrew Catholic Church

Curriculum Objectives for Level-5

(Presupposes, reinforces, and builds on child's grasp of concepts presented in Level-1 through Level-4)

Christ makes visible the work of God, His Father. Today the Church continues this work through the Seven Sacraments.

The Seven Sacraments are celebrations of the church of the presence and actions of Christ. These celebrations founded by Christ and use the words, signs, and rituals in order for us to grow in our oneness with the life of the Blessed Trinity and all God's people.

In Baptism we become one with Christ. We are consecrated to offer sacrifice, that is, to do God's will; we celebrate our common priesthood; we are welcomed into the Christian and Catholic community; Original Sin is taken away.

We hear the words of the priest or deacon:

I baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

We see the sign - the pouring of water.

In the sacrament of Confirmation, we see the signs of anointing with oil and the imposition of the hands of the bishop or priest. We receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as the celebrant says, "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit."

We know God more deeply as, "Abba" Father, come closer to Christ, and experience an increase of the gifts of the Spirit when we are confirmed. Our tie to the Church is stronger. The Spirit helps us spread our faith by word and deed as witnesses to Christ.

In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we celebrate God's loving forgiveness, and we express our sorrow.

A. "Jesus, doctor of our souls and bodies, wished that the Church should, by the power of the Spirit, continue his work of healing and salvation."

B. How are the sins which are committed after Baptism forgiven? The pardon of sins committed after baptism occurs in the sacrament called by these names: conversion, confession, reconciliation, or penance.

(See Levels 1 - 3 Curriculum for specific preparation)

Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of healing. This sacrament celebrates Christ's healing presence in our lives. Through this sacrament, the Risen Lord reaches out to bring strength, healing and forgiveness.

Marriage is a sacrament of lifelong love. The couple becomes one in Christ. Marriage is the bond of love between a man and a woman who give themselves to one another. It is a sign of God's love for his people and Christ's love for his Church.

Holy Orders is a sacrament to the community. Bishops, priests, and deacons are ordained to preach and teach, to celebrate the sacraments, and to build up the community of Christ's Church. Bishops, priests and deacons have authority and celebrate the sacraments according to the authority given to them by God.

We Celebrate the Mass

The Introductory Rites:

The Entrance
The Greeting of the Altar and of the People Gathered.
The Act of Penitence
The Gloria (Omitted during the seasons of Advent and Lent)
The Collect (Opening prayer)

The Liturgy of the Word:

The First Reading (from the Old Testament)
The Responsorial Psalm
The Second Reading (form New Testament but not from one of the four Gospels)
The Gospel Acclamation (usually a chant of "Alleluia")
The Gospel
The Homily
The Profession of Faith (Nicene Creed)
The Prayer of the Faithful

The Liturgy of the Eucharist:

The Preparation of the Gifts
The Prayer over the Offerings
Preface (Holy, Holy, Holy)
The Eucharist Prayer
Doxology

The Communion Rite:

The Lord's Prayer
The Rite of Peace (Sign of Peace)
The Fraction (Breaking of Bread)
Communion
Prayer after Communion

The Concluding Rite:

Greeting
Blessing
Dismissal of the People