CATECHETICAL PROGRAMS
BORN OF THE SPIRIT
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Cycle one includes the following:
- In God's Image (ages 4-5)
- We Belong to God (Year 1)
- We Belong to the Lord Jesus (Year 2)
- In the Spirit we Belong (Year 3)
Early Childhood: IN GOD'S IMAGE
The general aim of this year is to affirm the child in all aspects of growth and to celebrate the wonder of childhood as a sign of God. The program is rooted first in the person and activity of Jesus. The life of each of us is to be valued, explored and celebrated. It is rooted in the belief that the earth is God's creation and manifests the glory of God.
The goal is to have children recognize the signs of God in their lives and to help them develop a friendship with God. This gives shape, form, and expression to the spirituality that is within each child,
Year One: WE BELONG TO GOD
The general aim of this year is to build on the child's innate sense of mystery and ritual and the wonderment of God and creation.
The goal is to have children experience a sense of belonging to the family, the community, and our belonging to God through Baptism.
Year two: WE BELONG TO THE LORD JESUS
The general aim of this year is to assist children in meeting Jesus in a similar way to the disciples on the journey to Emmaus.
The goal is to have children open a space for Jesus in their hearts so they may have him as a companion on their journey through life. The focus for the year is on the Eucharist.
Year three: IN THE SPIRIT WE BELONG
The general aim of this year is to deepen the children's experience of God through the community of the followers of Jesus who are gathered by the Spirit.
Children discover the activity of the Holy Spirit in their lives, what it means to be the church, and God's continued renewal of creation through His Spirit.
The goal is to have children discover themselves as part of the family of God gathered in the Spirit.
Cycle two includes the following:
- Come and See (Year 4)
- May We Be One (Year 5)
- You Shall Be My Witnesses (Year 6)
Year 4: COME AND SEE
The general aim of this year is to meet the Lord Jesus through the living experience of Gospel witnesses and to explore what it means for us to be a disciple and friend of Jesus today. To preserve tradition we need to know the stories of Jesus and tell our friends about Him.
The goal is to have children take ownership of their faith by discovering it in the Word of God in Scripture.
Year 5: MAY WE BE ONE
The general aim of this year is to assist children in exploring what the Church does as it gives witness to Jesus in the Spirit and to see the Church as the community of God's people where the Lord Jesus is visible, active, and present in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Church is to continue the ancient covenant with God, rooted in the story of Israel, to gather a community of people, baptized in the name of Jesus.
The goal is to have students explore what the Church does as it sets about fulfilling it's mission and to be part of the actions of the Church.
Year 6: YOU SHALL BE MY WITNESSES
The general aim of this year is to invite young people to explore our rootedness in Christian tradition through the exploration of the story of God and His people. The goal is to deepen their relationship with God and explore the Christian life in a methodical way and with a moral mission. They are invited to live a moral Christian life, to be faithful disciples witnessing to God's justice and love.
We Are Strong Together (Transition Cycle 1)
Cycle three includes the following:
- Believe in Me (Year 7)
- Stand By Me (Year 8)
- Be With Me (Year 9)
Year 7: BELIEVE IN ME
The general aim of this year is to assist young believers in nurturing their relationship with God, through Jesus and in the context of being part of a Spirit filled community. The faith summary of the Apostles Creed is presented and young people are encouraged to apply concepts from the Creed to their life situation.
The goal is to have young people deepen their Catholic faith as a faith lived out in community. The young believer is invited to proclaim the Creed and to think and live in conjunction with the Church and these beliefs.
Year 8: STAND BY ME
The general aim of this year is to expand the opportunity for young believers to feel a sense of belonging through the common beliefs that bind us together. They will be assisted to grow in their understanding of each statement of the Creed.
The goal is to have young people grow in their understanding of what it means to believe in what the Church teaches and to explore the dimensions of their relationship with God, Jesus and the community of the Spirit - the Church.
Year 9: BE WITH ME
The general aim of this year is to build upon the two previous years that centered on the Apostles Creed by examining the attitudes and virtues that must be cultivated if the profession of faith is to have lasting meaning and impact on students' lives. A catechesis of the beatitudes is central since they sum up the way of Christ.
The goal is to have young people examine the attitudes and actions which characterize the Christian life, using the Beatitudes as a touchstone. They are encouraged to understand and nurture within themselves the virtues which enable them to deepen their relationship with the Father, Son and Spirit.
Transition Cycle II includes the following:
Christ and Culture (Grade 10)
In Search of the Good (Grade 12)
Grade 10: CHRIST AND CULTURE
The general aim of this course is to assist young people, with the help of the gospel, to participate as Christians in the shaping of our culture. They are invited to explore major cultural issues from a Christological perspective. They are called to celebrate Christ in our culture.
The goal is to have you Catholic Christians explore and name the principles that guide Catholics in understanding their role in culture and to apply these principles to themselves, others, civil society, the church, and the world.
Grade 12: IN SEARCH OF THE GOOD
The aim of this program is to help young people to understand themselves as moral persons living the way of Christ through an examination of ethical theories, the revelation of sacred Scripture, and the experience and teaching of the Catholic Church.
*work is underway on a Grade 11 resource
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