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Christ Our Life

Family Catechesis

Director Guide

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Family Catechesis Director Guide

Christ Our Life Family Catechesis

Cover design: Loyola Press Cover illustration: © ZvonimirAtletic/iStock/Thinkstock Interior Design: Loyola Press Interior images: 6 (t) PorFang/iStock/Thinkstock; (b) AndyTu/iStock/Thinkstock. 7 pressureUA/iStock/ Thinkstock. 19 © Media Bakery. 20 ©iStock.com/PacoRomero. 21 Warling Studios. 24 © Hill Street Studios/ Blend Images/Corbis. Copyright © 2018 Loyola Press, Chicago, Illinois. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher.

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Christ Our Life Family Catechesis Director Guide is an expression of the work of Loyola Press, a ministry of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits.

www.christourlife.com Family Catechesis Director Guide

Christ Our Life Family Catechesis

Contents Welcome Using This Guide

Step 1: Become Familiar with Christ Our Life Family Catechesis Step 2: Plan for the Year

Step 3: Promote Family Catechesis in Your Parish Step 4: Plan a Communications Strategy Step 5: Set Up a System Step 6: Train Catechists

Step 7: Introduce Parents to Christ Our Life Family Catechesis

30 32

Blackline Masters Advent Wreath Prayers

Lenten Prayer Center

Ways to Make Prayer a Priority

Sample Family Catechesis Lesson Letter

Group Meeting Evaluation Form

End-of-Year Parent Feedback Form

Parent Sharing Form

Catechist Interview Form

Catechist Covenant

Parent and Child Faith Formation Covenant

35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 44 45

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Step 8: Introduce Families to Christ Our Life Family Catechesis Step 9: Resources for Success

5 6

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3 Family Catechesis Director Guide

Christ Our Life Family Catechesis

Welcome God always knocks at the door of hearts. He likes to do this. It comes from His heart. But, do you know what He likes best? To knock on the doors of families and find families that are united, to find families that love each other, to find the families that bring up their children and educate them and help them to keep going forward and that create a society of goodness, of truth, and of beauty. Pope Francis, September 29, 2015

Your Role as Catechetical Leader Roles for catechetical leaders vary from parish to parish and from diocese to diocese. What is consistent is the challenge of providing guidance, support, and resources for all who take part in your parish's faith formation program. This is true when leading your parish's family catechesis program. Christ Our Life Family Catechesis combines parish-based group meeting and grade-specific instruction led by trained catechists with at-home lessons guided by parents. You will lead, or designate someone to lead, monthly group meetings with accompanying slide show presentations, recruit and mentor catechists to teach children in a grade-level group setting, and help parents teach their children additional faith content at home.

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Family catechesis is a collaborative effort undertaken by the catechetical leader, parents, children, and catechists together with the wider parish community. Family catechesis strengthens the domestic church and the parish community. Preparation, planning, and communication will help your program be successful. May all you do help others recognize Godâ€™s presence in all things! Blessings on your endeavor.

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Christ Our Life Family Catechesis

Using This Guide This Director Guide provides you with the resources needed to implement the Christ Our Life Family Catechesis program in your parish. This guide contains nine steps to assist you in this endeavor.

Step 1: Become Familiar with Christ Our Life Family Catechesis

Step 1 explains the vision of the program, tells how it works in the parish and at home, and guides you through the program components.

Step 4: Plan a

Step 4 describes ways to affirm, communicate, and encourage catechists and parents as they collaborate throughout the program.

Step 7: Introduce

Parents to Christ Our Life Family Catechesis Step 7 provides ideas for a parent meeting to kick off the program where the components, structure, and resources are introduced.

the Year

Step 2 explains the four-year cycle for the program and offers implementation models.

Step 3: Promote

Family Catechesis in Your Parish Step 3 offers strategies to promote the program and encourage parents.

Step 5: Set Up a

Step 6: Train

Step 5 provides simple ideas for program implementation, planning, organization, and creating welcoming, effective learning spaces.

Step 6 offers a suggested schedule and ideas for a catechist retreat.

Step 8: Introduce

Step 9: Resources

System

Families to Christ Our Life Family Catechesis Step 8 provides an introduction to the New Evangelization through an activity that encourages families to experience a conversion that leads to renewal in the life of the Church.

Catechists

for Success

Step 9 provides print and online resources, as well as reproducible blackline masters to help you, catechists, and parents make family catechesis an enriching and exciting journey.

Communications Strategy

Step 2: Plan for

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5 Family Catechesis Director Guide

Christ Our Life Family Catechesis

Step 1: Become Familiar with Christ Our Life Family Catechesis

Family Catechesis Components The Christ Our Life Family Catechesis materials are conveniently accessed through the Internet after digital purchase—no bulky binders, no misplaced DVDs, and no worry!

For Leaders and Directors High-quality, complete slide show presentations give a positive visual impact to your group meetings and ensure successful presentations to diverse groups. Each slide show presentation includes embedded media clips and presentation notes so you can capture and maintain participants’ attention and engagement.

Filling the Empty Space Within

Family Catechesis Slide Show Presentations: Used to open each meeting; viewed by families and parents only Digitally delivered

Prayer and Spirituality

Welcome!

Family Catechesis Leader Guide: Presentation guide for slide shows with helpful tips and full scripting Digitally delivered

Family Catechesis Director Guide: Program set-up and management Digitally delivered

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Christ Our Life Family Catechesis

For Parents and Children USCCB-Approved Content for Solid Learning Christ Our Life Christ Our Life Christ Our Life NEW EVANGELIZATION EDITION NEW EVANGELIZATION EDITION NEW EVANGELIZATION EDITION

God Is Our God GodIsIsOur Our Good Father Good Father Good Father

Grade AT-HOME AT-HOME 1Grade EDITION Grade AT-HOME 1 EDITION EDITION UNIT 1 1 UNIT 1 UNIT 1

Before beginning Unit 1, read A Letter Home, found on page 2 of your child’s book. Then begin next paragraph with your ✦ Before beginning Unitthe 1, read A Letter Home, foundchild. on page 2 of your book. Thenbook begin next paragraph with your ✦ Say:child’s The title of our is the God Is Good. Have yourfound childchild. repeat title. ✦ Before beginning Unit 1, read A Letter Home, on pagethe 2 of your Then look through together. Say: In Unit 1with we will learn about child’s book. Then begin next paragraph your child. ✦ Say: The title ofthe ourbook book isthe God Is Good. Have your child repeat the title. what Godlook is like and howbook we can talk and listen to God. Then through In Unit we will learn about ✦ Say: The title ofthe our booktogether. is God IsSay: Good. Have1 your child repeat the title. what God is like and how we can talk and to God. Then look through the book together. Say:listen In Unit 1 we will learn about what God is like and how we can talk and listen to God. ✦

CHAPTER 1 Jesus Is Our Friend CHAPTER 1 Jesus Is Our Friend CHAPTER Centering PAGE 1 1 Jesus Is Our Friend ✦ Centering Read aloud thePAGE title1and the Bible verse on page 1. Then point out the picture. How can friends? do ✦ Centering ReadAsk: aloud the title1you andtell the that Biblethese versechildren on page are 1. Then pointHow out the PAGE

youpicture. know that someone is your friend?these (Friends like toare befriends? with us; How they do How ✦ ReadAsk: aloud the can title you and tell the that Bible versechildren on page 1. Then point out the show their lovethat by doing kindisthings for us.) (Friends like to be with us; they you know your friend? picture. Ask:someone How can you tell that these children are friends? How do show their lovethat by someone doing kind for us.)(Friends like to be with us; they you know is things your friend?

Sharing show PAGE 3their love by doing kind things for us.) ✦ Sharing Use the family to read the story of Jesus and the little children PAGEBible 3 (Mark 10:13–16). Give thestory Jesusof punchout button from the back ✦ Sharing Use the family Bible to child read the Jesus and the little children PAGE 3 your ✦

✦

W1483

✦

of the book as a reminder of Jesus’ (Mark 10:13–16). Give your childlove. thestory Jesusofpunchout from the back ✦ Use the family Bible to read the Jesus andbutton the little children the book as a reminder of Jesus’ Say:ofJesus is a friend toGive children. Ask:love. How do we know that Jesus (Mark 10:13–16). your child the Jesus punchout button from the back wanted the be friends? (He wanted them to be with him; thechildren book as atoreminder of Jesus’ love. ✦ Say:ofJesus is a friend tohis children. Ask: How do we know that Jesus he hugged and the Does Jesus want tothem be your friend? wanted the blessed children tochildren.) be friends? (HeHow wanted to be with him; ✦ Say: Jesus is a friend to his children. Ask: do we know that Jesus healoud hugged and blessed children.) Does Jesus want to be your Read page 3 and havethe your answer the wanted question. wanted the children to be child his friends? (He them to befriend? with him; healoud hugged and3 blessed the children.) Does Jesus want to is besmiling your friend? ✦ Read page and the have your child answer theSay: question. Ask your child to describe stained-glass window. Jesus kindly on the children and blessing them. The children are Jesus hugging ✦ Read aloud page 3 and have your child answer theSay: question. ✦ Ask your child to describe the stained-glass window. is smiling Jesus, which shows that they love him. them. The children are hugging kindly thechild children and blessing ✦ Ask on your to describe the stained-glass window. Say: Jesus is smiling Jesus, which that they him. them. The children are hugging kindly onshows the children andlove blessing

Sharing Jesus, PAGE 4which shows that they love him. ✦ Sharing Read aloudPAGE page4 4 and have your child point out the words Jesus and Christ. Say: Christ is4 4a and title have that was Jesus his Resurrection. ✦ Sharing Read aloud page yourgiven child to point outafter the words Jesus and PAGE ✦

It means “anointed with Christ. Say: Christ is4aoil.” titlehave that your was given to Jesus his Resurrection. ✦ Read aloud page and child point outafter the words Jesus and It aloud means “anointed Read the directions havethat your child complete the activity. Ask: Christ. Say: Christwith isand a oil.” title was given to Jesus after his Resurrection. What did Jesusthe say to let us know he isyour our child friend? (“Let the It means “anointed with oil.” ✦ Read aloud directions and have complete thechildren activity. Ask: come to me.”) What didaloud Jesusthe saydirections to let us know he isyour our child friend? (“Let the ✦ Read and have complete thechildren activity. Ask: come to me.”) What did Jesus say to let us know he is our friend? (“Let the children page 1 of 24 Grade 1 • Unit 1 come to me.”)

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Grade 1 • Unit 1

page 1 of 24 page 1 of 24

Student Books: Grades 1–8, Printed

At-Home Editions: Used at home for the vast majority of the year, these step-by-step instructions help parents lead their children through the Student Books. Grades 1–8, downloadable printable PDFs accessible at www.christourlife.com/family

Digital Reviews: • I nteractive Lesson Reviews assessment tool with results-sharing option that allows parents to generate progress reports • S tump the Shepherd Part Review Game Accessible at www.christourlife.com/family

For Catechists

Used While Parents Prepare with Leader

Parish Catechist’s Guides: Grades 1–8, Printed

Christ Our Life Website: www.christourlife.com

Music CDs

Posters: Grades 1–8, Printed

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7 Family Catechesis Director Guide

Christ Our Life Family Catechesis

Slide Show Themes The Christ Our Life Family Catechesis program is designed to be taught in a fouryear cycle based on a spiral curriculum. Enduring topics are the touchstone of the program and are explored in new and exciting ways each year. The themes for each year align with the Christ Our Life themes. There is a slide show for every theme for a total of 28 unique presentations.

Four-Year Cycle

Part Topic

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Part 1: The Creed

In Search of the Truth: God Reveals Himself to Us

Finding Your Source of Energy: The Relational God— Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Who Can I Trust? Jesus: Divine and Human

No One Is an Island: Church: One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic

Part 2: The Sacraments

What Sustains Me? The Mass and Eucharist

Leading a Heroic Life: Sacraments of Initiation

Finding Healing When Life Hurts: Sacraments of Healing

How to Give Your Life to Others: Sacraments at the Service of Communion

Part 3: Moral Life

Stop Trying to Fix Yourself: Grace and Sin

How Do I Know Right from Wrong? Conscience and Commandments

Developing Good Habits: Virtues and Beatitudes

Hope for a Damaged World: Charity and Justice

Part 4: Prayer

Filling the Empty Space Within: Prayer and Spirituality

Getting Rid of Stinking Thinking: Praying with the Words of Jesus

Who's Got Your Back? Praying with Mary and the Saints

A Power Greater Than Yourself: Praying for Miracles

Part 5: New Evangelization

Discovering What You Want Out of Life: God's Invitation and Our Response

A Purpose-Driven Life: The Mission of the Church

Does My Faith Make a Difference? Catholic Identity

Where Is God When It Hurts? The Paschal Mystery and Life's Brokenness

The Year in Our Church: Advent and Christmas

Who Can You Count On? God’s Promise: The Covenant

There’s Got to Be Another Way: The Coming of the Kingdom

The World the Way It Should Be: Prophets/Social Justice

Where Can I Find God? The Incarnation

The Year in Our Church: Lent, Holy Week, and Easter

Getting Your Priorities Straight: Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving

The Key to Happiness: Selfless Love, The Passion of Jesus

How Do I Change Bad Habits? Conversion and Repentance

Finding Hope in the Middle of Despair: The Triduum

This chart outlines the part themes for each year in the Christ Our Life Family Catechesis four-year cycle. In addition, two informative slide shows are provided to get the program started.

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Christ Our Life Family Catechesis

More about the Slide Show Presentations High-quality, complete slide show presentations across four years of instruction give a positive visual impact to your group meetings and ensure successful presentations to diverse groups. Each slide show presentation includes embedded media clips and presentation notes so you can capture and maintain participants’ attention and engagement.

Five Part-Theme Slide Show Presentations per Year (20 Presentations across 4 Years) Each presentation engages parents and their children through group prayer, a sharing activity, Scripture readings, and media links.

PART

1 The Creed

Welcome!

YEAR 1

1T he Creed 2T he Sacraments

3M oral Life

Prayer and Spirituality

4P rayer

Filling the Empty Space Within

5 New Evangelization

Two Seasonal Slide Show Presentations per Year (8 Presentations across 4 Years)

The Year in Our Church

Advent and Christmas

YEAR 1

Your program can stay in tune with seasons of the liturgical year with these slide show presentations.

The Year in Our Church

2L ent, Holy Week, and Easter

Lent, Holy Week, and Easter

Two Informative Slide Show Presentations Christ Our Life Family Catechesis

YEAR 1

Introduction

Christ Our Life Family Catechesis

YEAR 1

Online Resources

Two informative slide show presentations will help get your program up and running in no time! 1 I ntroduction Use this slide show presentation to orient yourself and parents to this easy-touse and adaptable program. 2 Online Resources Use this slide show presentation to explain to families how to access and use the web resources.

1A dvent and Christmas

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Christ Our Life Family Catechesis

Typical Program Model

IN THE PARISH:

AT HOME:

Families gather all together with the leader and experience a slide show presentation on the part theme. Parents stay with the leader for the continuation of the presentation and for catechetical preparation. While this takes place, children go with catechists to complete the first lesson.

Parents catechize their children at home using parent friendly materials. They return for another group meeting in approximately one month to prepare for the next part.

See page 12 for a detailed explanation.

At-home Catechesis that Includes Professional Guidance!

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Christ Our Life Family Catechesis

At-a-Glance Families: Intro to Part 1

part

The Creed

GROUP MEETING

Parents Only: Part 1

At-Home Creed Chapters B–E

Chapter A Children with Catechists Families: Intro to Part 2

part

The Sacraments

GROUP MEETING

Parents Only: Part 2

At-Home Sacraments Chapters B–E

Chapter A Children with Catechists Families: Intro to Part 3

part

Moral Life

GROUP MEETING

Parents Only: Part 3

At-Home Moral Life Chapters B–E

Chapter A Children with Catechists Families: Intro to Part 4

part

Prayer

GROUP MEETING

Parents Only: Part 4

At-Home Prayer Chapters B–E

Chapter A Children with Catechists Families: Intro to Part 5

part

New Evangelization

GROUP MEETING

Parents Only: Part 5

At-Home New Evangelization Chapters B–E

Chapter A Children with Catechists

The Year in Our Church: Seasonal Sessions

Families: Intro to Session Parents Only

Advent and Christmas

GROUP MEETING Read Christmas Session

Advent Children with Catechists Group Celebration

Families: Intro to Session Lent, Holy Week, and Easter

GROUP MEETING

Parents Only

Read Holy Week Session

Lent Children with Catechists

Read Easter Session

Group Celebration

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Christ Our Life Family Catechesis

How Christ Our Life Family Catechesis Works Christ Our Life Family Catechesis combines parish-based group meetings and gradespecific instruction led by trained catechists with at-home lessons guided by parents.

Monthly Group Meetings Parents and children begin each meeting together in community with other families. After this Welcome portion, children meet with their grade-level catechists where they are taught the first chapter of that month’s part (Chapter A). The chapters are presented in alignment with the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the New Evangelization. The program leader uses the slide show Welcome (Parents + Children) 15 minutes presentations to teach parents more about the part theme during the Children leave for their respective Connect and Close sections. grade-level sessions. Parents complete their session 15 Connect (Parents Only) 30 minutes minutes before the grade-level lesson Close (Parents Only) 15 minutes concludes. This allows time for questions, conversations between parents, and time for parents to pick up their children from their grade-level classes.

At-Home Sessions

In the weeks after the monthly group meeting, parents teach their children the remaining four chapters in each part, using the Christ Our Life Student Book in conjunction with the At-Home Edition. The At-Home Edition provides parents with easy-to-follow, two-page instructional support designed for an in-home setting. Parents can find additional resources at www.christourlife.com/family.

Monitor Progress

After children complete each lesson, they can take that lesson’s corresponding Interactive Session Review online. This way children’s understanding can be gauged and progress can be charted. Determine in advance the best way for parents to share the results of this view Score Session Re Interactive assessment with you. You may r5 r 4 Chapte r 3 Chapte Grade ask families to e-mail scores r 2 Chapte te ap Ch e Level Family Chapter 1 Child’s Nam 80 to you, your family catechesis 90 Name 80 90 90 leader, or their grade-level 80 90 5 90 ron 90 90 Aa 90 90 Alvarez catechists. Consider keeping a 3 80 80 den 80 Ai 90 80 Alvarez 4 chart or spreadsheet on which you 80 rbara 80 80 Ba 80 90 Brown 5 80 can track children’s progress. 90 80 Bernadette Brown

Brown

Charles

90 90 80 80 90 80

Cohen

Bridget

Chapter 6

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Christ Our Life Family Catechesis

Step 2: Plan for the Year

Sample Planning Calendar

August

September

Family Catechesis Catechist Retreat (See page 27.) Family Catechesis Parent Orientation (See page 28.)

Group Meeting Part 1: The Creed, grade-specific Chapter A At-Home Instruction Grade-specific Chapters B–E from Part 1

October

November/December

Family Catechesis Group Meeting Part 2: The Sacraments, grade-specific Chapter A At-Home Instruction Grade-specific Chapters B–E from Part 2

Family Catechesis Group Meeting Seasonal Lesson: Advent, followed by a group celebration* At-Home Instruction Families read the Christmas lesson in the Student Book.

January

February

Family Catechesis Group Meeting Part 3: Moral Life, grade-specific Chapter A At-Home Instruction Grade-specific Chapters B–E from Part 3

Family Catechesis Group Meeting Part 4: Prayer grade-specific Chapter A At-Home Instruction Grade-specific Chapters B–E from Part 4

March

April

Family Catechesis Group Meeting Seasonal Lesson: Lent, followed by a group celebration* At-Home Instruction Families read the Holy Week and Easter lessons of the Student Book.

Family Catechesis Group Meeting Part 5: New Evangelization, grade-specific Chapter A At-Home Instruction Grade-specific Chapters B–E from Part 5

May Host an end-of-year group celebration.* *See pages 18–19 for more information about planning group celebrations.

The following calendar can help you plan your year. The chapters presented at group meetings and the chapters that parents should present at home are unique to each grade level. See the grade-level grouping on page 34 for chapter distribution and A–E designations. Grade-level chapter groupings are provided for you at www.christourlife.com/family.

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Christ Our Life Family Catechesis

Implementation Models The following pages provide suggestions for presenting the Christ Our Life Family Catechesis program. These models can be easily adapted to fit the needs of your parish.

Implementation Model 1: School-Year Monthly Model

Month

Group Meetings

At-Home Lessons

August

Christ Our Life Family Catechesis Parent Orientation (See pages 28–29.)

None

September

Part 1: The Creed family meeting, grade-specific Chapter A with grade-level catechist

Grade-specific Chapters B–E from Part 1

October

Part 2: The Sacraments family meeting, grade-specific Chapter A with grade-level catechist

Grade-specific Chapters B–E from Part 2

November/ December

Seasonal Lesson: Advent/Christmas followed by a group celebration*

Christmas lesson from the Special Seasons and Lessons section of the Student Book

January

Part 3: Moral Life family meeting, grade-specific Chapter A with grade-level catechist

Grade-specific Chapters B–E from Part 3

February

Part 4: Prayer, family meeting, grade-specific Chapter A with grade-level catechist

Grade-specific Chapters B–E from Part 4

March

Seasonal Lesson: Lent/Holy Week/Easter followed by a group celebration*

Holy Week and Easter lessons from the Special Seasons and Lessons section of the Student Book

April

Part 5: New Evangelization family meeting, gradespecific Chapter A with grade-level catechist

Grade-specific Chapters B–E from Part 5

May

End-of-year group celebration*

None

*See pages 18–19 for more information about planning group celebrations.

This model follows a typical faith formation year. Monthly group meetings are held nine times per year and last about an hour and 15 minutes. Seasonal group meetings take place at appropriate times during the year. Instead of using the At-Home Edition to guide seasonal instruction, families read the Student Book content devoted to the respective seasons.

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Christ Our Life Family Catechesis

Implementation Model 2 Semester Model This approach calls for seven group meetings over 15 weeks. During the weeks when group meetings are not scheduled, facilitate group attendance and participation at Mass. The semester model can also be used as a means for children whose faith formation has lapsed to help them catch up to their grade-level peers.

At-Home Lessons

Part 1: The Creed Chapter A with grade-level catechist

Part 1: Chapters B and C

None

Part 1: Chapters D and E

Part 2: The Sacraments Chapter A with grade-level catechist

Part 2: Chapters B and C

None

Part 2: Chapters D and E

Part 3: Moral Life Chapter A with grade-level catechist

Part 3: Chapters B and C

None

Part 3: Chapters D and E

Seasonal Lesson: Advent or Lent (depending on the time of year) followed by an optional group celebration*

None

Corresponding lessons from the Special Seasons and Lessons section in the Student Book

Part 4: Prayer Chapter A with grade-level catechist

None

Part 4: Chapters B and C

None

Part 4: Chapters D and E

Part 5: New Evangelization Chapter A with grade-level catechist

None

Part 5: Chapters B and C

None

Part 5: Chapters D and E

End-of-year celebration*

*See pages 18–19 for more information about planning group celebrations.

Week Group Meeting

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Christ Our Life Family Catechesis

Implementation Model 3 10-Day Summer Intensive The summer intensive program takes place over 10 days. Plan a parent orientation before the first 10-Day Summer Intensive meeting. See pages 28–29 for a suggested parent orientation plan. Then parents and children will meet every other day for group meetings, following the same format described on page 12. In this model, children will learn about the seasons in the Church year through the lessons that appear in the Special Seasons and Lessons section at the back of the Student Book.

Group Meeting

At-Home Lessons

Part 1: The Creed, Chapter A with grade-level catechist

Part 1: Chapters B and C

None

Part 1: Chapters D and E

Part 2: The Sacraments, Chapter A with grade-level catechist

Part 2: Chapters B and C

None

Part 2: Chapters D and E

Part 3: Moral Life, Chapter A with grade-level catechist

Part 3: Chapters B and C

None

Part 3: Chapters D and E

Part 4: Prayer, Chapter A with grade-level catechist

Part 4: Chapters B and C

None

Part 4: Chapters D and E

Part 5: New Evangelization, Chapter A with grade-level catechist

Part 5: Chapters B and C

None

Part 5: Chapters D and E

Optional

End-of-Session celebration*

*See pages 18–19 for more information about planning group celebrations.

Day

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Christ Our Life Family Catechesis

Methods and Models of Family Catechesis Family Faith Formation Models

How Elements of These Models Work with Christ Our Life Family Catechesis

At-Home Catechesis with Monthly Faith Formation Meetings

Christ Our Life Family Catechesis combines parish-based group meetings and grade-specific instruction led by trained catechists with at-home lessons guided by parents.

Multimedia Events

Christ Our Life Family Catechesis uses professionally developed, catechetically sound, and well-paced slide show presentations for each part that include enhanced media links. See page 33 for additional video suggestions.

Family Prayer Celebration

Prayer is central to Christ Our Life Family Catechesis; it begins and ends each group meeting, helping build community and prayerful practice.

Activity-Centered Approach

Children, their parents, and fellow participants take part in a sharing activity during the Welcome section of each meeting. Each group celebration centers on a family or group activity.

Family Christian Service Project

Service activity suggestions are part of the Family Feature pages in the Student Book. A food drive service project is a suggested element of the Lent, Holy Week, and Easter group celebration plan.

Family Christian Holiday Celebration

Group celebrations for Advent/Christmas and Lent/Holy Week/Easter offer simple ways to carry out celebrations that build community, fellowship, and faith.

Family Pilgrimage

Consider sponsoring a family pilgrimage where families visit a holy place or sacred site together as an end-of-the year group celebration.

Family Retreat Day

You may wish to make the seasonal lessons into family retreat days. Include time for prayer, reflection, discussion, and opportunities to build community among parish families and within the parish community. Ideas for retreats are available at www.loyolapress.com.

Christ Our Life Family Catechesis is readily adaptable and complements many methods and models of family faith formation.

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