Finding God 2013: Grades 7-8

Our Response to God’s Gifts

NE W! GR ADES

7–8

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School and Parish Edition • Grades 7–8

Our Response to God’s Gifts

NE W Know your Faith. Grow in Faith. Go in Faith.

Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts Grades 7–8 is a faith formation program that fosters a lifelong relationship with God by engaging young people in the full and authentic teachings of the Catholic Church.

Seventh and eighth graders face many important decisions—about school, friends, interests they want to pursue, and about faith. Finding God Grades 7–8 reaches young people where they are in this critical stage of their lives and provides in-depth support for teachers, catechists, and parents. The life of Jesus Christ and the authentic teachings of the Catholic Church are presented and explored in an age-appropriate manner, encouraging lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ.

Program Features • Reflection: Where Do I Fit In? articles strengthen Catholic identity and encourage young people to reflect and recognize God’s presence in their lives.

• Prayer: Ignatian Spirituality forms the core of the program, with ample prayer opportunities to foster a life of prayer.

• Experience: Service and Faith in Action projects call young people into action and discipleship.

• Parent resources: Abundant resources such as family e-newsletters and Seasons of Family and Faith magazines build the home-faith connection.

• Online resources: Rich online resources for parents, teachers, www.findinggod.com and children are found at

Finding God is found to be in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

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Grade 7: Focuses on the life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Young People’s Book

Grade 8: Focuses on Church history

Catholic content is shared in a rich context with beautiful images, thoughtful prayer opportunities, and engaging experiences.

Unit Opener

Inside a Session

Each unit opens with a saint whose holy life and response to God’s love reflect the unit theme.

Engage

Past Meets Present

Unit

As a young man,

Augustine began to question his thoughtless actions.

He sought to learn from a religious group that seemed to have the answers about the meaning of life. Eventually he became disappointed in what they taught.

Augustine tried reading the Old Testament but thought it was too simplistic to tell a real story about God and how he relates to us. Following the custom of his time, Augustine put off being baptized until he figured out what he believed.

Throughout it all his mother, Saint Monica, prayed for him and encouraged him in his search for the true faith.

Augustine kept searching, and gradually he developed some important friendships, especially with Saint Ambrose, bishop of Milan, Italy. These new relationships, as well as a series of life-changing personal experiences, helped Augustine learn about Jesus and his Revelation of God the Father.

Augustine’s faith in Jesus and in the Church blossomed , and he chose to be baptized.

He became a famous theologian and spiritual writer. The people of Hippo in northern Africa made Augustine their bishop.

According to legend, as Augustine reflected on the Trinity while walking along the seashore, he saw a child drawing water out of the sea with a seashell and pouring the water into a sand pit. When he asked the child what he was doing, the child answered that he was emptying the sea into the pit. Augustine commented that such a task was impossible. The child

One Tr ue Fa

ith

responded, “So too is it impossible for the human mind to understand the mystery of the most Holy Trinity.”

Augustine turned away to ponder this.

When he looked back, the child was gone. This mysterious event revealed

Saint Augustine grew up in northern Africa around Athat .D. 350. to Augustine the human mind can of the Trinity than a seashell can

intelligent, but like all of us, this did not stop himempty fromout making bad choices. the sea.

It is said that he and his friends once stole pears PRESENT: from a farm,Cardinal not because Joseph

chose a seashell they were hungry, but for no good reason. At theRatzinger time, Augustine didn’tas part

seem to care that he and his friends were stealing. He didn’t think about

appointed archbishop in 1977. The

how his choices affected other people, who mayseashell have sold pears for a story was the a reminder of the Saint Augustine.

Elected pope living or who needed them for food. Some of hisofactions were thoughtless

in 2005, Cardinal Ratzinger, now

and hurtful to others. But his ideas would changePope over time.

Benedict XVI, had seashells embroidered on the vestments he wore at his installation Mass. This sign and other sacramentals, such as rosaries, medals, and statues,

Saint Augustine represents a person who

are given by the Church to help

needed to take some time to discover the

us celebrate our faith with greater

one true faith— Christianity. In the same

Think of a time when you’ve listened to an idea or a story and thought to yourself, “I don’t get it. How can this be?” Do you accept the idea or reject it and move on?

Three Persons in One God

Or do you search and dig deeper to find answers?

PR AYE R Loving God, help me in my search to find direction so that I may grow closer to you.

Explore Young people deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith as they read, discuss, experience, and pray.

Augustine’s life shows us that God doesn’t force us to believe.

Faith is a free human choice. Faith grows in people through different experiences and at different times in their lives. To grow in faith, we need to be open to what God has in store for us. Faith grows when we watch, listen, and search for God. Our faith grows stronger when we love and serve others. When we are honest, open, and willing, our faith can grow.

of his coat of arms when he was

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Augustine’s journey opened his eyes to faith. Faith means saying yes to God when he reveals himself and gives himself to us. Faith is a gift from God that helps us believe in him. Faith exists in relationshi ps. In our relationship with God, faith enables us to respond with love to God and to others. For faith to be complete, we need to believe, accept, and respond.

no more Augustine fully understand His mother was a Christian, and his father was a pagan. wasthe mystery

How the Saint Relates

Each session begins at a crucial starting point for a young person—his or her own life. Thoughtprovoking questions and an opening prayer lead into the session.

Gift of Faith

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PAST: Sometimes insights into our

faith come when we least expect them.

Session

awareness and devotion.

way as Saint Augustine, we are on a faith journey that leads us closer to God.

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Catholic Social Teaching Un it 1 • O ne Tr ue F a it h

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Our Catholic Character Past Meets Present Sacred Art Study Corner

WHAT traits or habits did you inherit

from your parents? A quick wit? A flair for music?

We gain insight into ourselves by learning more about our parents, who gave us life. Because God made us in his own likeness, we can gain a better understanding of who we are by learning more about God. For Catholics the most powerful insight that we have about our God is the mystery of the Trinity.

A mystery of faith is a religious truth that we cannot and friendship, GodAsent closer look at this mystery To help us know this love fully understand. his divinity. us sharers in profound insights into our identity as us his Son, Jesus, to make can unlockthe Holy Spirit Son sent thechildren and Father the of God. Likewise, love possible for us to live in to guide us and make it The Trinity thismystery of the existence of one and the next. isInthe and happiness in this worldGod in Three Persons—the relationship with Father, the Son, and the close in live to us way God invites of Three Persons is God, whole invitation Holy Spirit. of these to hisEach respond him, but it is up to us to and entire. Each ability is distinct only in relationship with us free will—our friendship. God has given each of the others. with stay in relationship to choose to do good and us from which distances the mostwhen important mystery of our him or our choice to sin, The Trinity isexistence calling us into life,the a mystery for us to enter him. We thank God for Christian faith and in him recognize we we live Christian lives, andinto and ponder. We can state this mystery in just loving actions of others. a few words—Three Persons in one God. But even after a lifetime of studying this mystery, we will never be able to completely understand it. God Acting in Faith gifts, He is a mystery that is not a mystery to be solved. many blessed us with Recognizing that God haswe explore andand by loving into which we enter. by loving him a relationship we respond to God’s love in many ways. For example, others. We can do this the celebration of the we can worship God through to promote wisely words our use sacraments. We can others. We can show respect peace rather than harm Our belief in the mystery of the Trinity—Three Persons in our actions. We can for ourselves and others Godthat we believe in more in one God— not imply encounter We candoes take care of God’s creation. the while than We onecan God. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are all pray—all through volunteer work. receives our prayers. major monotheistic religions, which means they are knowing that God lovingly show we others, and God to on based a belief in one God. Other religions, such Whenever we give back us. love for infinite Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Shinto, have a recognition of his as

Our Catholic Character

varying degrees of polytheism, the worship of many gods. Despite this fundamental difference, the Catholic Church respects other faith traditions.

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F a it h Un it 1 • O ne Tr ue

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Un it 1 • O ne Tr ue F a it h

creation, are the height of God’s Because human beings a more just to work toward making we have a responsibility called to Catholic Church, we are world. As members of the Industrial For example, during the witness for Jesus Christ. workplace. machines changed the 1800s, the in Revolution the goods could be mass produced, Because products and did ideas so and Society changed, kinds of jobs changed.

In response to these authority. t governmen about labor and increasingly began addressing developments, the Church rights that relate to the basic economic and social matters called to address still are We es. of people and communiti ever-changing world. social issues today in our leadership People of God, under the Those baptized, or the parts. The are one body with many of bishops and priests, and of organization to society Church applies this image subsidiarity. calls it the principle of g is a rich treasure of Teachin Social Catholic and how society This exploration canbuild helpaus come to know and to live just wisdom about how to core world. modern the understand ourselves and others because we are A of holy lives amid the challenges up the building forus made in God’s image.isItresponsible can also help understand principle is that society States have of the United how to relate to others and to discover the meaning common good. The bishops of God in our own lives. social concern: defined seven areas of

Family, • Call to God One

Community, and Participat

Think more about a theme of Catholic Social Teaching. Choose one of the Catholic Social Teaching themes listed. Read more about In teaching about the Trinity, God has told us one about us it on page XXX. Write worldof the Trinity is distinct from the in thePerson see each injustice that youthat God. In other words the Father is not you chose. themeequally that relates to theothers, the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Then discuss how you can respond.

Spirit is not the Father. And yet, because their love Theme: for one another is so strong, they are inseparable in who they are and in what they do—there is only one God. Since we are made in the image and likeness of God, we are called to live in unity with others, just as One injustice and what I can do the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit live in unity. We best to respond: live up to our name as children of God when we are united with others in loving relationships.

The Church and the Trinity The Church realizes that the Three Persons of the Trinity have a single purpose for the human family. Each Person reveals this purpose. The actions of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all for our benefit.

The Father is our loving Creator. He continues to act in the world and in each of us in the ongoing act of creation.

ion

God’s Creation

forit clear in the Old Testament that there is • Care God made of Workers the Rights and ruling Workgods ofmany only oneDignity God, not over a fractured • The world, as some people believed.

The Person one God who Human • Life and Dignity of the created and sustains the world is the same God and Vulnerable for the Poor • Option who chose Abraham and his descendants to be his ilities special people. is the same God who liberated Responsib andHe • Rights the Hebrews from the slavery of Egypt. He is the God • Solidarity who spoke through the prophets. And he is the God helps us find Teaching Social whoChurch’s sent hisCatholic Son to be born of the Virgin Mary. These The creation and how all ofisGod’s how to care are not allondifferent gods.for There only one God. direction his gifts. to thank God actively for

Three Persons

The New Testament reveals Three Persons in one God. The First Person of the Trinity is God the Father.

God the Son, Jesus, is the Second Person of the Trinity. He is begotten of the Father, which means that he was not created, but rather, existed before he was born of Mary. In fact, the Father and the Son have always existed. The Third Person, God the Holy Spirit, proceeds from the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit was not created either because, like the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit exists from before time.

DEFI NE myster y, Trinity

REM EMBER

The Trinity is the most important myster y of our Christian faith and life.

Through the Church our faith is received, suppor ted, and nourished.

DE FIN E

The Son, the Second Person of the Trinity, shared in our humanity without loss of his divinity so that we could know and love God as our Father. Through the life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus, we are brought into God’s own life. We are baptized into Christ so that we can join him in the praise of the Father.

The Holy Spirit fills us with grace so that the life and

y, Father and the Son breathe within us. The lovearit of the Creator, , subsidi g, opens us up to faith in Jesus, who gift of the Spirit chin free will Tea Social unites us with the Father.

Cat holic good com mon

When it comes to the mystery of the Trinity, God invites us to come closer and to experience fully his love through the gift of faith. This faith is connected to the faith community. It is in and through the Church that our faith is received, supported, and nourished. The Church helps our faith grow when we pray, participate in Mass, and receive the sacraments.

In faith we turn to the one God who gave us all that we have. God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is our destiny, our final goal, the one for whom we will always reach, and the most important relationship in our lives.

ER

SACRED ART

RE ME MB

world created ing in the God’s love Everyth ression of God’s to earliest is an exp resp ondthe From d, times, the idea of the Trinity was difficult to for us. We prayer, worIn trying to portray the Trinity, iconographers ugh understand. love thro the story ofsthe hospitality of Abraham when three and act ion. turned tochin g help ial Tea visited him. Iconographer Andrei Rublev represents Socwanderers Cat holic iety. the soc Trinity through three haloed figures that visited Abraham. a just us build

This image shows the unique nature of the Trinity and the Eucharist as a symbol of unity and divine love. Rublev designs a wordless way to appreciate the mystery of the Trinity by setting the three figures within a

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in One God Persons single circle, making their faces identical, and including a blue garment, Session 1 > Three

signifying divinity.

Holy Trinity (Troitsa), Andrei Rublev, 1425–1427, Russia.

Session 1 > Three Persons in One God

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Explore

• • • •

REM EMBER

what it feels like to full sunset or a black sky be awed by a blazing do in reaction? Point? of stars? What do you and stare? The next time Comment? Simply stop nature, pause for a moment you notice beauty in world idea: The created and think about this gift of love to us. around us is God’s first The world was not created God is our Creator. a God who set it in motion as an afterthought or by The world was created and then sat back to watch. ly desires to share his by a God who passionate All that we see and truth, goodness, and beauty. world is an expression experience in the created the us. We recognize him in of God’s great love for that surrounds us in harmony and wonder, beauty, ge him as the cause the natural world and acknowled and end of everything. in us made us that God The story of Creation tells dominion over the earth his likeness and gave us it. (Genesis 1:26–30) How and all the creatures on at that when God looked comforting it is to know it was very that found he made, everything he had that God created us good. (Genesis 1:31) Believing and finds us good makes body and soul in his image loves us God that idea the it easier for us to accept love ourselves and one and that we, in turn, should with life and love. another. God blesses us

Teach ing: Catholic Socia l Love A Response to God’s

Explore

Special features help connect faith and real life:

God Is O ur Creator

The y Blessed Trinit

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WHERE Do I Fit In

We’ve all heard the message “God loves you.” But do you really believe it?

This concept is often easier to believe when our lives are going well.

But how do we have faith in God’s love when things fall apart? How can we use knowledge of God’s love to help us cope and get past our problems?

Prayer

Signs of Love

Diverse forms of prayer draw young people into a personal relationship with God.

As Catholics

we begin our day and our prayers with the Sign of the Cross. It’s a simple reminder that our whole life is lived under the sign that saved us, the Cross of Jesus, by the power of the Trinity—one God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

It is an important sign that places before us and on us the shape of the cross that saves us. It is the sign traced on our foreheads when we become a Christian in Baptism, and it is made over us in death as we complete our Christian life.

Where Do I Fit In? articles invite young people to express their thoughts and ideas as another way to process and reflect.

When we bless ourselves with the Sign of the Cross, we remember the God who created us, the one who saves us, and the Spirit whose wisdom guides us. This sacramental helps us grow in our spiritual life because it reminds us of our core beliefs.

The Sign of the Cross is also a visible sign of a disciple, a person who accepts Jesus’ message and tries to live as he did, including sharing his mission. Jesus’ words in Luke 9:23 remind us to take up his cross daily and follow him. Though short and simple, the Sign of the Cross lets the whole world see that we belong to God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

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Ref lect on the Sign of the Cro

Reflect

Young People’s Book, continued

Reflect

by Tom McGrath

How Do W e Know Go d Loves Us ?

I’m glad to be a that God love Catholic because as a Catholic s me. I don’ I believe know God t loves me beca just believe it; I know it. I in many diffe use I’ve expe rent ways rienced that In Natur . love e I haven’t alwa ys felt God Think of a ’s love. In fact, times whe time when n I felt God you felt the there presence of have been was distant loving frankly, unin God in natu and remo terested in re. Write abou te, and quite or find anot me or my who moved t it her creative life. But away way to expr drawing, pain quite the oppo from me during thos it wasn’t God ess it— ting, e times; it site. I had poetry, or was At other time simply quit music. responding s I have expe to him. of God so rienced the fully that it closeness left no doub and love exist, he also t that not knew all there only did God loves me anyw was to know ay. My expe about me— me that God rience and and my religion is always on In Your teach my side and Fa mi ly How do I expe at my side. rience God Describe a hundreds time when of ways, and ’s love in my life? I coul you experienc of God thro I bet you coul d list your mind ed the love ugh the care to it. d, too, if you and concern member. In a bolt of light I don’t usually expe put of a family the week rienc ning or a thun e God’s love to come, mak thanking that a gentle nudg dering voice as e a point of pers e or the still, but on. rather as an echo of small voice God callin inside me g me into that hear t, and is life. Open be ready to your mind be surprised and .

We experienc e God’s love in many ways shows three places whe . The activ ity re you can love. Read In the Kin look for signs Leader: Let’s each secti pause for a mome on and write of dness of nt to becomelines below or on your response God’s aware of God’s Summarize Ot hers another shee presence with on the a time whe us as we prepa t of paper. n you expe ourselves for prayer care through re rienced God . Trace a small the actions ’s cross on your forehead. Reflec of others, someone maybe t on the ways you didn’t you even know use your mind to know and under . stand God better TOM MCG .

RAT H is All: Faithful God, the author you created us of Raising with a mind that we might seek Faith-Fill and know you. ed Kids.

Help us recogn you in all the peopl ize e and events of our lives.

Leader: Next, Session 1 trace a small cross > Three Persons on your chest.

Pause for a mome in One God nt to thank God 9 for all the ways he has shown you how much he loves you. pray together.

Let’s

ss

All:

God of love, thank you for the gift Son, Jesus, who of your died on the cross for love of us.

Help us know how to love others the way you love us.

Leader:

Now slowly trace a small cross on shoulder. Reflec each t on anything in your life that heavy to you, feels or reflect on a burden that you use help carryin could g. Now let’s pray together. your Son bore the weight of our human sufferi ng on his should ers. Help us take up our cross each day and follow you. Inspire us through your Holy Spirit to be generous in offering help to others who carry heavy burde ns.

All: Merciful God,

Un it 1 • O ne Tr ue F a it h

t’ss Whhaat’ W

Wh at?

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For each main idea, write a supporting detail. him to Saint Augustine’s faith journey led Catholic live a holy life and become a great theologian and writer. PAGES 12 Example: Saint Augustine made mistakes, had but he kept searching and eventually in God. experiences that helped him have faith mystery of 2 The Trinity is the most important our Christian faith and life. PAGES 45

Respond

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Catholic Social Teaching gives us direction to care on how to show love for others and for all of God’s creation. PAGE 7

Respond

us We pray the Sign of the Cross to remind that that our lives are lived under the sign 8 saved us—the Cross of Jesus. PAGE

Young people review what they’ve learned and are invited to respond to God’s call in daily life. Each Respond page concludes with a call to action that invites young people to live out their faith as it relates to the session theme.

Say What?

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Through the Church our faith is received, supported, and nourished. PAGE 5

4

God sent us his Son so that we would his love. PAGE 6

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We can respond to God’s love through prayer, word, and action. PAGE 6

Know the definitions of these terms. free will Catholic Social Teaching mystery common good sacramentals Creator subsidiarity disciple Trinity faith

Now What? know

can Through faith in the Holy Trinity, we can you learn to live a life of holiness. What do this week to live as a holy person?

Living Faith

Unit Closer

Purpose

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Identify areas in your communit y where people who are homeless live; work with your communit y to provide basic necessities to people in need.

Un it 1 • O ne Tr ue F a it h

Backgrou nd

Many communities provide shelter and services for people who are homeless. Although these services are helpful, the need for basic necessities and continued assistance is an ongoing problem. Some people in need of assistance are reluctant to seek help in shelters, soup kitchens, or other places where services are provided.

They may be afraid. Others worry about losing their dignity. Some suffer from physical or mental illnesses that make them unable to seek help, and others have simply lost hope. Whether or not they seek help from service providers, people who are homeless need help and protection .

Faith in

Unit

ACT I O N

1

Steps

1. Mobilize a group

to collect basic necessities for people who are homeless, suchevery Faith is alive when we put it into action daysoap, of our lives. as combs, toothbrush es, and toothpaste

Act

. Determine the best way to collect the items.

Faith is expressed in our attitudes and values and in the way we relate Your group may sponsor a drive, collect financial donations and then purchase to people and the world around us. Taking action to make a more just items, or get businesses to donate items.

2. Contact local organizatio ns that provide services world is an essential part of living the Gospel. Jesus preached not only to those who are homeless.

Schedule a date and time for dropping off donations. with words but also with actions. We are called to do the same.

3. Organize adult

“It is an eternal obligation toward not to let him suffer from hunger when one has a chance of coming to his assistance.”

—Simone Weil, French philosopher

package the collected

who are homeless.

helping

Act

the human being

a group to assemble and

items. Ask volunteers to help distribute In this unit we explored important beliefs of our Catholic faith—the the packages to the organizatio your choice. ns of Trinity, God’s Revelation, and our response to God. We were also 4. Consider sharing your project with others in introduced to the Church’s rich tradition of Catholic Social the school or parish by videotapin g theTeaching. assembly and distribution of packages. Show the The Church calls us to put the needs of peoplevideotape who areatpoor andhouse, parent meeting, an open or other assembly to increase awareness and encourage greater participatio vulnerable first. Here are some ideas for how you thosecan do this. n in

Become Gleaners

“To take away the goods of another is

nothing, in comparison to taking away their dignity and honor.

In taking away our neighbors’ dignity and

Each unit closes with a choice of two Faith in Action projects that invite small groups to live out the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

honor, they lose all.”

—Saint Vincent de Paul

Purpose Learn about the practice of gleaning as a way for people who are poor and hungry to get food; become a gleaner by collecting food and distributing it to those in need.

Session

Background The Gleaners is a famous painting by the French artist Jean-François Millet. Painted in 1857, it portrays peasants scavenging a harvested wheat field. Life was rough for people at the time, and they often resorted to gleaning, which is the collecting of crops left over in farmers’ fields after harvesting. Today mechanical harvesting often leaves behind crops that would normally go to waste. With the farmers’ permission, humanitarian groups practice gleaning in these fields so that they can distribute the 44 Un it 1 • O ne Tr ue F a food to those who are poor and hungry.

Celebrating Ordinary Time

it h

Steps

JUST

1. Read Leviticus 23:22. What do you learn about God from this passage?

What is God’s message to you in this passage?

as we use a calendar to mark important days in our lives, the Church’s liturgical calendar helps us remembe r and celebrate important events from Jesus’ life.

From the time before his birth to his Death, Resurrec tion, and Ascensio n, the liturgical calendar helps us celebrate the life of Jesus.

Ordinary Time occurs twice a year and lasts a total of 33 or 34 weeks. The first period begins after the Christmas season and ends on Ash Wednesday, and the second period begins after the Easter season and ends in late fall. All Saints Day and All Souls Day are celebrated during Ordinary Time.

2. Initiate monthly food drives and drop-off locations to collect nonperishable food to share with people who are in need.

3. Ask volunteers to coordinate the pickup of donated food each month, sort it into bags or boxes, and store it.

4. Form a partnership with local churches, food pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens that could use the food. Ask adults in your school or parish to help you deliver the food.

Detail from The Gleaners, Jean-François Millet.

Unit 1 > Faith in Action

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Closing Session for Every Unit Celebrating the Liturgical Year Sessions highlight Catholic life and practices throughout the liturgical year.

The “ordinary” in Ordinary Time means “counted time.”

We number the days and weeks to remind us that all time belongs to God. A good way for us to celebrate Ordinary Time is by growing as a disciple of Christ and deepening our commitm ent to him. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells his followers “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24) But what does this mean?

A disciple is a person who accepts Jesus’ message and tries to live as he did, sharing his mission, his suffering, and his joys. Because you are one-of-a-kind, with your own talents, gifts, personal circumsta nces, and challenges, the way you grow in discipleship will also be unique. Denying yourself might mean putting someone else first. Taking up the cross might mean working in the parish food pantry, even though some of your friends might pressure you to do something else.

As disciples we are called to live out our faith. Every word, thought, and action show others and Jesus our commitment to living the life we’re called to live as one of his followers.

Take a moment and think about your first thought s and words today. Jesus lived his life as an example of how we should live.

How did your first thought s and words mirror the way Jesus calls you to live? How can you remind yourself to live the way Jesus asks?

PR AYE R Jesus, guide my words and actions so that I may live my life accordin g to your will.

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LIST SPECIFIC COLORS HERE HT YELLOW HT RED HT BLUE HT BLACK

5 10 25 50 75 80 85 90

LIST SPECIFIC MAX. OUTSIDE DIAMETER = 116HERE mm COLORS MIN. INSIDE DIAMETER =HT20YELLOW mm No print beyond inside or outside diameter.

HT RED Stacking area that is knocked out isHT also a no BLUE print area.

HT BLACK

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School and Parish Catechist Guides

Following Jesus

MAX. OUTSIDE DIAMETER = 116 mm MIN. INSIDE DIAMETER = 20 mm

No print beyond inside or outside diameter.

Stacking area that is knocked out is also a no print area.

Following Jesus

GRADE

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3773-7

CD

GRADE 1: UNITS 1–3

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1. Guided Reflection: 34 Living mmin Relationship (10:48) 2. John 9:1–38: The Man Born Blind (5:03)

36 mm

3. Guided Reflection: Face to Face (9:53)

STACKING RING 4. Mark 6:34–44: The Feeding of the 5,000 (4:07) 5. Guided Reflection: Paying the Price (14:00)

3774-4 6. Matthew 17:1–9: The Transfiguration (5:47) 46 mm 7. Reflective Music (26:56) MIRROR BAND

CD 2: UNITS 4–5

1. Guided Reflection: 34 God’s mm Dream for Us (11:30)

P

C

2007 Loyola Press

2. Luke 24:13–35: On the Road to Emmaus (5:16)

36 mm

3. Guided Reflection: Called by Name (11:38)

STACKING 4. The Letter to Philemon: Paul RING Writes to Philemon (5:59) 5. Reflective Music (41:19)

46 mm PROVIDE WHITE PRINTER ON PAGE 2 IF REQUIRED. MIRROR BAND

See last page of this file: 2007 Loyola Press ALL CD DONUTS NEED WHITE FLOOD P

Each easy-to-use Guide includes complete catechetical background, clear plans, step-by-step support, and additional activities with custom guides for parish and school.

CATECHIST PREPARATION: Just for Schools

CATECHIST PREPARAT ION

Included FREE with every Guide:

Three Persons in One God

DAY 4: Reflect

60 minutes

OPEN

ACTIVITY 1

ACTIVITY 2

Signs of Love

Looking at Love

Songs and Poems of Love

PAGE 8

PAGE 9

Where Do I Fit In?

TIME: 10 minutes

One-Hour Session Planner

Materials: writing supplies

Together review the Where Do I Fit In? article. Then ask young people PAGE 9 Session Theme: The Trinity is the central mystery of our Christian faith and life. to reflect silently on these questions: When was a time in your life TIME: 25 minutes when you gave love completely and freely and it was accepted by the recipient? How might this experience relate to the way that God loves us and how we receive his love? Organize young people into 60 minutes 1 SESSION 1 each pair to write song lyrics or a poem that expresses ideas pairs. Ask Prayer in Session OPEN ACTIVITY 1 ACTIVITY 2 that came to mind as they reflected on the questions. Have pairs central mystery of our the is a set Trinity The session, this In Theme: exchange their writing and discuss.

Session Unit Saint: Faith Meter Faith Q and A precedent for the pattern and PAGE 2 Saint Augustine Christian faith and life. throughout TIME: 25 minutes Materials: writing supplies prayer for tone PAGES 12 TIME: 20 minutes the program. Point out that Organize young people into three groups. Assign each group one of experience Daily Examen will young people the following topics: God the Father, Jesus the Son, theBefore Holy Spirit. This Session Small-Group Project PAGE 1 different forms of prayer in ideas. for OPTIONAL Ask each group to write a list of questions about their topic for which EC-4–EC-5 pages See 60 minutes ▶ Prepare a prayer space. the sessions. A short prayer Three Persons in One God If you wish to have young they’d like answers or guidance. Have each group share its questions. invites EC-8 for ideas.

PAGE 3 on1the opener page rules and procedures. See page OPEN Establish ACTIVITY ACTIVITY 2 people complete the small- As a class, discuss possible answers. After class, give the▶questions togroup a young people to reflect on 9:23. Place the open Bible group project on page S-1D, pastoral leader in your parish. At a later date, invite this ▶ person to be your Bible to Genesis 1:26–31 and Luke TIME: 20 minutes At the or Making Connections BLM Bookmark What’s What?

Say What? the session’s theme.

Presentation have small groups begin a guest speaker and discuss young people’s questions. in your prayer space.

PAGE 10 PAGE 10 end of the session, young completed project or Just activities to access now. Allow time on Days areainvitedMaterials: Choose and people implement choose any additional If Time Allows Three Persons in One God ▶ Read the Guide for this session, TIME: 20 minutes for Schools Making Connections BLM TIME: 20 minutes Retreat 3-Minute 1 through 5 for young an online vocabulary-review activity and gather the listed materials. that you might have time to complete, (page S-406) Scripture. on reflects people to work. that from the options found at anpeople completed the smallThis session includes If young www.findinggod.com/ APPROXIMATE TIME reflection. guidedgroup project of the week, have each vocabcheck. extended STEPS Follow the Prepare group present its oral presentation.

60Engage minutes directions on theIf Catechist 10–20 minutes TIME: 10 minutes young people did not complete sharing Guide page before the project, organize them into two OPEN ACTIVITY 1 ACTIVITY 2 Unit Saint: Saint Augustine PAGES 12 with young people. groups and have them revisit the Daily Examen PAGE 1 The Blessed Trinity Shout-It-Out Relay Trinity Tour session articles to complete the Making PAGES 45 PAGE 4 Materials: small notebooks, pencils Connections BLM. Discuss the activity Three Persons in One God PAGE 3 after young people complete it.

TIME: 15 minutes TIME: 15 minutes Lead young people on a tour of your church and parish grounds to 30–40 minutes find images of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Have young Explore people TIME: 30 minutes sketch their favorite image and record personal reflections The thatBlessed come Trinity PAGES 45 IT HOME TAKE to mind as they think about the image and their sketch.

SERVICE: Set Up a Junior’s Department PAGE 10 God Is Our Creator PAGES 67 TIME: 30 minutes Homework options: 10–15 minutes Reflect PAGE 5 Trinity Artwork TAKE IT HOME: Trinity Artwork PAGE 5 Small-Group Project of the Week: School Brand Prayer: Signs of Love PAGE 8 with Life Blessed Where Do I Fit In? PAGE 9 Materials: poster board, Explain that the word brand comes from anPAGE Old7English word that means “an identifying mark made and Love art supplies, reference by burning.” Discuss how a brand represents the identifiable mark of a company. Have young people 60 minutes minutesname popular brands of clothing, soft drinks, and sports gear. Discuss logos, taglines, and what Respond materials about 10–15 your school’s OPEN ACTIVITY 1 ACTIVITY 2 history and identity brands represent to the public.

What’s What? PAGE 10 Explain that when we mark ourselves with the Sign of the Cross, we are, in a sense, “branding” God Is Our Creator Session 1 BLM Online Activity Finder: Praising Creation ourselves and expressing that we belong to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

PAGES 67 PAGE T349 www.findinggod.com/additionalactivities Organize young people into small groups.

Ask each group to research the answers to the Materials TIME: 20 minutes TIME: 20 minutes TIME: 20 minutes followingOPTIONAL questions you write on the board: How can you identify a Catholic parish? How does your 2) three words describe the best parts? Is your parish named (page tape REQUIRED ▶ Painter’s parish reflect Christian beliefs?

What ▶ CD 1, Track 1: “Living in 1) TAKE IT HOME: Blessed with Life and Love PAGE 7 ▶ Can of juice, can opener (page after a holy event(page or a saint?

3) If so, how is that event or saint honored? ▶ Bible Relationship” (10:48) (page 8) Ask each group to develop a brand for your parish, including a logo, a tagline, and a description that ▶ Sacramentals (page 2) ▶ Tape, books (page 4) ▶ CD 1, Track 7: Reflective Music answers these questions.

Have groups display their work on poster board and present it to the group. athlete ▶ Picture of a popular ▶ Session 1 BLM, T-349 (page 6) (page 8) or celebrity (page 4) access with ▶ Computers ▶ Magazines NOTE: Seewith pageInternet 1d for Prayer in Session 1, materialsand lists,computers and how to teach this session in one hour. ▶ Nature photograph (page 6) (page 10) Internet access (page 9) ▶ Writing supplies (pages 7, 9, 10) UNIT 1 • Session 1 S-1D S-1C www.findinggod.com ▶ Session 1 Assessment, 10) 8) (page ▶ CD player (page www.findinggod.com

Three Persons in One God

DAY 1: Engage

Session 1 Making Connections

DAY 5: Respond

DAY 2: Explore

Name

Date

Connecting ideas helps us see the big picture.

Directions: Read the article assigned to your group. Write the main points in the appropriate column. Join with a group who read the other article, summarize for each other, and each fill in the column for the article you did not read. Work together to tell how the ideas in the two articles relate to each other and complete the Connect section.

Possible answers: Notes from Article 1: The Blessed Trinity

Notes from Article 2: God Is Our Creator

• The Trinity is a mystery of our faith.

• God created the world as an expression

of love.

• The Trinity is Three Persons in one

God—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

• The Trinity is a mystery to explore and

a relationship to enter into. community.

• Our faith turns us to God, who gave us

all that we have.

• God made us in his likeness. He loves

us. We, in turn, should love ourselves and others.

• God sent Jesus so we would know

• Our faith is connected to the faith

his love; the Father and Son sent the Holy Spirit.

• Catholic Social Teaching helps us

respond to God’s love by taking care of creation and loving others.

CONNECT

• Our faith in the Trinity helps us respond in faith to the needs of others.

www.findinggod.com

Grade 7 • Unit 1 • Session 1 Making Connections

Hemera/Thinkstock

©

• God, who is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, gave us all that we have.

DAY 3: Explore

CATECHIST PREPARATI ON: Just for

Catechetical Background

UNIT 1

One True Faith core Catholic belief that Jesus is Unit 1 focuses on the Trinity and the promise to his people. In this unit, the Savior, the fulfillment of God’s concepts. young people will learn the following

SESSION 2

Jesus Is the Answer to a Promise

of that the Trinity is the core mystery In this session, young people learn in are called to respond to God’s love the Catholic faith. As Catholics, we living out the themes of Catholic important ways, such as through prayer, for Jesus in the world.

Social Teaching, and living as disciples

3-Minute Retreat

a form of prayer.

SESSION 3

Before you prepare the session, pause and be still. Take

three deep breaths and be aware of the loving presence to Us of God, who isGod with you on this journey.

Jesus Reveals

and New Testaments reveals that God The genealogy of Jesus in the Old to prepare for the Salvation that Jesus worked through Jesus’ ancestors John 3:16 we believe Jesus himself fulfills the brought to humanity. As Catholics, is the Jesushis “For so loved theWe world thatthat he gave believe Old Testament. the God Revelation of God found inonly invites sins and Son, who our believes in him who forgives Godeveryone andsoa that Son of God, a God for all people, might not perish but might have eternal life.” us into his kingdom.

Reflection

Yes Saylove Us oftoselfless God is a model for us. There was no Jesus Calls

need for God toyes create our planet or the creatures that the Mother But Mary, to God. people say Throughout Scripture, many inhabit it. Creationand washearts an act of of Catholics selfless love.

There was because in the minds of God, holds a special place no need for God to send his only Son to saveMary us. It was lives was asked to be the Mother of Jesus. she said yes to God when she an act of selfless love. As we learn about God’s the we inlove, of God. We, too, receive God’s grace wholly and fully in the grace draw closer to God and the mystery of the Trinity. God grace.us with love in the Persons of the Son and has lavished forms of sanctifying and actual

SESSION 5

the Spirit, who in turn nurture in us the desire to do the same for others.

Celebrating Ordinary Time

Questions the meaning of Ordinary Time, explore In this session, young people learn Ordinary that and learn In what ways do IChurch, live out God’s selfless love for me in in our how Ordinary Time is celebrated our commitment my caring for has someone shared an and deepen ChristWhen ofothers?

Time is a time to grow as a disciple to him.

act of selfless love with me? Recall the experience and say a silent prayer for that person.

S E S S IO N 1 UNIT SAINT

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine took time to discover that Christianity is the one true faith. He eventually responded with love for God and for others.

As a result of his abiding Consider how Scripture and Tradition can Saint Augustine faith, great of the one became deepen your understanding of session content. leaders of the early Church.

Knowing and Sharing Your Faith in Session 1 Scripture

Genesis 1:26–31 tells us that God made us in his likeness, that he gave us dominion over the earth and the creatures on it, and that God found his creation to be good.

Luke 9:23 reminds us to take up Jesus’ cross daily and to follow him.

Tradition God has made the Trinity known to us by revealing himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As the Trinity, the Three Persons are inseparable in what they are and what they do. The word Person is used to designate the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as really distinct from one another. The word relation is used to designate that their distinction lies in the relationship of each to the other two. When the Father sends his Word, he always sends his breath, the Spirit. In their joint mission, the Son and the Holy Spirit are distinct but inseparable. Christ is the one who is seen, the visible image of the invisible God, but the Spirit is the one who reveals him.

1a Catholic Social UNIT 1 Teaching Concluding Prayer

Speak to God, using the words of this prayer or your own.

Triune God, your love for us is beyond our ability to comprehend. May I grow in my desire to share your love with the people I meet today.

• 6 posters featuring relevant topics and beautiful visuals • Reproducible blackline masters including assessments and activities

In this session, all seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching are introduced. See page 1b for explanations of these themes.

Window on the Catechism The mystery of the Trinity is described in CCC 232–260.

Background information in Scripture, Church Tradition, Catholic Social Teaching, and prayer is provided for catechists and teachers of all experience levels.

Schools

Bulletin Board: Unit 1

MATERIALS

John 3:16 The following is an optional bulletin board that young people can complete as they experience Sessions 1 through 5.

Young people develop a bulletin board that displays their visual interpretation of the Scripture verse.

▶ ▶

SET the Stage

Bible

Art supplies

▶

Paint

▶

Colored pencils

▶

Bulletin-board supplies

Read aloud John 3:16 from the Bible.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”

Together discuss the meaning of thisCATECHIST PREPARATION: Scripture passage.

TIME

40 minutes

Just for Schools

MAKE the Bulletin Board Organize young people into four small

groups. Have

each group use art supplies to illustrate a phrase from John 3:16 in a literal Catholic Social Teaching: or symbolic way. Assign phrases as Unit 1 Research Projectindicated by the slash marks: For God so loved the world

John 3:16

MATERIALS For God so loved the world

/ that he gave his only Son, /

soan that everyone The following is optional research project youngnot people who believes in that him might perishcan / but experience might have eternal life.1 through 5. Young people complete as they Sessions learn about Groups the theme forpencils, the Poor andorVulnerable as they mayOption use colored paint, additional art supplies to illustratepresentation. their phrase. Add pictures that coordinate develop a slide-show with the

▶

Print and online reference materials

▶

Computers with Internet access and printersso that

but might have eternal life.

everyone ▶ Computer slide-show who believes in him might presentation software that he gave not perish ▶ Son, Writing supplies his only

words on a bulletin board titled John 3:16. ▶ Unit 1 Research Project Blackline Master Photocopy and distribute to each young person a Unit 1 Research Project (page S-405) AfterHave finishing Blackline Master. volunteers take turns reading directions on the bulletin board, say: Tothe help viewers better understand images we added, the Blacklinethe Master.

Organize young pairs. let’s people add theinto accompanying Focus on Homelessness phrase from Scripture.

Slide Show Give young people time to use markers to write their assigned Say: During Unit 1, you will work with your partner inside and outside of class phrase from John 3:16 on the bulletin board. to research and develop a slide-show presentation about a local or national Use the Bulletin Catholic organization that works to combat homelessness. will use the Board During appropriate You times in Sessions 1 through 5, callProject young Blackline people’s attention Unit 1 Research Master toto guide your research, track your the bulletin board to remind them of God’s sources, andgift use of Jesus. a computer program to develop a slide show.

SET the Stage CLOSE the Project

Name

Date

Part A Directions: Research the issue of homelessness in the United States. Use at least three reliable print or online sources. Record key information on note cards. Write your sources below. ▶ ▶ ▶

Part B Directions: Research a national or local Catholic organization that works to combat homelessness. Use at least three reliable print or online sources.

Record key information on note cards. Write your sources below. ▶ ▶ ▶

Part C Directions:

1. Use a computer software program to develop a slide-show presentation based on your research.

2. Organize your key ideas in a clear, compelling way.

DO the Research

3. Collect and arrange images that support your research.

4. Add music that coordinates with the mood or tone of your presentation.

Prayer

Have pairs of young people do research using the Blackline Master as a guide.

Supervise the research to people ensure that young people are using reliable and Ask young to bow their heads. Together pray the Sign of the approved printCross. and online sources.

Say: Spend a quiet moment with Jesus. Tell him one way you will follow him today.

PREPARE the Slide Show

Guide young people to use a computer software program to develop a slide show that highlights the key points of their research. Encourage young people to add photos, graphics, and music.

5. Turn in this planning sheet, your note cards, and your slide-show presentation.

www.findinggod.com

Grade 7 • Unit 1 Research Project

Dynamic Graphics/liquidlibrary/Thinkstock (t) | iStockphoto/Thinkstock (b)

SESSION 4

CATECHIST PREPARATION

Three Persons in One God

New Testaments, is the inspired Word The Bible, consisting of the Old and the Baptist announced the coming of God. The Bible tells us that John to God’s people. The message of of Jesus, the Messiah, a Savior promised the Ascension is shared with us through Jesus’ life, Death, Resurrection, and as can meditate on the Word of God Gospels. Young people learn that we

At-a-glance planning charts make instruction as easy as 1-2-3, and are customized for oneday parish programs and five-day school programs.

www.findinggod.com

CATECHIST PREPARATI ON

Three Persons in One God

Planning

UNIT 1 Research Project

1d

SESSION 1

• 2 CDs including dramatized Scripture stories, guided reflections, and instrumental music

©

SESSION 1

See last page of this file: ALL CD DONUTS NEED WHITE FLOOD

CATECHIST PREPARATION: Just for Schools

Five-Day Classroom Session Planner

C

PROVIDE WHITE PRINTER ON PAGE 2 IF REQUIRED.

TIME

Time will vary.

CLOSE the Project Invite other classes, parents, community advocates for those who are homeless, or members of the parish to view the slide-show presentations.

Encourage volunteers to get involved with the cause.

S-1B

www.findinggod.com

Just for Schools Every unit includes a Catholic Social Teaching research project and a bulletin board unit activity that are perfect for the Catholic school setting.

General Directory for Catechesis The Trinitarian nature of the Gospel message is described in GDC 99 and 100.

UNIT 1 • Session 1

1c

UNIT 1

S-1A

Preview samples online at www.findinggod.com or call for samples at 800-621-1008.

8489-2_FG2013_G7-8_Brochure_P2.indd 5

5

10/18/12 2:43 PM

School and Parish Catechist Guides, continued

ENGAGE

Session

1

SESSION 1

OUTCOMES

Guided Instruction Finding God Grades 7–8 teaches concepts in context—through Scripture, stories, articles, engaging photographs, and interactive writing and drawing opportunities. In addition to definitions and facts, this program makes connections that translate into a life of faith.

▶

Explain that the Trinity is a core mystery of our faith.

▶

Define Catholic Social Teaching as a response to God’s love.

▶

Meditate on the Sign of the Cross.

▶

Define Catholic Social Teaching, common good, Creator, disciple, free will, mystery, subsidiarity, and Trinity.

Think of a time when you’ve listened to an idea or a story and thought to yourself, “I

Session outcomes are clearly stated.

don’t get it. How can this be?” Do you accept the idea

1 Set the Stage

or reject it and move on?

Or do you search and dig

Three Persons in One God

deeper to find answers?

Read aloud the text in the box. Have young people record their ideas and then share them with a partner.

2 Get Started Pose the following mystery. Say: A man was found murdered one Sunday morning. The police questioned his wife and household staff.

Here are the alibis:

PR AYER

▶

3

IF TIM E ALLOWS

Asking for Answers Read aloud one of the designated Scripture readings for the upcoming Sunday Mass. Ask: What part of this reading makes you think, “I don’t get it” or “How can this be?” Record young people’s ideas and inform them that you will bring their questions to your pastor or a pastoral leader for answers. Invite this guest to visit the group and answer the questions in person, after they have had time to go over them. To close, remind young people that asking questions about God is one of the ways that we build our faith—our trust—in God. Tell them that they should not be afraid to ask questions of Church leaders. Church leaders are there to help.

If Time Allows features offer reteaching or extension activities, including inclusion activities for children with special needs.

Simple step-bystep instructions help catechists lead children through the core content.

The wife said she was reading a book.

The cook claimed she was preparing breakfast.

The gardener claimed he was planting seeds. ▶ The maid said she was getting the mail from the letter carrier. ▶ The butler claimed he was polishing the silver.

Say: Who did it, and how do you know? ▶

Loving God, help me in my search to find direction so that I may grow closer to you.

▶

Invite volunteers to solve the mystery.

(It was the maid. She couldn’t have gotten the mail because there is no mail on Sunday.) Read aloud the session title. Ask: How do you think the idea of mystery and the session title might be related? (It’s a mystery that there are Three Persons in one God.) Emphasize the difference between a murder mystery and a faith mystery.

Prayer

Begin

1 Begin Bring in a picture of a popular athlete or celebrity whom you’ve seen in a live performance. Talk about this person’s achievements and describe your experience of seeing him or her in person. Then ask: How many of you believe that I can get [name of celebrity] to visit our class? Invite a show of hands. Say: Well, if you doubted my ability to bring him or her here, you’re right. I may have seen [name of celebrity] perform in person but I don’t have a personal relationship with him or her.

I am, however, going to introduce you to someone this year that I do know personally, and that is God. We don’t learn about God just by reading from a book. We get to know God by developing a personal relationship with him.

And we develop a relationship with God by learning to trust him.

The y Blessed Trinit

Connect Catechists lead children through the core content on the page, questioning, discussing, demonstrating, and interacting along the way.

Read aloud the article title The Blessed Trinity and invite a volunteer to read the first five paragraphs. Help young people understand the Trinity by using an example from Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Say: Think of the Trinity as three musical notes. When each is played on its own, it is distinctive and unique. When all three notes are played together, they form one distinctive and unique sound.

Read aloud the sections One God and Three Persons. Have young people name the Three Persons of the Trinity. Ask: When do we best live up to our name as children of God? (when we are united with others in loving relationships)

Our Catholic Character

Ask a volunteer to read aloud Our Catholic Character. Briefly discuss the concepts of monotheism and polytheism. Explain to young people the common history shared by the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faiths through Abraham and Jesus.

4

UNIT 1 • Session 1

3

WHAT traits or habits did you inherit

from your parents? A quick wit? A flair for music?

We gain insight into ourselves by learning more about our parents, who gave us life. Because God made us in his own likeness, we can gain a better understanding of who we are by learning more about God. For Catholics the most powerful insight that we have about our God is the mystery of the Trinity.

A mystery of faith is a religious truth that we cannot fully understand. A closer look at this mystery can unlock profound insights into our identity as children of God. The Trinity is the mystery of the existence of one God in Three Persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each of these Three Persons is God, whole and entire. Each is distinct only in relationship with each of the others.

The Trinity is the most important mystery of our Christian faith and life, a mystery for us to enter into and ponder. We can state this mystery in just a few words—Three Persons in one God. But even after a lifetime of studying this mystery, we will never be able to completely understand it. God is not a mystery to be solved. He is a mystery that we explore and a relationship into which we enter.

Our Catholic Character Our belief in the mystery of the Trinity—Three Persons in one God— does not imply that we believe in more than one God. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are all

2 Connect

Go to www.findinggod.com/sessionextenders for Catholic beliefs about the Apostles’ Creed. You may wish to share this with the group.

major monotheistic religions, which means they are based on a belief in one God. Other religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Shinto, have varying degrees of polytheism, the worship of many gods. Despite this fundamental difference, the Catholic Church respects other faith traditions.

4

In teaching us about the Trinity, God that each Perso has others, equal n of the Trinity is distin told us ly God. In ct from the other words the Son, the the Son is not the Holy Spirit Father is not Spirit is not the , and the Holy for one anoth Father. And yet, becau se their love er is so strong who they , they are are and in inseparable what they in God. Since do—t we are made here is only one in the image God, we are called to live and likene ss of the Father, in unity with Son, and Holy others, just live up to as Spirit live our name in unity. We as childr best united with others in loving en of God when we are relationship s.

This exploration can help us come to know and understand ourselves and others because we are made in God’s image. It can also help us understand how to relate to others and to discover the meaning of God in our own lives.

God made it clear in the Old Testament that there is only one God, not many gods ruling over a fractured world, as some people believed. The one God who created and sustains the world is the same God who chose Abraham and his descendants to be his special people. He is the same God who liberated the Hebrews from the slavery of Egypt. He is the God who spoke through the prophets. And he is the God who sent his Son to be born of the Virgin Mary. These are not all different gods. There is only one God.

Three Persons The New Testament reveals Three Persons in one God. The First Person of the Trinity is God the Father.

God the Son, Jesus, is the Second Person of the Trinity. He is begotten of the Father, which means that he was not created, but rather, existed before he was born of Mary. In fact, the Father and the Son have always existed. The Third Person, God the Holy Spirit, proceeds from the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit was not created either because, like the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit exists from before time.

Un it 1 • O ne Tr ue F a it h

IF TIM E ALLOWS

Shout-It-Out Relay Play this game to reinforce concepts from the article. Ask each young person to have in mind one main idea or detail from the article.

Organize the group into two teams. Use tape to mark two sets of relay lines—one set to mark the teams’ start/finish lines and one to mark the turnaround point. Have each team line up behind a start/finish line. Explain the rules of the game:

• When a player reaches the turnaround line, he or she says aloud an idea from the article before returning to pass the book to the next player. Players may not repeat a stated idea.

• Players return to the start line if they drop the book.

• The first team with all players across the finish line wins.

Church realize s that the Three have a single Persons of purpose for the Trinity Person revea the human family. Each ls this purpo the Son, and se. the Holy Spirit The actions of the Fathe r, are all for The Fathe our benef r is our loving it. act Creato

in the world r. He contin and in each act of creati of us in the ues to on. ongoing The Son, the Second Perso our huma n of the Trinity nity , shared in could know without loss of his divinity and love God life, Death as our Fathe so that we , and Resur r. Through rection of into God’s the Jesus, we own life. We are broug that we can are baptiz ht ed into Christ join him in the praise of the Fathe so The Holy Spirit fills r. us with grace love of the so Father and the Son breaththat the life and gift of the Spirit opens e within unites us with the Fatheus up to faith in Jesus, us. The who r.

NE

ry, Tri

nity

EM BE

R

The Tri import nity is the mo ant my Ch rist stery st of our ian fait h and Throug life. h fait h is the Churc h rec and nou eived, sup our por ted rished. ,

The Ch urch an d the Tri nity The

One God

• Each player takes a turn walking back and forth with a book balanced on his or her head, without touching the book with their hands.

EX PLOR E DE FI myste

RE M

When it come s to the myste God invite ry of the Trinity s us to come , closer and fully his love to experience through the is connected gift of faith.

This faith to the faith community. through the It is in and Church that our faith is supported, received, and nouri shed. faith grow when we pray, The Church helps our receive the participate sacraments. in Mass, and In faith we turn we have. God— to the one God who gave us Father, Son, destiny, our and Holy Spirit—all that final goal, is our the one for always reach whom we , and the most will in our lives. important relationship

SACRED ART

From the

earlie st times , the idea unde rstand of the Trinit . In trying y was diffic to portr ay turned to ult to the Trinit the story y, icono graph of the hospi ers wand erers tality of Abrah visited him. am when Icono graph three the Trinit er Andrei y throu gh Rublev repre three haloe This image sents d figure s show s the that visite unique natur d Abrah am. as a symb e of the Trinit ol of unity and divin y and the appre ciate e love. Ruble Eucha rist the myste v desig ns ry of the a word less single circle Trinit y by way to settin g the , makin g their faces three figure signif ying ident ical, s within a divin ity. and includ ing a blue garm ent,

TA KE IT HO ME

Trinity Ar tw

Session 1

Holy Trinity (Troitsa), Andre 1425–1427, i Rublev, Russia.

> Three Persons

in One God

ork Before assi gning the homework, Trinity, suc display a var h as three iety of sym intersecting lateral tria bols for the circles, Bor ngle, trefoil, romean ring triquetra, and search for s, an equiexamples fleur-de-lis. of each, if Perform an reflect on needed. The Internet and use the n ask young symbols as Trinity sym peo insp ple to bol that the iration for y develop. their own choice, suc original They can use h as photog any media raphy, vide art. Display of o, the drawing, or the finishe ir d artwork computer-g Blessed Trin for all to see enerated ity as the hea , using Sym ding. bols of the

5

Explore

Catechists are guided to tap children’s prior knowledge and build background with fun, active openings.

EXPLORE

Say: Let’s pray together to prepare ourselves for life’s journey. Pray aloud the prayer. Conclude by praying the Sign of the Cross.

Have a vol unteer rea d aloud Th Church and e the Trinity . young peo ple that eac Remind h Person of Trinity is the dist inct yet equal. Wr the follow ite ing three words on board in thi the s order: Bre ath, Creatio Resurrection. n, Ask: Which Trinity do Person of you associa the te with Cre (the Father) ation?

The Resurr ection? (the Breath? (the Son) Holy Spirit) How does Church sup the port our fait h tionship wit and our rela h God? (Po ssible answer is through the Church : It that our fait received, sup h is ported, and nourished.)

Sacred Ar

t Read aloud the Sacred Art feat ure Explain tha . t in the Ch urch, icons are a form of art used in prayer.

They are sacred sym bol s tha us enter mo re deeply into t help tery of wh the mysat they por tray people to compare the . Ask young images of Persons of the the have env isio Trinity to what the y ned in the ir own min Explain tha ds. t the figures right are the fro Fat her, Son m left to Spirit. Ha ve volunteer , and Holy s describe similaritie the s and differe nces among figures. the

3 Close

To close thi s art icle disc young peo ussion, inv ple to record ite answers to these questio ns: ▶ Wh ich words best describ understand e you r ing of the Trinity? ▶ Ho w can prayin g the Sign Cross help of the you recall the Three Persons of the Trinity ?

www.findinggod.com

UNIT 1 • Session 1

Close Content is wrapped up or expanded on as instruction for the page is closed.

5

Special Features Look for these icons that highlight special learning opportunities throughout the Guides.

3-Minute Retreat

Adventures in Faith

Audio CDs

Catholic Social Teaching

Prayer Opportunities

Scripture References

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seasons MAGAZINE FOR PARENTS OF ADOLESCENTS • Volume 1B

seasons

OF FAMILY AND FAITH

MAGAZINE FOR PARENTS OF A DOLESCENTS

• Volume 1A

OF FAM ILY AN D FAI TH

Seasons of Family and Faith Magazines

Challenge and Opportunity Togetherness and Autonomy Sorrow and Hope

CAN BE US E WITH D A PROGR NY AM!

Challenge and Oppo

Joy and Celebration

rtunity

To everything there is a season… and the season of raising middle-schoolers is both challenging and exciting!

Togetherness and Autonomy Sorrow and Hope Joy and Celebration

Get parents actively engaged in the spiritual development of their young adolescents by nurturing parents’ own faith and practice. These captivating 64-page magazines (one each for parents of seventh and eighth graders) will grab parents’ attention and help them recognize the holiness in their life as a family. The variety of articles will call parents to greater awareness, involvement, and practice of their faith. Inspire parents to nurture faith at home as they reflect on • The Season of Challenge and Opportunity WA N T M O R E ? G O TO W W W . L P. C O M

• The Season of Togetherness and Autonomy • The Season of Sorrow and Hope • The Season of Joy and Celebration With engaging and accessible articles that spring from the lives of real parents, these resources will greatly support your faith formation program. They are ideal for kick-off-your-program meetings, gatherings of parents, Moms groups, and for the personal spiritual growth of every parent who picks one up.

B Y

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L Y K E

It’s been several years since we’ve parented children.

Now, in the “empty nest,” we can look back and assess what we did well and what we could have done better. Balancing time and energy among all of our passions—home life, work life, community life, and parish life—was among our greatest strength s. On the other hand, bringing a sense of balance to the oftenopposing influences that shaped our kids’ moral values is something that we’d do over if we could. Here, from our perch in the empty nest, are some thoughts on four areas that require conscious balancing in today’s world.

HOM

12

Season of Challenge

E LI

FE

COM

MUN

ITY

LIFE

VALU

ES

FAM

HOPE ILY

S

DREA

MS

PARI

SH

LIFE

ENVI

RONM

ENT

FRIE

NDSH

IPS

WORK

LIFE

and Opportunity

13

Some of the articles include • • • •

What You Can Be Sure of in a World of Ambiguity Four Ways Healthy Families Navigate Transitions Welcoming the Person Your Child Is Becoming When Your Child Doesn’t Make the Team

• Healthy Families Know When to Get Help • The Worst Day Can Be Your Best Day • When Growing Up Feels Like Going Away

www.findinggod.com The Finding God Web site fully supports directors of religious education, principals, catechists, teachers, children, and parents with abundant resources including: At-Home Learning Guide with full lesson plans, family e-newsletters, prayer services, Spanish support, blackline masters, unit and session assessments, and much, much more!

Preview samples online at www.findinggod.com or call for samples at 800-621-1008.

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3441 N. Ashland Ave. Chicago, IL 60657 800-621-1008 www.loyolapress.com Promotional Code

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NE W! School and Parish Edition • Grades 7–8

Our Response to God’s Gifts

Know your Faith. Grow in Faith. Go in Faith.

Finding God is a faith formation program that integrates prayer, Scripture Scripture, Church Tradition, and Catholic Social Teachings into lessons that encourage a lifelong relationship with God.

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Preview Web resources and online samples at www.FindingGod.com or call 800-621-1008.

Grades 1–6 also available.

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10/18/12 2:42 PM