Catechism of the Catholic Church 770

Dogmatic constitution on the church [ Lumen gentium ]

What I Already Know Complete the following sentences .

The Second Vatican Council was . . .

The Church is . . .

The Household of God So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners , but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God , built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets , with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone . Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord ; in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit . EphEsians 2:19 – 22

The Marks of the Church are . . .

Faith Vocabulary

With a partner , take turns choosing words and defining them for each other . If there are words that neither of you can define , put a check mark next to them .

discipleship

piety

Magisterium ecumenism

Communion of Saints

Consecrated life contemplation

Liturgy of the Hours

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What I Want to Know Write a question you have under each heading .

Sacred Scripture What do you know about the Acts of the Apostles ?

The Church What question do you have about a sacrament you have not received ?

Another Question I Have

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NCD 30

A The Lesson Planner :

• Provides a thumbnail sketch of the lesson process and its activities

• Offers a focus for each of the three parts of the lesson plan

• Summarizes the many resources available to help enrich and expand the lesson

B Unit Teacher Formation Feature A single page at the start of each unit provides an overview of the learning objectives , a quotation from the Catechism , and a summary of one of the Human Methodologies .

A concise wraparound lesson plan leads educators through a creative teaching process .

C Chapter Background

UNIT1

Two pages of theological and catechetical background prepare you to teach , and references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults appear in every chapter .

SACRAMENT OF SALVATION

Learning Objectives In this unit the students will learn that :

→ As a result of Vatican II , the Church emphasizes even more the importance of being disciples in the world .

→ The Church is a pilgrim people called together by God to become one in Jesus Christ .

→ The Church is the Mystical Body of Christ , called to be the hands , feet , and heart of Christ to others .

→ The Church is one , holy , catholic , and apostolic .

→ The Church is a people of prayer , guided by the Holy Spirit .

→ Praying with the Church is an essential part of a Christian ’ s life .

From the Catechism

The Church is in history , but at the same time she transcends it . It is only “ with the eyes of faith ” that one can see her in her visible reality and at the same time in her spiritual reality as bearer of divine life

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B

Catholic Social Teaching

Throughout this unit the students will learn about various topics related to a particular theme of the Church ’ s social doctrine . Time permitting , conclude the unit by inviting the students to complete the Catholic Social Teaching activities at the end of this unit . You may wish to preview the materials available on pages 132 – 133 of this guide . They will help you lead the students in their learning about the Church ’ s Social Teaching .

Learning within the Christian Family .

The family is the first place where children begin their lives of faith . Today the Church speaks of the family as the “ domestic Church ,” or the church of the home ( Familiaris Consortio 38 ). Ideally , children first learn to pray in the home and to form their earliest image of God . By the words and example of their parents , extended family members and family friends as well , children learn the moral choices required of Christians and begin to form their consciences according to the Golden Rule .

In your role as catechist you can help young people take an increased responsibility for their own words and actions . Young people today come to you from many different family situations . Be sensitive to these situations . Whatever their situation , young people need reassurance that God dwells in every family situation , drawing each member toward goodness . Remind your students that they , too , have a responsibility to model God ’ s goodness to their siblings and parents .

All can aspire to the ideal that the Church holds up for us , for this ideal describes a microcosm of what it means to be Church .

→ How do I honor the family as the “ domestic Church ”?

→ Which examples of the ideal Christian family can I offer to the young people ?

C

CHAPTER

2

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The Temple of the Holy Spirit

The Church possesses the dignity of being the adopted daughters and sons of God the Father . In our hearts the Holy Spirit dwells like an unquenchable light . Nothing can take away this dignity , nothing can extinguish that light . We , the Church , strive to love one another as Christ loves us . With the help of the Holy Spirit , we strive to become like Christ who made himself servant for all .

Christ was sent by the Father “ to bring good news to the poor . . . to heal the [ broken hearted ]” ( Luke 4:18 ), “ to seek and to save what was lost ” ( Luke 19:10 ). Similarly , the Church encompasses with her love all those who are afflicted by human [ infirmity ] and she recognizes in those who are poor and who suffer , the [ likeness ] of her poor and suffering founder .

Sacrament of SALVATION

THE PEOPLE OF GOD

Background

A Chosen Race , a Holy Nation

he Church is blessed with characteristics that make her different from all other

Treligions or ethnic communities or cultural groups found at any time in history . God acquired a people for himself and transformed them into “ a chosen race , a royal priest hood , a holy nation ” ( 1 Peter 2:9 ). Through the Church God invites all humanity to become members of his people by being born anew by water and the Holy Spirit ( see John 3:3 – 5 ).

Jesus Christ , the Incarnate Son of God , is the Head of the Church . He is the Anointed One , the Messiah . His anointing flows into the members of his Body , the Church , a messianic people . In times of personal anguish , national trials , and impending death , we proclaim a message of hope : God is with his people and lights their pathways back to him .

A Light in the World

The mission of the Church is to be light in the world so that all may come to know and believe in Jesus Christ , the Light of the world . We are to plant the seeds of unity , hope , and Salvation for all humanity . This is God ’ s plan for all people .

The Holy Spirit dwells within the Church , the Temple of the Holy Spirit , and energizes and guides her . The Holy Spirit helps the whole Church and all the baptized with the charisms , or graces , to do their part to live as God ’ s people and to prepare for the coming of the Kingdom of God . In the fullness of time , God will bring his plan to perfection .

→ How does my participation in the life of the Church , the new People of God , give direction to my daily living ?

→ What guidance can I give to the young people to motivate them to actively take part in the work of the Church ?

UNIT1

A

LESSON PLANNER

CHAPTER 2 The People of God

GOAL To learn how the Church continues the mission of Jesus Christ

MATERIALS and LESSON PART

PROCESS RESOURCES

DAY 1 EXPLORE → Pray and reflect on 1 Corinthians 12:20 . paper , pens or pencils ,

Focus To explore how → Learn about the work of Caritas Internationalis . Internet access w / projection members of the capability ( optional ) Disciple Power : generosity

Church carry out small foam ( or soft ) ball her mission Activity : Write about what we have done for others in response to Jesus ’ call .

Pages 21 – 23

DAY 2 DISCOVER → Read and discuss the Church as the new People pens or pencils of God

Focus To discover that poster paper , markers the Church is → Work with partners to learn about Communion of ENRICHING THE LESSON : the new People Saints : Holy Things and Holy People . “ Imaging the Church ” page 67 of God and the Activity : Design an image that illustrates the

Communion of

Communion of Saints . Saints Pages 24 – 25

DAY 3 DISCOVER → Brainstorm and learn about qualities of Church paper , pens or pencils leaders .

Focus To identify the newsprint , markers responsibilities → Summarize the three-fold ministry of the bishop . ENRICHING THE LESSON : and ministries of Faith Vocabulary : charisms , laity , ordained ministry , “ Demonstrating Taking Part the faithful consecrated life in the Work of the Church ,”

Pages 26 – 28 page 67 Activity : Create presentations on laity , ordained ministry , and consecrated life .

DAY 4 DECIDE Activity : Practice the process of discernment .

ENRICHING THE LESSON : “ Writing a Job Description for

Focus To find ways to My Faith Choice : Discern God ’ s call . the Pope ,” page 67 discern God ’ s call Pages 29 – 30

DAY 5 CONCLUDE Review : Recall , reflect , and share key concepts from the pens or pencils The Unit 1 opener pages ground the unit chapter . content in the Scriptural Pages tradition 31 – 32 of the

Bible , candle , cross for

Pray : Prayer for Vocations prayer space Church , and assess the young people ’ s prior knowledge about the key faith Assessment Tools Booklet : Chapter Test 2a – 2b bowl of holy water concepts in the unit . Processing these pages should take no more than fifteen minutes .

Opening Page

Invite the young people to tell you what they see in the illustration . Ask a volunteer to read the Scripture story aloud . Then ask :

54 Christ in the Liturgy

Find additional resources online at BeMyDisciples . com “ What do we do at Mass that is connected to the events of this story ? How does the Mass help you to see Jesus more clearly ?

Getting Ready

→ Invite the young people to write their responses to the questions for each section on page 8 .

→ Invite a few volunteers to share their responses , but do not correct them at this time . Tell the students that they will return to this page to check their learning at the end of the unit .

→ For “ What I Want to Know ,” you might write their questions on the board , track them through an online discussion forum , or on a piece of newsprint so that you can refer to them when the topics come up in this unit .

→ Ask the class to look at the next page and begin Chapter 1 .

Student pages 7 , 8

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TEACHER TO TEACHER

Understanding of the Church

If you ask the young people in your group what comes to mind when they hear the word church , you will hear a variety of responses . Their responses could range from “ holy ” to “ a building with a cross on it ” to “ stained-glass windows .” As you present the lesson today , you might like to begin with this or a similar question . The young people ’ s responses will provide you with some helpful insights into their understanding of the Church .

Belonging

When Jesus ascended into heaven , he did not leave us alone . He formed us into a community , the Church . As members of the Church , we are to work together to continue Jesus ’ work in the world today . Talk with the young people about the different communities to which they belong , for example , school , neighbor hood , teams , clubs , family , or city . Then examine how belonging to the Church is similar to and different from belonging to these other communities .

Gracious God , we thank you for calling us to be your Church . We are members of your household . Give us grace so we may

grow into a sacred temple . Amen .

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THE CHURCH TEACHES ...

The Church is the Body of Christ , the new People of God . Sharing the Light of Faith : National Catechetical Directory for Catholics in the United States (© 1971 ) reminds us that the Church on Earth continues the work of Christ in the world . It teaches :

The Church continues the mission of Jesus , prophet , priest , and servant king . Its mission , like His , is essentially one — to bring about God ’ s kingdom — but this one mission has three aspects : proclaiming and teaching God ’ s work , celebrating the sacred mysteries , and serving the people of the world .

The Church is the Sacrament of Salvation in the world . It is a sign of our communion with God . This chapter reflects on the mission of the Church , the People of God .

Further Reading and Reflection

For more on the teachings of the Catholic Church on the Church as the new People of God and on her work in the world , see Catechism of the Catholic Church 751 , 758 – 776 , 781 – 786 , 871 – 913 , and 1555 – 1571 , and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults , pages 116 – 117 .

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