OBJECTIVES FOR CATECHISTS

Grade Two

THEME:

The Church is a Community of God’s people. We become members by the celebration of Baptism, and Eucharist and are reconciled through the Sacrament of Penance.

MESSAGE:

To strengthen the student’s love for Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

  • by teaching the story of Jesus

NCD #48-54 / CCC #240
TTOC p. 79 / GDC #122
  • by teaching that grace is God’s life within us

NCD #98 / CCC #2000
TTOC p. 323 / GDC #116

To reinforce the concept of Church as Community

  • by discovering the Church as a praying, worshiping and serving community

NCD #112 / CCC #748-838
TTOC p. 156 / GDC #78

The Ten Commandments

To provide a greater understanding of the Ten Commandments

First Commandment

  • by explaining that we try to put God first in our life

NCD #146 / CCC #2131-2132, 2141
TTOC p. 266 / GDC #130

Second Commandment

  • by emphasizing that God’s name is holy and we must respect it and not use it thoughtlessly

NCD #105a / CCC #2162
TTOC pp. 265, 267

Third Commandment

  • by teaching that Catholics have the duty of participating in Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation

NCD #100a / CCC #1264
TTOC p. 267 / GDC #130

Fourth Commandment

  • by explaining that children must obey their parents or guardians

NCD #226-227, 255 / CCC #2231, 2248
TTOC pp. 297-300

Fifth Commandment

  • by stressing that as Catholics, we are called to be peacemakers in our homes and schools

NCD #105b, 165 / CCC #2303
TTOC pp. 269-270

Sixth Commandment

  • by helping the child to understand that the sacrament of marriage makes holy the promise of a man and a woman to love each other as husband and wife

NCD #99 / CCC #2333-2334, 2393
TTOC pp. 282-285

Seventh Commandment

  • by teaching that stealing is taking the property of another person without permission

NCD #100, 105 / GDC #85
TTOC p. 248

Eighth Commandment

  • by emphasizing that lying deliberately is saying what is untrue

NCD #100 / CCC #2482
TTOC pp. 247-248 / GDC #130

Ninth Commandment

  • by guiding the students that we must be faithful to those we love

NCD #105 / CCC #431
TTOC pp. 247-248 / GDC #173

Tenth Commandment

  • by helping people to have what they need to live

NCD #105 / CCC #2062
TTOC p. 330 / GDC #115

Sacraments

Baptism

To deepen the understanding of the sacraments

  • by teaching that we become members of God’s family through Baptism

NCD #116 / CCC #804, 1213, 1267
TTOC p. 409 / GDC #26
  • by teaching that we become adopted sons and daughters of God by our Baptism

NCD #116 / CCC #1267
TTOC p. 409 / GDC #16
  • by explaining that original sin is washed away by the saving water of Baptism

NCD #98 / CCC #405, 694, 1250
TTOC p. 409 / GDC #37

Penance

  • by explaining that sin is a break in our relationship with God

NCD #98 / CCC #386, 1487, 1850
TTOC pp. 262-264 / GDC #116
  • by instructing that if we are sorry, and we seek God’s forgiveness in the Sacrament of Penance, God will always forgive us when we sin

NCD #124 / CCC #1847
TTOC p. 424 / GDC #101
  • by reinforcing that God wants us to forgive others

NCD #125 / CCC #1469, 1829
TTOC pp. 423-426 / GDC #117
  • by describing that in the Sacrament of Penance we express to God sorrow for our sins and that God forgives us

NCD #124 / CCC #1448-1460
TTOC p. 432
  • by realizing that Jesus gives the priest the authority to forgive sins in the Sacrament of Penance

NCD #124 / CCC #1461, 1495
TTOC pp. 421-424 / GDC #55
  • by recognizing God’s voice in our hearts — our conscience — so that we can choose to do what God calls us to do

NCD #103 / CCC #1777
TTOC p. 55 / GDC #85
  • by learning that we need to form our consciences by prayer and following God’s laws

NCD #190 / CCC #1785
TTOC pp. 243-244 / GDC #102
  • by following our conscience as God made it, then we are truly free and happy

NCD #102-103 / CCC #1733
TTOC pp. 55, 251 / GDC #55
  • by recognizing that Jesus gave us special gifts of His presence: a sharing in God’s life through Baptism, His forgiveness in the Sacrament of Penance and His Body and Blood in the Eucharist

NCD #60f / CCC #1373
TTOC p. 382 / GDC #195

Eucharist

  • by explaining that Jesus gave us Himself in the Eucharist at the Last Supper

NCD #120 / CCC #610
TTOC pp. 371-372 / GDC #86
  • by showing that the Eucharist makes present for us the saving sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross

NCD #120 / CCC #1524
TTOC p. 372 / GDC #70-71
  • by instructing that in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, Jesus continues to give Himself to us in the bread and wine that become His Body and Blood

NCD #121 / CCC #1333
TTOC p. 372 / GDC #85
  • by teaching that we receive Jesus so that we can become more like Jesus

NCD #121 / CCC #460, 752, 1068
TTOC p. 368 / GDC #84
  • by teaching that Jesus is still present today in the Word, and in the Church, and most especially in the Eucharist

NCD #54 / CCC #1088, 1373
TTOC pp. 359-360 / GDC #211
  • by describing the Eucharistic Liturgy (Mass) as the most important prayer of the Church

NCD #121, 140 / CCC #1324
TTOC pp. 360-361, 368 / GDC #85-87
  • by recognizing the parts of the Mass as: listening to God’s Word, offering ourselves with Jesus to the Father, and receiving Jesus in Holy Communion

NCD #121 / CCC #1346
TTOC p. 353 / GDC #85-87

Review Previous Understandings

Recall the Sacrament of Baptism

Recall the Blessed Trinity and name the three persons

 Given the cognitive learning experiences, developing the message — and the community, worship, and service components appropriate for second grade, students will demonstrate prior to the celebration of the sacrament the following understandings:

MESSAGE:

God gives us the freedom to make choices

NCD #101 / CCC #1730
TTOC pp. 55, 60-61, 429 / GDC #55

The Holy Spirit helps us to make right choices

NCD #126 / CCC #1433
TTOC p. 142 / GDC #43

God will always forgive us when we make wrong choices, if we are sorry

NCD #125-126 / CCC #1431-1432
TTOC pp. 424-425 / GDC #101

Sin is a break in our relationship with God

TTOC p. 262 / CCC #1440, 1459
GDC #116

God wants us to forgive others

NCD #125-126 / CCC #1458
TTOC p. 20 / GDC #117

God forgives us in many ways

NCD #124 / CCC #1434-1438
TTOC pp. 266, 422, 425-426 / GDC #204

We can say we are sorry to God with an Act of Contrition

NCD #1124 / CCC #1451
TTOC pp. 425-426 / GDC #53, 56b

The Sacrament of Penance is the ordinary means of sacramental forgiveness

NCD #124 / CCC #1424, 1484
TTOC p. 425 / GDC #232

There are other times we ask for forgiveness such as in the Penitential Rite in the Mass

CCC #1434 / GDC #157

Jesus gave us the gift of forgiveness of sins when He appeared to the Apostles after the resurrection (John 20: 19-23)

NCD #124 / CCC #1441, 1444
TTOC p. 421 / GDC #195

The Sacrament of Penance is a sacrament of healing and a sign of God's mercy and love

TTOC pp. 421-422 / CCC #1421, 1428
GDC #203

The Sacrament of Penance celebrates our conversion and God's love and forgiveness

NCD #124 / CCC #1423, 1428
TTOC p. 425 / GDC #53

The Sacrament of Penance welcomes us back to close friendship with God and the community

NCD #99, 124 / CCC #1422, 1424, 1440, 1443, 1462, 1468-1469
TTOC pp. 421-422, 425 / GDC #53

The Sacrament of Penance frees us from sin and gives us grace, God's own life

TTOC pp. 323, 422 / CCC #1468, 1496
GDC #232

The Sacrament of Penance is necessary for the forgiveness of mortal sin and helpful for the forgiveness of venial sin and the strengthening of virtue

NCD #124-125 / CCC #1446-1447, 1456-1458, 1493
TTOC pp. 428-429

The priest is our friend and he stands in place of Jesus in the sacraments

TTOC pp. 386-387, 389 / CCC #1465
GDC #224

Jesus gives the priest the authority to forgive sins in the Sacrament of Penance

NCD #124 / CCC #1441-1442, 1444, 1461
TTOC pp. 423-424 / GDC #102

Regular confession is a way to grow in faith and is important for us

NCD #124, 126 / CCC #1458
TTOC pp. 427-429 / GDC #53, 232

We examine our conscience to prepare for receiving the Sacrament of Penance

NCD #124-125 / CCC #1454
TTOC pp. 424-426 / GDC #55

The Ten Commandments are good guides for an examination of conscience

NCD #105, 126 / CCC #1962
TTOC pp. 426-427 / GDC #85

The “penance” given to us by the priest is a way to make up for our sins

NCD #124 / CCC #1459, 1494
TTOC p. 427 / GDC #86-87

The steps in the Rite of Reconciliation are

  • examining our conscience

NCD #124 / CCC #1480, 1491
TTOC pp. 432-433
  • confessing our sins

TTOC p. 426 / CCC #1448
  • accepting a penance

TTOC p. 427 / CCC #1448
  • praying an Act of Contrition expresses our sorrow to God

TTOC pp. 425-426 / CCC #1451
  • receiving absolution

TTOC p. 424 / CCC #1449
  • practice of penance

TTOC p. 427 / CCC #1494

Responses/Experience: Community

The Student:

  1. realizes that we can be selfish and how that selfishness affects other people
  1. values the role of parents and teachers in making right choices
  1. understands that there are many wrong choices shown on television and in the media and sometimes through our friends
  1. understands that family and friends can also help us to make right choices
  1. realizes that as we grow, we learn to be more responsible
  1. understands that God's grace changes us
  1. understands that we cannot love God without loving the people around us

WORSHIP:

  1. understands how to examine his/her conscience
  1. experiences and appreciates the Sacrament of Penance
  1. understands the individual and communal Rites of Reconciliation and their proper use
  1. visits the reconciliation room/confessional to become familiar with it and discover the meaning of the objects and furniture in it

SERVICE:

  1. understands that the friends and followers of Jesus act in loving ways
  1. participates in activities that show a good example to others
  1. participates in activities to serve others as a way to show love for God and forgiveness and love for others

Scripture Stories to Know/Hear

Psalm 145...... Psalm of Praise to God’s Majesty and Loving Providence

Matthew 9:1-8...... Cure of the Paralytic

Matthew 13:30...... Image of Wheat and Weeds

Matthew 18:10-14...... The Lost Sheep

Matthew 18:21-22...... Seventy Times Seven Times

Mark 2:1-12...... Cure of the Paralytic

Luke 10:25-37...... Good Samaritan

Luke 15:1-7...... The Lost Sheep

Luke 15:11-24...... The Prodigal Son/Loving Father

Luke 17:11-17...... The Ten Lepers

Luke 19:1-10...... The Story of Zacchaeus

Luke 22:54-61...... Peter’s Denial

John 10:11-15...... Good Shepherd

John 20:19-23...... Whose Sins You Forgive

Vocabulary

absolution / faith / reconciliation
Baptism / fasting / Reconciliation Room
Bible / forgiveness / Rite of Reconciliation
Blessed Trinity / Good Friday / responsibility
Catholic / grace / Sacrament of Penance
Christ / Holy Week / sin
Christian / Jesus / Son of God
confess / Lent / sorrow
Confession / mortal sin / stations of the cross
conscience / Penance / stole
contrition / petition / temptation
creed / praise / venial sin
crucifix / prayer / virtue
examination of conscience / psalm
Prayers To Be Learned and Memorized
APPENDIX I
Act of Contrition / Our Father
Glory Be / The Sign of The Cross
Hail Mary / The Apostles’ Creed

Desired Catechetical Expectations for Students

Grade Two

AWARENESS OF GOD

I.MESSAGEDOCTRINAL

The Student:

  1. describes the Trinity as three persons in one God — Father, Son and Holy Spirit
  1. realizes that God the Father created us
  1. recognizes Jesus as the Son of God who became man, died for our sins, was raised from the dead, is present in the Eucharist, and shows us the way to live
  1. explains that Mary is the Mother of Jesus and our mother
  1. recalls that Jesus is present today in His people, in His Word and uniquely in the Eucharist — His Body and Blood
  1. explains grace as God’s life in him/her
  1. recognizes the Spirit as guiding us in love, prayer and living as Jesus did
  1. explains that after death good people live with God forever
  1. develops an understanding of the Sacrament of Penance
  1. describes original sin as peoples' first offense against God
  1. recognizes sin as a break in our relationship with God
  1. develops an understanding of sin, both mortal and venial
  1. develops an understanding of the Sacrament of Eucharist
  1. discovers that the Church is called to serve all
  1. describes the Church as a praying, worshiping community
  1. explains the Ten Commandments and God’s Laws which will lead us to happiness in heaven
  1. recognizes that it is through the Holy Spirit, as sent by Jesus, that we are guided and helped in making our choices

MESSAGEHISTORICAL

The Student:

  1. identifies parish leaders, e.g. clergy and lay
  1. lists the many gifts that Jesus gives to His people
  1. cites examples of the love and care of Jesus for others

AWARENESS OF VALUES

II.MORALITYPERSONAL

The Student:

  1. describes how we love God by loving others
  1. recalls that God forgives our sins in Baptism and Penance
  1. identifies Jesus as our guide in making choices
  1. shows readiness to be generous, to give to others even when it is difficult
  1. recognizes choices between good and evil
  1. learns how to make an examination of conscience
  1. identifies sin as making evil choices (acting in non-loving ways)
  1. describes effects of sinfulness
  1. identifies signs of forgiveness
  1. understands that being “selfish” means to freely turn away from others and their needs
  1. describe that the Bible and the Church teach us to know what is right and wrong

MORALITYSOCIAL

The Student:

  1. recognizes Jesus as a model of peace
  1. understands breaking of relationship and forgiveness, as well as the differences among accidents, mistakes and sins
  1. demonstrates awareness of responsibility to God’s family through the Two Great Commandments
  1. understands the importance of care and respect for others and all of God’s creation
  1. realizes the need to perform home and classroom chores cheerfully
  1. cares for home, church and school equipment
  1. shows respect for others of different cultures and abilities

MORALITYSERVICE/WITNESS

The Student:

  1. explains that Jesus calls all disciples to love and serve others
  1. creates an attitude of peace within the family community and school
  1. recognizes liturgical ministers as serving the People of God
  1. recognizes that the celebration of Eucharist extends to our service to others
  1. tries to be generous by serving others, especially those who are suffering and in need
  1. describes Mary and the saints as friends and heroes/heroines who lived extraordinary lives, e.g. St. Joseph, Francis of Assisi, St. Therese, St. Benedict the Moor, St. Martin de Porres, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton; Pittsburgh Saints —St. John Neumann, C.Ss.R., Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger, S.S.N.D., Blessed Katharine Drexel, S.B.S., and Blessed Francis Seelos, C.Ss.R.
  1. learns that the church community has a responsibility to support its parish financially and to use their various talents in the ministries of the Church community

AWARENESS OF OTHERS

III.COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTAL

The Student:

  1. identifies self as belonging to a People of God
  1. recognizes the role of the pastor as leader of one’s parish community
  1. experiences belonging to this special group called Catholics
  1. understands living in God’s family is to be a friend to every person
  1. learns that love of neighbor is inseparable from love for God
  1. sees God speaking through every person and thing
  1. learns that there are good and painful experiences
  1. discusses why human life is one of God’s greatest and most cherished gifts
  1. defines “family”
  1. lists advantages of family living, e.g. sharing life, welcoming each other, helping one another to grow and learn, protecting and preserving human life
  1. identifies meal time as an opportunity for community growth
  1. describes the role of a priest as a representative of Christ and the Church
  1. identifies one of the major roles of laity, religious and priests as one of service

AWARENESS OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

IV.WORSHIPSCRIPTURAL

The Student:

  1. identifies the Bible as the most important book
  1. learns that in the Bible “…..the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children, and talks with them
  1. recalls major events in Jesus’ life which illustrate His power, goodness and love, e.g. healing, forgiving sinners, helping the poor, working miracles
  1. listens to Word of God in scripture readings at Eucharistic Liturgy (Mass)
  1. identifies with scripture stories, e.g.

Scripture Stories to Know/Hear

Luke 2:39-52...... Childhood of Jesus

Luke 6:13-16...... Apostles As Friends

Luke 15...... Prodigal Son

Luke 19:1-20...... Zaccheus

John 10:12-18...... Good Shepherd

  1. relates with Jesus sharing a special meal called the Last Supper with friends
    (Lk 22:14-23)
  1. sees the Last Supper and the Cross as the saving sacrifice of Jesus for those He loved

IV.WORSHIPPRAYER

The Student:

  1. realizes that the Spirit teaches us how to pray
  1. learns how to make an examination of conscience
  1. experiences quiet prayer and listening prayer
  1. explains “Amen” as meaning “Yes, I believe — so be it”
  1. lists and explains the different types of prayer — praise, thanksgiving, sorrow and petition
  1. composes informal prayers/expresses spontaneous prayer
  1. recognizes special devotions, e.g. the Rosary and the Way of the Cross
  1. prays with song, e.g. the Holy Holy, a memorial acclamation, the Great Amen, gesture, and movement
  1. asks God for help in knowing what to do when making decisions
  1. recites formal prayers with reverence (refer to Appendix)
  1. knows that when the Apostles asked Jesus to teach them to pray, He taught them the Our Father

WORSHIPSACRAMENTS

The Student:

  1. recognizes that sacraments are special signs of Jesus’ love
  1. deepens understanding of basic concepts of Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist and Penance
  1. identifies rituals for reception of the Sacrament of Penance
  1. experiences being reconciled to God, self and others and made welcome through the Sacrament of Penance
  1. compares the Sacrament of the Eucharist to the Last Supper
  1. distinguishes between the Eucharistic bread and ordinary bread

WORSHIPLITURGICAL

The Student:

  1. participates actively in the Eucharistic Liturgy (Mass) by reciting responses, singing, carrying gifts, reading of Scriptures and Offertory petitions
  1. describes these parts of the Eucharistic Liturgy (Mass): Liturgy of the Word, offering of Gifts, sign of Peace as a sign of friendship and reconciliation, Liturgy of Eucharist and Communion
  1. recites/sings selected communal prayers and responses of the Eucharistic Liturgy (Mass): reading responses, acclamations, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lamb of God, Great Amen
  1. explains and names certain objects in the Church, e.g. altar, tabernacle, Bible, pulpit, Baptismal font, crucifix, holy water, font, sanctuary light and candles, Reconciliation Room, Stations of the Cross, vestments
  1. recognizes the special times the Church celebrates the whole mystery of Jesus in Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter and Pentecost as well as during the Ordinary Time
  1. establishes a prayer corner in the classroom/bedroom and enthrones the Word there
  1. celebrates parish/school feast day

The Sacraments of Initiation Policies

146. Parish policies for preparing and celebrating Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Penance for the first time should be developed in accord with these norms. Such policies should be clear, written, and shared with the families of candidates early on in preparation. All procedures must be based on sound liturgical, catechetical, and pastoral principles and should, through dialogue with parents, catechists, and liturgical planners, achieve a pattern that is somewhat consistent from year to year.

The Sacraments of Initiation and Catholic Schools:

  1. The sacraments of initiation are aspects of being "parishioners" in a parish community, not students in a Catholic school. As a result, parishes have primary responsibility for the sacramental initiation of their members. At the same time, Catholic schools are valuable extensions of the church’s care for the young.
  1. Candidates for Christian initiation have a right to the welcome, pastoral care, and community life of their parish, no matter where they are enrolled for catechetical formation. This is true for children who are already Catholic as well as for those who may come to seek entrance into the Catholic Church.

School administrators and catechists should be attentive to the baptismal status of every child enrolled in the school. These leaders must also be aware of the special norms which govern the baptism of children who have reached catechetical age and the reception of baptized non-Catholic children into the full communion of the Catholic Church. If such a child or their parent expresses interest in entering the Catholic Church, they will need help to understand these norms.