OBJECTIVE FOR CATECHISTS
Grade Six
THEME:
The history and formation of God's Word and the unfolding of His covenant with His people is central to an understanding of Scripture.
I. MESSAGE:
To emphasize God of the Old Testament
- by describing God as Yahweh
NCD #52 / CCC #203-214, 2143
TTOC pp. 41, 43, 50 / GDC #34, 259-260
- by explaining the roles of God as Father, Creator, Judge and King
NCD #51-52, 83 / CCC #287-288, 293-301, 679, 1961, 2048
TTOC pp. 460-468 / GDC #36
- by teaching that God creates every human soul for eternal life
NCD #156, 170 / CCC #366, 382
TTOC pp. 56, 86 / GDC #177
- by explaining that God made the world good. By their disobedience, Adam and Eve brought sin and death into the world; but by His obedience, Christ, the new Adam, brings life to the world. He is the son of Mary, the new Eve
NCD #98-100 / CCC #385, 402, 410-411, 421
TTOC pp. 66-67 / GDC #26, 41, 80
II. MORALITY:
To understand that the Ten Commandments contain the “privilege expression of the Natural Law”
CCC #2070To explain that the Ten Commandments are union with God and true communion with all our brothers and sisters
Jesus reaffirmed and fulfilled the Ten Commandments
NCD #105 / CCC #2053TTOC p. 266 / GDC #115, 117, 122
The Ten Commandments
The First Commandment
- by explaining the right to religious liberty is part of human dignity
NCD #105a / CCC #2104-2108, 2137
TTOC pp. 221-222
The Second Commandment
- by discussing that oaths should be taken only when necessary and must be truthful
NCD #105a / CCC #2153-2155, 2164
TTOC p. 267
The Third Commandment
- by recognizing that the Sabbath recalls creation, is a memorial of Israel’s liberation from Egypt and is to be kept as a sign of God’s covenant with Israel
NCD #105a / CCC #2168-2171
TTOC p. 267
The Fourth Commandment
- by instructing that a family is formed by a man and a woman, united in marriage, and their children; the family exists before the state
NCD #105b / CCC #2202
TTOC pp. 272, 296
The Fifth Commandment
- by inculcating that “Intentional euthanasia, whatever its forms or motives, is murder.”
NCD #105b / CCC #2276-77, 2324
TTOC p. 272
- by stressing “The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess; the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others’ safety on the road.”
NCD #105c / CCC #2290
TTOC p. 269
- by emphasizing that terrorism and torture are gravely wrong
NCD #105c / CCC #2297
TTOC p. 273
The Sixth Commandment
- by discussing that sex is noble and honorable gift from God
NCD #105 / CCC #2362
TTOC pp. 280-281
- by explaining marriage exists for two ends; the good of the spouses and the transmission of life
NCD #105 / CCC #2363-2369
TTOC p. 281
The Seventh Commandment
- by teaching the seventh commandment forbids: any misuse of another’s goods including “deliberate retention of goods lent or of objects lost; business fraud; paying unjust wages; forcing up prices by taking advantage of the ignorance or hardship of another.”
NCD #105 / CCC #2409, 2454
TTOC p. 431
- by explaining the seventh commandment requires us to keep promises and contracts
NCD #105 / CCC #2410-2411
TTOC p. 267
- by discussing the spiritual works of mercy are instructing and advising the ignorant, consoling and comforting the sorrowful, forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently
NCD #66 / CCC #2447
TTOC pp. 434-435
The Eighth Commandment
- by instructing Catholics must bear witness to their faith; the highest degree of this truthfulness is found in martyrdom
NCD #45, 47 / CCC #2471-2474, 2506
TTOC p. 291
- by emphasizing that the seal of the Sacrament of Penance is a secret that must never be broken
NCD #124-125 / CCC #2409, 2511
TTOC p. 424
The Ninth Commandment
- by stressing the ninth commandment requires purity of heart
NCD #156 / CCC #2518, 2531
TTOC p. 332
- by instructing that purity is achieved with God’s grace, by the practice of temperance, the virtue of chastity and by prayer
NCD #105 / CCC #2520, 2530, 2532
TTOC p. 269
- by teaching that the ninth commandment is especially opposed to lust
NCD #105, 165b / CCC #2528-2529
TTOC p. 265
The Tenth Commandment
- by explaining that envy is a capital sin and the source of many other sins
NCD #105a / CCC #2538-2559
TTOC p. 330
The Seven Sacraments
The Sacrament of Baptism
- by the blessing of the baptismal water we celebrate the events of the Old Testament that prefigure the mystery of Baptism
NCD #117 / CCC #1217-1222
TTOC p. 407
- by the reception of Baptism an indelible mark of belonging to Christ, a seal of eternal life is received. Because of this action, Baptism cannot be repeated
NCD #116 / CCC #1272-1274, 1280
TTOC p. 412
- by the use of the catechumentate as a form of preparation for Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist intended especially for adults. It aims at bringing conversion and faith in response to God’s initiative and in union with an ecclesial community
NCD #117 / CCC #1247-1248
TTOC p. 404
The Sacrament of Confirmation
- by discovering that the essential rite of Confirmation is anointing the forehead of the baptized with sacred chrism.…….together with the laying on of the minister’s hand and the words…..”Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.”
NCD #118 / CCC #1300, 1320
TTOC p. 415
- by instructing that “Confirmation perfects baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply [as God’s adopted children], incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds.”
NCD #119 / CCC #1303, 1316
TTOC p. 416
- by emphasizing that “Confirmation, like Baptism, imprints a spiritual mark or indelible character on the Christian’s soul; for this reason one can receive the sacrament only once in one’s life.”
NCD #118 / CCC #1304-1305, 1317
TTOC p. 412
- by recalling that “A candidate for Confirmation who has attained the age of reason must profess the faith, be in the state of grace, have the intention of receiving the sacrament, and be prepared to assume the role of disciple and witness to Christ, both within the [Church] community and in [earthly] affairs
NCD #119 / CCC #1310, 1319
TTOC p. 417
The Sacrament of Eucharist
- by teaching that the sacrifice of the Mass is directed to communion; thus, the altar is also a table
NCD #120 / CCC #1325, 1382-1383
TTOC pp. 378-380
- by emphasizing that the Eucharist is a pledge of the glory of heaven
NCD #120 / CCC #1402-1405, 1419
TTOC pp. 380-381
- by reviewing that the Eucharist is prefigured in the Old Testament Passover and the New Testament multiplication of loaves, but is fulfilled at the Last Supper
NCD #21 / CCC #1334-1335, 1337, 1339-1340
TTOC pp. 370-371
The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation
- by identifying that if reconciliation with God and the Church is desired, a careful examination of conscience should take place prior to confessing to a priest all unconfessed grave sins. The Church does not require that venial faults be confessed, but she strongly recommends it
NCD #124 / CCC #1456, 1458, 1493
TTOC pp. 242-243
- by stressing “The spiritual effects of the Sacrament of Penance are: reconciliation with God by which the penitent recovers grace, reconciliation with the Church; remission of the eternal punishment incurred by mortal sin; remission, at least in part, of temporal punishments resulting from sin; peace and serenity of conscience, and spiritual consolation; and increase of spiritual strength for the Christian battle.”
NCD #125-126 / CCC #1422, 1496
TTOC pp. 425-427
The Anointing of the Sick
- by reviewing that the Scriptural basis for Anointing of the Sick is found in James: “Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the Church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”
NCD #127-128 / CCC #1510, 1526
TTOC pp. 434-435
The Sacrament of Holy Orders
- by explaining that “The bishop receives the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, which integrates him into the episcopal college and makes him the visible head of the particular Church entrusted to him. As successors of the apostles and members of the college, the bishops share in the apostolic responsibility and mission of the whole Church under the authority of the Pope, successor of St. Peter.”
NCD #132 / CCC #1555-1561, 1594
TTOC p. 391
The Sacrament of Matrimony
To instill the teaching that the Sacrament of Matrimony is a commitment to each other and to family
- by emphasizing that human sexuality is a gift
NCD #130 / CCC #1601-1660
- by focusing on the deeper meaning of love for one another and as family
NCD #130 / CCC #1601-1660
- by teaching that sacraments unfailingly give the grace they signify because Christ is at work in them
- by describing the purpose of marriage as the good of the spouses and the generation and education of children
NCD #130 / CCC #1601-1660
TTOC p. 445
- by presenting virtue of chastity as positive and growth-oriented
NCD #191 / CCC #2566
TTOC pp. 317-319 / GDC #228
- by stressing marriage as a sacrament of commitment
NCD #129-130 / CCC #1614-1615, 1644, 1648
TTOC pp. 445-447 / GDC #236
To further deepen the understanding of Church, grace and the relationship between creation and salvation
NCD #59 / CCC #2266-2267- by defining Church as People of God and their responsibility to bring God's message of salvation to others
NCD #64, 93 / CCC #781
TTOC p. 159 / GDC #23, 75
- by reviewing grace as a sharing in God's life and as God's free gift
NCD #57, 98 / CCC #2003
TTOC p. 323 / GDC #92,102, 137-138,146
- by teaching that God created us out of love and to live with Him forever in heaven
NCD #85 / CCC #20, 95, 97, 113
TTOC pp. 159, 323-332 / GDC #139-142
- by reviewing that the Communion of Saints includes the pilgrim Church on earth, those being purified in Purgatory, and the blessed already in heaven
NCD #107 / CCC #954, 962
TTOC pp. 203-204, 339, 467-468
- by emphasizing that Catholics believe that those who die in God’s friendship, but not yet completely sinless, are purified in Purgatory before entering heaven
NCD #109 / CCC #1030-1031, 1054
TTOC pp. 457, 462-463 / GDC #43
- by reinforcing that Christ conquered death and gave it a positive meaning
NCD #98 / CCC #1009-1012, 1019
TTOC p. 457 / GDC #34
- by responding to the present needs around us
NCD #160, 1056 / CCC #531
TTOC p. 217 / GDC #167-168
- by explaining how service relates to one’s obligation
NCD #154 / CCC #1886, 1889
TTOC p. 315 / GDC #186
- by indicating that needs often exist beyond our locale and can be helped by prayer and concern
NCD #154 / CCC #551, 558, 1931
TTOC pp. 314-315 / GDC #263
- by discussing and praying for vocation discernment
NCD #180-183 CVOL / CCC #825
TTOC p. 61 / GDC #55
- by believing that the Blessed Trinity is the central mystery of our faith: we could never have known it if God had not revealed Himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit
NCD #83 / CCC #234, 261
TTOC pp. 146-148, 154-155 / GDC #99-100
- by introducing that “Christ” means “Anointed One.” The Father anointed his Son with the Holy Spirit; thus Jesus took on the office of Priest, Prophet and King
NCD #91-93 / CCC #436, 438, 453
TTOC pp. 91, 120-121, 178, 419 / GDC #223-224
- by emphasizing that devotion to Mary is intrinsic to Catholic life
NCD #106 / CCC #971
TTOC pp. 95, 204-205 / GDC #196-291
- by teaching that the Catholic Church has four marks: she is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic
NCD #72 / CCC #811, 813-869
TTOC pp. 165-167 / GDC #78-79
Vocabulary
abortion / injustice / personal prayerAdvent / inspiration / pornography
anti-Semitism / interpretation / prejudice
chastity / Judaism / prophet
Chosen People / kaddish / psalms
communal prayer / Lent / racism
covenant / literary forms / Redeemer
creed / liturgical prayer / redemption
culture / manna / reform
discrimination / messiah / revelation
Eastern Church / ministry / ritual
Eucharistic Adoration / New Testament / roots
Eucharistic Liturgy / obligation / sacramental liturgy
euthanasia / Old Testament / salvation
exodus / paraliturgy / saving actions
heritage / passover / sexism
hopelessness / Pentecost
Concepts to be Learned
Beatitudes / Theological VirtuesCardinal Virtues / Twelve Apostles
Days of Penance / Laws of the Church
Eucharistic Fast / Marks of the Church
General Laws of Fast and Abstinence / Seven Sacraments
Great Commandments / The Works of Mercy
Holy Days of Obligation in the United States / Spiritual
Ten Commandments / Corporal
Respect Life Teachings
To present the Church’s teachings on social morality as norms of conscience
- by emphasizing that concern for human rights, especially for human life, is a basic Gospel value
NCD #152-153, 165a, 167 / CCC #2258, 2273, 2297
TTOC p. 308 / GDC #18-19
- by instilling value for the various stages of life from conception to natural death
NCD #167, 1056 / CCC #2260
TTOC pp. 273, 289-309 / GDC #24
- by addressing clearly the evil of abortion as the killing of an innocent human life and as a grave sin for anyone who participates
NCD #19, 105b, 131, 167 / TTOC pp. 279-280
- by teaching the avoidance of stereotyping the physically or mentally challenged and the need to be accepting of persons with disabilities
NCD #138, 195, 231 / CCC #2270-2319, 2322-2323
TTOC pp. 237-238 / GDC #179, 189
- by explaining the Church’s teaching on death penalty
E.V. #58 / CCC #2266-2267
- by clarifying that direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick or dying persons. It is a grave sin and is always evil
To teach the students the importance of conscience, natural law and the result of mortal sin
- by assisting students to take care and to form their consciences well, following the Word of God, the Church’s teaching, the advice of mature persons, prudent judgment and the help of the Holy Spirit
NCD #190 / CCC #1783-1785, 1788, 1794, 1798, 1802
TTOC pp. 243-244 / GDC #85, 117
- by teaching that the natural law expresses the original moral sense that enables us, by human reason, to know good and evil
NCD #102 / CCC #1954
TTOC pp. 236, 238, 244-246 / GDC #129
- mortal sin separates us from God and normally requires the Sacrament of Penance for forgiveness. Unrepented, it puts a person in danger of hell
NCD #98, 125 / CCC #1856-1861, 1864, 1874
TTOC pp. 262-263 / GDC #102, 232
To assist in the understanding that our sexual development is a God-given gift to be respected and treasured
The vocation classes, as well as the virtue and sacramental classes in the 6th grade curriculum of CVOL deal with topics of morality. During or following this segment would be an appropriate place to introduce the CVOL lessons Grade 6.
- by discussing the uniqueness of each person
NCD #51 / CCC #369, 1738, 1938
TTOC pp. 159-160 / GDC #116, 191
- by assisting in the realization that our sexuality consists of spiritual, moral, psychological, social, and physical aspects
NCD #191 / CCC #369-373
TTOC pp. 281-285 / GDC #115-117
- by imparting the importance of being needed, wanted and loved both before and after birth
NCD #131 / CCC #1657
TTOC pp. 272-280 / GDC #176
- by emphasizing that human life must be respected from the moment of conception, abortion is the killing of an innocent child and a grave sin. It is evil
NCD #19, 105b, 131, 167 / CCC #2270-2275
TTOC pp. 265, 273-274, 279-280 / E.T.E.V. #58
- by clarifying that direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is a grave sin and always evil
NCD #167 / CCC #2276-2279
E.V. #64-65 / GDC #272, 278
- by teaching that suicide is wrong because we are stewards, not owners, of our lives
NCD #200c / CCC #235, 2280-2283
TTOC pp. 274, 278 / GDC #52, 66
- by explaining the Church’s teaching on the death penalty
E.V. #58 / CCC #2266-2267
To re-emphasize the meaning and value of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, the Ten Commandments, and the Precepts of the Church
NCD #105, 66-160 / CCC #2041-2043, 2070-2072, 2447TTOC pp. 195-196 / GDC #159
- by indicating that the focus of the Ten Commandments is union with God and true communion with all our sisters and brothers
NCD #52, 105 Appendix A / CCC #2056-2066, 2069, 2072
TTOC pp. 247-248 / GDC #115, 117, 122
- by stressing that the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy to be offered as service in the name of Jesus
NCD #66 / CCC #2447
TTOC pp. 434-435 / GDC #101
To inform the students that knowing our history and Tradition creates a sense of belonging to the Catholic Church
TTOC pp.186-187 / CCC #81-84GDC #42-43, 203
- by leading students to realize that such knowledge can assist Catholics to remain faithful
(This is an appropriate place to use the Catechism of the Catholic Church lesson in the back of this binder.)
TTOC pp. 323-327 / GDC #46-47, 255CCC #94, 2447
- by explaining Creation/Fall/Redemption as tracing the human story of selfishness from its root — original sin
TTOC pp. 184-185 / CCC #198-397
GDC #113
- by teaching how Jesus fulfilled the roles of Prophet, Messiah, and Redeemer
TTOC pp. 37, 122 / CCC #436, 663-664, 695
GDC #85, 143
- by understanding the Ten Commandments as responses to the Covenant between God and His People
TTOC p. 71 / CCC #2056
GDC #95-96
- by sharing a love for our Catholic faith and Tradition
(This is an appropriate place to use the Catechism of the Catholic Church lesson in the back of this binder.)
TTOC pp. 186-187 / CCC #18, 425, 2226GDC #28, 95-96, 217
- by studying what it means to live justly
NCD #153-154 / CCC #1807, 1995
TTOC pp. 307-309 / GDC #102
- by emphasizing the importance of frequent examination of conscience — John 14:5-7
NCD #103-190 / CCC #1993, 1454
TTOC pp. 243-244 / GDC #53-54
To emphasize the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus by imitating him —Mt. 5:13
NCD #104 / CCC #2601-2607TTOC pp. 58, 230 / GDC #109, 117
- by recognizing that Jesus' teachings about prayer and action balance with each other
NCD #140-143 / CCC #2607
TTOC pp. 202-204, 339 / GDC #102, 116
- by explaining that our behavior bears witness to our faith
NCD #144 / CCC #154-55, 180, 222-227
TTOC pp.217-219, 314-315 / GDC #98
- by realizing that Jesus' mission is being continued in the Christian community
NCD #145 / CCC #550, 849
TTOC p. 113 / GDC #96-97
To initiate reflection on service as a ministry T.J.D. #28
NCD #30, 32 / CCC #237, 1927GDC #167-168
- by responding to present needs around us
NCD #160, 1056 / CCC #531
TTOC p. 217 / GDC #167-168
- by explaining how service relates to obligation
NCD #154 / CCC #1886, 1889
TTOC p. 315 / GDC #186
- by indicating that needs often exist beyond our locale and can be helped by prayer and concern
NCD #154 / CCC #551, 558, 1931
TTOC pp. 314-315 / GDC #263
- by discussing and praying for vocation discernment
NCD #180-183 CVOL / CCC #825
TTOC p. 61 / GDC #55
III. COMMUNITY:
To identify Church as a community of believers in the Risen Lord with its beginnings in the People of God of the Old Testament
- by paralleling Israel's journey of faith with that of the People of God today
- by explaining that all people are bonded in faith
- by indicating that families and communities share covenant type relationships
- by teaching skills that are integral to interpersonal relations
- by explaining that the positive and negative influences of groups: cliques, teams, or clubs
To emphasize the importance of community within the Church
- by teaching that the Church symbolizes the unity of the whole human race
- by recalling that we are social by nature and find fulfillment only with others
- by explaining that the Church is missionary by her very nature
- by indicating that since we are called to eternal life in God, every human being has personal and unique dignity
- a diversity of ministry exists in the Church, including clergy, laity and religious, each contributing to the Church’s one mission
To confront racism
- by seeing that every person, regardless of color of skin, is a child of God, a brother and sister to us
- by recognizing that racism can be personal, institutional, or social
- by defining prejudice as that emotion of the mind, heart and soul which moves one to hate and if not corrected through love, hope and trust can be self destructive
- by responding to Christ’s love we are called to action
- by examining our attitudes and actions to others
To defend the rights of individuals with disabilities