Ages 2, 3, 4/Pre-School

WE BELIEVE  in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ God made everything.  
__ God made me.
__ I am special.
__ Jesus is my friend and teacher.

WE BELONG  to one, holy, catholic and apostolic church
__ My family loves and cares for me.
__ My family is part of God's family.
__ The people at church belong to God’s family.
__ We go to Church to thank God for all we have.

WE RESPOND  as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God.
__ Everything we have is a gift from God.
__ We should take care of the things we have.
__ We should take care of God's world.
__ We should be nice to other people because they are also God's people.
__ We should do what our parents and teachers tell us to do.
__ We make God happy when we work and play well.
__ We can pray by using our own words or by using the following gestures and prayers: the Sign of
     the Cross, Grace Before Meals.

Ages 4, 5, 6/Kindergarten

WE BELIEVE  in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ The Bible is God’s special book.
__ God is the Creator who is like a loving parent.
__ God made each person special and unique.
__ God loves us even when we make mistakes.
__ Jesus is a friend and teacher; he shows us what God is like and how much God loves us.

WE BELONG  to one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.
__ We call Jesus, Mary, and Joseph the Holy Family.
__ Mary is the Mother of Jesus.
__ The Church is God’s family.
__ The Church Year celebrates the life of Jesus. It also includes special days to honor Mary and other
     holy people.

WE RESPOND  as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God.
__ Animals and plants are part of God’s creation, we should care for them and not hurt them.
__ We learn about God and God’s creation from our own families.
__ Our bodies help us experience and appreciate God’s wonderful creation.
__ We should respect and love all God’s people.
__ There is a difference between right and wrong; we should try not to do things that are wrong.
__ Prayer is a special way we talk to God.
__ Playing, singing, working, and quiet time can be part of our prayer.
__ Being a boy or girl is a gift from God.
__ We should take care of our body.
__ It is good to think about the wonders of God’s creation.
__ We can pray by using our own words or by using the following gestures and prayers: the Sign of
     the Cross, Grace Before Meals, Our Father/The Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary.

Ages 5, 6, 7/Grade 1

WE BELIEVE  in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ The Bible is God’s holy book; it tells us about God’s love for the human race.
__ God created human beings in God's image and likeness.
__ God wants everyone know, love and serve him and be happy forever in heaven.
__ The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all part of God.
__ Jesus is God’s Son; he is our brother and friend.
__ Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help us live the way Jesus did.

WE BELONG  to one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.
__ Mary is the Mother of Jesus; she is also our spiritual mother.
__ Saints are holy people who loved God very much and are with God in heaven.
__ Angels are God’s special messengers; they guard and protect us.
__ The Church is a community (or family) of God’s people.
__ The Church is also a special building in which God’s family prays and worships God.
__ We show our respect for God and God's people by folding our hands, making the Sign of the
     Cross, bowing and kneeling (genuflecting), listening and singing when we are in church.
__ The Church Year celebrates the life of Jesus. It also includes special days to honor Mary and other
     holy people. 
__ God shares his life with us in the Sacrament of Baptism; we become members of the God's family,
     the Church, by our baptism.
__ Holy water is a reminder of one’s baptism.

WE RESPOND  as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God.
__ Being a good steward means respecting and caring for God's creation.  God's creation includes
     the animals and plants, the resources of the earth, and all human beings.
__ We need to respect and love other people, even if they are different from us.
__ There are good and bad ways to show and receive love.
__ We should think about what it means to be a child of God.
__ Our families are the first place where we learn to love God and pray to God.
__ "Spontaneous prayer" is using our own thoughts and words to pray to God.
__ We can pray by using our own words (spontaneous prayer), by using prayers or rituals we learn
     from our families, and by using the following gestures and prayers: Grace After Meals, the Glory
     Be, a Morning Prayer, Angel of God.

Ages 6, 7, 8/Grade 2

WE BELIEVE  in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ The Bible is made up of two parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament.
__ God’s creation (the world) is filled with signs of God’s goodness and love.
__ Jesus is the Son of God.  He became human so that we could know God how much God loves us.
__ Jesus lived and died for the sins of everyone.
__ Jesus used parables to tell us about God and the way God wants us to live.
__ Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help us make good decisions and to live the way Jesus did.
__ We call the power to live the way God wants us to live grace.

WE BELONG  to one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.
__ Mary is the Mother of Jesus; she is also called the Mother of the Church, and is the greatest of all
     saints.
__ The Church is the family of God's people; it is the Body of Christ on earth.
__ The Church remembers and celebrates the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus throughout the
     Church Year and at every Mass. 
__ The Sabbath is a special day to worship God.  Catholics celebrate the Sabbath by going to Mass
     on Saturday night or Sunday.
__ The Church honors Mary and the saints throughout the Church Year.

WE RESPOND  as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God.
__ Being a good steward means using one’s talents and gifts to serve God and help others.
__ We learn about God’s great love and forgiveness in our families.
__ Sin is a bad word, thought, or action that we do on purpose.  Sins are bad because they hurt other
     people or ourselves, or because they harm our relationship with God and others.
__ A conscience is like an inner voice that helps us know what is right or wrong.
__ The Ten Commandments are God’s laws; they tell how to love God, other people and ourselves.
__ God forgives our sins through Baptism, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.
__ The Mass is also called the Eucharist; Eucharist means giving thanks.
__ The two main parts of the Mass are the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
__ Catholics believe that Jesus is truly present in the bread and wine which is blessed at Mass. We
     say the bread and wine become Jesus’ Body and Blood.
__ We call the Body and Blood of Jesus Holy Communion.
__ There are certain rules for receiving Holy Communion.
__ Family relationships and friendships need to include listening, sharing, forgiveness and trust.
__ Following good health and safety rules helps us provide for the goodness of our body and spirit.
__ It is important to remember God’s forgiveness and our need for God's love, forgiveness and grace.
__ We can pray by using our own words (spontaneous prayer), by using prayers or rituals we learn
     from our families, and by praying the Act of Sorrow (or Act of Contrition)
__ We should learn and follow: the Ten Commandments and the rules for receiving Holy Communion

Ages 7, 8, 9/Grade 3

WE BELIEVE  in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ The Holy Trinity is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit— three persons in one
     God.
__ Some ways we express our belief in the Holy Trinity are the Sign of the Cross and the Apostles’
     Creed.
__ Jesus was fully human and fully divine.
__ Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help us make good decisions and to live the way Jesus did.
__ The followers of Jesus received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
__ The gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, good judgment, courage, knowledge, piety
     and fear (or awe) of the Lord.

WE BELONG  to one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
__ Catholics in the Americas honor Our Lady of Guadalupe as their special saint.
__ The first Christians were followers of Jesus; they formed the earliest Christian communities—the
     Church.
__ The Christian Church is one, holy, catholic and apostolic.
__ Christians call Sunday The Lord’s Day.  We celebrate Jesus' Resurrection every Sunday. 
__ Sunday is a holy day of obligation for Catholics.  According to Church law, Catholics must attend
     Mass on Saturday evening or Sunday.
__ The Catholic Church has other holy days of obligation; Catholics are obliged by Church law to
     attend Mass on these days. 
__ The Church Year consists of the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Ordinary Time.
     It also includes special feast days in honor of Mary and the saints.
__ The people of God are also called the Communion of Saints; this includes God's people who are
     living and those who have died.
__ The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and the pastor of the whole Catholic Church. 
__ A parish is a specific gathering place for Catholics; Catholics belong to a parish faith community
     where they worship, learn and practice their faith under the leadership of a priest (the "pastor")
     appointed by the bishop. 
__ Families are called "the domestic church" or "the church in the home" because we first learn how
     to live our faith in our families.

WE RESPOND  as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God.
__ Being a good steward means sharing one’s time, talents and treasures with the Church and with
     God's people.
__ Grace is God’s life; it is a participation in the life of the Holy Trinity. 
__ Sacraments are visible signs that celebrate God’s life.
__ Everyone is called to serve God and others through Baptism.
__ Married people are called by Marriage to serve God by raising a family.
__ Single people are called to serve God and others by being single or joining a religious community.
__ Bishops, priests and deacons are called and ordained to lead the church and serve God's people
     by the Sacrament of Holy Orders. 
__ Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments with his Great Commandment: to love God and to love
     others as we love ourselves.
__ There are different kinds of prayers; prayers of praise and blessing, petition, thanksgiving and
     sorrow (contrition). 
__ The Psalms are special prayers or songs written long ago.
__ Boys and girls are equal partners in God’s plan for creation.
__ Human beings grow and develop at different rates and in different ways; this is part of God's plan.
__ It is important to think about what it means to be a member of the Catholic Church.
__ We should learn and pray: the Apostles Creed and the Rosary
__ We should learn and follow: the Great Commandment and the Liturgical Year

Ages 8, 9, 10/Grade 4

WE BELIEVE  in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ God’s everlasting love is revealed in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
__ God gave human beings the special gift of free will, which means we can choose to do what is right
     or wrong.
__ God responded to the sin of the first humans with mercy and forgiveness.
__ A covenant is a special agreement or pledge.  God made a covenant of love with Noah, Abraham,
     Moses and to all people.
__ The Beatitudes describe how to live the way Jesus lived.  Jesus taught us the Beatitudes and
     showed us how to live them.
__ Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help, guide and inspire us.

WE BELONG  to one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
__ The Catholic Church is a community of God’s people; Catholic Christians profess certain beliefs
     and have certain responsibilities that are different from other Christians.
__ The Church is a visible sign of the kingdom of God.
__ Catholics have a responsibility to bring the light of Christ to everyone and to be a servant to the
     world.
__ The work of the Church is to show love, peace and justice in the world.
__ Mary is a special model of holiness.
__ The Church Year celebrates Jesus as Savior of the world. It also honors Mary and all the saints,
     living and dead.

WE RESPOND as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom.
__ Being a good steward means that we respect all forms of life, especially human life, from birth to
     death.
__ We learn how to live a moral life from our families and from the Church.
__ The Ten Commandments, the Great Commandment, the Beatitudes and the teachings of the
     Church help us form and use our conscience.
__ Personal and social sin weakens or destroys our relationship with God and others.  Very serious
     sins are called mortal sins; less serious sins are called venial sins.
__ Jesus gave the Church the power to forgive sin; Catholics celebrate God's forgiveness in a special
     way through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
__ The Church has laws that help us strengthen our relationship with God and the Church community;
     these laws are called "Precepts of the Church."
__ Sunday is a holy day of obligation; that means Catholics are required by Church law to attend
     Mass and refrain from unnecessary work.
__ The Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy are ways we can show love for others, especially those
     in need.
__ Virtues are good habits which help us live as God wants us to live.
__ We call Faith, Hope and Charity (or Love) the "theological virtues;"  we call Prudence, Justice,
     Fortitude and Temperance the "cardinal virtues."
__ We should show respect and care for the ways our bodies grow and work; we should show this
     same respect and care for other people's bodies.
__ We should protect and nurture God’s gift of life from the beginning of life to the end.
__ It is important to think about what it means to live a moral life according to the way God wants us to
     live.
__ We should learn and pray: the Jesus Prayer, the Acts of Faith, Hope and Love and the Mysteries
     of the Rosary.
__ We should learn: the Seven Sacraments and the Beatitudes.

Ages 9, 10, 11/Grade 5

WE BELIEVE  in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ The Holy Trinity is a communion of three "persons."
__ God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, or as the Creator, the Redeemer and the
     Sanctifier.
__ Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the greatest sacrament, or sign, of God’s love.
__ We call Jesus suffering, death, resurrection and ascension the "Paschal Mystery;" the Paschal
     Mystery shows us that there is life after death, and offers us eternal hope.
__ The Holy Spirit gives life and inspiration to the Church and its members.
__ Wind, breath and fire are some of the most common symbols of the Holy Spirit.

WE BELONG  to one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.
__ Christians express our belief in the Holy Trinity in the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed.
__ The Immaculate Conception and the Assumption are two important Catholic beliefs and feasts
     about Mary.
__ The liturgical year of the Church celebrates the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus.
__ The sanctoral year of the Church celebrates Mary and the saints.
__ Holy water, medals and blessings are sacred signs; the Catholic Church calls them sacramentals. 
__ A good Christian family is a sign of God's grace; that is why we call the family "the domestic
     Church" or "the church in the home."

WE RESPOND  as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God.
__ Showing respect for and enjoyment of God’s creation is a part of good stewardship.
__ Sacraments are visible signs that celebrate God’s grace.
__ The Catholic Church has seven sacraments.
__ The Sacraments of Initiation are Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
__ The Sacraments of Healing are Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick.
__ The Sacraments of Service are Holy Orders and Matrimony.
__ Forming our conscience is a life-long responsibility.
__ The Paschal Mystery is celebrated in the sacraments, particularly in the Eucharist; the Eucharist is
     called the source and summit of Catholic life.
__ The Paschal Mystery can also be experienced in the daily happenings of our lives.
__ Baptized members of the Church can participate in different liturgical and ministerial roles.
__ We should show reverence in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.
__ We should protect our body, mind and spirit; to do so, we should be able to recognize situations or
     people who can harm us.
__ We can learn positive ways to handle negative peer pressure and stress.
__ It is important to think more about what it means to live a "sacramental life."
__ We should learn and pray: the Stations of the Cross, the Memorare and the Hail, Holy Queen
     Prayer
__ We should learn the Precepts of the Church and the parts of the Mass.

Ages 10, 11, 12/Grade 6

WE BELIEVE  in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ Revelation is the knowledge we have about God and how God wants us to live; Scripture and
     Tradition together form one source of God’s revelation.
__ God's infinite love, care, justice and goodness for all people is expressed through the covenant; a
     covenant is a holy commitment or promise between God and his people.
__ Jesus, is called the Messiah (which means "Anointed One") because he came to fulfill the old
     covenant and establish a new covenant.
__ Jesus described the Kingdom of God as living of peace, justice and love.
__ Jesus will come again at the end of time to judge the living and the dead.
__ The bible was written by human authors who were inspired by the Holy Spirit to tell the truth that
     God wanted to reveal.
__ There are 46 books in the Old Testament (called the Hebrew Scriptures) and 27 books in the New
     Testament (called the Christian Scriptures).
__ The Holy Spirit continues to inspire and guide God’s people.

WE BELONG  to one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.
__ Abraham is called the "father of faith;" he is a model of faith for all of us.
__ The prophets are called to speak about God’s covenant and to call people back into faithful living
     according to the covenant with God.
__ Christianity has its roots in the Jewish religious faith of Jesus and the cultural/historical world of
     Jesus.
__ Mary is the perfect model of faith because she said yes to being the Mother of Jesus.
__ The four authors of the Gospels are also called evangelists; they are Mark, Matthew, Luke and
     John.
__ The Gospels have a special place of honor because they tell about what Jesus said and did.
__ The Acts of the Apostles tells of the coming of the Holy Spirit and about how Christians lived in the
     years after Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension.
__ The Letters tell about the first Christian communities and what they believed; many of the letters
     were written by Paul.
__ The Church Year celebrates the story of salvation as it fulfilled in the life, death, resurrection and
     ascension of Jesus; it also honors Mary and the saints with special feast days.
__ Catholic Christians celebrate the Lord's Day by participating in the Mass or Eucharist; the
     Eucharist is considered the center of our Christian life.

WE RESPOND  as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God.
__ Good stewardship means showing respect for the dignity of the human person and the responsible
     use of the Earth's resources.
__ Everyone who is baptized is called to be a saint; they are called "temples of the Holy Spirit".
__ Everyone who is baptized shares in the the priesthood of Christ; we are called to be priests,
     prophets and kings--holy teachers and servants.
__ We can participate in the life of the parish community in many ways.
__ Jesus tells us how to be happy and have eternal life with God in the Beatitudes.
__ Being a disciple of Christ means we are called to serve our families, community and Church.
__ Social justice is a responsibility of all followers of Christ.
__ Every person goes through various stages of life and each stage brings new changes and
     challenges; this is part of God's plan.
__ Our sexuality is a gift from God; sexuality includes/affects our physical, intellectual, emotional,
     social and spiritual development.
__ It is important to think about what it means to be on the journey to the the Kingdom of God (which
     Christians sometimes call heaven).
__ We should learn and read the four Gospels.
__ We should learn and use: the Fruits of the Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
__ We should learn and practice: the Corporal Works of Mercy, the Spiritual Works of Mercy, the
     Fruits of the Holy Spirit, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Golden Rule.

Ages 11, 12, 13/Grade 7

WE BELIEVE  in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ There is a hunger for God in every human heart.
__ We can know God through creation, human reason and divine revelation.  God the Father
     established a relationship of intimacy with his people through his Son, Jesus.
__ We are led to the Father's love through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
__ Jesus revealed God's compassion and love through his teachings, his miracles, his passion, death
     and resurrection.
__ Jesus Christ is the Son of God and King of Heaven and Earth.
__ The writings of the New Testament (the Christian Scriptures) reveal how Jesus Christ fulfilled the
     old covenant and established a new covenant.
__ "Paraclete" is another title for the Holy Spirit; it means "advocate and consoler."

WE BELONG  to one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.
__ Mary was the mother of Jesus and is called the Mother of God. 
__ Catholics believe God’s grace was with Mary from the moment of her conception; this is called "the
     Immaculate Conception."
__ Christians hope for eternal life after death because we believe in the resurrection of Jesus.
__ When we die we will experience a particular, or personal, judgment and enter heaven, hell or
     purgatory.
__ The final judgment, or "Last Judgment," will happen at the end of the world when Christ returns in
     glory.
__ In the course of a year, the Church celebrates the whole mystery of Christ—his incarnation and
     birth, resurrection, ascension, Pentecost and the awaiting of his second coming at the end of time. 
__ The Church is the Body of Christ and temple of the Holy Spirit.
__ All baptized Christians are called to carry on the mission and ministry of Jesus through discipleship
     and evangelization.
__ Sunday is a holy day of obligation for Catholics; on Sunday we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection by
     attending Mass and resting from unnecessary work.

WE RESPOND  as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God.
__ Stewardship means being a disciple of Christ who shares time, talent and treasures with our
     families, community, and Church.
__ Catholics are committed to the common good of every person through the sacrament of baptism;
     the common good means protecting the dignity, prosperity and peace of every person.
__ God calls people to be married, ordained, consecrated religious or single; this calling is called our
     "vocation."
__ Catholics celebrate our share in God’s life through the sacraments, which are rooted in the life and
     ministry of Jesus Christ.
__ The Holy Spirit calls baptized persons to participate in various ministries in the Church.
__ The teachings of Jesus and the Church and the power of the Holy Spirit help us make good moral
     decisions.
__ We can think about and experience the presence of Jesus through meditation and centering
     prayer.
__ A litany is a form of prayer in which we ask for the help of Mary and the saints.
__ Human dignity and sexuality are gifts from God that should be honored and respected in ourselves
     and in others.  
__ Chastity is a habit or virtue which helps use use our sexuality according to God's plan; we need to
     treat our own sexuality and that of others with respect and reverence.
__ Christians need honesty, discipline, and self-control in order to make good decisions about sexual
     intimacy, personal relationships, good health, and the appropriate use of alcohol and drugs.
__ We may not inflict physical or sexual violence on another person; we should report any physical or
     sexual violence inflicted on us to an adult we trust.
__ It is important to think about the meaning of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.
__ We should learn and pray: the Nicene Creed, the Prayer to the Holy Spirit and the Angelus
__ We should know and observe: the Holy Days of Obligation and the Regulations for Fast and
     Abstinence
__ We should know and practice: the Three Theological Virtues and the Four Cardinal Virtues.

Ages 12, 13, 14/Grade 8

WE BELIEVE  in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ Human beings were created in a state of original holiness. The loss of this state of original
     holiness is due to original sin.
__ Human beings are subject to ignorance, suffering, death and the inclination to sin due to original
     sin.
__ However, we believe God’s love and goodness will triumph over all evil and pain.
__ God’s plan is for all people to be freed from the bondage of sin and evil through the life, death and
     resurrection of his Son, Jesus.
__ The Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus to be with the Apostles in the early Church and continues to be
     with the Church today.

WE BELONG  to one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.
__ The Christian Church had its roots in Judaism.
__ The Church is the sacrament of salvation.
__ The Church originates in the Trinity; it was planned by the Father, founded by Jesus Christ and
     empowered by the Holy Spirit.
__ The Church both a human and divine institution; it is one, holy, catholic and apostolic.
__ Churches that are in communion with Rome are part of the Roman Catholic Church.
__ The Church has an obligation to dialogue with other churches and to strive for the unity of all
     Christians; this effort is called "ecumenism."
__ The teaching office of the Catholic Church is called the Magisterium; the Magisterium consists of
     the Pope and bishops, who guide God’s people in the truth. 
__ Catholics believe that some of the Church's teachings are infallible (that means without error);
     infallible teachings are limited to important matters of faith and morals that are specifically declared
     to be infallible by the Pope and the bishops in union with the Pope.

WE RESPOND  as disciples of Christ helping to build the kingdom of God.
__ Stewardship means using our time, talent and treasure in just and charitable ways to help the
     common good.
__ The parish and universal Church are partners in stewardship.
__ The family is called the domestic church or the church in the home; parents have the first
     responsibility to teach their children about the Catholic faith.
__ The good that we do here on earth leads to the Kingdom of God, but the Kingdom will only be
     complete in heaven.
__ In the seven sacraments Catholics celebrate we participate in God's love and grace.
__ Charity is the greatest virtue; charity calls us to love God and other people.
__ The precepts or laws of the Church help us to know and to fulfill our responsibilities and
     obligations as members of the Catholic Church.
__ Performing the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy are important ways we can live as disciples
     of Jesus Christ.  
__ Contemplative prayer is a silent attentiveness and love of God.
__ The Liturgy of the Hours is the daily public prayer of the Church; this prayer gives praise to God; it
     is an extension of the celebration of the Eucharist.
__ Novenas and pilgrimages are prayerful devotions in which we pray to God through the intercession
     of Mary and the saints.
__ Sexual attraction and sexual feelings are normal and natural, but we need to use wisdom, self-
     control and God's grace to use them well. 
__ Catholics believe that sexual intercourse has meaning and purpose only within a marriage
     covenant.
__ Christians should not stereotype or discriminate against individuals or groups; such behavior
     devalues a person’s God-given dignity.
__ It is important to think about what it means to be a part of salvation history and a member of the
     Catholic Church.

WE RESPOND  as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God
__ Some ways to deepen one’s relationship with God include spontaneous prayer, we have learned
     from our families, and formal prayers or devotions we have learned from the Church.  
__ We should learn and pray: the Prayer of St. Francis, the Magnificat, Psalm 23 (the Good
     Shepherd) and the Confiteor
__ We should know and avoid: the Seven Capital Sins
__ We should learn and understand: the Four Last Things.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

WE BELIEVE  in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ God gives us the freedom to make choices.
__ The Holy Spirit helps us make right choices.
__ God always forgives us for making wrong choices when we are sorry.
__ Forgiveness of sins has it’s origin when Jesus gave the apostles the power to forgive sins.  
__ God's mercy frees us from sin and gives us the grace we need to live the way God wants us to live.
 
WE BELONG  to one, holy, catholic and apostolic church .
__ Catholics celebrate the gift of God's forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (which is also
     called "Penance" or "Confession").
__ The Sacrament of Reconciliation welcomes restores our friendship with God and the community of
     God's people, the Church.
__ A priest has the authority to forgive sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
__ A priest is never allowed to repeat anything he hears in confession, even in a court; this is called
     the "seal of confession." 
__ According to the rules of the Catholic Church, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is necessary for the
     forgiveness of very serious ("mortal") sins, except in the case of an emergency.

WE RESPOND  as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God.
__ All sin damages our relationship with God, other people and ourselves.
__ Very serious sins are called mortal sins; less serious sins are called venial sins. 
__ We take time to think about our sins before we celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation; this is
     called an "examination of conscience." 
__ The Ten Commandments and Jesus' teachings such as the Great Commandment and the
     Beatitudes help us know what sins we have committed.
__ There are five steps in celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation:
     -- examining our conscience
     -- confessing our sins a priest
     -- expressing our sorrows through an Act of Sorrow or Act of Contrition
     -- receiving the priest's blessing, which is called "absolution"
     -- doing something good that the priest asks us to do, which is called our "penance"
__ Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly helps us grow in faith; it can also help us
     avoid sin.
__ To understand the Sacrament of Reconciliation we should know the following bible stories: the
     Prodigal Son (or Loving Father), the Lost Sheep, the Good Shepherd and the story about
     Zacchaeus.
__ To celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in a meaningful way we should know and use the
     following prayers: the Sign of the Cross, the Our Father/Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary, Glory Be, an Act
     of Sorrow or an Act of Contrition.
__ To celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in a meaningful way we should be able to identify the
     following terms: absolution, confession, conscience, contrition, examination of conscience,
     forgiveness, grace, sin, penance, reconciliation, sorrow, temptation, virtue .
   
Sacrament of Eucharist (First Communion)

WE BELIEVE  in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ Jesus came to show us God's love; one of the ways he did this was by sharing food with people.
__ At the Last Supper, Jesus changed bread and wine into His body and blood.
__ Catholics believe that Jesus is truly present in the bread and wine; after the bread and wine are
     blessed by the priest they are called the "Blessed Sacrament."
__ We call Jesus the "Bread of Life."
__ The sacrament of the body and blood of Jesus is called the Eucharist or the Mass.
 
WE BELONG  to one, holy, catholic and apostolic church .
__ The Eucharist (or Mass) is both a meal and sacrifice. 
__ The Eucharist re-presents the Last Supper and Jesus' death on the cross.
__ The two big parts of the Mass are the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
__ The Mass commemorates Jesus’ life and his sacrifice on the cross.
__ The priest repeats Jesus' own words and actions in the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
__ The bread and wine are blessed by a priest; this is called the "consecration."
 
WE RESPOND  as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God.
__ Jesus gives himself to us as spiritual food at every Mass.
__ The Eucharist (or Mass) is the most important prayer of the Catholic Church.
__ Sunday is also called the Sabbath or the Lord's Day; Christian's give thanks for Jesus' life, death
     and resurrection at the Eucharist.
__ For Catholics, Sunday is a holy day of obligation; we are required to attend Mass to avoid
     unnecessary work on Sunday.
__ We share the Body and Blood of Jesus in Holy Communion; we become "the Body of Christ"
     through the Eucharist. 
__ To understand the Eucharist better we should know the following bible stories: Multiplication of the
     loaves and fish, the Last Supper and the Emmaus story.
__ To celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in a meaningful way we should know and use the
     following prayers: the Sign of the Cross, the Our Father/Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and
     the responses of the Mass.
__ To celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in a meaningful way we should be able to identify the
     following terms: altar, Blessed Sacrament, body and blood of Christ, bread, chalice, ciborium, 
     communion, consecration, Eucharist, fasting, grace, host, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist, Mass, paten, Sacrament of Eucharist, sacrifice, tabernacle.
 

•   •   •

 

Sacrament of Confirmation

 
WE BELIEVE  in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
__ God’s effort for our salvation never ends.
__ The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Blessed Trinity; the Spirit was sent by the Father and Son
     guide each of us and to unite us with God's people in faith.
__ The Holy Spirit strengthens our relationship with Jesus and empowers us to proclaim and live the
     mission and ministry of Jesus in the world.
__ The Holy Spirit enlightens our choices so that we can do God's will in our lives.
__ The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit help us make good choices and live a holy life.
 
WE BELONG  to one, holy, catholic and apostolic church .
__ In baptism become members of the Catholic faith community and are called to holiness.
__ The Sacrament of Confirmation is one of three sacraments of initiation; it completes the Sacrament
     of Baptism.
__ The Sacrament of Confirmation helps us continue on our life-long journey of faith with the help of
     the Holy Spirit.
__ Like Baptism, the Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated only once in our lives. 
__ The imposition of hands during the Confirmation ritual symbolizes the divine power of the Holy
     Spirit which we receive in Confirmation.
__ The anointing with oil during the Confirmation ritual symbolizes the strength given to us in this
     sacrament.
__ Being marked with the sign of the cross during the Confirmation ritual is a reminder that we share
     in the life, death and resurrection of Christ.
__ In the Catholic Church, the ordinary minister of Confirmation is the bishop, although he may
     delegate that responsibility to a pastor.
__ Confirmation sponsors represent the Christian community; they should be models of faith.
__ The parish faith community has a responsibility to witness to and foster the faith of those who are
     Confirmed.

WE RESPOND  as disciples of Christ helping to build the Kingdom of God.
__ The grace of Baptism is deepened in the Sacrament of Confirmation.
__ When we are confirmed we are empowered with the gifts of the Holy Spirit so that we may be better
     able to participate in the mission and ministry of Jesus by sharing his or her faith with others.
__ Our faith journey is a lifelong process.
__ During the Confirmation ritual our response to the bishop ("Amen") indicates our personal desire
     to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and an active member of the Church.
__ The theological virtues of faith, hope and love are gifts from God; they dispose us to live in close
     relationship with the Holy Trinity.
__ The practice of good habits, or virtues, leads to good relationships with God, ourselves and
     others.
__ The four cardinal virtues—prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance—guide our conduct in
     accord with reason and faith.
__ When we are open to the workings of the Holy Spirit, we are enriched with the fruits of the Holy
     Spirit.
__ Through the Sacrament of Confirmation we make a deeper personal commitment to become more
     involved in the life of the Church.
__ To understand Confirmation better we should know the Bible story about Pentecost.
__ To celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in a meaningful way we should be able to identify the
     following terms: Amen, Fruits of the Holy Spirit, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, holiness, lifelong faith
     journey, the mission and ministry of Jesus, Sacraments of Initiation, sponsor, virtue.