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"All of us, ... are being transformed from glory to glory into his very image by the Lord who is the spirit." 2 Cor. 3:18
Religious education in the Toledo Diocese supports and assists parents in preparing their sons and daughters to respond to the presence of God in their lives which began with Baptismal commitment. This commitment develops as all hear the message of the Gospel and seeks to achieve a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This relationship then compels each one to love and to serve God and others, thereby transforming self and society. The students are enabled to assimilate, grow and mature in the knowledge, values, and attitudes to which they are called by Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
Religious education guides students in integrating their learning and living experiences at each stage of their development. This integration thrives in a thoroughly Christian atmosphere where faculties and staffs share and witness in their professional and private lives this same commitment to personal growth in Jesus Christ. Through this course of study, students will be enabled to extend their personal faith commitment through prayer and service to others. Together with parents, faculty and staff, students participate in liturgical activities which foster community. In the light of Gospel values, students explore ways to meet the challenges which occur in community, especially in peacemaking and the achievement of justice.
It is the purpose of this Religion course of study to continually explore and rekindle hope for the future. Engaging Catholic students - and their parents - and inviting those of other faiths in a search for growth is a never ending obligation. The ultimate goal is union with Jesus, "the Way, the Truth and the Life."
The goals for the Religion course of study reflect two basic assumptions:
Goal 1: The school will work in partnership with the parents in the faith formation of students.
Goal 2: The students will know and understand the person, message and mission of Jesus, and the history and basic teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
Goal 3: The students will integrate the message and mission of Jesus and the basic teachings of the Roman Catholic Church into their personal lives.
Goal 4: The students will give witness to the message and mission of Jesus and the basic teachings of the Roman Catholic Church in active service* and commitment to all people.
Goal 5: The students will develop a sense of belonging to a faith community.
Goal 6: The students will celebrate their communal faith experience.
*Integral to the Religion Course of Study is the service component. Each year students should become actively involved in Christian service either through teacher-directed projects or independent activities.
Focus: God gives us the world; God loves us; Jesus is our friend; God gives us family and friends.
 | hear the story of creation |
| recognize God as a loving and forgiving parent |
| realize they are a part of God's family |
| see prayer as a vital part of their relationship with God |
| hear the story of the birth of Jesus |
| hear of Jesus' love of children |
| hear that Jesus is the Son of God and that Mary is the mother of Jesus |
| learn that at Baptism they become members of God's family |
| learn that at Mass they celebrate their membership in a special faith community |
| learn that God gives special people to them to love and care for them |
Focus: God loves us; we love God; Jesus is God's Son; we belong to our Church family.
| learn that God made all things good |
| understand what Baptism asks of them |
| realize the importance of respect of self and others |
| learn that the way to know and love God is through the Bible |
| have respect for life and all creation |
| know that prayer is a way to communicate with God |
| hear the story of the birth of Jesus into a human family |
| learn about Jesus' care for others |
| listen to Bible stories which tell of Jesus' love and concern |
| understand the Church and their role as members |
| study the Mass and become more involved at liturgies |
| become aware of the different ministries in the Church |
| realize the importance of service to the Church and the community |
Focus: The Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and Eucharist
| begin to build a foundation for moral development |
| develop a deeper understanding of the commandments |
| identify their church as Catholic, their own parish, their pastor, and other ministers in the parish |
| begin to see themselves as Christians who express their faith through the Roman Catholic tradition |
| develop a deeper understanding of the Mass and actively participate in it |
| prepare for the reception of the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist |
Focus: Church, Doctrine, Liturgy
| study the Church, its early beginning and its structure |
| learn about the Trinity, Jesus as Son of God, the Holy Spirit, and Heaven |
| further study the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation |
| deepen their understanding of the commandments |
| learn about the liturgical year |
| be able to identify Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost |
| become more familiar with the Bible and learn to handle it with reverence |
| become acquainted with the stories of the miracles and the parables |
Focus: Morality, Reconciliation, Old Testament
| have a deeper understanding of sin and reconciliation |
| learn about the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy and the responsibility to practice them |
| be introduced to the Precepts of the Church |
| learn about some of the Old Testament figures: Abraham, Noah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and the story of the Exodus |
| participate in spontaneous and tradition prayer experiences |
| become more involved in the Mass |
Focus: Sacraments
| study each of the seven formal sacraments and their scriptural basis |
| learn that all life is sacramental |
| come to know the concept of ministry |
| become involved in liturgy |
| understand conscience, sins of omission and commission, personal sin, and social sin |
| study basic social justice issues |
Focus: Old Testament; Morality
| study the Old Testament |
| study the courses and nature of Scripture |
| learn the kinds of books in the Old Testament |
| learn the different literary styles |
| identify abbreviations and geographic locations |
| come to know significant people from the Old Testament: Abraham, Moses, David, Ruth, Isaiah, and other women and men |
| read and discuss the writings depicting Creation, the Exodus, Moses and the Ten Commandments, and the Passover |
| explore the concept of virtue |
| learn about theological virtues of faith, hope, and love |
| learn about the moral virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance |
JUNIOR HIGH
The following six courses comprise the Junior High Course of Study:
Jesus and the Gospel Message (two quarters)
| come to know, appreciate, and apply the New Testament writings |
Morality and Moral Decision Making (one quarter)
| develop an informed personal and social conscience based on the integration of Scripture and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church |
Personal Growth/Relationships (one quarter)
| learn how to develop as whole persons and as relational persons within the framework of their own particular vocations |
Church History (two quarters)
| understanding the history and structure of the Catholic Church |
Sexuality (one quarter)
| learn about sexual maturity within the framework of the Catholic faith |
Ministry (one quarter)
| understand ministry in the Church and become actively involved in service |