Text: CHRIST IN US, published by Sadlier.

Brother Francis videos used in the class (by Adventure Catechism):
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10; 25, 29, 32, 33, 34, 39.

Textbook lesson # 1: How do we know God? (p. 19)

Lesson # 1, read by teacher
Faith words: Bible, Church

Br. Francis video 1: Who Made the World? (7 minutes)

Textbook lesson # 2: Who is God? (p. 27)

Lesson # 2, read by teacher
Faith words: creation, Blessed Trinity

Genesis 1:1-31:

God created mankind in his image;
male and female he created them.

Coloring: God loves me, just the way I am!
Children drew pictures of themselves. There were crayons for a wide variety of skin colors and tones.

Discussion: What does a priest wear at Mass?

Question every week:
"What color was the priest's chasuble on Sunday?"
The question introduces the colors of the liturgical calendar year and serves as way to teach children the seasons of the Church calendar.

Discussion: What is a saint? A saint is a holy man or woman who has died on earth and now lives in heaven with God. There are many saints. Saint Francis was the first of 24 saints taught during the year. Most weeks, the children went home with "saints sheets" -- one coloring page, and one page with a short biographical story for mom or dad to read to the child.

Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
Saint Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)

Saint Francis' story, read by teacher.

FEATURED SAINT: Saint Martin de Porres (1579-1639).

Saint Martin's story, read by teacher.

Before class: Parents were asked to watch the following quick videos with their children. Total play time is four minutes. (A combined 4-minute video is available by email from the teacher):
Br. Francis: What Happens at Mass?
. . . Video 1: Celebrate the Mass
. . . Video 2: What is the Mass about?
. . . Video 3: The Entrance Procession
. . . Video 4: Paying Attention in Church
. . . Video 5: The Mass
. . . Video 6: With a Heart of Praise

Activity: Bulb planting.
Children planted crocus bulbs at the front of the church. Those crocus will help the children feel like part of the parish, and the children can look forward to the flowers blooming at Easter time, year after year.

Textbook lesson # 3: Why did God make us? (p. 35)
God made every living thing.

Lesson # 3, read by teacher.
Faith word: faith

Noah's Ark lesson: Reading of child's version of Genesis 6:5-9:17:

"Of all living creatures
you shall bring two of every kind into the ark,
one male and one female."

In class: Male and female animal figurines, for going two-by-two into the Ark: giraffes, elephants, tigers, rhinoceros, deer, horses, cattle, hogs, goats, lions, kangaroos, zebras, chimpanzees, koala bears, meerkats, penguins.
Animal figurines made by the Schleich company.

Coloring:

Reading page to take home and tell the story. By the end of class, a child could look at the pictures and tell the story of Noah's Ark.

FEATURED SAINTS: Francisco Marto (1908-1919) & Jacinta Marto (1910-1920) (brother & sister).

Saint Francisco and Saint Jacinta's story, read by teacher.

"Church" versus "church."

Textbook lesson # 13: How Does God Teach Us To Love? (p. 120)
God gave us commandments because God loves us.
Lesson # 13, read by teacher.
Faith word: Ten Commandments

WHO WAS MOSES?
(Click HERE to read the story to your child, complete with pictures.)
Click on the image below to hear the teacher reading the story:



Activity:
Children decorated and signed Ten Commandments graphics. Graphics were turned into refrigerator magnets. Please note that the words used are so that a child can understand:

FEATURED SAINT:
Saint Gregory the Theologian, of Nazianzen (329-390).

Saint Gregory the Theologian's story, read by teacher

Br. Francis video 2: Who Is Jesus? (7 minutes)

Textbook lesson # 4: Who is Jesus Christ? (with intro to Hail Mary). (p. 43)

Lesson # 4, read by teacher
Faith words: angel, Christ, heaven

Coloring in class:

Each child was encouraged to color Mary's face to look like the face of his own mother.

Happy All Saints Day!

NOTE: November 1st is All Saints Day, a Holy Day of Obligation.

Br. Francis video 10: What Is the Lord's Prayer? (7 minutes)

Textbook lesson # 20:
Why is the Lord's Prayer called the perfect prayer? (p. 177)

Lesson # 20, read by teacher
Faith words: hallowed, Kingdom of God

Activity: Work sheets.
Practice writing the Our Father.

St. Pope John Paul II singing Pater Noster (Our Father).

FEATURED SAINT: Saint Damien of Molokai (1840-1889.

Saint Damien's story, read by teacher

Children's Gospel reading

Bible explanation:
(1) There's an Old and New Testament.
(2) The New Testament includes books called Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
(3) Every Sunday at Mass, the priest reads something from one of those four books.
(4) Going forward, every week in class, we'll be reading a children's version of what the priest read on Sunday.

Textbook pages 185, 189, 195, 201: Church calendar; Advent season; Christmas season. (Lessons 21 and 22.)

Activity: Coloring an advent wreath, and explanation of advent wreath.

Christmas music, while coloring:
Away in a Manger, Silent Night, The First Noel.

Line-by-line of Away in a Manger, with discussion of words:
. . . . Away in a manger, no crib for a bed.
. . . . The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
. . . . The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
. . . . The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

. . . . The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
. . . . But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.
. . . . I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,
. . . . And stay by my cradle 'til morning is nigh.

. . . . Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
. . . . Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
. . . . Bless all the dear children in thy tender care
. . . . And take us to heaven to live with Thee there.

FEATURED SAINT: Saint Philip the Apostle (2 BC - 65 AD).

Note: Coloring sheet is based on painting by Peter Paul Rubens.
Saint Philip the Apostle's story, read by teacher

Children's Gospel reading

Textbook lesson # 15: What turns us toward God's love? (p. 135)

Lesson # 15, read by teacher
Faith word: mercy

Br. Francis Advent video: Mary's story (4 minutes)
("Advent Day 07 - Mary")

The angel told Mary, “Do not be afraid, Mary. You will conceive and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. His kingdom will have no end."
Mary said, "I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be according to the Lord God."

Who was Saint Nicholas? December 6th is St. Nicholas' feast day.
Coloring:

Saint Nicholas' story, read by teacher

Away in a Manger, practice.

FEATURED SAINT: Saint Anne (mother of Mary).
December 8 (Thursday) is the Holy Day of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Mother. The coloring sheet shows Saint Anne pregnant with baby Mary:

Saint Anne's story, read by teacher

Children's Gospel reading

Br. Francis video 39: What Is the Christmas Season? (8 minutes)

Textbook lesson # 23: How did the Son of God enter human history (p. 199). (Luke 2:8-20, The Birth of Jesus.)

Note: This lesson was covered in class by reading the Christmas story.

The Nativity of Jesus:


Children read the Christmas story in class, from an
8-page coloring book. Reading in class; coloring at home.

In a stable in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn.
In fields nearby, shepherds watched their sheep. An angel appeared to the shepherds, and they were afraid. The angel said, "Fear not. I bring you good news. Today in Bethlehem, a Saviour has been born. He is the Messiah. You will find a baby wrapped in cloth lying in a manger." The angel left, and the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem.
They saw the babe lying in the manger. They told Mary what the angel had told them.

The children recorded Away in a Manger:
Away in a Manger, sung by the children.

At home, a Christmas ornament:
In class, the children were shown how to complete and assemble the ornaments. The children took home two printed sheets in their book bags, ready to be colored, cut out, assembled, and placed on the family Christmas tree. The project needed some help from mom or dad.

Suggested children's Christmas movies at FORMED:
Nicholas: The Boy Who Became Santa (25 minutes)
O Holy Night, The King Is Born: What Christmas Is About (25 min.)

CLICK for a larger image:

The Wise Man in the middle (Rafael) was in the 2022-23 1st grade CCD class. Mary (Lylliahna) was in the 2021-22 1st grade class.

Children's Gospel reading

Holy Mary, Mother of God:

The Blessed Mother's story, read by teacher

Br. Francis video 32: What is the Liturgical Calendar? (6 minutes)

Textbook lesson # 19: What helps us to pray? (p. 169)

Lesson # 19, read by teacher
Faith word: unite

FEATURED SAINTS: Saints Nonna and Gregory.

Saint Nonna's story, read by teacher

Children's Gospel reading

Video: Three Wise Men (End at 4:10.)

Coloring sheet:

Textbook lesson # 7: How do we praise and thank God? (p. 69)

Lesson # 7, read by teacher
Faith words: Mass, parish, saints, blessing, devotion, worship

Pro-life discussion in class:
As Catholics, we respect life, from the start until the end -- from when we are just tiny babies inside our moms until we are old, old people. Catholics respect life from when it begins because a person’s a person, no matter how small.

Activity:
Children saw and handled small dolls that are the length of a baby at 14 weeks after creation. The little dolls are 3 inches from top of head to bottom of buttocks.

Children's Gospel reading

Textbook lesson # 8:
How do we become members of the Church? (p. 77)

Lesson # 8, read by teacher
Faith words: baptism, grace, confirmation, Last Supper, Eucharist

VISIT BY FATHER CLYNE:
Fr. Clyne discussed the meaning of the word "heaven" with the children. The children had lots of questions, and Fr. Clyne had answers for all.

FEATURED SAINT: Saint Peter Claver (1580-1654).

St. Peter Claver's story, read by teacher

Something for the parents:
Coloring sheet detail from da Vinci's Baptism of Christ:

(Click the angels to see larger image; click again for much larger.)

da Vinci's Baptism of Christ:

(Click the above image for a much larger version.)

Children's Gospel reading

Map of Holy Land:

Art:

Duccio: "Calling of Apostles Peter and Andrew."
NOTE: This is from the Maestà, by Duccio. It is at the National Gallery of Art, in Washington, D.C., in the West Building, on the main floor, in Gallery 01.

Ghirlandaio: at the Sistine Chapel.

Activity:
Sea of Galilee cookies.

Textbook lesson # 16: What is prayer? (p. 145)

Lesson # 16, read by teacher
Faith word: invite

FEATURED SAINT: Saint Monica (332-387).

St. Monica's story, read by teacher

Children's Gospel reading

Video: The Beatitudes speech (from "The Chosen").

Br. Francis video 29: What Are the Beatitudes? (8 minutes)

Art:

James Tissot: "The Sermon of the Beatitudes"

Textbook lesson # 28:
How do we grow as Jesus' followers? (p. 231 only)

Lesson # 28, read by teacher

Textbook lesson # 17: Why do we pray? (page 153)

Lesson # 17, read by teacher
Faith word: praise

FEATURED SAINT: Saint Brigid of Ireland (451-525).

Saint Brigid's story, read by teacher

Children's Gospel reading

Textbook lesson # 10: How are we strengthened for service to God and others? (p. 93)

Lesson # 10, read by teacher
Faith words: Holy Orders, Matrimony, Holy Family

Pope Saint John Paul II

John Paul II's story, read by teacher

Pater Noster, Step 1:

Audio for Step 1 of Pater Noster

FEATURED SAINT: Saint Zita (1212-1272).

Saint Zita's story, read by teacher

Children's Gospel reading

Textbook lesson 12: How do we respond to God's love? (p. 111)

Lesson # 12, read by teacher
Faith words: virtue, just, Beatitudes

Valentine:

The students learned this!
Pater Noster, qui es in caelis

FEATURED SAINT: Saint Philip Neri (1515-1595).

Saint Philip Neri's story, read by teacher

Children's Gospel reading

Textbook lesson # 11: How do we know God loves us? (The Great Commandment.) (p. 103)

Lesson # 11, read by teacher
Faith words: commandments, Great Commandment

Br. Francis video 8: What are the Two Great Commandments? (7 minutes)

Students learned this!
Audio for 1st nine words of Pater Noster

FEATURED SAINT: Saint Thomas of Villanova (1488-1555).

St. Thomas of Villanova's story, read by teacher

Children's Gospel reading

Br. Francis video 33: What Is Lent? (6 minutes)

COLORING:
Coloring sheet is based on artist James Tissot's "Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness." Chalk on paper, sprayed with hairspray to fix chalk.

Here is Tissot's art:

(Click for a much larger version.)

And here is the chalk art of some of the children:

Pater Noster, Step 2:

Audio for Step 2 of Pater Noster

AT HOME: Temptation of Christ Art:


For parents who would prefer to read to their children, a web page:
Temptation of Christ Art

Children's Gospel reading

Transfiguration of Jesus art:



Transfiguration of Jesus art (web page version)

Activity: Transfiguration craft.

Br. Francis video 9: What Is Prayer? (6 minutes)

Textbook lesson # 18: How do we pray? (p. 161)

Lesson # 18, read by teacher
Faith word: Lord's Prayer

FEATURED SAINT: Saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584).

St. Charles Borromeo's story, read by teacher

The coloring sheet is based on this piece of art:
St. Charles Borromeo -- artist unknown

Children's Gospel reading

Textbook lesson # 14: What turns us away from God's love? (p. 127)

Lesson # 14, read by teacher
Faith word: Original Sin

Movie: Saint Patrick was not Irish. He lived in a time when Rome ruled the world, and his parents were Romans, on the island of Great Britain as part of the ruling elite. Patrick was captured by Irish pirates when he was 16, was taken to Ireland, and was held as a slave for six years before escaping and returning to his parents in Great Britain. He became a priest and eventually returned to Ireland and converted most of the Irish people to Christianity:

Information about the movie:
THE ST. PATRICK STORY (by Torchlighters)

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

FEATURED SAINT: Saint Patrick (385-461).

St. Patrick's story, read by teacher

Children's Gospel reading

Textbook lesson # 9:
How do we celebrate God's forgiveness and healing? (p. 85)

Lesson # 9, read by teacher
Faith words: Penance and Reconciliation; Anointing of the Sick; sin

Br. Francis video 25: What Are the Virtues? (7 minutes)

Virtue: a holy habit. The seven virtues:
Prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance, and faith, hope, & charity.

CLICK for audio of children saying 1st half of Pater Noster
Here are the words the children are saying:
Pater Noster, qui es in caelis, (Our Father, who art in heaven,)
sanctificetur nomen tuum. (hallowed be thy name.)
Adveniat regnum tuum. (Thy kingdom come.)
Fiat voluntas tua, (Thy will be done,)
sicut in caelo et in terra. (on earth as it is in heaven.)

FEATURED SAINT: Saint Peregrine Laziosi (1260-1345).

St. Peregrin Laziosi's story, read by teacher

Children's Gospel reading

Duccio's "Raising of Lazarus."

Textbook lesson # 24: How are we called to repentance today?

Lesson # 24, read by teacher

Road to Easter:

Art in Road to Easter lesson:
Lorenzetti's "Entry of Christ into Jerusalem"
daVinci's "Last Supper"
Rembrant's "Christ Crucified between the Two Thieves"

Stations of the Cross.
Children read the 14 Stations of the Cross from little booklets.
Booklets were sent home with the children, for coloring in the days before Good Friday.

Printable Stations (pdf file)

Jesus was condemned to death. He was made to carry his cross. He fell as he walked. He saw his sorrowful Mother. Simon helped Jesus to carry the cross. Veronica wiped the face of Jesus along the way. Jesus fell a second time. The women of Jerusalem wept. Jesus fell a third time.
Jesus was stripped of his clothes. Jesus was nailed to the Cross. The Cross was raised with Jesus on it, and Jesus died on the cross. Jesus was taken down from the Cross. Jesus' body was laid in a tomb.

Pater Noster, Step 3:

Audio for Step 3 of Pater Noster

FEATURED SAINT: Saint Dismas ("the good thief")

St. Dismas' story, read by teacher

A cookie recipe for the evening before Easter morning:
EASTER COOKIES

Review of Holy Week and Easter.

Jesus died on the Cross on Friday. A large stone was put in front of the tomb, to seal it from the outside. Early on Sunday morning, people went to visit Jesus' tomb. They found the large stone rolled away from the tomb. They entered the tomb; they did not find the body of Jesus.
Two men in dazzling garments appeared and said to them,
“Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise on the third day."

Br. Francis video 34: What is Holy Week and Easter? (10 minutes)

Here is a summary of the video:

Children's Gospel reading: John 20:19-31
Jesus said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt, but believe."
Gospel reading and homily.

Art:


Duccio's Doubting Thomas (in the Maestà)
Caravaggio's Doubting Thomas
Peter Paul Rubens' Doubting Thomas
Hendrick ter Brugghen's Doubting Thomas

Textbook lesson # 26: How is the Risen Jesus present in his Church? (Includes reading of Matthew 28:1-10.) (p. 217)

Lesson # 26, read by teacher

FEATURED SAINT: Saint Thomas the Apostle (d. AD 72).

St. Thomas the Apostle's story, read by teacher

The coloring sheet is based on artist Caravaggio's The Incredulity of Saint Thomas:

(Click for a larger version.)

Children's Gospel reading

Br. Francis video 4: Who Is the Holy Spirit? (8 minutes)

Textbook lesson # 6: How does God share his life with us? (p. 61)
"The Holy Spirit opens our hearts to Jesus. He helps us to listen and pay attention. He helps us know and understand what Jesus wants us to do." -- p. 64.

Lesson # 6, read by teacher
Faith words: prayer, liturgy, sacraments, sacramentals

FEATURED SAINT: Saint Agnes (b. 291).

St. Agnes' story, read by teacher

Children's Gospel reading

Br. Francis video 5: What is the Catholic Church? (8 minutes)

Textbook lesson # 5: What Is the Church? (page 51)

Lesson # 5, read by teacher
Faith words: People of God, Apostles, priests, deacons, bishops

Pater Noster practice:

Audio for Step 4 of Pater Noster

FEATURED SAINT: Saint Andrew the Apostle.

St. Andrew the Apostle's story, read by teacher

Children's Gospel reading

Review: What have we learned this year?

Children recorded what they learned this year.

Coloring:

(Mother's Day will be May 14.)

FEATURED SAINT: Pope Saint John Paul II.

John Paul II's story, read by teacher

Children's Gospel reading

Final Pater Noster practice.

Br. Francis video 3: Who Is Mary? (8 minutes)

The video reviewed the Annunciation, the Nativity, some of Jesus' life, Jesus' death, and the Assumption of Mary.
Mary's message: "Pray. Turn from our bad ways. Do what Jesus taught us."

Certificates awarded:

May Crowning, in school courtyard.

Pater Noster: The 1st graders recited the Pater Noster in front of other CCD children, teachers, and parents at the May Crowning:

End-of-School-Year Mass

FEATURED SAINTS:
All saints sheets given to the children throughout the year are HERE in one pdf file.

Opening Prayers:
(1) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
(2) Come, Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of your faithful. Light the fire of your love in them. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you will renew the face of the earth. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

(3) Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Closing Prayers:
(1) The Hail Mary. (Added as the year progressed.)
Hail Mary, full of grace! The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

(2) Saint Michael the Archangel, please defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke the devil, we humbly pray.
And do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the Power of God,
cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits,
who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen

1st Communion, May 2023, at de Chantal

Every Mass at de Chantal since March 29, 2020

FORMED -- This online site is free. Select de Chantal parish and give your email address. Find videos for children by signing in, selecting "Movies," then "Kids." The "Brother Francis" series is especially good for young children.

How to pray the rosary

Catechism of the Catholic Church

The saints listed below are taught in 1st grade:

PLEASE NOTE: The above links to videos are offered for parental review; not all of the videos are appropriate for a young child. Watch the videos; get the information so that you can use your words to talk about the saints with your child or grandchild. If there are two videos, usually, "video #2" is the child-appropriate video. Please watch any video before you decide whether you want your child to see the video. Some saints suffered much pain on earth.

The textbook mentions of the saints are meager -- only two or three sentences. When the textbook lesson includes a featured saint, your children will come home with two "saint sheets": a brief biography for you to read to your child, and a matching coloring sheet for your child. Please read the small biography to your child and talk with your child about the featured saint. Coloring the saint's picture will help your child to remember the saint. There is no need to "turn in" the homework; you can put your child's art directly on your refrigerator. You might want to offer a matching video for the saint, selecting from the videos above.

A collection of the small biographies and companion coloring sheets can be found HERE.

Advent: The four weeks before Christmas where we prepare our hearts to celebrate Jesus' birth.
angel: Invisible being that is a messenger of God.
annointing of the sick: Sacrament where priest prays for the Holy Spirit to comfort sick person.
baptism: First sacrament we receive; it makes us members of the church.
Bible: The holy book of God's word; it tells us about God and God's love for us.
Blessed Trinity: Also "Holy Trinity." Belief that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. One God in 3 persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Catholics: People who believe Jesus is the Son of God, and who celebrate the seven sacraments, and who follow the Pope as their religious leader.
Christ: Name for Jesus that means "God's chosen one."
Christmas: Annual celebration of the birth of Jesus.
Church: All of the people who have been baptized in the Blessed Trinity and who believe in God.
church: A church building where a group of people gather o worship God.
confirmation: sacrament that strengthens us with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.
create means "to make."
creation: Everything that God made from nothing.
Easter: The annual celebration of Jesus rising from the dead.
epiphany: the moment when you finally understand something clearly.
Epiphany: Christian holiday in honor of when the magi arrived in Bethlehem to honor the child Jesus as God's chosen one. Twelve days after Christmas, and the last day of the Christmas season.
Eucharist: Sacrament where we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus.
faith: Gift from God that helps us to believe in God; God's greatest gift to us.
God: The eternal and ever-loving creator of all things.
Gospels: Four books in the Bible that tell us about Jesus's life: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.
grace: God's life and love that He shares with us.
heaven: Life with God forever
holy orders: Sacrament in which a baptized man becomes a priest (or bishop or deacon)
Holy Family: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Holy Spirit: 3rd part of the Blessed Trinity. The Holy Spirit guides us to do what is right.
Holy Trinity: Also "Blessed Trinity." One God in 3 persons: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.
Jesus: God's son, sent to us by God.
Last Supper: Final meal that Jesus shared with his disciples. The disciples are the people whom Jesus chose to teach his message.
Lent: The 40 days in which we prepare our hearts for Easter.
Mary: Jesus' mother. Also called "Blessed Mother" and "Virgin Mary."
matrimony: Sacrament where a baptized man and baptized woman become husband and wife.
missionary: Someone who goes out to share the story of Jesus with other people.
Ordinary Time: The season of the church year where we focus on how Jesus taught us to live.
parish: People who worship at a specific church building and who are led by a priest.
penance / reconciliation: Sacrament where we receive forgiveness from God for our sins. We can receive that sacrament when we go to Confession.
people of God: Another name for the Church (meaning all of the people who believe in God and who have been baptized).
prayer: Talking and listening to God. We talk and listen to God because God loves us.
sacraments: Special signs that bring us closer to God: baptism, penance (reconciliation), Eucharist, confirmation, marriage, holy orders, annointing of the sick.
sin: Choosing to disobey God. Doing something wrong on purpose.
the two Great Commandments: Love God. Love your neighbors.

I. Knowledge of the Faith
Children should understand that God created all things in the universe and that all of God's creation is good, especially human beings. God made humans in God's own image. God is all-knowing and all-loving. The Holy Trinity is like the three parts of a clover leaf making up one clover: There is one God -- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is God's son who was sent to teach us how to live as God's children. The Holy Spirit lives in each of us to help us be holy. Mary is Jesus' mother. Faith is a gift from God that helps us to believe in God, and the Church is the community of people who believe in God and who have been baptized.

The Bible tells us about God and God's teachings for us. Within the Bible, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell us about Jesus. The children should hear the Creation Story (Genesis 1:1-31); the Story of Noah (Genesis 6:5-9:17); story of the Annunciation (when the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would bear the Son of God) (Luke 1:26-38); the story of the Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-20); and the story of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus (Luke 23:26-Luke 24:12). The children should hear that Jesus teaches us the good news about God's love through His stories and His life.

II. Liturgy and Sacraments
The sacraments are special signs that bring us God's grace. Jesus gave us the sacraments. Baptism is the first sacrament that we receive; it makes us members of the Church. Baptism is done with water and with the words, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." The sacrament of penance/reconciliation is when we tell God that we are sorry for having done something wrong and when we receive forgiveness. The Eucharist is the sacrament where we receive Jesus' Body and Blood.

The children will be shown how to enter a church respectfully, make the Sign of the Cross with holy water, and kneel to the presence of God in the church. They will be told what some of the main objects are inside a Catholic church: altar, cross, tabernacle, sanctuary light, Easter candle, baptismal font, statues of saints, images, holy water font, Stations of the Cross. They will be taught that there are three main readings at Mass, and that the gospel reading is the third reading, and that, for the gospel reading, we stand and hear the priest read to us God's Word about Jesus. Jesus Christ is present among those who are together for Mass, and He is present in the word of God and in the priest. When the priest blesses the bread and wine, they become the Body and Blood of Jesus. We call that "transubstantiation." The Church year begins with Advent, and there are six seasons in the Church year: Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time (divided into two parts), Lent, the Triduum, and Easter. After the Easter season, Ordinary Time continues. The priests wear different colors, based on the church season: Advent and Lent are purple; Christmas and Easter are white; Ordinary Time is green.

III. Moral Formation
We all have a conscience, and we live good lives with the help of the Holy Spirit. God made us so that we would do what is right and good because God loves us. God gives us the ability to choose right or wrong; choosing to do wrong and disobeying God is a sin.

Jesus taught us that the two most important rules are to love God and to love our neighbors. All people are created by God, and we should respect and love all people. God especially wants children to love their parents and follow their parents' guidance.

IV. Prayer
Prayer is listening to God and talking to God.

The children specifically will be expected to be able to recite from memory five prayers: the Sign of the Cross, the Lord's Prayer (the Our Father), the Hail Mary, the Glory Be, and Grace before Meals.

V. Education for Living in the Christian Community
The Church is a community of people who believe in God and who become members of the community through baptism. A parish is a group of people who worship at a specific church building and who are led by a priest. Jesus established the Catholic Church and gave it the job to spread God's message of love to all people.

A saint is a holy man or woman who has died on earth and now lives in heaven with God. The children will be introduced to 24 saints during 1st grade CCD.

Catholics are Christians, but not all Christians are Catholics. Belief in Jesus as the Son of God and the practice of baptism are two things that all Christians share. Jesus would like all Christians to be united.

All people are created in God's image. The Holy Family -- Jesus, Mary, and Joseph -- show us how to love our parents and our family. Every baby is a gift from God. As Catholics, we must try to treat all other people as Jesus would have treated them.

There are good and kind touches, and there are touches that are unkind and that disrespect the other person. Jesus wants only good and kind and respectful touches.

God wants and expects all people to love and serve God.
Some people are called to serve God in a marriage. A marriage is a sacrament between one man and one woman, with the blessing of God.
Some people are called to serve God in the Church in special ways: priests, deacons, religious sisters.
A priest is someone who has been called by God to serve God in a special way. A priest brings us the sacraments, leads us in prayer, and leads us to do good.

VI: Evangelization and Apostolic Life:
God calls all of us to love and care for all people, especially people who are poor and/or suffering. We care for people of all cultures and colors, at every stage of life. And God wants children to show respect for their parents, their family, and their teachers.

There are other religions where the people believe in God, but they are not Christian. Jesus grew up in a Jewish family. Jesus was a Jew. Jesus lived and carried out his mission within the Jewish culture and tradition. God loves all people, both Christians and non-Christians.

God wants us to share with others the story of Jesus and Jesus' love. God made each person with gifts to share with others and with the world. Missionaries are people who go out and share with others the story of Jesus.