Video
Catonsville Nine
Footage of the Catonsville Nine--a group of social activists and priests, including the Jesuit Berrigan brothers--protesting the Vietnam War.
Video
Join JVC
A brief description of the work and lives of the college-age volunteers of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC). JVC is an example of an organization putting the ideas of Catholic Social Justice into practice.
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Pedro Arrupe 5 of 5
A documentary made by Georgetown University on the life of the late Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Pedro Arrupe. Provides both an intriguing history of Arrupe and the dynamic time in which he lived and worked.
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Pedro Arrupe 4 of 5
A documentary made by Georgetown University on the life of the late Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Pedro Arrupe. Provides both an intriguing history of Arrupe and the dynamic time in which he lived and worked.
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Pedro Arrupe 3 of 5
A documentary made by Georgetown University on the life of the late Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Pedro Arrupe. Provides both an intriguing history of Arrupe and the dynamic time in which he lived and worked.
Video
Pedro Arrupe 2 of 5
A documentary made by Georgetown University on the life of the late Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Pedro Arrupe. Provides both an intriguing history of Arrupe and the dynamic time in which he lived and worked.
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Pedro Arrupe 1 of 5
A documentary made by Georgetown University on the life of the late Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Pedro Arrupe. Provides both an intriguing history of Arrupe and the dynamic time in which he lived and worked.
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EWTN Live - The History of the Jesuits - Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ w Fr. John Padberg, SJ - 03-30-2011
EWTN hosts an expert on Jesuit History.
Video
Video: Dorothy Day
This video briefly describes the character and actions of Catholic activist Dorothy Day. Click above to access this online resource for Live Jesus in Our Hearts: Revelation and the Old Testament. Revelation and the Old Testament is the first semester …
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Fr. James Groppi and the Historic 1967-68 Open Housing Campaign in Milwaukee
A non-audio clip providing footage of and information on Fr. James Groppi, a Milwaukee priest and winner of a Pacem In Terris Award.
Video
10 Principles in the Social Teaching of the Church
Through pictures and quotations, this video clip underscores the central tenets of Catholic Social Teaching.
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Catholic Relief Services - General Awareness Video
A video explaining the work of the Catholic Relief Services.
Video
The Easter story animated 3/3 - Jesus is Alive
A short series using cartoons to depict the story of Jesus' death and resurrection.
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The Easter Story Animated 2/3 - The Death of Jesus
A short series using cartoons to depict the story of Jesus' death and resurrection.
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The Easter Story Animated 1/3 - Jesus is Nailed to a Cross
A short series using cartoons to depict the story of Jesus' death and resurrection.
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Of Gods and Men (2010) Trailer
Trailer of an award winning movie about the true story of a group of Trappist monks in Algeria. The trailer provides an incisive glimpse into both the daily life of a monk and the difficulties encountered by the monks in …
Video
Digital Story - Bartolome de las Casas
This video contains readings from the journals of Bartholome de las Casas, the priest who helped alter the inhumane treatment of Native Americans by the colonizers.
Document
Ordinary Discipleship and Matthew, Chapter 25
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. It focuses on Matthew 25, highlighting the works of mercy Jesus' speaks of, asking students to reflect on the skills need for each type of ministry and discipleship.
Presentation
Discipleship - PowerPoint
Document
The Church, Social Ethics, and Politics
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It is a great introduction to the Church, social ethics and politics in the United States.
Document
Final Performance Task Options for Unit 6
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers various project ideas for students who have recently studied ecclesiology, especially ecumenism and interreligious dialogue.
Document
"Tools of Evangelization" Word Search
Please note that this document is only available as a PDF.
Presentation
Mercy Today - PowerPoint
This PowerPoint is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers a reflection on the Gospel of Matthew and the Corporal Works of Mercy.
Presentation
The Mystery of Suffering - PowerPoint
This PowerPoint is part of the Living in Christ Series. Rather than a philosophical or theological discussion of the mystery of suffering, this resource asks students to meditate and think about Jesus' example of suffering for people he loves.
Presentation
Symbols of the Paschal Mystery - PowerPoint
This PowerPoint is part of the Living in Christ Series. It uses vivid images to discuss the various signs and symbols that represent the Paschal Mystery. Students are asked to reflect on why a certain symbol is significant.
Presentation
Bible Search Challenge 1
Document
Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 8
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. It serves as a guide for assessing students on projects about the Paschal Mystery, especially the role of community and member of the Church to live out their call to …
Document
Service and Justice: A Conversion of Heart
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses 5 stages in introducing service learning to a classrooom setting.
Document
Called to Holiness: Holiness in Modern Church Teaching
This article from the Living in Christ Series discusses holiness: what it is, who is called, and how to live it out. Both the Church and the people in it are holy.
Document
Praying with and for the Suffering Body of Christ
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can research, present on, and pray for various countries in need.
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Catholic Mission and Volunteer Organizations
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can research various Catholic volunteer and missionary organizations in order to find out more about the lifestyle, mission, history and spirituality of the organization.
Document
The Parable of Juan and the Fishbowl Reflection
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can answer basic, advanced, and highly reflective questions about the story.
Document
The Parable of Juan and the Fishbowl
This story is part of the Living in Christ Series. It is a modern day parable that illustrates the necessity and perfection of the Incarnation. There is a PowerPoint that corresponds as a visual aid to the story.
Document
Leadership Quotations
This worksheet is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers quotations from several historical leaders and asks students to reflect on various styles and characteristics of leadership.
Document
Vocabulary for Unit 8
This vocabulary list is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it as a reference for key theological terms to know.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 8
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. It serves as a guide for assessing students on projects about the person of Jesus Christ, especially what it means to be his disciple.
Document
Catechist Tip Sheet 6: Using the Scriptures
The Scriptures play a critical role in our faith growth as a source of inspiration, celebration, education, and formation. As a catechist you should become comfortable with using the Scriptures, and nurture such comfort in young people.
Document
The Holy Trinity
Student handout: Activity for an unnamed section of Cath Connections Handbook (pg 35-39 ish) word puzzle
Document
A Place at Our Table
A class activity designed to raise awareness of the reality of hunger in our nation and world.
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Pass the Bag: A Biblical Affirmation Exercise
Class activity that familiarizes them with scriptural values, increases vocab, and ups self-esteem
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Directions for Game on! Games for Catholic Connections
Original directions to go with Game On! Cards. instructions for Baseball, Dodgeball, Identity, Jeopardy...
Document
Let Your Light Shine: An Overnight Retreat on Self-Esteem
This overnight retreat on self-esteem invites the young people to explore their own personal gifts and encourages them to share those abilities with others. The retreat emphasizes the light of Christ in our Life, the special people who bring us …
Document
I Am More Like. . .
Class strategy. Activity to help students articulate and share some of their personal characteristics and develop an appreciation for differences among people
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Catechist Tip Sheet 5: Helping Young Adolescents to Pay Attention
Handout that Catechists attending Session need to print out/can use. Resource
Document
Giving Thanks for Special People: A Communication Activity for Thanksgiving
A thank-you card activity to give thanks for the special people in students' lives.
Document
Catechist Tip Sheet 3: Effective Story Telling
Handout that Catechists attending Session need to print out/can use. Resource
Document
Catechist Tip Sheet 4: Effective Group Management
Handout that Catechists attending Session need to print out/can use. Resource
Document
Catechist Tip Sheet 1: Developmental Characteristics of Young Adolescents
Handout that Catechists attending Session need to print out/can use. Resource
Video
Lifehouse's Everything Skit
This skit is a powerful depiction of the human weakness in the face of temptations and the love of Jesus Christ, who conquers sin and death.
Video
Porn - What's the Harm?
Jason Evert speaks with youths about pornography and its impact on love and relationships. This video addresses one of the most prominent issues for male adolescents, and is explained by one of the most relatable professionals.
Video
26 Years of World Youth Days
A video produced by Grassroots Films (http://www.grassrootsfilms.com/ ) for World Youth Day 2011 Madrid, showing the WYD experience.
Article
Play Ball
Preparation Gather the following items: * two foam balls or two beanbags * one copy of the resource A Communication Process(PDF) Secretly Ask a participant to help you with the activity. Explain that the second activity in this session is …
Article
From the Author: Beth Dotson Brown
God is always at work in my life and once in awhile, I am blessed with the knowledge about where God is guiding me precisely when it's happening.So it was in the summer of 2005. As a longtime freelance writer …
Article
Paul's Conversion
Background for the Teacher This session focuses our attention on Paul's conversion experience. Using a hard-boiled egg and a raw egg as focusing symbols, the young people reflect on the meaning of conversion. Then two or three of the participants …
Article
Taking Care of Myself: Prayer for Stress Relief
Reflection Sleep is a natural part of everyone's life, but many of us know little about how important it is. Sleep is something our bodies need to do; it is not an option. Sleep does indeed sustain us. Not only …
Article
Meeting Jesus at the Movies: Cinema Divina for Teachers
One of the most spiritually powerful essays I have ever read is "To Fall in Love with the World: Individualism and Self-Transcendence in American Life" by John M. Staudenmeier, S.J. (Institute of Jesuit Studies, May 1994). The author asks: "How …
Article
Nurturing Spirituality with Faculty and Staff
This vision paper presents stories and ideas of Catholic educators who care deeply about their faith, their vocation, and their school communities. It is a reflection on how staff spiritual development empowers the mission to teach as Jesus did. The …
Article
Blessed are the Media Makers . . .
Imagine if a teacher brought students to the school library and allowed them to read anything they wanted without ever asking a single question or demanding that students think critically about what they were reading. Preposterous! What teacher would ever …
Article
Program aims to get youth excited about Bible
Young people in the diocese are getting excited about Scripture and it's all part of a national effort called "Yes! Youth Engaging Scripture." YES is a Catholic teen-to-teen Bible sharing concept and to date, some 1,800 young people have been …
Article
A Friend for Life
Editor's note: The names of the minors in this story have been changed to preserve confidentiality, in accordance with the wishes of Holy Cross Children's Services. DETROIT--When Tonya entered a youth detention home of the Holy Cross Children's Services …
Article
Leader's Guide for The Master's Companion: A Christian Midrash
Table of Contents Beyond Scripture Helpful Hints for Using and Creating Midrash with Young People Classroom Activities Chapter 1: The Small Black Dog with the White Foot (John 4:1-30)--compassion for animals Chapter 2: A Night in the Garden (John 4:39-45)--significance …
Article
Highlights of Catholic Documents on Justice and Peace
Highlights of Catholic Documents on Justice and Peace The following link will take you to a PDF document that sumarizes many of the key points from Church documents addressing the social teachings of the Catholic Church. http://www.smp.org/Images/Complementary/Highlights.pdf
Article
Our Lady of Guadalupe: Icon of Justice
"Commitment to human life and dignity, to human rights and solidarity"; these are elements of what is commonly understood as social justice. In the Church today we have numerous "icons" we can look to in order to guide us in …
Article
The First Address from Pope Benedict XVI
"Grace and peace in abundance to all of you! In my soul there are two contrasting sentiments in these hours. On the one hand, a sense of inadequacy and human turmoil for the responsibility entrusted to me yesterday as the …
Article
Advent: Let God be God . . .
----- Being in the wilderness reminds me to let God be God. When I'm at home In the day to day I forget Sometimes I try to make God mine To make God do things the way I think they …
Article
November, National Child Safety Month: Preparing for safe and sacred places
Preparing for Safe and Sacred Places Some experts predict the presence of at least one abuser and one victim of abuse anytime there is a gathering focusing on this topic. Someone in your community might be experiencing abuse of some …
Article
November, National Child Safety Month: Preventing Abuse
Ongoing Prevention and Education Your community can do several things to inform, prevent, and respond to sexual abuse. The following are essential strategies you will want to incorporate into parish- or school-wide ministries: • All young people need to know …
Article
November, National Child Safety Month: Considerations in Ministry Planning
CONSIDERATIONS IN MINISTRY PLANNING All adults who work with children and or young people must be capable of exercising good judgment and wisdom in their ministry. We recommend that you consider the following questions when planning any activity involving children …
Article
Word-Association Exercise: Afterlife
(30 minutes) Prior to this exercise, have the all participants (including the facilitator) bring to the session a personal symbol. This symbol should be an object from among the participant's personal belongings that acts as a reminder of a much …
Article
Resources for Parents Who Want to View The Passion of the Christ with Their Teenage Children
Things to Remember Film is an art form, and many genres and subgenres exist within film. Comedy is a genre. Within that genre one could name romantic comedies, slapstick comedies, and dark comedies as subgenres. Before reading a piece of …
Article
Artist Appreciation Month: Graphic Images of Christ's Passion in Art
Mel Gibson is not the first person to shock the public with a graphically violent portrayal of the Passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In 1515, Matthias Grunewald revealed an artwork called The Isenheim Altarpiece to the monks and churchgoers …
Article
Survival in Youth Ministry
In 1994 Saint Mary's Press published a book called Survival in Youth Ministry, by Robert J. McCarty, executive director of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. As youth ministry continues to mature in the United States, we would like …
Article
Reflection Exercise: My Least Answerable Questions
(5 minutes) 1. Introduce this exercise by reiterating the idea that death is mystery and that since the beginning of time, people of all ages, cultures, and races have asked tough questions about death. Jesus himself struggled with such questions. …
Article
Talking Hands--Personal Attitudes Toward Death
(10 minutes) 1. Have the participants assemble and sit in a circle. Introduce this activity as Talking Hands. Explain to the participants the signals that they will need to use. Tell the young people that each time they hear a …
Article
Unbound!
OVERVIEW Praying for forgiveness sets us free. In this prayer the young people experience this message through a ritual of reconciliation. This strategy, which is ideal for a retreat or as a conclusion to a session on forgiveness, allows …
Article
Lenten Nails: A Reflection Exercise for Lent
OVERVIEW This two-part reflection exercise allows the young teens to evaluate their behaviors and attitudes and admit their faults, throughout Lent. The exercise is introduced at the beginning of Lent and concludes before Easter. Suggested Time: Approximately 10 minutes for …
Article
Ashes to Reconciliation: A Reconciliation Prayer for Lent
OVERVIEW This prayer can be used during the first week of Lent or any time the sacrament of Reconciliation (also called the sacrament of Penance) is discussed or celebrated. Suggested Time: 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of …
Article
January 22: Reflection on Roe vs. Wade
I walked with George the other day, And this is what he had to say: "If this is what its come to, then I'm glad that I've passed on. For the foundation laid so long ago apparently is gone. What …
Article
Soup or Bowl: A Game and Service Project for Super Bowl Sunday
OVERVIEW This combination game and service project is played in relay style by teams of young people with cans of soup that they bring as donations for the local food pantry. Suggested Time: A minimum of 10 minutes, or as …
Article
Advent: Saint Joseph and Jesus
This can be easily adapted to a video call. 1. Gather the group in a circle for a moment of silence. Light the candle and read these passages about Joseph in the Gospel of Matthew (1:18-21 and 2:13-15). Ask the …
Article
Advent Buddies
Advent Buddies: An Intergenerational Relationship-building Activity OVERVIEW This activity helps young people learn from an older person in the parish and establish a faith relationship with that person. Suggested Time: About 15 minutes for each meeting during Advent Group Size: …
Article
Build a Meal: An Outreach Activity for Thanksgiving
Build a Meal: An Outreach Activity for Thanksgiving OVERVIEW This outreach activity invites the young people to build holiday meals and memories for families that might not be able to afford a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Suggested Time: 10 to 15 …
Article
All Saints' Day: Unmasking Saints
Unmasking Saints: A Learning Activity for All Saints' Day OVERVIEW This creative activity helps young adolescents learn a little about their Catholic heritage by exploring the life and work of their patron saint or a favorite saint. Group Size: This …
Article
A New Rock
OVERVIEW This is a youth catechetical session intended to lead young people to an understanding of Pope John Paul II's life, ministry, general papal responsibilities, and the procedure for electing a new pontiff. It can be used in a …
Article
A New Rock: Adaptations for Home Use
These activities are easily adapted for family members at home. When gathered for a meal, or for the specific purpose of these activities, family members can do one activity, a couple, or all of them, depending on the amount of time …
Article
Back to School: Intentions for the Start of the School Year
Please respond "Lord hear our prayer" Let us pray for all Believers around the world and those who seek Christ, that they may receive blessings and open their hearts to God's word… We pray to the Lord For all experiencing …
Article
Back to School: Latin 101
Invite your class or each student to create a motto for the year in terms of positive faith growth over the course of the year. Your students are most likely familiar with the tradition of mottos or creeds in Latin. …
Article
Unchurched Teens: Teens Who Don't Profess Church Affiliation Rises
According to a 2002 study the number of teens with no religious affiliation has risen by over 15 million young people since 1990. That is an average increase of over 1.15 million young people annually. When presented with such statistics, …
Article
Raising Up Leaders
I had a fascinating time with a group of young leaders. I was most struck by the diversity of the young people from a particular area. They came from single parent households, working-class families, and professional families. They were black …
Article
The Important of Process
I usually learn things the hard and long way. I have sponsored many prayer services, service projects and other such activities for teenagers. Prior to the event, I am usually consumed with details. Permission slips, transportation, food, and the schedule …
Article
God's Work or My Work? What is Ministry to Teens?
It had been a very successful year for the youth ministry program in the parish. Young people where involved everywhere in the church, adult volunteers were both plentiful and dedicated, and young people were being transformed. But I was perplexed. …
Article
Contemporary Music, Ageless Wisdom: Using the Language of Teens to Speak the Gospel
It is no secret that teens are absolutely immersed in music. The question for those ministering to youth is, "Should we make a stance against the kinds of music kids are listening to or should we use their music to …
Article
A Letter to Young People from the President of Saint Mary’s Press
Dear young friends, The recent, tragic events continue to leave us all shocked, confused, scared, and sorrowful. At this time, nothing is more important than to turn our hearts to Jesus. Perhaps, we can find comfort in the words of …
Article
A Christian Response to Violence, Part 2:
Pacifism: "We No Longer Learn War" How can we apply Jesus’ command to love our enemies when our whole nation has been attacked? Over the centuries, how Christians have attempted to apply Jesus’ teachings on violence to their lives has …
Article
A Christian Response to Violence, Part 1:
In the wake of the 11 September terrorist attacks, many people are calling for military retaliation against whatever group or country is ultimately found to be responsible. The desire to strike back at those who hurt us is understandable, but …
Article
Why Is the World the Way It Is?
Why is the world the way it is? Why is it full of wrong? Why are her eyes so big? Why is his neck so long? Why is she so dark? Why am I so light? Why is she called …
Article
Every Day Things Occur in This World That Shake My Faith
Every day things occur in this world that shake my faith and test my beliefs. I see things happening like famine and civil wars, and things that hit close to home like cancer and AIDS. I find myself constantly questioning …
Article
Adonai Shalom
Adonai Shalom “Lord of Peace” Adonai Shalom Lord, let there be peace in my heart, so that it may be open to feel love, kindness, and goodness. Adonai Shalom Lord, let there be peace in my life, so that I …
Article
Be At Peace Among Yourselves
"Be at peace among yourselves." (1 Thessalonians 5:13) "None of us is alone in this world; each of us is a vital piece of the great mosaic of humanity as a whole." (Pope John Paul II, Israel-Palestine) Think About That …
Article
A Prayer Invoking Peace
(For use before a meeting or gathering of youth workers.) Song "Give Us Your Peace," by Michael Mahler, Give Your Gifts: The New Songs (Chicago: GIA Publications, 2001). Leader: As we begin this meeting, let us begin with peace. Please …
Article
A Listening Session for Teens on the Mishandling of Sexual Abuse by Clergy
Materials Needed * a 3-by-5-inch index card for each young person * a pencil for each young person * prayer materials (Select one of the "Options for Ritual Actions" below.) * 3 readers for the closing prayer * handouts …
Article
American and Catholic: Inviting Current Events into Religion Class
After the terrorist attacks of September 11, my students discussed Catholic social teaching on war and peace. One of my students said, "This is not the time to be Catholic; this is the time to be an American." He was …
Article
On the Frontier of Justice in Ghana
"Africa has been the land of hope, salvation, and redemption. Abraham had come to Africa, Joseph from slave to savior. It was the land of refuge for Jesus and helped to carry his cross. Will we continue to dismiss Africa …
Article
Scenes from a Mexican Village
The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration sponsor a program called Global Awareness Through Experience. The GATE program offers a rich opportunity to get to know the realities of Mexico, something I have wanted to do for years. At a point …
Article
Hunchback of Notre Dame: A Movie Activity
Disney's 1996 movie The Hunchback of Notre Dame can serve as a great starting point for discussions on the following topics: Moral Development. One can find examples of Quasi relying on childlike, adolescent and adult morality--which makes sense for an …
Article
What Every Teen Should Know
I often joke with my students that they help me parent my children! When my daughter Ellie was turning thirteen, all of a sudden I was struck with this idea that turned out to be an awesome activity for my …
Article
Patch Adams - Movie Reflection
Patch Adams is a great movie to use with students! It is the fact-based story of Hunter "Patch" Adams, the founder of the Gesundheit Clinic. Robin Williams plays the lead character with grace and skill. Synopsis: After spending some time …
Article
Curriculum Integration in Service Programs
How can you begin working toward curriculum integration with your service program? Consider the following principles as a good guide. Connections Get to know the curriculum in other content areas. Study the program of studies of your school. Look at …
Article
Processing Service Experiences
I have been involved with our school's service-learning program for over ten years as a classroom teacher. Because the program is integrated fully in the religion, English, and social studies curriculum, we have made a commitment to processing the material …
Article
Maturing in Faith
Have you ever heard a parent say something like,"People should decide for themselves how to express their faith and what church to belong to. So we don't make our kids go to Mass on Sunday. When they get old enough, …
Article
Intergenerational Service Project
Objectives to provide layette and nursery supplies for families in need to bring together girls and women to serve, build community, and pray to stimulate intergenerational dialogue among girls and women to reflect on the physical and emotional needs of …
Article
Listening to the Voices of Girls
God is with her. God works for her. God fills her. God chooses her. God accepts her. God praises her. God listens to her. God cries with her. God knows her. God loves her. We are her. In eleven short …
Article
The Color Purple
A CAUTIONARY NOTE: One of the criticisms of The Color Purple is that it depicts the men in the story as primarily abusive. Also, this movie is PG-13, mostly because of the violence and strong language. We recommend the movie …
Article
Technology assignment - Catholic Social Teaching
Over ten years ago, I began using my home computer to file and create documents for my students. My high school, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, already had a very well-developed technological infrastructure. Internet searches, e-mail, PowerPoint presentations, …
Article
The Buzz About the Theology-Technology Connection
"What's the buzz? Tell me what's happenin'!" I'm sure many of you recognize those lyrics from "Jesus Christ Superstar." I think of that song whenever the topic of technology comes up, which is often. In-services, workshops, and professional journals regularly …
Article
U.S. Students Work for Salvadoran Students
Katie Murphy visited El Salvador in the summer of 1999 as part of the Frontiers of Justice project, a learning opportunity for Catholic high school teachers cosponsored by Catholic Relief Services and the National Catholic Educational Association's Secondary Division. Her …
Article
Following the Spirit Down the (Yellow?) Brick Road
The road is really a five-foot wide path. The bricks are more dappled browns than yellow. But the journey does have a wizard and feisty little black terrier. And along the way we found our hearts, our minds, and our …
Article
Central Characteristics of Roman Catholicism
Catholicism is a remarkably rich religion, characterized by a complex tapestry of beliefs, practices, values, rituals, traditions, and more. When viewed "from the outside"--that is, by those who do not share its communal life--Catholicism is probably most frequently identified by …
Article
Don't Cancel that Guilt Trip
A few weeks ago it was brought home to me how strongly our society has rejected the idea of struggling with one's conscience as necessary or beneficial. I was teaching Alice Walker's novel The Color Purple (Harbrace, 1982), and the …
Article
Young People's Beginning Experience
By now, divorce has touched the lives of many people in the United States--either directly or through a friend or relative. For a child or teenager, divorce can rip apart a comfortable home, leaving behind guilt, anger and depression. Today, …
Article
Everyday Works of Mercy
Are you more Christian than you give yourself credit for being? My belief is that there are many like that--that many dedicated Christian people have compartmentalized their lives and have excluded important and central areas of their lives from what …
Article
The Death Penalty and the Catholic Conscience
Some proponents say the death penalty is biblical: "an eye for an eye." This moral theologian shows how they are misreading the Bible. If someone murdered your child or closest friend, what punishment would you want for the criminal? If …
Article
A Note on Kneeling
IT WASN'T UNTIL I COULD NO LONGER kneel that I began to savor the lovely simplicity of this ancient act, and guess at its provenance, and savor its humility, and notice it not only in Mass but in many other …
Article
Tuning in to youths' media culture
Rather than criticize teens' preoccupation with the media, these religion teachers use it in their faith formation efforts. Adolescents often feel most fully alive and in tune with their peers in the midst of a media experience--a rock concert, a …
Article
The Spirituality of Work
Teachers who structure justice into their workday lives model a moral vision for their students. I requested a review copy of all religion textbooks used in Catholic high schools some years ago and scoured over 30 books looking for references …
Article
Peace: The Countercultural Value
Ours is a violent society. Furthermore, evidence strongly suggests that we are learning to accept violence as normal behavior. As a people, we appear to be increasingly indifferent to daily images of warfare, racial hatred and ethnic cleansing. Murder and …
Article
A Multiple Intelligence Approach
Helping students discover how they are smart should be the goal of assessment. Is multiple intelligence instruction the way to proceed into the 21st century? Many educators in Catholic settings with whom I have worked remark that the theory reminds …
Article
The Community Service Dimension
A high school senior leans over the shoulders of two 9-year-olds struggling with math homework in a tutoring program at the community center. Two students carry food baskets up the narrow flight of stairs to the residents of a housing …
Article
Columbine High's Selfless Heroes
The stories of Columbine's heroes rise like a "tide of inspiration" for this Denver mother. Starting the third laundry load, I pause, puzzled by a pin on my daughter's t-shirt. At 14, she tosses shirts into the hamper with glad …
Article
Dance: An Awakening
Ms. Sawaya Lamb teaches dance at Judge Memorial Catholic High School in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mr. Wagoner, a former technical director at Judge Memorial Catholic High School, is now assistant principal at Saint Vincent School in Salt Lake City. …
Article
Getting to the Heart of the Matter
Step 1: Look at the situation What exactly is happening? Why is it happening? Who is involved? What are their motives? How is it happening, that is, by what means or method? When and where is it happening? Step 2: …
Article
From Isolation to Liberation
At the age of ten, I was diagnosed with pre-leukemia. Before being diagnosed I had to undergo numerous blood tests and very painful bone marrow tests. These tests continued after the diagnosis. I had to miss the last part of …
Article
Using Literature in Theology Classes
Editor's note: The author of our feature article, Kathleen Hodapp, was one of the participants in last summer's workshop "The Catholic High School As Faith Community," held here in Winona, Minnesota, as well as on the East Coast and the …
Article
Service and Justice
We are standing on the brink, and our bishops are urging us to jump. Many of us don't know where we'll end up, and we aren't sure whether we'll land in one piece. Yet the sense of urgency is building, …
Article
A Thousand Teenagers Singing at Mass?
Every August, despite our enthusiasm to bring fresh ideas to our classrooms and curriculum, the same question lingers for us as we plan for another year of all-school liturgies: How do we get a thousand teenagers to sing at Mass? …
Article
A One-Day Retreat on Service in the Inner City
Our sophomore class day retreat focuses on finding spirituality in the inner city. It is a kind of "urban plunge" experience within a spiritual framework, and students go on this retreat during the same semester that they take a social …
Article
The Harvest Is Abundant: Reflections on a Spirituality of Service
Service is a golden word these days. Everybody's doing it: governmental bodies, schools, churches, even neighborhoods and families. Court sentencing frequently includes community service, the federal government holds service up as a value in programs such as Americorps, and state …
Article
Forms for the Hermitage Experience
For more information see Leading Students to Hermitage. Preparation for Hermitage Dear __________________________, Your day for hermitage is _____________________ in the MORNING at 8:00 a.m. or AFTERNOON at 1:40 p.m. To come to hermitage, you must do the following things: …
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Story Collections for Classroom Teaching and Youth Ministry
The following is a list of story resources and collections for teaching or ministering with teenagers. [Editor's note: See the article "Helping students Get the Most Out of Stories" for ideas on using these stories with young people.] Most items …
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Helping Students Get the Most Out of Stories
For the past six years I have been researching the power of stories for communicating Catholic religious and moral values. At the same time, I have been experimenting with stories in my high school classroom (tenth- and twelfth-grade classes in …
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Fruit from the Vineyards of Faith Community
Participants in this summer's workshop "The Catholic High School as Faith Community" offered one another insights from their experience in the "vineyards" of Catholic high school teaching and campus ministry. We are happy to pass some of their "fruit of …
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Building Faith Community in the High School
In a workshop entitled "The Catholic High School as Faith Community," religion teachers, campus ministers, and school administrators discussed, among many things, the obstacles they face in trying to build faith community in their school. One obstacle they addressed was …
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Gospel Values Across the Curriculum
Given the current educational climate in our country, most schools are making a concerted effort to create a clear vision for education that will carry them into the twenty-first century. That forward-looking "visioning" and "refocusing" for the future includes an …
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Committing to Your School's Catholic Identity and Mission
A group of fifty-four religion teachers, campus ministers, and administrators from thirty-seven Catholic high schools across the United States gathered in June 1995 to share dreams, struggles, and moments of grace around the theme of building faith community in their …
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When the School Play Becomes a Faith Experience
As a teacher in a Catholic school, I have always been concerned with trying to demonstrate to my students how, in a practical way, Catholic values and the Christian worldview are relevant to their lives. A Catholic school does not …
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Growing as a Faith Community
Over the past nine years as a campus minister and theology teacher at Saint John's Jesuit High School in Toledo, Ohio, I have witnessed and been part of the growth of our school toward the ideal of being a Christian …
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Questions for God
In a course on faith that he teaches at De La Salle Academy in New York City, David Detje, FSC, uses the film Oh, God! to shake up the students' notions of what God is like. He has gotten some …
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Lessons from an Inner-City Parish High School
Saint Paul High School in San Francisco, where I teach, is an inner-city parochial school. It is a school that, for all its shortcomings, has much to teach other Catholic secondary schools, precisely in view of the two attributes cited--namely, …
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Community Service Courses:
This past semester, at the end of a year-long service program at a residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed youth, two students from my community service course wrote a poem to express the significance of their experiences. These are the …
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Introductory Activities for Teaching Christology
Mimi McCaul, who teaches at La Salle High School in Pasadena, California, passes along to you some of the strategies she uses in the course Jesus of History, Christ of Faith. Thanks, Mimi! Introductory Activity On the first or second …
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Expect Much, Praise Much, Be Present to Them
Course materials, such as the high school religion textbooks and teacher's manuals published by Saint Mary's Press, are a significant ingredient in the education of our young people. But we all know that the most important factor in a student's …
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Emmaus Poem
A strange place to make a new beginning here on a dusty road not leading much of anywhere in a time when the ritual seasons have already turned and at dusk almost dark, in fact what an unsuitable place and …
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Curriculum Offerings of Theology Departments
For a couple of years, Saint Mary’s Press sponsored a listserv discussion group online. Discussions on a variety of topics were pursued via e-mail. In this section of the web site, I summarize some of the highlights from these old …
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Block Scheduling Tips
For a couple of years, Saint Mary's Press sponsored a listserv discussion group online. Discussions on a variety of topics were pursued via e-mail. It is my hope that I can summarize some of the highlights from these old files …
