We will be closed for Christmas break from December 23–January 3. We look forward to serving you on January 6! Merry Christmas!

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Miriam's Shabbat

A Sabbath Blessing.

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Rings of Interpretation

This handout lists six excerpts taken from the Tanakh.

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Greek and Roman Gods Today

This handout challenges students to identify the associations they have with Greek and Roman gods.

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A Zoroastrian Symbol

This handout presents a Zoroastrian Symbol of faith and explains its elements. Students are then challenged to create their own symbol to represent their personal understanding of faith and human nature.

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"The Canticle of Brother Sun"

A Canticle prayer by Saint Francis of Assisi

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The Haiku of Basho

A compilation of Haiku by Matsuo Basho.

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Koans: Food for Intuition

This worksheet presents Zen koans to be interpreted or explained.

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The Riddler

This worksheet presents 12 riddles to be solved individually or in a small group

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Who Is the Sage?

This worksheet provides the opportunity to choose life situations that exemplify practices of the Taoist sage.

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Chinese Calligraphy

This handout provides an opportunity to create Chinese Calligraphy

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The Sikh Khalsa

The information on this handout provides further insight into the nature of the Sikh Khalsa

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The Ten Gurus of Sikhism

This list of the ten Gurus of Sikhism briefly summarizes the key contributions of each Guru.

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The Biographies of the Tirthankaras

A list of patterns and themes found in the biographies of the Tirthankaras

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Kuan-Yin

A guided reflection of the Buddhist image of Kuan-Yin

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Monks

This handout is to be used as students rotate to various stations. At this station, students examine a picture depicting monks in Thailand.

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Objects Used in Tibetan Rituals

This handout is to be used as students rotate to various stations. At this station, students examine objects used in Tibetan rituals.

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The Fasting Siddhartha

This handout is meant to be used as part of a station activity in which students observe different pieces of artwork from various religions.

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Right Speech

This handout provides a reflection on students’ use of words and speech. Students identify ways to improve their use of words to speak truth and kind things.

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Right Meditation

This handout provides a space for students to write impressions, observations, or questions that arise as they meditate on a statue of Buddha.

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Buddhist and Judeo-Christian Understandings of God

This article compares and contrasts the Buddhist and Judeo-Christian understanding of God.

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The First Sermon at Deer Park

A Buddhist sermon

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"The Dance of Love"

A Hindu myth

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Karma Marga: "The Path of Works"

An individual worksheet that examines the intentions and motivations behind one’s actions.

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The Master and the Untouchable

An individual worksheet the caste system in India.

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The Fruits of Action

An individual worksheet that challenges students to apply teachings from the Bhagavad-Gita to real-life situations.

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Peer Evaluation: The Game of Samsara

A peer evaluation form of student-created games.

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Teacher Evaluation: The Game of Samsara

This evaluation is to be used as a rubric for a game that groups of students created using Hindu concepts.

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What Harm Is in Our Sun Dance?

This short article provides the point of view of a Blackfoot Indian about the illegalization of the Sun Dance.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 39

A lesson plan for lesson 39 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 38

A lesson plan for lesson 38 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 37

A lesson plan for lesson 37 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 36

A lesson plan for lesson 36 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 35

A lesson plan for lesson 35 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 34

A lesson plan for lesson 34 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 33

A lesson plan for lesson 33 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide. In this lesson students explore God’s call to each of us to pray.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 32

A lesson plan for lesson 32 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide. In this lesson students explore what it means to use virtues and grace to live a moral life.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 31

A lesson plan for lesson 31 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide. In this lesson students explore what it means to respect truth.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 30

A lesson plan for lesson 30 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide. In this lesson students explore what it means to respect material goods.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 29

A lesson plan for lesson 29 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide. In this lesson students explore what it means to respect the sexuality of ourselves and others.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 28

A lesson plan for lesson 28 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide. In this lesson students explore what it means to truly respect life.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 27

A lesson plan for lesson 27 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 26

A lesson plan for lesson 26 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 25

A lesson plan for lesson 25 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 24

A lesson plan for lesson 24 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 23

A lesson plan for lesson 23 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 22

A lesson plan for lesson 22 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 21

A lesson plan for lesson 21 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide. In this lesson students explore the sacraments of healing.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 20

A lesson plan for lesson 20 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 19

A lesson plan for lesson 19 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 18

A lesson plan for lesson 18 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 17

A lesson plan for lesson 17 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 16

A lesson plan for lesson 16 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide. In this lesson students explore how the Holy Trinity is revealed through liturgy.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 15

A lesson plan for lesson 15 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 14

A lesson plan for lesson 14 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 13

A lesson plan for lesson 13 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 12

A lesson plan for lesson 12 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 11

A lesson plan for lesson 11 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 10

A lesson plan for lesson 10 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 9

A lesson plan for lesson 9 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 8

A lesson plan for lesson 8 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 7

A lesson plan for lesson 7 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 6

A lesson plan for lesson 6 in the Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 5

A lesson plan for lesson 5 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 4

A lesson plan for lesson 4 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 3

A lesson plan for lesson 3 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 2

A lesson plan for lesson 2 in The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide.

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Lesson Plan for Lesson 1

A lesson plan for lesson 1 in The Catholic faith Handbook for Youth: Catechist Guide. This lesson plan challenges students to identify why they are Catholic and the core beliefs, practices, and attitudes of Catholicism

Presentation

Chapter 28

Our Lady of Guadalupe

The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrates Mary’s appearance to Juan Diego in 1531 near what is now Mexico City, Mexico. An imprint of Mary was forever forged on Juan’s cloak. The image, depicting Mary as a mestiza—a woman …

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The Narrow Door: A Guided Meditation

This guided meditation communicates the Gospel message of simple living in a way that engages the imagination and inspires young people to actively simplify their lives. This activity is an excerpt from the book Justice and Service Ideas for Ministry …

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Which Bible is Right for You? The Saint Mary's Press Pocket Translation Guide

This brochure offers a brief overview of the various approved Catholic Bible translations used in our Saint Mary's Press Bibles. The guide is designed to help you determine, "which Bible is right for you?"

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Lesson Planning Chart

A sample lesson planning chart.

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Helping the Church of Today and Tomorrow

This handout challenges students to reflect on and brainstorm what it would have been like to create Church teachings and rules shortly after Jesus’ death and resurrection.

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The Ideal Church: Romans, Chapter 12

This handout lists 26 objectives of the ideal church as presented in Romans, Chapter 12

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The Titles for Jesus

This worksheet presents a list of names for Jesus taken from Scripture. Students examine the meaning and purpose for each title.

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The Disciples' Dilemma

This handout challenges students to decide how they would have reacted as a disciple after Jesus’ trial, death, and resurrection

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Paraphrasing the Sermon on the Mount: Hearing and Acting on the Word of God

This handout allows students to complete statements from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount

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Paraphrasing the Sermon on the Mount: Not Judging Others

This handout allows students to complete statements from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount

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Paraphrasing the Sermon on the Mount: How to Pray

This handout allows students to complete statements from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount

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Paraphrasing the Sermon on the Mount: Not Being A Hypocrite

This handout allows students to complete statements from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount

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Paraphrasing the Sermon on the Mount: Loving Your Enemy

This handout allows students to complete statements from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount

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Paraphrasing the Sermon on the Mount: Being Salt and Light

This handout allows students to complete statements from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount

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Paraphrasing the Sermon on the Mount: The Beatitudes

This handout allows students to fill in the blanks as they examine the Beatitudes

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The Consequences of Moral Decisions

This handout examines how actions, attitudes, and decisions affect ourselves and the people around us

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Who Is Your God?

A reflective worksheet where students identify meaningful definitions of God

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Jesus' Priorities

An individual worksheet where students rank the priority Jesus placed on certain values in his ministry

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Searching the Scriptures for the World of Jesus

Small-group activity that guides students to discover the culture of Jesus’ world by searching the Gospels

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A Reference Guide to the Gospel Story

A partial list of scripture references for Jesus’ miracles, parables, important teachings, and life events

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To Know Another

An individual worksheet where students rank the importance of discovering specific types of information about another person

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Sample Lesson Planning Chart

A sample of a week's lesson planning chart

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A Maturity Checklist

A self-evaluation of qualities of maturity

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Handout: Love Is...

A small group activity to foster discussion about what love is

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Handout: Psalm 23

An adaptation of Psalm 23 to be used in prayer or reflection

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Faith Shield

An individual activity that asks students about their faith and their relationship with God.

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From Fasting to Feasting

A short prayer that calls us to feast on kindness and compassion towards others.

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Isaiah: The Peaceable Kingdom Is Coming!

This handout offers a brief look at the use of Isaiah’s visions of the kingdom during Advent.

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Interview Questions for a Married Couple

A list of questions to ask during an interview with a married couple.

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Eucharist

This prayer reflects on the true meaning of receiving and living the Eucharist.

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Sacrament Facts

A brief fact-sheet about the seven sacraments.

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I Pray

This prayer for a large group asks for our eyes to be opened to the injustices in the world and our souls to be strengthened by Christ’s presence.

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Parish Council Committee Assignments

This handout assigns students to a made-up Parish Council Committee. Students must then brainstorm ideas and activities to help engage young people in the life of the parish.

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One Solitary Life

This short reflection calls to mind the profound impact Jesus Christ has had on humanity and the world.

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For Love Is Stronger than Death

A reading of the Resurrection story from Luke's Gospel.

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The Resurrected Jesus

Students answer questions about the story of Jesus' Resurrection from one of the four Gospels.

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The Miracles of Jesus

Students review many familiar miracles performed by Jesus in the gospels before choosing a favorite.

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The Good News Proclaimed to Me!

This handout asks students to reflect and write about the ways that Jesus' healing is needed in their lives.

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Called to Share the Mission of Jesus

This small-group activity provides each group with an example of Christ's mission. Groups must answer questions surrounding their particular example.

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Jesus Had Feelings Too

Students read passages from the Gospels to explore the numerous emotions that Jesus experienced during his time on Earth.

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Who Is Your God?

This handout presents a list of different definitions and identities for God. Students are asked to choose ones that resonate with them.

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Our Culture, Our Selves

This handout asks students to rank a list of items in life and society according to their importance.

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Prayer Service: Reflections on Relationships

This prayer service reflects on some of the aspects of relationships.

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Communication in My Family

This handout helps students to explore the communication and relationship they have with their parents by asking a series of reflective questions for students to answer.

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Telling Our Body's Story

This handout helps teens reflect on their body image and the influences on their attitudes towards their bodies.

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Lesson Planning Chart

An example of a completed lesson planning chart for Chapter 1: A-D.

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Relationships in Marriage

This handout presents numerous questions about healthy, life-long marriages for students to think about and answer.

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Cases to Examine: Changing Roles

This handout presents several real-life family situations about which students must evaluate and make a decision.

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Cases to Examine: Parenting Dilemmas

This handout provides several examples of parenting dilemmas. Students are to read the situations, choose a course of action, and explain their thoughts.

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Paths to Marriage

This handout gives a brief explanation for several types of relationships that end in marriage. Students are then asked to evaluate the reading and complete a journal prompt.

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Reflections on Relating

This poem provides a reflection on the fears and insecurities that we all carry underneath the outward impressions we give off.

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Scoring "My Responses to Conflict"

This handout provides the scoring that should be used to interpret the accompanying Handout 9-D.

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My Responses to Conflict

For this worksheet, students choose which behaviors match how they typically respond to conflict in relationships.

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When To Keep Things Confidential

After reading several pieces of information that might be shared by a friend, students decide which should be kept confidential and which might be shared with others.

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Whom Will You Tell?

Students identify with whom in their life they would share a list of personal pieces of information.

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Listening Traps

Students reflect on and answer a series of questions about their listening skills.

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Interpersonal Style

Students reflect on and answer a series of questions about their interpersonal style and relationships with others.

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Cases to Examine: Where Is Love?

Students read and respond to several stories about what it means to love yourself and others.

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Please Help

This is a writing prompt to help students reflect on what it is like to be a virgin in society today.

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Facts About Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS

This article gives information about common STDs and AIDS.

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Questionnaire on Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS

This handout provides a list of True/False statements about sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS.

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Role-play: "I'm Pregnant"

This handout provides two role-play situations in which a couple has discovered they are pregnant.

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Opinionnaire on Gender Roles (Part 2)

Students share their opinions in response to a series of statements about gender roles in society.

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Opinionnaire on Gender Roles (Part 1)

Students share their opinions in response to a series of statements about gender roles in society.

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Word Association

Students identify the different associations with and meanings of sexuality as portrayed in the media, by peers, and from adults.

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Attitudes About Sexuality

This handout presents a series of statements about sexuality. Students are to indicate their level of agreement or disagreement with each.

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Measuring Fixed Costs

On this handout students calculate the fixed expenses of an independent adult on a monthly and yearly basis.

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How Much Did You Pay for That?

Students estimate the cost of a list of items needed to live independently. This exercise is meant to help students understand the amount of money needed to survive.

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Work Values

On this handout students explore the qualities they look for or want in a job and brainstorm possible jobs that fit those qualities.

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Ranking the Prestige of Occupations

Students rank a list of careers based on their importance and prestige in society.

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Perceptions of Leisureliness

This handout provides a list of statements designed to help students evaluate the leisureliness of a specific person.

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Support for Leisure Activities

This handout asks students to decide which types of leisure activities their peers encourage them to participate in.

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Checking Your Leisure Benefits

Students categorize their favorite leisure activities based on the primary benefit they receive from each.

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Cases to Examine: Leisure or Work?

This handout presents two real-life scenarios for which students must read and answer questions.

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Leisure Satisfaction

Students list leisure activities in which they participate before rating the frequency and satisfaction for each.

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In Praise of the Creator

This prayer uses Psalm 95 to praise God our creator.

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Circles of Learning

This handout provides a diagram for students to fill in as they reflect on the impact of friendship and relationships.

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Goals of Formal Education

Students rank eight possible goals of formal education based on their importance or relevance.

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Cases to Examine: Levels of Independence

Students read several scenarios and rank the level of independence demonstrated.

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Personality Perceptions of __________

Students choose adjectives from a list to describe a specific person.

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About Myself

This handout provides a series of questions for students to answer about themselves.

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How Do I Know That I Am Fully Alive?

This handout asks students to rank statements according to their beliefs about what it means to be fully alive.

Video

How Does the Catholic Church Declare Official Saints?

This video from Busted Halo takes a fun spin on answering common questions about being named a saint in the Catholic Church.

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Sample Lesson Planning Chart

A sample chart of a week of lessons.

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Lesson Planning Chart

A blank chart to be sued for a week of lessons.

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Cases to Examine: Dealing with Conflict

This handout provides three situations for students to read and evaluate. Students must give a suggestion for how to respond to the conflict in each scenario based on the strategies in the book.

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Cases to Examine: Is This Euthanasia?

This handout provides three situations for students to read and evaluate. Students must decide if the story shows an example of Euthanasia.

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Respecting the Earth: Ten How To's

This handout provides ten tips to care for the Earth.

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The Ending is Yours

This handout provides the beginning of a story about a teen who is about to break up with his girlfriend. Students are to complete the story following teacher instructions.

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Cases to Examine: Self-respect

This handout provides three situations where teenagers are not fully respecting themselves. Students read the situations and respond with suggestions that demonstrate more self-respect.

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Role-plays: Kindness and Truth

This handout provides two role-play situations for students to practice open, honest communication in a kind, truthful way.

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TV Truth: Keeping a Record

This handout provides a chart to help students keep track of the types of truths and lies portrayed on TV.

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An Inventory on Money Matters

This handout provides a chart to help students keep track of their expenditures during one week

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Perspectives on Sex

This handout provides several comments from teenagers about sex. It can be used as a discussion starter or writing prompt.

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Three Perspectives on Drugs

This handout provides three different comments from teens about their drug and alcohol usage. This can be used as a discussion starter.

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Cases to Examine: What Are We Afraid Of?

Students read several real-life scenarios and explore the many fears, anxieties, and pressures that influence decisions.

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What Can a Person Do?

This article gives several suggestions of how an individual can bring about distributive justice.

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The Plight of the Worlds' Children

This handout provides several statistics and pieces of information about the alarming needs of children in our world.

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Pushed Once Too Often

This handout presents a story about drug pushing in a school community. Students are challenged to reflect on several questions regarding the situation.

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Games Within Games

Sports are far more important in our life than they might seem at first glance. Watch the waves of emotion on the faces of players who let their feelings show: pride, shame, ecstasy, despair, joy, and anger. “Mind games” are …

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Cases to Examine: Conscience and Guilt

Read the following cases. For each one, fill in the words that describe what kind of conscience and what kind of guilt the person has. Then write a sentence or two of advice that you would give to that person.

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The LISTEN Model

Briefly describe below a moral dilemma that an individual might face. For each section of the LISTEN process, fill in one or more things a person facing this dilemma might need to consider.

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Which Principles Apply?

he following moral principles (described in the text on pages 58–59) can be considered basic or foundational: a. Do good; avoid evil. b. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. c. The end does not justify …

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Grandpa and Tim

Read the following story and be prepared to discuss it in class.

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Getting to Know My Parents' Views

This checklist will help you identify how well you understand your parents’ (or guardians’) views on moral issues and whether you think that your parents understand your views on moral issues.

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The Strange Mysteries of Competition

Let’s look at some of the mysteries of competition to see how the inner and outer games function. Please indicate whether you think the following mystery statements are generally true or false and be prepared to discuss the reasons for …

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Cases to Examine: Moments in Competition

Read the following cases of competition and answer in writing the question for each.

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Lesson Planning Chart

A lesson planning chart.

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Prayer Service: For Christian Unity

A short prayer service for Christian unity.

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Prayer Service: Forgiveness

A prayer service centered on forgiveness.

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Saint Joan of Arc: A Brief Biography

A biography of Saint Joan of Arc.

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Prayer Service: The Children of God

A prayer service.

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The Mission of the Church

Jesus has just risen from the tomb. Although you and all the other Christians are overjoyed, you now have to decide what to do. You are one of the followers who has been with Jesus for more than two years. …

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Sample Lesson Planning Chart

A sample lesson planning chart.

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Lesson Planning Chart

A blank lesson planning chart.

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Peace: A Guide to Win-Win Conflict Resolution

The PEACE process is a way to approach a conflict so that the outcome is a win- win situation, one that ensures that the good of both parties is considered and given priority. PEACE stands for problem and purpose, empathy, …

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Peace: Exploring Terms

In the first blank column, express your own sense of what it means to live out the following traits. In the second blank column, explain what you think the culture teaches you it means to live out each trait. Leave …

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Earth-Friendly Living

This is a scavenger hunt for earth-friendly products suitable for a bedroom: furniture, clothes, and so on. Your goal is to furnish this room in the most earth- friendly and inexpensive way you can, while still furnishing a room you …

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The Eucharist in Mathari Valley

In 1986, Fr. Jim Notebaart flew to Nairobi, Kenya, to live and work as a missioner. Years later, he told an audience in the United States about an experience of Eucharist as transformation. Read this story and, on a separate …

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Lazarus and the Rich Man: A Sequel

Characters: Reader, Narrator, Servant, Levi, Hannah, Isaiah, Simeon.

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The Work of Art

Read the story below, and be prepared to discuss the questions that follow it.

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Work and Budgeting

Fill out the first empty column in this chart to reflect a family’s monthly budget. Leave the second column blank until you receive further instruction.

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Where Am I Called?

Answer the following questions about your calling.

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Diversity Awareness

Read down the first column, and for each description, mark an X in all the columns that apply to you. (If there is a description you do not feel comfortable writing down, make a mental note of it and leave …

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Participation in the Media

This handout lists several key questions to use when reading or viewing various media from the perspective of different groups of people. Choose one of the following groups of people, and on a separate sheet of paper, write answers to …

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My Own Story

Develop a paper that tells your life story. Use any of the following questions, which may help you to develop a greater sense of who you are, where you have come from, and where you want to go.

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Choosing Life

A handout with different cases about life issues.