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Vocabulary for Unit 1
A vocabulary list for Unit 1 of “Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society.”
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 1
A grading rubric for the final performance task options for Unit 1 of "Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society."
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 1
Options for final performance tasks for Unit 1 of "Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society."
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The Strengths of Catholic Social Teaching
A document highlighting the strengths of Catholic Social Teaching, from "Christian Morality: Our Response to God's Love."
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Our Catholic Faith in Action
A chart that accompanies the Web Quest on our Catholic faith in action, from "Christian Morality: Our Response to God's Love."
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Cesar Chavez: Embrace the Legacy
A 5 minute documentary chronicling the life and mission of Catholic Cesar Chavez.
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Words of Jesus: Catholic Social Justice - CF
A discussion among Social Justice Activists about their activities and Catholic Social Justice teachings.
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WE CRY JUSTICE! Trailer
A trailer of movie on Catholic Social Justice teachings. The trailer includes footage of the impoverished, excerpts from church teachings, and statistics on the number of individuals suffering varying injustices.
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Saint Mother Teresa: The Legacy Trailer
An educational glimpse of the life of Saint Mother Teresa.
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God's Foot Soldiers - The Good Works of the Augustinians of Villanova Sharing their Mission in America and Around the World. Pt. 2
Narrated by actor, Sam Waterston, this documentary artfully relays the life of Saint Augustine, as well as the mission and domestic and international work of a group of Augustinians.
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God's Foot Soldiers - The Good Works of the Augustinians of Villanova Sharing their Mission in America and Around the World. Pt. 1
Narrated by actor Sam Waterston, this documentary artfully relays the life of Saint Augustine, as well as the mission and domestic and international work of a group of Augustinians.
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Catonsville Nine
Footage of the Catonsville Nine--a group of social activists and priests, including the Jesuit Berrigan brothers--protesting the Vietnam War.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 …
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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.
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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.
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Discipleship - PowerPoint
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 Paschal Mystery, especially the role of community and member of the Church to live out their call to …
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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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 …
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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
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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A Letter to Young People from the President of Saint Marys 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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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, …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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. …
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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: …
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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, …
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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 …
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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 …
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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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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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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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Curriculum Offerings of Theology Departments
For a couple of years, Saint Marys 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 …