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I. Curriculum pillar: Profession of the Faith
Content pillar Skills/Diocesan Content Standards Suggested Family Involvement
1. Sacred Scripture   General involvement
  • Have a Bible in your house, and have your child become familiar with it. Trace the Scripture readings from weekly Mass back to the Bible. http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/
  • Buy an age appropriate Bible to use for reading and encourage him/her to read it.
  • Read the Bible together as a family.  Ask each member to share in spirit of prayer what the Lord is telling them.
  • Read the Gospel together before you go to Mass. http://www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml
  • Comment after Mass about the homily and the readings, in light of how God’s Word will or has impacted your life.
  • Invite your child to act out Scripture stories. Watch with your child movies about stories from the Bible (i.e. Moses, David) http://www.usccb.org/movies/familyvideo/videoall.shtml
  • Have your child go to Vacation Bible School at your parish or nearby parish.
Specific involvement
Know that the Acts of the Apostles, which follows the gospels, describes the foundation and struggles of the first Christian communities.
Understand that the Letters of Paul and the other apostles (also known as the Epistles) apply Christ's message and teachings to the lives and circumstances of early Christian communities from Asia Minor to Rome.
  • Read some letters of Paul and other apostles.  How are the early Christian communities the same or different from our community and culture?
Recall that the Beatitudes, found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, are the set of directives for all Christians that build on the Commandments, show us how to be happy, and help to lead us to eternal life.
Understand that the corporal and spiritual works of mercy put forth in Deuteronomy 15:11, and reiterated in the Gospel of Matthew, are important examples of service to others in which all followers of Christ must participate to gain eternal life.
Understand that Pentecost is the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the birth of the Church as described in Acts 2:1-4.
Know that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are rooted in the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 11:1-2 and belong, in their fullness, to Christ.
  • Share with your child how God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, has touched your life in special ways.

Learn that the fruits of the Holy Spirit are the benefits of leading a grace-filled Christian life as explained in Gal. 5:22-23.
  • How has the grace of the Holy Spirit, reflected in God’s fruits, made a difference in your life?
Know that the last book of the Bible, the Book of Revelation, also called the Apocalypse, is a poetic and symbolic work that describes the end times and encourages Christians to embrace the cross and look to the coming of Christ at the end of the world.
  • During Advent look up the passages in Revelation that talk about be awake and ready.  Talk about how this is similar to the Gospel message and why it is pertinent.
Understand and be able to explain the divine authorship of the Scriptures. Share a Scripture that has special meaning for you and tell how God has enlightened your life through His Word.
2. Creed   General involvement
  • Review with your child what he/she learned in his/her religion class.
  • Have a Catechism of the Catholic Church in the House.  Make sure you are educated about the Faith so you can answer questions for your child.  Have your child see you reading the Bible, the Catechism, or some other spiritual work. http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc/index.htm
  • Encourage your child to start a relationship with each one of the persons of the blessed Trinity.
  • Display an image of Mary in your home and pray to her.
  • Recite the Creed as a family.  
    http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P13.HTM
Specific involvement
Discuss the personal implications of believing in Jesus as Savior and following his teachings.
  • Share your own experience of faith with your son/daughter and the implications of being a follower of Christ.

Recognize the Feast of the Ascension as Jesus' return to the Father in heaven and our pledge of bodily entrance into heaven (i.e., the resurrection of the body).
  • Be clear on why we accept Jesus as our Savior. Participate in Ascension Mass.
Tell that Catholic beliefs and practices are rooted in Scripture and Tradition.
Recite the Apostles Creed and explain its meaning and importance.
Understand that we offer prayers and Masses for those who have died, to both honor and benefit them on their journey to the Lord.
  • Create a family prayer journal, remembering the intentions of those living, as well as in remembrance of the souls of deceased family members and those who do not have anyone to pray for them.
Explain the reality and possibility of eternal death, which Christ calls "hell," and understand that the principal punishment of hell consists of eternal separation from God, in whom is all happiness.
  • Talk with you child about what happens after death. Talk about true happiness with God versus a life of temporal or temporary happiness in the pursuit of worldly things.
Know that the Church is made up of clergy, laity, and those in consecrated life.
  • Ask your Parish priest about his call to the priesthood.  Remember his feast day and anniversary of his priesthood by sending a card and keeping him in prayer.
Discuss the courage and faith of Mary's "Yes" to the Angel Gabriel's announcement and what her example means to us.
As Baptized Christians and members of the Communion of Saints, we intercede in prayer on behalf of those who have died.
  • Pray for the souls in purgatory and remember deceased loved ones.
Discuss the hope and goal of all humanity as heaven.  It is the communication of eternal life and love with God, the angels, and saints, and is the fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme definitive happiness.
  • Discuss the personal implications of believing in Jesus as Savior and following his teachings.
Recall that the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary refers to her being taken up body and soul into heaven after her life on earth, anticipating the resurrection of all members of the Body of Christ.
  • Attend Mass to celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary.  Look up the various feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Church year. http://www.ewtn.com/library/LITURGY/FEAST.txt
II. Curriculum pillar: The Celebration of the Christian Mystery
Content pillar Skills/Diocesan Content Standards Suggested Family Involvement
1.Worship &Sacraments   General involvement
Specific involvement
Know that Jesus instituted the Eucharist, which is the source and summit of Catholic life, worship, and unity.
  • Listen carefully to the Eucharistic Prayer and share the parts that you heard in this beautiful prayer.
 
Identify the principal parts of the Mass: Introductory Rite, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist, and Concluding Rite.
Know that Sunday is the Sabbath set aside for worship, family and relaxation, and that Catholics have a serious obligation to attend Mass every Sunday.
  • Bring a friend to Mass with your family.  Share in a special meal with them.
Know that throughout history, Catholics have expressed faith and worship through song, drama, art, architecture, literature, and prayer.
  • Bring your child to see a religious exposition at a museum or in a Church.
Understand that the sacraments strengthen our faith, hope, and love and empower us to participate in the mission of the Church.
  • Begin all service to others in prayer and bring the needs of others that concern your family to prayer at Mass. 
Know that, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the formation process for those who wish to become full members of the Catholic Church.
  • Write a letter of welcome to a person who is in the RCIA process in your parish.  Speak with your child about the special prompting of the Holy Spirit in that person’s life to become a Catholic Christian.
Know that the sacrament of Confirmation imparts the fullness of the Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit and celebrates the Confirmand's personal decision to follow Christ.
  • Share your own experience of the Sacrament of Confirmation with your child.
     
Understand that God's providential grace and love shapes and guides the Church, even through the times of conflict in Church history, including the Protestant Reformation, the Western Schism, and other events.      
Know the importance of the missionary activity of religious orders in the growth of the Church.
  • Talk to your child about the importance of the missionary activity of religious orders in the growth of the Church
Understand that the Liturgical Year begins with the First Week of Advent.
 
  Realize that although the Church exists in the world and is affected by it, the Holy Spirit always guides, sanctifies, and protects it.
III. Curriculum pillar: Life in Christ
Content pillar Skills/Diocesan Content Standards Suggested Family Involvement
1. Community & Service   General involvement
  • Volunteer for community service as a family.
  • Invite your child to give to the poor at Christmas.
  • Have each family member commit to a new way to participate in the life of your parish.
  • Encourage your child to be generous to the poor and needy.
  • Talk with your child about the different vocations in the Church and ask your child to pray for vocations to the consecrated life in the Church.
    http://www.hearthecall.org/  
  • Get involved in Church Youth Group activities and ministries.  Join your children in serving those in need.
  • Discuss about the missions in the Church and how you can help the Church worldwide.
  • Give example to your child by sharing your time, treasure, and talents with the Church.
Specific involvement
Know that the power of the Holy Spirit is exemplified in the life, work, and witness of the saints.
  • Talk with your child about his/her role models.   Are they people of strength and courage?  Share with your child how the Holy Spirit gives us strength.
Understand that faith, which flows from prayer, must be lived through good works.
  • Make sure you are setting an example of prayer and service to your children. 

Exercise the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.

      
Discuss how Jesus’ example of forgiveness and healing in the Gospels are a sign of hope and a mandate to imitate him.
  • Share a Gospel story of forgiveness or healing.  Share how you will be an example of that same love this week.
Understand that the Church has a special mission to the poor and continually fulfills this call through the activities of local and global organizations.
  • Locate a homeless shelter or soup kitchen in your area and find out what your family can do to help in charity.
Examine the importance of ecumenical cooperation in light of every Christians’ Baptismal call to service.
  • Learn about an issue of social injustice.  Make a commitment to work in some way to rectify the situation.

Practice leadership and sharing of responsibilities of planning and carrying out service-oriented projects.
  • Organize a group of children to discuss ways to help others in your community, and allow them to have an active role in the planning and work.
Know that the strengthening from the Holy Spirit, imparted through the sacrament of Confirmation, enables them to live a life of service.
  • Have you participated in a parish service project recently?
  Know that in the midst of conflict and evil, God raises up men and women of faith who work for peace, justice, and human dignity to further the Kingdom of God on earth.
  • Share a story about someone you admire who acted justly in a difficult situation.
  Evaluate issues of homelessness, hunger, poverty, and illiteracy in their local, national, and international communities.
  • Talk to organizations in your community who are concerned about issues of social injustice and find a way for your family to become involved and aware of the issues.
2. Christian Morality   General involvement
Specific involvement
Know that salvation has been merited for us by Jesus in the Paschal Mystery, i.e., the Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension.
  • Tell your child about the life of Jesus and how he taught us how to live.
Learn and practice the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity.
  • Model these virtues to your children.  Discuss them at opportune times. 
Review the importance and the need for frequent reception of the sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation.
  • Discuss the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Go together as a family.
Understand the universal call to holiness as exemplified in the lives of the saints.
  • Give your child a biography of a contemporary saint and discuss with him/her how it is possible to be holy at this time in his/her life.

Appreciate that the frequent reception of the Eucharist is the primary source of grace needed to faithfully live out the Christian life.
  • Participate fully and actively in Eucharist and discuss its importance with your child.
Know the existence of an objective moral law binding on all human beings.
  • Talk about different events and how the church stands on major and minor issues. 
Recognize that through the sacrament of Confirmation, they receive special sacramental grace to deepen their witness to Christ in their daily lives.
  • Share how your confirmation was and invite your son/daughter to be open to the grace that this Sacrament confers.
Know that the Magisterium (the pope and bishops) is the office of the Church that gives definitive and authoritative teaching on matters of faith and morals.
  • Attend a Mass with the Bishop and explain to your child what the bishop’s mission is.
Learn the practice and use of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
  • Model the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Appreciate the obligation to promote the Christian principles of social justice, especially respect for life, in their community and society at large.
  • Discuss the concept of social justice.  Commit to writing a letter to an elected leader to affect change.
Know that the Precepts of the Church help us to participate in the life of the parish and pursue the minimum for a growth in holiness.
  • Try to spend as much time talking with your child about church events and issues in the school and community. 
Understand that sexual desires are good and are given by God to be properly expressed in marriage.
Realize that is wrong to misuse their sexuality by looking at impure magazines and movies, or by daydreaming about sexual activity.
  • Share different things that family members have experienced in the news, in magazines, on TV, in movies etc. that are not respectful of human sexuality.  Discuss about the dignity of the human being.
IV. Curriculum pillar: Christian Prayer
Content pillar Skills/Diocesan Content Standards Suggested Family Involvement
    General involvement
Specific involvement
Take leadership roles in working with students at other grade levels in preparing and directing a communal prayer service or liturgy.
  • Write a short family prayer service, having each person responsible for preparing one part.  Use it once a week for the next month.
Evaluate their practice of personal prayer and describe how they will make changes to strengthen their prayer lives.
  • Say the Lord’s Prayer as a family.  Pray Prayers of Discuss how prayer supports your faith.  Commit to praying together before meals and at the end of the day.
Explain and use various expressions of prayer (vocal, meditative, and contemplative).
  • Write a meditative prayer together.
Discuss how prayer can deepen their appreciation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
  • Allow your child to see you praying.
Review how prayer inspired men and women of faith in the Scriptures.
  • Use situations of hard times to talk with your child about people like David or Job who talked to God in times of trial.
Identify and explain each of the Theological Virtues (Faith, Hope, and Charity).
  • Be an example of faith, charity and hope within your family.
Explain and practice the Moral (Cardinal) Virtues (Prudence, Justice, Temperance, and Fortitude) in order to strengthen their spiritual lives.
  • Practice these virtues as you guide your child.
Pray for an open and generous response to God’s call in their lives and future vocations.
Pray the rosary using all four sets of Mysteries as the basis for meditating on the life and mission of Christ.