In Unit 3 participants will learn that Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit to be their helper and guide. They will read about the sacraments of initiation. They will recognize how the commandments can help them decide whether their words and actions show love for God and others.
		The Holy Spirit Guides Us Prior to presenting each chapter, refer to the TAKE HOME FAMILY TIME pages in your child's book, or print out these pages from TAKE HOME FAMILY TIME. Learning Focus This chapter will help the children • identify the Holy Spirit as our Guide. • learn about Pentecost and the Trinity. • explore ways to lead lives that reflect God's goodness. Background After ascending into heaven, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles and help them begin the Church. The Holy Spirit came to the apostles fifty days after Easter, on Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost was an annual harvest festival of the Jews. It was a day when Jews from different countries gathered in Jerusalem to thank God for help and blessings. On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled the apostles with new knowledge about Jesus and about God as Trinity. The Spirit strengthened their faith and empowered them to spread the Gospel message to everyone they met. The Spirit and Today's Church We believe the Holy Spirit continues to be present in the Church today, guiding it and leading it as Jesus intended. Just as the Holy Spirit transformed the apostles from timid people into fearless spiritual leaders, so the Holy Spirit works in us today, helping us grow in holiness. Specifically, the Holy Spirit helps us make good moral decisions. The Spirit helps us choose words and actions that express love for God and love for others. Through the inspiration of the Spirit, we persevere on our journey together, helping spread the good news of the Gospel and helping bring about the peace and joy of God's kingdom.
		Confirmed in the Spirit Prior to presenting each chapter, refer to the TAKE HOME FAMILY TIME pages in your child's book, or print out these pages from TAKE HOME FAMILY TIME. Learning Focus This chapter will help the children • learn about the Sacrament of Confirmation. • understand the special link between Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. • suggest ways to apply the Gifts of the Spirit to everyday life. Background There is a difference of opinion among present-day Church leaders regarding the "proper time" to celebrate Confirmation. Some believe that the three sacraments of initiation–Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist–should be celebrated at the same time. (The Eastern Church has always followed this practice.) Other Church leaders believe that Confirmation is best celebrated apart from Baptism, around or after the celebration of First Communion. The other issue Church leaders face is that of age and whether Confirmation should be celebrated in elementary school or in high school. What About You? No matter what you believe about the timing of Confirmation, it is important to remember what this sacrament is. It is the bishop's opportunity to welcome new members on behalf of the entire Church and to affirm the Holy Spirit working within individual members. We first celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit at Baptism. Since then, we have grown in holiness through our openness to the Spirit's gifts–wisdom, understanding, right judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence, and wonder and awe. Because the Spirit works in all Church members regardless of age, any time may be considered the "proper" time for Confirmation.
		The Commandments and the Law of Love (Love of Neighbor) Prior to presenting each chapter, refer to the TAKE HOME FAMILY TIME pages in your child's book, or print out these pages from TAKE HOME FAMILY TIME. Learning Focus This chapter will help the children • recognize how we show our love for God by following the Ten Commandments. • learn the fourth through sixth commandments • apply the commandments to daily life. Background Christian morality is based on knowing right from wrong. In all situations we try to choose good and avoid evil. The Ten Commandments contain practical aspects of right and wrong. They help us live our covenant with God by listing rules regarding "right" behavior toward God and other people. The first three commandments explain how we are to love God. The fourth through tenth commandments explain how we are to respect and honor our neighbor as ourselves. Rules and Moral Development When you were a child, you probably memorized the Ten Commandments. You learned to obey them because they were "the law." Rules were something external. If you obeyed them, you would be rewarded; if you disobeyed them, you would be punished. Now that you are an adult, your relationship with the Ten Commandments most likely has changed. They are no longer external, but are internal–principles that have become part of who you are as a person. Hopefully you now live by them because they help you grow closer to God and to other people. This internalization is an essential part of moral development. Even though your child may not be mature enough to internalize the commandments, you can begin to guide him or her in this direction.
		The Commandments and Doing God's Will (Thy Will Be Done) Prior to presenting each chapter, refer to the TAKE HOME FAMILY TIME pages in your child's book, or print out these pages from TAKE HOME FAMILY TIME. Learning Focus This chapter will help the children • list ways people live according to the commandments. • learn how Mary, Jesus' mother, accepted God's will. • pray a prayer from the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Background Our country was founded on the belief that we can achieve almost anything we set out to do, and we see our accomplishments as "God's will." Doing God's will, however, is not just about settling the frontier or going to the moon or discovering a cure for cancer. Doing God's will is living everyday life and ordinary events with love, honesty, and faithfulness. Every moment, every situation, and every relationship offers us an opportunity to let our wills conform to the will of God. Accepting God's Wisdom We follow God's will whenever we obey the Ten Commandments, whenever we love God and love our neighbor. Mary, the Mother of Jesus, offers us a good example of accepting God's great wisdom and vision. She courageously said Yes at the Annunciation by placing her faith and trust in God's loving hands. Mary shows us how to pray and live. Most likely, there have been times in your life when God took you in an unexpected direction. Looking back now, you can see the wisdom of that move; at the time, however, you may have been unsure and fearful. This chapter emphasizes the importance of ongoing prayer. Only through prayer can we grow in our understanding and acceptance of God's will.