In Unit 4 participants will learn that together with the whole Church, they are a sign of the kingdom of God. They will read about the importance of worship in the Church and come to understand how the sacraments help them love others as Jesus loves everyone.
		Sacraments in the Church 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 • relate the seven sacraments to the moral life of the Church. • learn how the Church carries out Christ's mission in the world. • identify ways in which the sacraments nourish and strengthen us. Background Through the celebration of the seven sacraments, the Church becomes the place to encounter and experience Jesus. Baptism welcomes us into the Church, the Body of Christ. The Church affirms our faith in Confirmation. The Church nourishes us with the Eucharist and reconciles us to God and our neighbor through Reconciliation. In the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, the Church heals our infirmities. We are strengthened in our vocation through the sacraments of Matrimony and Holy Orders. Mystery and Reality The sacraments are mysteries that celebrate and enrich our faith. Whenever we celebrate the sacraments, we live and worship as one Church united in Christ and with one another. Sacraments strengthen us to share in the mission of Christ. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit, we join in bringing the kingdom of God to all people.
		The Sacrament of Reconciliation 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 • discuss the consequences of making selfish choices. • learn about the Sacrament of Reconciliation. • review the steps of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and make an examination of conscience, Background People have many different outlooks, values, and priorities. It is no wonder that life can be filled with concern and conflicts. Getting along with others is never easy. When choices are to be made that involve others, we can easily find ourselves at odds with one another. Conflict and human selfishness often lead to hurt. Some words and actions alienate us from others. Our sins set up walls and obstacles to loving relationships. Yet through God's generous love and merciful forgiveness, we are given the chance to start over. We are invited back to a right relationship with God and others through the sacrament of Reconciliation. The Gift of Healing In this chapter participants will learn about the tremendous healing power that is available to us through the sacrament of Reconciliation. They will review the parts of the rite as a way to grow in appreciation of God's gift of healing. Prayerful celebration of the sacrament includes an honest examination of conscience. The closer we imitate Jesus, the more we will know true peace and joy. The children will also learn about the life of Saint John Vianney, an eighteenth-century priest who brought God's healing through the sacrament of Reconciliation.
		The Commandments and Forgiveness (Forgiveness and Reconciliation) 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 • examine ways that people can reconcile and forgive • learn the seventh through tenth commandments. • Apply ways we can make good moral decisions. Background Sin alienates us from God and from one another. In times of hurt, anger, and misunderstanding, it is difficult to take the first step to begin the healing process. The good news is that God loves us unconditionally and is always there to mend that which has been broken. God always offers us forgiveness and welcomes us back to friendship. Once we understand that God's love and forgiveness are unconditional we can begin to examine our own relationships. We can reconcile ourselves with those we have disappointed, hurt, or diminished and forgive those who have hurt us in some way. The Prodigal Son and the Forgiving Father The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) shows us what God is like when we sin. God is a merciful and forgiving Father who reaches out in love to us. The parable also shows that we are responsible for the choices we make. Through our conscience, God helps us make good moral decisions. Our conscience helps us to discern right from wrong; it also helps us to ask for forgiveness when we sin. This chapter presents participants with a three-step method for making a good moral decision, which in turn will give them the wisdom and strength they need to follow Christ.
		The Commandments and Praying for Forgiveness (Forgive Us Our Trespasses) 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 ways we can follow Jesus' example of forgiveness. • discover ways we grow closer to God by living the seventh through tenth commandments • pray a prayer of forgiveness using Scripture, Background The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21-35) demonstrates the meaning of the phrase forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us in the Lord's Prayer. Like the king in the parable, God always forgives us. We too are called to forgive others with the same generosity God has shown us. This chapter shows children the importance of using the Bible as a way to reflect on God's mercy and forgiveness. Invite the children to read and reflect on other Scripture passages about forgiveness: the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10), God's Patience (Wisdom 15:1-2), and Zacchaeus the Tax Collector (Luke 19:1-10). The Gift of Peace Participants will learn that God calls all followers to forgive others. We are to be "compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, and patient" (based on Colossians 3:12). We know God's peace when we are able to forgive. During the liturgy, we receive God's peace and the strength to share God's merciful love with others.