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 Unit Activities & Answer Key With Your Group Unit Resources  
Entries relate to BLEST ARE WE FAITH & Word Edition © 2008 and BENDECIDOS © 2008. Titles that refer only to BLEST ARE WE © 2002 and ©2004 are indicated in parentheses.    Catholic Social Teaching – Life and Dignity of the Human Person Our belief in the sanctity of human life and the inherent dignity of the human person is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. Supporting persons who are grieving losses, addicted or suffering from illness, are really ways to enhance life. When we encounter one another's stories, we seek to connect them to God's story of salvation. Each of us is sacred – a temple of the Holy Spirit. There is an expression, "God doesn't make junk!" Under all the external things such as beauty and wealth, we are all children of God. Each of us is made in God's image. That makes each of us valuable. Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself." If we don't love ourselves, it is difficult to love others, too. Yet, God commands us to love ourselves. Our human dignity comes from God, not from our race, sex, nationality, economic status, or any other personal accomplishment. 
 Put the names of all the children in a bowl. Each child draws a name and is to make a "medal" for the child whose name he or she draws. This medal should identify some inner quality the child possesses, not for external appearance or physical talent. You may want to put on the chalkboard a sample list of possible qualities, such as: truthful, kind, humorous, generous, patient, helpful, sensitive, forgiving, loyal, honest, courageous, gentle, and thoughtful.  Invite the children to think of some good things about themselves that God sees and which may not be so obvious to others. Then, have them write or draw symbols of these qualities on a sheet of paper. Individually encourage any who may be having difficulty. Links "Salt of the Earth," online resources for social justice Books Being Your Best – Character Building For Kids 9-12, Leader's Guide by Barbara Lewis Available through Free Spirit Publishing, 1999 Videos Close Encounters with the Beatitudes (12 min.) Understanding the commitment to live the Beatitudes in our own lives Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-9674408-07 The Gospel Alive Videos for Children: The Mustard Seed (15 min.) (Silver Burdett Ginn Religion) This familiar Scripture story helps the children see the importance of kind actions for building the Christian community. Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36765-0 VHS ORDER NUMBER: 1-4182-5346-4 DVD Music "Blest Are They," "We've Got the Power" Blest Are We Music CD 4 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36655-7 Blest Are We Song Book Words and melodies for songs on the BLEST ARE WE music CDS, Levels 1–8 ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36617-4 Blest Are We Accompaniment Book Accompaniment music for songs on the BLEST ARE WE music CDs, Levels 1–8 ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36618-2 "Gather Your People," "The Goodness of the Lord" Gifts for a Lifetime CD ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36113-X Gifts for a Lifetime Song Book ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36103-2 Gifts for a Lifetime Accompaniment Book ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36104-0 |
