In Unit 1, children will learn that Jesus Christ instituted the seven sacraments and entrusted them to the Church. They will also learn about the sacredness of human life, the goodness of God's creation, living the Beatitudes, and using sacramentals to help them prepare to receive the grace of the sacraments.

		Use the unit song before or after opening prayer, during a prayer celebration, at the end of a session, or during special celebrations.
		God's Wonderful Creation (Sacraments of Creation)      What Catholics Believe God is the Creator of all life. Faith in Action • Parish Ministry • Respect Life
		The Seven Sacraments (The Church Is a Sacrament of God's Life)      How Catholics Worship We celebrate the Paschal Mystery in the sacraments. Faith in Action • Parish Ministry • Parish Priests
		Living the Beatitudes      How Catholics Live The Beatitudes show us how to live like Jesus. Faith in Action • Parish Ministry • Ministry to the Poor
		Sacramentals: Signs of God's Love (Sacramentals, Prayers, and Devotions)      How Catholics Pray Sacramentals help us to become closer to God. Faith in Action • Parish Ministry • Novenas

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.

Prior to presenting each chapter, distribute the TAKE HOME FAMILY TIME pages from the children's books, or print out these pages for parents from TAKE HOME FAMILY TIME.

•		How do I model good stewardship through my everyday behavior?
•		How might I strengthen my own sense of responsibility in terms of environmental justice?

Many children today are becoming involved in helping to care for earth. Have the children in your group brainstorm a list of things that fifth graders can do to help care for God's gifts of creation. (Some suggestions are tuning off lights after leaving a room; tending a garden; recycling newspapers; giving old toys and games to a younger sibling, cousin, or neighbor; raking leaves; not littering.) Have the children report back on their progress.

Caring for the earth is one of our basic duties as Christians. Have each child identify two reasons why he or she thinks it is important to care for the earth. Then have the children work individually or as a group to compose a prayer thanksgiving to God for giving us our beautiful world.