Jesus’ commission has special meaning for those teaching in Catholic schools. While a sound academic curriculum is important to Catholic education, its overall focus is the formation in the Catholic faith and gospel values, and living out those values through public witness and service.
The Catholic School Mission Your school will have its own unique mission. Part of a Catholic school’s responsibility is to pass on the Catholic faith so that it is understood, valued, and integrated into the whole of a student’s life. Parents and teachers, working together as partners, can provide this foundation for full Christian living, thereby enabling each child to reach his or her full potential.
An Integrated Approach Throughout a Catholic school curriculum, children are taught the gospel values of love, forgiveness, honesty, compassion, and service, as well as the differences between right and wrong. In this way, Catholic educators fulfill Jesus’ mandate to "teach them all that I have commanded you."
Teachers in Catholic Schools The apostles were formed through their day-to-day relationship with Jesus. Often today Catholic schoolteachers, fully living their faith, awaken children to a personal relationship with Jesus. Even teachers who are not Catholic accept the school’s mission and are called to be supportive of children as they travel along their faith journeys. A religion coordinator can serve as a unifying factor for the teaching staff.
A Catechumenate Model of Formation Rooted in the baptismal call, faith formation involves immersing children in conversion experiences. Such experiences abound within the Blest Are We program.
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On their faith journey, children need companions (parents, teachers, and friends), who through their involvement and care invite each child to become a disciple.
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As the children encounter Christ through the gospel stories, religion teachers can help connect those stories to their lives. The goal is to help them become a loving presence to others.
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The support of a faith community helps children experience hospitality and affirmation. Within that community Catholic children can publicly witness their faith. Students who are not Catholic will benefit from the positive atmosphere. The openness and acceptance they experience will encourage a positive attitude toward Catholicism.
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Involving the whole child, especially engaging the imagination, helps create meaningful rituals and prayer experiences. Through these celebrations, children can grow spiritually and experience God intimately.
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ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
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Blest Are We Catholic School Edition – Teacher Edition
Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725).
Kindergarten
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36508-9
Grade 1
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36509-7
Grade 2
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36510-0
Grade 3
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36511-9
Grade 4
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36512-7
Grade 5
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36513-5
Grade 6
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36514-3
Grade 7
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36515-1
Grade 8
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36516-X
What Makes Us Catholic: Eight Gifts for Life
by Thomas H. Groome
In this book, Groome invites readers to connect with their own Catholic culture and spirituality. Readers become engaged through the text and reflection questions.
Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725).
ORDER NUMBER: 0-0606-3399-9
Video
The Gospel Alive–Images of Jesus from John (3 20-min. segments)
Three gospel stories: The Woman at the Well, The Man Born Blind, and The Raising of Lazarus are told from an eyewitness perspective. Prayers services and guide are included.
Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725).
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36458-9 VHS
ORDER NUMBER: 1-4182-5353-7 DVD
The Gospel Alive–Images of the Kingdom from Matthew (3 20-min. segments)
Three gospel stories: Jesus' Testimony to John the Baptist, The Beatitudes, The Temptation of Jesus. Prayers services and guide are included.
Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725).
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36767-7 VHS
ORDER NUMBER: 1-4182-5350-2 DVD
The Gospel Alive–Images of the Discipleship from Luke (3 20-min. segments)
Three gospel stories: The Call of the Disciples, The Forgiving Fther, and The Road to Emmaus. Prayers services and guide are included.
Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725).
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36769-3 VHS
ORDER NUMBER: 1-4182-5352-9 DVD
The Gospel Alive–Images of the Christ from Mark (3 20-min. segments)
Three gospel stories: Signs of the Kingdom, Bartimaeus, and Passion Sunday are told from an eyewitness perspective. Prayers services and guide are included.
Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725).
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36768-5 VHS
ORDER NUMBER: 1-4182-5351-0 DVD
Music
Blest Are We Music CDs
Each CD contains the program theme song, each of the unit songs, additional songs, and an instrumental track.
Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725).
BLEST ARE WE CD K
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36568-2
BLEST ARE WE Music CD 1
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36652-2
BLEST ARE WE Music CD 2
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36653-0
BLEST ARE WE Music CD 3
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36654-9
BLEST ARE WE Music CD 4
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36655-7
BLEST ARE WE Music CD 5
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36656-5
BLEST ARE WE Music CD 6
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36657-3
BLEST ARE WE Music CD 7-8
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36394-9 |
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