Blest Are We

Is that a fact?: The Latin term "ex cathedra" translates "from the chair." It got that name from the fact that a bishop often gave instructions directly from his chair near the altar. Over time, "ex cathedra" has come to identify the highest level of papal teaching. This was decided at the First Vatican Council 1868-1870.

Extend the activities for each concept presented in Blest Are We with the following Ideas.


		In The Story of Jesus, Grade level 7, pages xvi-xviii provide additional background information on the Bible. • Point out that the two main sources of revelation for us are Scripture and Tradition. • What does the Bible teach us about God? • Encourage participants to search through a Bible to provide examples of ways we learn about God from it. Have them provide the citation [Book, Chapter, Verse] so that others can also find the passage. • Have them first search through the Pentateuch in the Old Testament. • Then have them search in the gospels in the New Testament.


		In The Story of Our Church Grade level 8, pages xvi-xviii provide a glimpse of people who have been and continue to be a part of the People of God. These people provide examples of how to live out the four marks of the Church. • Consider people such as the apostles Peter and Paul, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Teresa of Avila, and Blessed John XXIII. How would you describe them as helping the Church to be one, holy, catholic, or apostolic? • Identify the pope, the bishop of your diocese, parish priests and deacons, and any religious in your parish. • Consider the roles of many lay people today, parish administrators, liturgists, altar servers, lectors, music ministers, ministers of hospitality and others. How do they show the Church to be one, holy, catholic, or apostolic? • Consider your role in your parish today. In what ways are you helping it to be one, holy, catholic or apostolic?


		• What behavior on our part helps assure us that we will be with God for life everlasting? • Ask for examples of good choices prevailing over bad choices. • Do participants believe that God’s grace will help them to make even difficult choices? • Can they identify Confirmation as the sacrament that brings special grace for making wise decisions? Perhaps if some participants have received this sacrament, they can share some of what they learned about it in preparation for it. • Ask why we are held responsible for the bad choices we make in life. • Help participants to understand that we rely on God’s mercy for helping us recover from our bad choices.