Grade 2 - Religious Education

Believing

Celebrating

Living a Moral Life

Living in Communion

Living in Solidarity

Praying

Demonstrate an understanding of Sacred Scripture as God's self-revelation through Jesus as One and yet a Trinity of persons. [CCC nos. 232-278; 456-534]

Examine a selection of biblical passages from the New Testament in which God reveals Jesus as the Son of God and the second person of the Blessed Trinity and the Holy Spirit as the Third person of the Blessed Trinity. (Matt. 3:16-17 – Baptism of Jesus; Matt. 28:19; Matt. 1:20; Luke 1:26-56 – the annunciation and visitation; John 14:16-17, 23) [CCC nos. 232-278; 456-534]

Examine scripture passages to identify the oneness of God (1Cor. 8:4; Isa. 45:5; Deut. 6:4; John 14:16-17, 23; Rom. 8:9; John 12:45; John 14:9; John 10:30)

Examine a selection of scripture passages to identify and describe that the mission of Jesus, the Son and the Holy Spirit is to fulfill the Father's plan of salvation (i.e. creation, redemption and sanctification – Matt. 16:27; 1 Timothy 1:15; John 14:6; John 3:5-6; Matt. 3:11, John 14:15-17; Luke 2:40). [CCC nos. 232-278]

Demonstrate an understanding of the Trinity as a central belief of Christianity yet a mystery that inspires wonder and awe and can never be understood by reason alone. [CCC nos. 232-237]

Demonstrate an understanding of our profession of faith as a belief in the Blessed Trinity: God the Father as Creator, Jesus as the Son who is both human and divine, and the Holy Spirit as the giver of life who ensures the presence of Christ in the Church. [CCC nos. 185-278; 456-534]

Demonstrate an understanding of the basic characteristics of our Christian faith (belief in the One God also means belief in the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit; faith is trust in the truth and goodness of God; God's plan for us is a gift from God freely given and freely received; faith and reason work together to enlighten our understanding of God; listening to God's Word nourishes faith). [CCC nos. 151-165]

Describe the Creed as a summary of what Christians believe and highlight what the Creed reveals about God (God as One, God as a Trinity of Persons, God as Almighty, Father, Creator of heaven and earth; Jesus as the second person of the Trinity, Son of God, human and divine, suffered for our sins, died, rose and ascended into heaven, will come to judge; Holy Spirit as giver of life, proceeding from the Father and the Son, third Person of the Trinity i.e. one in being with the Father and Son). [CCC nos. 232-278]

Examine a selection of Scripture passages from the Old and New Testaments to find references to God as Father/Creator (Gen. 1-2; Luke 2:41-52; Matt. 5:48; John 1:3; John 3:16; John 14:23; Luke 10:21-22; John 14:9-11; Matthew 23:9), Jesus as the Son of God (John 20:28; Mark 1:9-11; Matt. 17:1-8; Lk. 1:26-38), and the Holy Spirit as God's gift for the glorification and sanctification of the Church (Matthew 1:20; Matthew 28:19; John 14:25-26). [CCC nos. 185-278]

Identify time in the liturgical life of the Church when Christians are invited to make a profession of faith in the belief that God is a Trinity of Persons (e.g. before receiving the Sacrament of Baptism, during the Mass and during the Easter Vigil, when making the sign of the cross).

Demonstrate an understanding of the Church as a community that gathers to worship and give thanks for the gift of God's only begotten Son who is present in the Eucharist and is formed by the celebration of the Eucharist. [CCC nos. 1322-1419]

Explain how in the Eucharist we all share in the presence of Christ, first at the table of the Word (i.e. by listening to the Scriptures we are united in Christ the Word who forms our thinking, speaking and acting) and secondly at the table of the Eucharist (i.e. we receive in communion the Body of Christ and are united in this action of reception). [CCC nos. 1345-1355; 1391-1401]

Describe the four parts of the Mass and identify the Words, symbols and actions of the priest that reveal God's presence (e.g. Gospel narratives – words, actions and symbols of Jesus at the Last Supper are similar to symbols, words and actions found in the Mass). [CCC nos. 1337-1344; 1373-1381]

Compare how common shared experiences help to shape families and communities (i.e. celebrations of joy and sadness – birth and death; playing and learning together, sharing our thoughts and feelings) to how the shared celebration of Mass forms the Christian community (i.e. listening to God's Word, singing and praying together, and receiving communion). [CCC nos. 1322-1332; 1345-1355; 1391-1401]

Focus: Reconciliation/forgiveness and Eucharist/sacrificial love Understand that the Church celebrates God's presence and his gift of love in the sacraments. [CCC nos. 1322-1344, 1422-1449]

Examine a selection of gospel narratives that reveal God's grace as a gift that changes lives (healing and teaching gospel narratives) and the sacrifice of love we are to offer to God out of gratitude. (e.g. 1 Corinthians 11:26; Matthew 9:13 and 12:7; Matthew 5:23-24); and connect these narratives to the gift of Grace in the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist (i.e. removes sin and purifies our soul, forms us to act justly and with charity). [CCC nos. 1425-1429; 1443-1445]

Define the meaning of “Grace” and compare the need for God's grace to effect salvation to our need of other “super-natural” aids to sustain a happy, healthy life (e.g. infants depend on our parents to feed us, to keep us safe, and to teach us how to walk, speak, etc.).

Identify ways we encounter the presence of God (i.e. in the created world, in other human beings and in Jesus Christ) and explain what these encounters teach us about how we experience and share in God's love (i.e. healing, forgiveness, strength).

Understand that the celebration of the Eucharist is a remembering of Jesus' love for us i.e. a memorial sacrifice, in which he invites us, through the liturgy of Mass to participate. [CCC nos. 1362-1372, 1382-1390]

Examine the account of the Last Supper in John 13:1-35 and explain what Christ was teaching his disciples by washing their feet. (We share in Christ's self sacrifice when we place others before ourselves and serve them.)

Demonstrate an understanding of the Mass as a true sacrifice of love in which God offers His son for our salvation and connect this with the benefits we received through the reception of the sacrament (unites us with Jesus and the Church, washes venial sin away, nourishes the Church as physical food nourishes the body for a life of service to others). [CCC no. 49]

Describe why the Mass is a remembrance of the sacrifice of Christ in which we are invited to participation (through the liturgy of the Mass, Christians remember the sacrifice of Christ; we receive God's love through this sacred meal and share it through lives of service). [CCC nos. 1322-1323; 1362-1368]

Understand that throughout the liturgical year, the Church unfolds the mysteries of Christ's life, death and resurrection making Christ present to us through Liturgy of the Word and the celebration of the Eucharist. [CCC nos. 1168-1171]

Examine the narrative of the Last Supper proclaimed on Holy Thursday (the covenant - Matt. 26:17-30; remembrance/covenant – Lk. 22:7-23) and describe the New Covenant that Jesus established with the Church and which continues through the Liturgy of the Mass. [CCC nos. 1084-1091]

Articulate an understanding of how the Holy Spirit prepares the Church and each person for the reception of Christ's real presence in Eucharist, the sacred meal of the Mass. [CCC nos. 1091-1112]

Share a personal understanding of how God can bless us in our lives, which is a divine and life-giving action and relate this to the importance of the Eucharist and the life-giving action of Jesus. [CCC nos. 1077-1083]

Demonstrate an understanding that God's promise of Love is revealed in Jesus and is expressed in his teaching, especially the Beatitudes. [CCC nos. 1716-1729]

Examine the teaching of Jesus in the Beatitudes and identify what they teach us about what it means to be truly happy. [CCC nos. 1716-1717]

Examine the Beatitudes to summarize the characteristics that mark us as Beatitude people and use examples to illustrate how living the Beatitudes can change who we become and how we relate to others (i.e. we become more humble, merciful, pure of heart, selfless, meek, seekers of righteousness, peace and justice; our actions are based on love). [CCC nos. 1720-1729]

Recognize that God has placed a natural desire for happiness in the human heart and explain why and how this is a sign of God's love (God loves us so much he wants us to be happy; the desire for happiness draws us to the One who can fulfill that happiness and to the gift of the heavenly kingdom). [CCC nos. 1718-1719]

Demonstrate an understanding that God has established Laws to guide us (i.e. to judge) in deciding (i.e. choice) how to act and that when we act in ways that break God's Law of Love we need to seek forgiveness from God and from the ones we have offended. [CCC nos. 1849-1851; 1946-1986; 2052-2082]

Identify those passages found within the New Testament which illustrate the following themes: Love of God and neighbour, sin, God's mercy and forgiveness, and explain how they can guide us in judging our relationships with parents, friends and teachers. [CCC nos. 1965-1986; 1846-1951]

Identify certain actions in our lives which demonstrate our lack of love for God and our neighbour (i.e. sin) and how in the Eucharist Jesus extends to us the gift of God's mercy and forgiveness for our sins (Introductory Rite). [CCC nos. 1849-1851; 1391-1401]

Identify the Law of God in the Old Testament (i.e. Ten Commandments) and in the New Testament (i.e. Commandment of Love) and show how they guide us in making choices to act in ways that show love to God and our neighbour. [CCC nos. 1949-1986; 1786-1789; 1847]

Demonstrate an understanding that God wants to help us through the gift of His grace to live a Christian life and that we can respond to this gift by the way we live our lives. [CCC nos. 1996-2005; 2006-2016]

Identify the specific graces that come from God and that we receive in our lives when we celebrate the Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist and explain how they help us to live the Christian life and how we should respond. [CCC nos. 2006-2011]

Identify how we receive grace from God and identify ways we can use the gift of Grace to help others and build up the Church. [CCC nos. 1996-2005]

Describe ways in which children can grow through human assistance in their lives (e.g. try new things, overcome obstacles, etc.) and then relate this to the "free and undeserved help” that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God (i.e. grace). [CCC nos. 1996-2005]

Understand that the community of the Church is called to celebrate communion with Jesus. [CCC nos. 783-796; 1337-1344]

Identify in the story of the Last Supper how Jesus' actions united the disciples for mission (Jesus washed their feet and gave them the commandment of love; he instituted the Eucharist as a memorial and commanded them to celebrate it until he returned) and communicate how Christ's actions continue today in the Church (through the Eucharist and through our actions of love and service). [CCC nos. 1337-1344]

Identify in selected scripture passages, how Jesus gathered his disciples and taught them about their unity "through him, with him and in him” and identify how we celebrate this unity in the celebration of the Mass. (Gospel sources: through him – Jesus calls the first disciples – Mark 1:16-20; with him – Jesus appoints the twelve Apostles for mission – Mark 3:13-19; In Him – Christ the vine and we the branches – Jn. 15:4-5; communion with Christ's body – John 6:56; His promise to remain with them and the gift of the Holy Spirit – Jn. 14:18, 20:22; Matt. 28:20; Acts 2:33)

Identify actions and roles that unite us as families, those which build up relationships and those which sometimes diminish these relationships in our families and circle of friends and relate these to the actions and roles that unite us as Church.

Understand that when the Church celebrates the Eucharist, the communion of the saints and our own ancestors in faith are present. [CCC nos. 1369-1372; 1402-1405]

Retell the stories of Jesus where he cared for the sick, restored those thought to be dead to new life (e.g. official's son, the little girl, Lazarus) and identify what Jesus has revealed about what God wants for the Church community (i.e. to be present for each other and with Jesus at all times, both in life and after our death). [CCC nos. 1813, 1823, 2011, 2069]

Give examples of how the Church remembers its Christian ancestors throughout the year (e.g. feast days, images, prayers, etc.) and at the celebration of the Eucharist (e.g. Eucharistic prayer – include saints, martyrs, apostles and especially Mary the Mother of God). [CCC nos. 1172-1173]

Describe how our families remember ancestors (i.e. loved ones who have died) when they come together as a community and how this is done when the Church gathers to remember Jesus Christ. [CCC nos. 1369-1372]

Understand that the Eucharist deepens our relationship with Jesus so that we are prepared to be God's messengers and witnesses to the Risen Christ in our communities (i.e. families, school and society). [CCC nos. 1137-1355; 1391-1401]

Retell the events of the Emmaus story Luke 24:13-35 and connect this encounter to our celebration of the Eucharist and the call to become a witness to the Risen Lord. [CCC nos. 1402-1405]

Name the four parts of the Eucharistic Mass and describe the various ways each part deepens our friendship in Jesus and give examples of how we share God's friendship with others in our family, school, and Church. [CCC nos. 1345-1355]

Identify and communicate using specific examples from the lives of the students what it means to be sent forth from the Mass with the exhortation (i.e. encouragement) to ... "go in peace to love and serve the Lord”. [CCC nos. 1391-1401]

Focus: Option for the poor and vulnerable Understand that we are responsible for the gift of our dignity as human beings and are to respect this gift in others (i.e. our neighbour) by following the example of Jesus who calls us to share (i.e. Eucharist) serving the needs of others. [CCC nos. 356-384; 1928-1933; 1391-1401]

Retell scripture passages which show the poor, the outcasts and the marginalized discovering their dignity and being invited to share meals of friendship with Jesus. (e.g. Zacheus, tax collector, etc.) and link them to the human need for acceptance, fellowship and love. [CCC nos. 356-384; 1928-1933; 1391-1401]

Demonstrate an understanding of the bread and wine, prayers and sacrifice of the Eucharist as representative of the gift of ourselves – our human dignity to God and that the Holy Spirit transforms these gifts to reflect a new dignity which we share with Jesus. [CCC nos. 356-384; 1928-1933; 1391-1401]

Identify ways we can express to God that we respect the gift of our "human dignity" and show respect toward others (i.e. family and school communities) through our prayers and actions. [CCC nos. 356-384; 1928-1933; 1391-1401]

Understand that the Eucharist is a communal prayer of the Church and that our full, active and conscious participation at Mass unites us in prayer with Christ and one another. [CCC nos. 2565; 2623-2625; 2637; 2643; 2099-2100]

Demonstrate an understanding of the Liturgy of the Eucharist as the central communal prayer of the Church and explain why and how we should participate fully in the Mass (singing, praying the responses, listening to the Scripture readings, enacting the rituals – sign of the cross, standing, kneeling, genuflecting). [CCC nos. 1346-1347]

Understand the importance of the Liturgy of the Word and how listening attentively to the scripture readings at Mass or being involved in Bible Study programs, we can learn how to deepen our life of prayer as Christians. [CCC nos. 2652-2655]

Describe the event of Pentecost (the Holy Spirit descended upon the gathered apostles and gave them the grace to proclaim the Gospels to the world through word and act) and link this event to the fellowship that existed among the believers in the early Christian Church after they had been gathered together by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:43-47 i.e. teaching, praying and breaking bread together, gathering daily in the temple court, sharing all they have with each other, etc.). [CCC nos. 2623-2625; 2670-2672]

Understand that Christians have developed certain rhythms of prayer and that prayer can take many forms that are used in personal prayer, communal prayer and in the particular celebration of the liturgy. [CCC nos. 2626-2649; 2777-2802]

Demonstrate a basic understanding of the order and structure for the Prayers of the Faithful (Prayers of Intercession – Church, World, Local Community, specific needs) and use the format to create prayers of intercession for moments of prayer in class or in the church (e.g. a liturgy of the Word, school Mass). [CCC nos. 1349; 2634-2636]

Identify that our prayer as Christians should include the needs of other people, the Church, social/environmental issues in our world and how we offer spontaneous prayers of petition for them in our individual and communal prayers. [CCC nos. 2629-2636]

Identify how Christians develop certain rhythms of prayer (i.e. times in the day, on rising, morning prayer in school, at meal times, at Mass, at bedtime) so that they might experience prayer as a continuous dialogue with Jesus. [CCC nos. 2659-2672; 2697-2699]