Grade 7 - Religious Education

Believing

Celebrating

Living a Moral Life

Living in Communion

Living in Solidarity

Praying

Demonstrate an understanding of Christ as the centre of Sacred Scripture (i.e. the Messiah who fulfills the covenantal promise of God's Reign). [CCC nos. 101-141; 422-682]

Articulate what is meant by the Church's belief that “God speaks only one single Word through all the words of Scripture” and that this unique Word is Jesus Christ. [CCC nos. 101-141]

Compare the Old and New Testament images of the Messiah and the Kingdom of God and link these to the understanding of the “Unique Word” – Jesus Christ and his teaching of the Beatitudes. [CCC nos. 101-141; 1716-1729]

Explain why the Gospels are the heart of all the Scriptures. [CCC nos. 101-141]

Demonstrate an understanding of Jesus Christ as the Messiah who fulfills the covenant of God's salvation through the Paschal Mystery (i.e. his passion, death and resurrection / ascension). [CCC nos. 50-73; 101-141; 422-682]

Identify the significance and meaning of Jesus Christ's redemptive death on the Cross in God's Plan of Salvation (i.e. Jesus and Israel, the Law, the Messiah, the sacrifice of the Cross for our sins). [CCC nos. 571-623]

Summarize the Church's teaching on the meaning and significance of Christ's death (buried, descent into Hell) and resurrection on the third day and describe how these events are celebrated in the Church's tradition (i.e. Liturgical Season, sacraments, etc.). [CCC nos. 571-658]

Examine the passages in the New Testament that describe Jesus “resurrection appearances, ascent into heaven and being seated at the right hand of the Father”, where he will "judge the living and the dead” to unfold their meaning and significance in relation to God's plan of salvation (e.g. Mt. 28:16-17; John 10:17-18; John 20:19-20 20:1-2; Luke 24:13-35; Mt. 28:8-10, 16-17; Lk. 24:49-53; Acts 1:3-11, Mt. 25:31-46; Mt. 24). [CCC nos. 631-682]

Demonstrate an understanding of how the Church is called in its mission to witness to being apostolic (i.e. the Church is Apostolic). [CCC nos. 857-896]

Examine various passages from the New Testament to identify and describe the mission and life of the early apostles in the post resurrection Christian communities (e.g. Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:20; Mark 16:15; Ephesians 5:19-20, 6:18; Psalms 33:1; Hebrews 3:13, 10:24-25; 2 Timothy 4:2; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; John 14:26 28:16-20; Acts 2:42-47). [CCC nos. 857-870]

Explain the role and responsibilities of the College of Bishops as the successors of the apostles and the role of the Pope as the successor of Peter. [CCC nos. 857-896]

Identify the three ways in which the Church is Apostolic (i.e. founded on the apostles) and the one aspect which cannot be transmitted (i.e. chosen witnesses of the resurrection). [CCC nos. 857-860]

Focus: Marriage. Understand that the Sacraments strengthen, sanctify and sustain our witness to Christ through our life decisions of commitment and service in the Church and world. [CCC nos. 1601-1666]

Identify the features that constitute a Christian understanding of marital love (unity, indissolubility, fidelity, and openness to procreation); and the benefits (i.e. effects) of the sacrament (an increase of sanctifying grace – the special help of God for husband and wife to love each other faithfully, to bear with each other's faults, and to bring up their children properly) and identify ways the Church and society can both strengthen and benefit from Catholic families and their members. [CCC nos. 1643-1666]

Identify in the Rite of Marriage – requirements for reception (baptism, no prior bond or impediment, free consent), ministers of the sacrament in Roman Rite, the ritual words of consent, blessings, signs and ritual symbols, that signify and convey the grace and meaning of marriage for the couple (i.e. one man and one woman) and explain how this sacrament prepares and supports the couple for a life of service within the family and the world. [CCC nos. 1621-1642]

Examine the Scriptures of the Old Testament and New Testament that reveal the covenantal nature of marriage (Matt. 19:5; Mark 10:7-12; Eph. 5:22-32; 1 Thess. 4:4; Mal. 2:14-16; Matt. 5:32-33; Matt. 19:4-6, 9; Mark 10:11-12; Lk. 16:18; Rom. 7:2-3; 1 Cor. 7:10-11) and compare this image to the covenantal relationship between Christ and the Church. [CCC nos. 1601-1620]

Understand the celebration of the Eucharist with reference to God's plan of salvation through the study of the Word (i.e. Scriptures). [CCC nos. 1333-1344; 1362-1372]

Identify the link between the Old Testament account of the Passover (Exodus), the New Testament accounts of the Last Supper and the Crucifixion of Christ, and the prayers of the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Compare what is signified in the “bread and wine” of the Old Testament to its New Covenant meaning in the New Testament and to the meaning of the Eucharist. (See: Exodus 12; Leviticus 17:11; Isaiah 54:4-6; Hebrews 10:10-14; Matt. 26:26-30; Mk. 6:30-44; Jn. 2:1-12; Jn. 6:23, 32-33, 35, 54-57.) [CCC nos. 1333-1336]

Identify in the liturgical prayers of the Mass, reference to the real presence of Christ in the bread and wine of the Eucharist and explain why those who receive it become the living Body of Christ – the Church. [CCC nos. 1331; 1367-1374]

Identify in the liturgical prayers of the Mass references to the memorial nature of the liturgy and explain why these references present the Mass as a “true sacrifice”. [CCC nos. 1330-1331; 1362-1368]

Understand that the Church venerates Mary the Mother of God and promotes devotion to the Saints throughout the Liturgical Year. [CCC nos. 1172-1178; 1200-1209; 946-975; 2030, 273, 966, 974; 484-511]

Examine the devotions to the Lives of the Saints in the tradition of the Church and explain the various categories which have developed (e.g. martyrs, virgins, apostles, pastors, holy men and women) and also the particular pious devotions, rituals and sacramentals which have been used to celebrate their lives in the Church's Liturgical Calendar (e.g. patron saints, novenas, blessing of throats, blessing of animals, etc.). [CCC nos. 2030; 946-962]

Gather information to identify the role that icons play in the celebration of Mary in the Byzantine Catholic Church and explain how they express through signs, symbols, colours and emblems her role in the Church's life of faith. [CCC nos. 963-972]

Identify the specific Marian devotions that take place in May and October, and Feasts devoted to Mary during the Liturgical year (e.g. Resurrection - Feast of the Assumption, Incarnation - the Immaculate Conception, the Annunciation, the Visitation) and describe what event in her life each highlights, how these events are related to Christ, and what they reveal about Mary's role in the life of Jesus and the Church. [CCC nos. 484-511; 963-972; 1172-1173; 1200-1209]

Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of the Church's teaching role (i.e. Magisterium – Pope / Bishops) concerning Christian morality (i.e. social morality, marriage, sexuality, family life). [CCC nos. 2032-2051; 2331-2400; 2514-2533]

Examine a number of scriptural passages on the centrality of love, marriage and sexuality, and the moral life (e.g. 1 Corinthians 13 – Love; Matthew 22:36-40 – The Greatest Commandment; 1 John 1:14 – No Fear in Love) and explain how they form the basis of Church teaching in these areas. [CCC nos. 1604, 1889, 2069]

Articulate the Church's teaching concerning the Sixth and Ninth Commandments - "You shall not commit adultery. You shall not covet you neighbours wife” and apply these to the moral issues facing society today (e.g. chastity, purity of heart, respect for the dignity of the human person, sanctity of marriage and the purpose of human sexuality, pornography, prostitution, incest and child abuse, social living conditions, etc.). [CCC nos. 2196-2257; 2258-2330]

Summarize the moral teachings of the Church with regard to particular life issues (e.g. marriage, sexuality, cloning, abortion, genocide, euthanasia) and the social order (e.g. use of technology, economic injustices, environment). [CCC nos. 2032-2040]

Define the term “Magisterium” as applied to Church (consists of the Bishops of the ordinary and universal Church with the Pope as its head; has the soul responsibility for interpretation of God's Word as revealed in Scripture and Traditions) and define its role in the Moral life of the Church. [CCC nos. 84-100; 1113-1134; 2030-2051]

Demonstrate an understanding that when faced with a moral choice in our life, the judgement of our conscience can be right or wrong (i.e. we can choose good or evil, we can develop virtues / vices). [CCC nos. 1762-1775; 1776-1802; 1803-1845]

Describe and distinguish between the objective source from which moral judgement in our lives originates; the divine and natural law (the indwelling of God's law in our conscience); and the personal subjective judgement of our conscience (i.e. moral choice to act in a particular situation).

Describe through the use of example, how making moral choices promotes a life of virtue. [CCC nos. 1776-1829]

Use examples to describe situations and attitudes which make moral judgements of conscience less clear and certain, thus making our moral decisions very difficult and open to error (e.g. passions, ignorance or disregard for the Moral Law, lack of charity, bad example of others, habit of sin, and rejection of the Church's authority and teaching). [CCC nos. 1790-1794]

Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of developing a life of virtue (good habits and practices; Cardinal and Theological Virtues) in order to discern and implement the moral teachings found in the Gospels and applied through the teachings of the Church. [CCC nos. 1803-1845]

Identify scripture passages (Old Testament and the New Testament) which explain the virtues (i.e. Isaiah, Wisdom Literature, Psalms, Parables, Beatitudes) and apply several of the passages from Proverbs and the Book of Wisdom to situation youth encounter. [CCC nos. 1803-1845]

Identify and describe the cardinal and theological virtues identified by the Church; explain how they are acquired and give examples of how they assist us in the Christian life. [CCC no. 1803-1832]

Distinguish between the human and theological virtues, and provide examples of how they work inter-dependently in the events of everyday life to guide our behaviour toward the performance of good acts in our search for holiness. [CCC nos. 1803-1845]

Understand that belonging to the community of the Church involves responsibilities of faith (belief and worship) and of Christian living (solidarity and moral life). [CCC nos. 2084-2257]

Identify how the Church has promoted the Fourth Commandment (Honour your father and mother) by the witness of solidarity with society, promoting issues of social justice and its social teaching. [CCC nos. 2197-2257]

Identify ways the Church has tried to encourage its members to willingly follow the Third Commandment - keep holy the Lord's day (established the precepts of the Catholic Church - Sunday established as a holy day of obligation and of rest and leisure for the cultivation of families, and cultural, social and religious beliefs; sacramental celebration of the Lord's resurrection each Sunday; counseling against hindering another's observance of the Lord's day). CCC nos. 2168-2195]

Describe ways in which the First and Second Commandments promote in the Church the virtues of faith, hope and charity, the practice of religion, and the freedom of religious expression. [CCC nos. 2084-2167]

Understand how the Church has relied on the intercession of the communion of saints. [CCC nos. 946-975; 2683-2684]

Describe the varied spiritualities and prayers that have developed in the Church as a result of the particular charism or witness of a saint (e.g. patron saint, specific devotion to the poor, specific devotion to the sacraments i.e. Eucharist, devotion to Mary). [CCC nos. 2683-2684]

Using particular saints as examples, outline the process of how a person becomes recognized as a saint (i.e. holy man or woman) by the Church. [CCC nos. 946-975]

Identify living examples of the virtuous life (prophets, Mother Teresa, Canadian Martyrs, Jean Vanier, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, St. Peter the Aleut) and explain how they witness to the resurrected Christ through healings and miracles. [CCC nos. 946-975]

Understand that through the sacraments of service we receive the gift of grace to live our vocations as Catholic Christians for the benefit of society and the world. [CCC nos. 1285-1321; 1533-1600; 1601-1666]

Identify scriptural passages that provide the basis for the Church's teaching on the sacraments of service (Marriage and Holy Orders) and explain how each is a source of grace for the transformation and renewal in the Church and society (e.g. Ephesians 4:11-15; John 16:12-1; Matthew 3:11-15; Matthew 28:18-20; John 1:32-33; Acts 2:38-39; John 6:47-59; Jn. 3:3-6; Rom. 8:14-17). [CCC nos. 1533-1600; 1601-1666]

Identify the prayers, symbols and ritual actions of the sacraments of Confirmation, Holy Orders and Marriage and explain how each is a source of Grace for a life of service to the world. [CCC nos. 1285-1321; 1533-1600; 1601-1666]

Explain what the sacraments of service (Holy Orders and Matrimony) teach us about the social nature of the human person and reflect on how approaching our life as vocation benefits others. [CCC nos. 1533-1600; 1601-1666]

Focus: Principle of Human Solidarity. Understand that the principle of human solidarity is a Christian social virtue which promotes the individual and communal sharing of material and spiritual goods, and obligates us to seek individual and communal conversion. [CCC nos. 1928-1948]

Link the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes to how we are called to “friendship” or “social charity” with people of different nationality, race, ethnicity, economic status or ideologies/faith and explain why this involves individual and communal conversion (i.e. grace / Holy Spirit). [CCC nos. 356-384; 1928-1933; 1391-1401]

Describe the forms of solidarity which can effectively address socio-economic problems (i.e. poor among themselves, between rich and poor, among workers, employers and employees, etc.) and explain through example how these forms of solidarity can promote social change (communal conversion of society) and respect for the common good. [CCC nos. 356-384; 1928-1933; 1391-1401]

Describe the ways that the “principle of solidarity” is manifested by the distribution of goods (i.e. food, clean water, shelter, and basic necessities) and the remuneration for work (i.e. just wage, working conditions, etc.) in the local and global communities. [CCC nos. 356-384; 1928-1933; 1391-1401]

Understand that as Christians we can enter into dialogue with the world's major religions concerning common elements (i.e. sacred space – places of worship, rituals, prayers, symbols and beliefs). [CCC nos. 836-856; 1077-1083]

Explain the important relationship of the Church to the Jewish People (i.e. Old Testament Covenant, Commandments, Prophets, Psalms, liturgical prayers, symbols, etc.). [CCC nos. 839-840; 1077-1083]

Examine some of the major religions of world (i.e. Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu) to identify the common elements that can be found in each (e.g. places of worship, ritual and prayers, symbols and a set of beliefs) and relate this to the human quest for God. [CCC nos. 839-845]

Explain why the Church believes the “Our Father” is a “summary of the whole Gospel". [CCC nos. 2759-2776]

Explain why the “Our Father” has become the prayer of the Church, prayed in the ritual celebration of each sacrament and in the Eucharistic Liturgy. [CCC nos. 2767-2776]

Identify the four-fold structure of the Sermon on the Mount (first, teaching on the Kingdom and the characteristics of discipleship – Beatitudes/Salt and Light; second, the letter of the law vs. the spirit of the law; third, illustrations of a truly spiritual man/the Our Father/how to pray, give alms, fast; fourth, dangerous tendencies/earthly wealth vs. heavenly goals/worry and fear) and show how the Sermon links the petitions in the Our Father to the Beatitudes and the moral teachings of the other three sections. (The first and second parts summarize Christ's moral teaching – what we are to “be”. The third which contains the Our Father, teaches us how to “have” a spiritual life filled with God's grace, and the fourth points to the purpose of life – the Reign of God. This proximity links prayer, spirituality and moral actions in our lives – the need to seek and ask for the guidance and assistance of God the Father, in order to live the Christian life as reflected in moral teaching and prayer.)

Explain why the Sermon on the Mount and the Our Father are at the centre of the Gospels (e.g. they are the summary of all of Jesus' ethical and spiritual teachings on prayer and both point to the end times and the promise of the kingdom. The message of the Sermon points to the need for conversion, an attitude of humility and supplication before God, acts of faith, hope and charity, and above all, a spiritual life of prayer). [CCC nos. 2607-2615; 2761-2764]

Examine and compare the version of the “Our Father” in the gospels of Matthew and Luke and explain why it is considered an ecumenical prayer among Christians (i.e. final doxology). [CCC nos. 2855-2865]

Understand that the various forms of prayer have their origin in scripture and are expressed in the Church's tradition of communal prayer. [CCC nos. 1174-1178; 2623-2649]

Examine the Scripture to identify the importance of giving praise to God at all times Psalm 119:164; Psalm 1:2; Exodus 29:38-46; Ephes. 6:18; 1 Thess. 5:17; Acts 22:15, 3:1; Acts 10:3, 9, 13, 19; Acts 16:25. [CCC nos. 1174-1178]

Identify the various forms of prayer (i.e. blessing, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, and praise) found in the Psalms, prayers and some of the “specific hours” of the Liturgy of the Hours. [CCC nos. 1174-1178; 2623-2649]

Outline the structure of the Christian Liturgy of the Hours (i.e. Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer, Divine Office, Mid-day Prayer, and Night Prayer) and the reasons for the commitment made by religious, deacons, priests and laity to pray this Prayer. [CCC nos. 1174-1178]