Theology teacher Charles Beach from Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis keeps complies and excellent thorough newsletter of religious education resources that are appropriate and helpful to enhance a high-school theology curriculum. You can view this the September 2017 newsletter here. Go to the bottom of the page for a link to information to subscribing to the newsletter on a monthly basis.
Here’s a brief introductory activity you might use on the first day or in the first week of school to help you and your students get to know each other better. Prepare pre-printed name tags that are big enough for the students to add several other words and symbols. Display the name tags on a table when the students come into the room and have them take their name tag but not put them on. Also make sure they have a pencil or pen. Share the following instructions. Say: Write or draw the following items on your name tag. There will be five items. (List one at a time. Pause briefly between each item to allow for making.) Your favorite childhood toy. The logo of your favorite sport’s team. Three words to finish this sentence: “My friends think I am….” The name of an adult you admire and/or love. The name of a child who loves and/or admires you. After everyone has finished writing tell the students to pair up with someone they do not know well. When everyone has settled, say: Now give your name tag to your partner and take turns explaining the symbols and words to each other. Talk about one symbol at a time. Listen carefully because you will be using what you learn about your partner to introduce him or her to the entire group. Allow about five to ten minutes for this sharing. Then call on the partner pairs to come, one at a time, to the front of the class. Say: Introduce your partner to the class. Tell one interesting thing you learned about him or her using one of the items on the name tag. For example, say something like: “This is Mary Jones. I just learned that….” Continue in this format until everyone has been introduced.
Pope Francis is being joined by bishops across the U.S. and around the world in launching a global campaign to support our brothers and sisters who have fled their homes seeking a decent and safe life for their families. This historic campaign, “Share the Journey,” will respond to some of the most desperate of God’s children and your leadership and inspiration is needed. You can help your diocese, parish, school or other organization participate in the “Share the Journey” campaign along with Pope Francis, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Catholic Charities USA, and the Church’s global charitable network, Caritas Internationalis. Through prayers and acts of compassion and support, you can help shape conversations and actions to answer the Gospel call to love our neighbors. September 27: The official launch in Rome by Pope Francis October 7-13: Week of Prayer and Action across the U.S. A website with resources for parishes, schools, universities, national organizations and other groups will go live the week of September 5.
