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Engaging Faith

Practical Lesson Ideas and Activities for Catholic Educators
Archived - October 2010
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Old Testament Timeline Activities

There are many events in the Old Testament for students to keep track of in a course on Scripture. Consider using the following activity suggestions for creating timelines and the websites that might provide helpful information.   Timeline from The Old Testament: Our Call to Faith and Justice     Old Testament Timeline Activities • Have students survey their Old Testament textbooks by checking the chapter titles, section headings, and pictures. Have them record the most important events and compile them into a timeline. • Have students choose one particular Old Testament figure to focus on in a timeline. Have them do research online or pull key events straight from the Bible. If dates are imprecise, make sure the events are at least put into chronological order. • Have students focus on a particular theme in the Old Testament and trace its history in the form of a timeline. Themes might include: Old Testament battles, idolatry, God’s providence, infidelity, music, angels, the kings, the prophets, forgiveness, water, light, the Temple, the Ark of the Covenant, etc. This may take a little more time than the other variations, but it is a great opportunity to highlight important themes and to encourage students to take particular perspectives on the Hebrew Scriptures. • One possible variation to a written timeline, is to have students create an illustrated timeline using colored pencils, markers, magazine clippings, or Internet photos. This may require some poster board, but these offer great items to decorate the classroom walls.     Old Testament Timelines Online Timeline of the Old Testament (BibleStudy.org)—This site has a comprehensive timeline with many links to quality information. History of Israel (Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs)—This information was developed by the national of Israel and provides some extensive information about the Jewish people up to the present day. History of ancient Israel and Judah Wikipedia’s version of the history of Ancient Israel. Chronology of the Bible Wikipedia’s version of the chronology of the Bible. I it quite extensive and includes both the Jewish calendar and Julian Calendar. Internet Ancient History Sourcebook: Israel (Fordham.edu) Information and historical dates of the documents and historical artifacts surrounding the Old Testament.

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50 Top Catholic High Schools Honored for 2010

The Action Institute, an independent international research and educational organization, has named in its biennial selection of 50 Top Catholic High Schools in the United States. The Institute lists as the primary goal of the Catholic High School Honor Roll "to acknowledge those schools that maintain high academic standards, uphold their Catholic identities, and prepare their students to actively engage the world."The Honor Roll is produced in consultation with an advisory board comprised of Catholic college presidents and scholars. Advisory board member Very Rev. David M. O’Connell, President of Catholic University of America, said of the process: “Catholic schools must examine themselves on a regular basis using a well-rounded approach that assesses adherence to the Church’s educational calling. The Honor Roll strengthens schools by encouraging high standards and vibrant Catholicism.”Congratulations to the 50 high schools honored for 2010 and the ten other schools named for honorable mention.ArizonaSeton Catholic Preparatory High School ChandlerCaliforniaSaint Augustine Academy VenturaSaint Michael's Preparatory School SilveradoColoradoHoly Family High School BroomfieldDelawareSaint Thomas More Preparatory School MagnoliaSalesianum School WilmingtonFloridaArchbishop Edward A. McCarthy High School Ft. LauderdaleBelen Jesuit Preparatory School MiamiBishop Verot Catholic High School Fort MyersSaint Thomas Aquinas High School Ft. LauderdaleGeorgiaHoly Spirit Preparatory School AtlantaPinecrest Academy CummingIowaBeckman High School DyersvilleWahlert Catholic High School DubuqueIndianaSaint Joseph's High School South BendSaint Theodore Guerin High School NoblesvilleLouisianaMount Carmel Academy New OrleansMassachusettsTrivium School LancasterMarylandMount de Sales Academy CatonsvilleMichiganFather Gabriel Richard High School Ann ArborGrand Rapids Catholic Central High School Grand RapidsSaint Francis High School Traverse CityWest Catholic High School Grand RapidsMinnesotaProvidence Academy PlymouthMissouriNotre Dame de Sion High School Kansas CityNotre Dame Regional High School Cape GirardeauSpringfield Catholic High School SpringfieldSt. Pius X High School Kansas CitySt. Vincent High School PerryvilleMississippiSaint Patrick Catholic High School BiloxiMontanaBillings Central Catholic High School BillingsNew YorkAll Hallows High School BronxCathedral Preparatory Seminary ElmhurstPennsylvaniaAquinas Academy GibsoniaBishop Carroll Catholic High School EbensburgOakland Catholic High School PittsburghSaint Joseph High School Natrona HeightsSouth CarolinaSaint Joseph's Catholic School GreenvilleSouth DakotaO'Gorman High School Sioux FallsTennesseeNotre Dame High School ChattanoogaSaint Cecilia Academy NashvilleTexasAntonian College Preparatory High School San AntonioBishop T. K. Gorman Catholic School TylerSaint Thomas High School HoustonSacred Heart Catholic High School MuensterSaint Ignatius College Preparatory School Fort WorthStrake Jesuit College Preparatory HoustonThe Highlands School IrvingWisconsinCatholic Memorial High School WaukeshaXavier High School AppletonHonorable MentionThe honorable mention lists include the top performing schools that did not place on the overall Top 50 list. There are six schools listed for each of the three criteria that the Honor Roll examines.AcademicsSaint Joseph High School Lakewood, CAChristopher Columbus High School Miami, FLSt. John Villa Academy High School Staten Island, NYDominican Academy New York, NYThe Lyceum Cleveland, OHBishop McGuinness Catholic High School Oklahoma City, OKCatholic IdentityPope John Paul II Academy Lafayette, LAMonsignor Hackett Catholic Central Kalamazoo, MIBishop Grimes Junior/Senior High School East Syracuse, NYQuigley Catholic High School Baden, PAGreensburg Central Catholic High School Greensburg, PAFaustina Academy Irving, TXCivic EducationSaint Monica Academy Pasadena, CASaint Joseph Academy San Marcos, CACardinal Gibbons High School Fr. Lauderdale, FLLadywood High School Livonia, MIHoly Cross Academy Oneida, NYSaint Thomas More High School Rapid City, MO

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Teaching Theology Using Literature and Art Webinar

 On Tuesday, Br. Michel Bettigole, editor of the book The Catholic Spirit: An Anthology for Discovering Faith Through Literature, Art, Film, and Music, presented a sample lesson on the Eucharist drawing from classic works of art and literature.The following works were featured in this presentation: Leonardo Da Vinci's The Last Supper  Fritz Eichenberg's Christ of the Breadline  Salvador Dali's The Sacrament of the Last Supper  Andy Warhol's The Last Supper  Caravaggio's Supper at Emmaus  Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman, The Grammar of Assent   Graham Green's "Hint of Explanation" and excerpts from the Gospel accounts and Paul's version of the Last Supper  Here is the video recording of the presentation:The Catholic Spirit: Integrating Literature and Art into Religious Education from Ave Maria Press on Vimeo.Navigation Summary: Opening Prayer: 1:08 About the presenter, Br. Michel Bettigole: 2:25 About the book, The Catholic Spirit, and tips for teaching with literature, art, and film: 4:00 Sample lesson on the Eucharist using Literature and Art: 12:19 Question and Answer: 40:31 

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Moral Case Study: Fourth Commandment and Divorce

The Ten Commandments: Case Studies in Catholic Morality is a new resource by Dr. Eileen P. Flynn of St. Peter's College in Jersey City, New Jersey. The opening sections of each chapter define a commandment, unpack its theological meaning, and explain how it should be applied to one's everyday life. Several practical questions with answers are also posed for each commandment. Finally, three case studies are presented. Thse are drawn from a variety of simple to more complex moral dilemmas and require students to determine the correct moral response for each. Follow-up questions are provided. Shared below is a case study connected with the Fourth Commandment, "Honor your father and your mother." This case study has to do with the topic of divorce. CASE STUDY: Honor to Parents After DivorceMelinda’s mom and dad divorced two years ago. Melinda is fourteen years old and has two younger siblings; Matt is eight, and Stacy is six. Her parents share custody, so she and her siblings live with their mom in the house they grew up in Monday through Thursday, and with their father on weekends.Several weeks ago, it became obvious to Melinda that her dad is now living with his girlfriend Sandy. Sandy is at the apartment when the children arrive on Friday, and she sleeps in the same bedroom as Melinda’s dad. Her dad has not said anything about the status of his relationship with Sandy, but he has told his children that he expects them to be accepting and friendly toward her.Melinda’s mom is bitter about the divorce, and she frequently speaks harshly about her ex-husband. Melinda knows that her mother would become very angry if she knew about Sandy, and she thinks that her mom might use the relationship between Sandy and her dad to go to court and request sole custody.Melinda loves her mother and father and, though she knows it is wrong for her dad to live with Sandy, she wants to try to get along with her as well. She does not think it wise to discuss the relationship between her dad and Sandy with her siblings because they are naïve and probably not even aware of what is going on. She believes that she should honor her father and her mother, but she is confused and depressed as she tries to figure out how to put this commandment into practice. Melinda prays regularly, and she hopes that God will give her the wisdom to know what to do.Evaluation 1.What should Melinda’s father do to keep his children from being scandalized by his live-in relationship with Sandy? 2. How do you think Melinda’s mom could act to facilitate a more harmonious family life despite the divorce? 3. Melinda is confused and depressed, and she prays for guidance. What else, if anything, should she do? 4. Given the situation that she is in, are there things that Melinda could do that would dishonor her mom or her dad, or lead to the further deterioration of her family? What are those things?

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The Catholic Spirit Webinar

On October 19, 2010 Ave Maria Press will be sponsoring a Webinar titled "The Catholic Spirit: Integrating Literature and Art into Religious Education" featuring authors Br. Michel Bettigole, O.S.F. and J. D. Childs. Topics of the Webinar will include: A brief discussion about the background to the book, The Catholic Spirit. A survey of the various excerpts and how they could be used. A sample lesson on the Eucharist using Scripture, literature, and art.  A question and answer with one of the authors. The Catholic Spirit Webinar  "Integrating Literature and Art into Religious Education"  October 19, 2010 3:30-4:14pm EST (check your local time) Cost: FREE   To reserve your spot for this free presentation, click on the link below: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/791322625

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Teaching the Rosary to High School Students

  As the Month of the Rosary, October is an excellent month to catechize teenagers with the Rosary. Do not forget that teens do pray and many of them will welcome the power of the Rosary in their own personal prayer lives. Consider these tips: Tip #1: Dispel any misconceptions about what the Rosary is all about. No, Catholics do not worship Mary. No, she is not answering our prayers. She is interceding on our behalf. Tip #2: Focus on the mysteries. The power of the Rosary is certainly in the meditation on the mysteries of the Rosary. Each set of mysteries (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, Luminous) offers an invitation to meditation on the important events in the life of Christ and Mary. Help students meditation up on these mysteries. Consider the following: Create Rosary Journals to help students dig deeply into the mysteries. Listen to music about the mysteries of the Rosary as a part of meditation. Break up the mysteries of the Rosary for each day of the week. This shortens the prayer and helps students stay focused in short increments. The fifteen minutes it takes to pray the Rosary can take too long for their attention spans. Appeal to many different learning styles according to multiple intelligences: writing, drawing, painting, discussing, singing, etc. Pray a living rosary. Tip #3: Make rosaries or find someone to donate rosaries for each student. It is very likely that many students do not have their own personal rosaries. Try to give them one to use and pray with in class and at home. Consider the following activities for teaching teenagers the Rosary: Read this excerpt from The Catholic Spirit that includes a Stream of Consciousness Prayer to Mary, then use the discussion questions to analyze the story.  Our Lady of Lourdes Lesson Plan Our Lady of Guadalupe Prayers and Lessons  Pray the Hail Mary in Latin  Immaculate Conception Read this Hail Mary Reflection Feast of the Immaculate Conception lessons (Photo by Eddie Callaway) 

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Brother André Scholarship Winner Announced!

We received 228 essays as part of the Brother André Bissette Scholarship Contest sponsored by Ave Maria Press. We express our deep gratitude to the students who took time to explore the life of Brother André and the events surrounding his canonization on October 17. As an apostolate of the Congregation of Holy Cross, we rejoice in the life of Brother André and thank God for his example of perseverance, devotion, and humility. We are pleased to announce that Katie Gajdositk of Roncalli High School in Manitowoc, Wisconsin is the winner of a $500 scholarship.Katie is a dedicated student and enjoys studying Math. Outside of school, she plays soccer for Roncalli and also in a local club. She loves music, and plays the piano, harp, and organ. Katie also sings in a select choral group called "Roncalli Singers." She is unsure of her future career plans, but thinks that music would be an interesting field of study. When Katie was in seventh grade, she traveled to St. Joseph's Oratory with her family and remembers it well. Katie is the student of Mrs. Mary Ann Teshima. Mrs. Teshima is also a winner of a complete set of textbooks from Ave Maria Press. Ninety-one of her students submitted essay. Katie's winning essay follows.St. Joseph’s Apostle Aflred Bessette’s life can be summed up in one word: Poor. He had poor health, was poorly educated, and was poor financially in that he didn’t have money for anything extra. In fact, later in life, he would charge a nickel for haircuts to boys to save for a shrine to St. Joseph on the mountain. But Alfred was rich in faith, humility, and kindness, so he was successful despite his poverty. And as the beatitude goes: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they shall see God. The man we know as Bl. Br. André Bessette was born Alfred Bessette. He was such a sickly infant that his parents baptized him soon after birth. By age twelve, Alfred was an orphan. His siblings drifted apart, and he went from job to job maintaining a humble lifestyle. His temporary occupations varied from farm boy, tinsmith, blacksmith, baker, and cobbler, and he was even a coachman. Alfred Bessette did not live an easy, comfortable life, but he always had a positive attitude, and even brought hope to suffering. He pointed out the good in bearing crosses: “People who suffer have something to offer to god. When they succeed in enduring their suffering, that is a daily miracle.” In 1870, Alfred wanted to enter the Congregation of Holy Cross in Montreal. His poor health made the superiors doubt his ability, but they accepted him. He was given the name Brother André, and put at the position of doorman. He was known to say, “When I entered the community, my superiors showed me the door, and I remained there forty years without leaving.” Brother André was always happy when doing good work, no matter the job. It is another way his humble nature shone through. Alfred had always had a devotion to St. Joseph. When people came to him for help, he would often tell them to pray to St. Joseph for his help and guidance. When André became involved in building the Oratory, he always kept St. Joseph in mind, and the monument that started as just a little chapel would become the most visited and greatest sanctuary dedicated to St. Joseph. Brother André was associated with many healings, but he always denied it. He strongly believed that it was God and St. Joseph who healed. And even though he believed that the Lord could do anything, he still believed that patients should see doctors. He said to doctors, “Your work is good. Your science was given to you by God. You must thank Him and pray to Him.” Brother André set a good example for us to live out our daily lives. When we work, we should expect nothing in return. André did a lot of volunteer work, whether it is acknowledged that way or not. In our own lives, we can and should find time to help by volunteering in some little way; working at a soup kitchen, donating clothes or money, even giving someone some of your lunch when they have none. We should be content with knowing that we helped someone in need, directly or indirectly. That is the greatest compensation we could know. Our “poor” beloved Brother André Bessette knew suffering, but he also knew much joy. It seems that his work and his prayer went on as long as he did. André is an example to us all: an example of love, humility, and strength. And through the intercession of St. Joseph, we should all pray that we can be a little more like Brother André.

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