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Engaging Faith

Practical Lesson Ideas and Activities for Catholic Educators
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Message of the Eighth Commandment: Tell the Truth

The Eighth Commandment is an important one for your students to consider at the start of a school year. It involves telling the truth. Use a short lesson on the Eighth Commandment—"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor"—to explain why truth-telling and obedience to this Commandment involves keeping an honest relationship between friends. It prohibits calumny, that is speaking falsely and negatively about others. It also condemns belittling or ridiculing others. Lying itself undermines a person's relationship with others. Lies offend God who wants us to live honestly with others. Share the following case study on truth telling. It involves the difficult choice a person must make between keeping a confidence of a friend and respecting the privacy of a conversation with the possible danger the friend may face if the confidence is not revealed. This case study and others around the Ten Commandments are included in the book The Ten Commandments: Case Studies in Catholic Morality. Case Study: Keeping a Friend’s Secret Sharon and Katie have been close friends since grade school. They are now high school sophomores. Katie began gaining weight in middle school, and she ignored her eating habits for a few years. Some classmates made remarks about Katie’s weight, but most said nothing about it, at least not so that she could hear them. Sharon never belittled Katie or made her weight an issue and, because of her understanding and loyalty, Katie considers Sharon her best friend. At the beginning of sophomore year, Katie began to be concerned about her weight and went on a diet. She was very strict with herself, and she managed to get to her goal weight in three months. True to form, Sharon did all the things a friend should do when Katie was dieting. She encouraged her, and she never once suggested that Katie go off the diet and enjoy a high-calorie treat. Sharon felt proud of Katie and happy for her when she lost the extra pounds. Recently, Sharon has become concerned about Katie because Katie’s disposition has changed and because she has been eating junk food items and then vomiting to get rid of them. Sharon asks Katie why she spends so much time in the bathroom and asks, “You’re throwing up what you eat. Right?” Katie starts to cry and admits that she has developed a problem with eating and purging (bulimia), and she tells Sharon that this is to be a secret just between the two of them. Katie tells Sharon that she is her friend because Sharon has always been loyal and has never done anything that would hurt Katie. Sharon is confused. She wants to respect Katie’s privacy, but she has heard that bulimia is a serious disorder, and she thinks that Katie may need professional help to stop her self-destructive behavior. Evaluation Katie and Sharon are friends and, generally speaking, friends should keep secrets. What are some exceptions to this rule? What should Sharon do in this situation? Should she keep her knowledge about Katie’s problem to herself, or should she share this information? If Sharon should tell someone, who should that someone be? Why? Speculate on the reasons Katie is eating and purging, and consider constructive advice that you might give her.

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Even Failure Can Be a Springboard to Success

Marc Smith, a secondary teacher and psychologist in Great Britain, made the point in a recent blog article that Olympic athletes have something important to teach students about success and failure. Smith points out that sports psychologists play an important role in the success of British athletes. These psychologists teach athletes to understand their personal psychology as well as their physical capabilities, enabling them to deal with failure better. Students do not learn these same skills and are unaware of the relationship between success and psychology. In school, students are more likely to think of their intellectual abilities as fixed and unchanging whereas scholars have found that adolescent intelligence, here measured by IQ scores, fluctuates significantly. Dr. Angela Duckworth of the University of Pennsylvania has concluded that academic success has more to do with motivation and “grit” than genetics. Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck believes that a person determines his or her own success or failure based on self-perception, some people possessing a “fixed mindset” while others having a “growth mindset.” People with the fixed mindset believe in pre-programmed intelligence. In this mindset, students label themselves intelligent or unintelligent, or a teacher believes that some students are innately more capable of success than others. A growth mindset, on the other hand, views intelligence as fluid and under the control of each individual. A person with this mindset sees failure as a temporary setback on the path to success and a teacher associates hard work with success in his or her students. If this “fixed” versus “growth” mindset is relevant to athletics and academics, does it also apply to the spiritual life? When we pray with our students or join them on campus ministry retreats, are there those who have decided already that they are not very spiritual and will never be? Are there those who think that they can be spiritual without effort? It might be a good idea to point out that the need to persevere in prayer applies to everyone. Dragging oneself out of bed for Sunday Mass is a common challenge of the spiritual journey. Failure or sin is a temporary stop on the path to success if we avail ourselves of the Sacraments and other opportunities for grace. From the growth perspective, discussing both the successes and failures of saints, for example, can help students see when, like sports and school, holiness requires determination and effort, and when only God’s grace is necessary.

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Catechism Scavenger Hunt

One of the main goals of the Catholic Year of Faith is to promote awareness and study of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on its twentieth anniversary of publication. Reading and using the Catechism can be a challenge even for adults. Use this Catechism scavenger hunt as a class activity to help familiarize your high school students with the layout and format of the text. Students can work on this activity alone or in groups. This activity works best if students have catechisms of their own or if you can acquire a class set for the day. Otherwise, have students share the catechisms with their groups to find the answers. The following ten questions can be used as a part of this Catechism of the Catholic Church scavenger hunt. There is nearly a limitless number of additional questions and clues that you could add to this list so please feel free to download the Word Document version of the questions. The PDF of both the questions and the answer key are available below. The Catechism of the Catholic Church Scavenger Hunt The Catechism of the Catholic Church is divided into four parts. List them below: Which Scripture passage is quoted in the first sentence of the Prologue of the Catechism? Find the five saints who are quoted in the Catechism whose first or last name begins with the letter A. What paragraph number list the fruits of the Holy Spirit? Which two people are listed as models of faith in the Catechism? What page contains the texts for the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed? On what page can we find the Ten Commandments? List five councils quoted in the footnotes of the Catechism: List all the women you can find who are quoted in the Catechism. What are the three expressions of prayer and in what paragraphs can they be found in the Catechism? You can download and print these questions for your students here: Catechism of the Catholic Church Scavenger Hunt (PDF / Word) Catechism of the Catholic Church Scavenger Hung (Answer Key) Catechism Activity Variations for Students with iPads or Laptops If you have laptops and iPads in class then introduce students to the digital version of the Catechism freely available online and adapt the scavenger hunt questions for these online versions with great Catechism search engines: The USCCB Online Version of the onCatechism St. Charles Borromeo Church Catechism of the Catholic Church

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Addressing the Recent Shooting at the Sikh Temple

It is important to discuss the recent deadly attack on Sikhs with students. This event was sparsely covered by the media compared to the Aurora, Co. theatre shooting . When a man opened fire on August 5 in a Wisconsin Sikh temple, he killed six people before ending his own life. Perhaps the Olympics distracted some people from the event or it attracted less attention because fewer people were killed or wounded. It is more likely, however, that while most Americans could imagine themselves in a crowded movie theatre, few could imagine themselves in a Sikh temple, much less identify who Sikhs are. As a primarily Christian yet increasingly secular nation, Americans are notoriously “religiously illiterate” concerning Christian denominations and other religions. It is important to know that in some parts of the world, it is Christians who are the minority within a larger religious society and many have been victims of similar hatred recently. It is important for students to see that protecting all religious communities in all nations is a justice issue and is supporting “religious freedom.” There are about 500,000 Sikhs in the United States and 20 to 25 million Sikhs globally, the majority of them living in India, making Sikhism the fifth largest religion in the world. Guru Nank founded Sikhism in 1469 in the Punjab region of India. Sikhs first came to the United States in the second half of the nineteenth century. The word “sikh” (pronounced “seek” or “sick”) means “disciple”. These are some of the Sikh beliefs: There is one God. Men and women are inherently good and equal before God. All people have access to God. Serving other people is the way to become closer to God. It is important to work hard and honestly. It is important to remember God throughout the day. Under federal law, employers are supposed to accommodate their employees’ religious traditions unless doing so would compromise the business in a serious manner. Sikh men do not cut their hair and protect their hair with a turban. American courts have sometimes ruled in favor of individual Sikhs or companies as to whether males can have turbans and long beards in various environments. The practice of wearing blunt ceremonial daggers or swords has also been an issue in some school districts. Many Americans mistake Sikhs for Muslims from some Arab cultures and some have attacked or killed them because of their anti-Muslim feelings. While some may interpret distinctive dress as an attempt to distinguish themselves from others, Sikhs really believe that all humans are equal, regardless of gender, religion, race, or ethnicity. It is now the non-Sikh Americans’ chance to learn and respect this religious group. For more information, see “5 Things to Know about Sikhism”.

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God, Faith, Catholics and the Olympic Games

The Olympics will still be aglow as you begin school in the coming days. As always there are several stories of Olympic athletes that can be retold to help inspire teens to greater achievement. There are several other examples of Olympic athletes whose performance at the games and very lives themselves are testimony to God and faith. Here are just a few: Mass Attendance in the Olympic Village Notre Dame Fencer Carries U.S. Flag in Opening Ceremonies Oscar Pistorius, Double Amputee Runner "The mentality we've always had is that if you start something, you (have to) do it properly," he said. "The passion that you start something with, you finish it off with." Gabrielle Douglas Gives Glory to God You might ask your students why some in the media found Gaby Douglas' public faith witness so unnerving. Lopez Lomong, Catholic, Olympian, Lost Boy Missy Franklin Considering Converting to Catholicism "My experiences at Regis Jesuit have absolutely impacted my spiritual life, in so many ways. I am considering converting to Catholicism; I'm currently Protestant," she said. A More Complete Guide to Catholic Olympians

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Catholic Asian Americans: A Mosaic of Faith

The Pew Forum of Religion& Public Life has released a new report about Asian-Americans and their religious affiliations and practices. In addition to helping you understand the religious composition of your own local or school community, you may find the information useful for student research or class activities, especially in a World Religions course. The report broke down the Asian-American community by country and religious affiliation. Here are the percentages of Catholics within the Asian-American subgroups as well as the religious affiliation (or non-affiliation) of the largest religious groups from each country of origin: 65 percent of Filipino Americans (largest group: Catholics) 30 percent of Vietnamese Americans (largest group: 43 percent Buddhist) 10 percent of Korean Americans (largest group: 61 percent Protestant) 8 percent of Chinese Americans (largest group: 52 percent, unaffiliated) 5 percent of Indian Americans (largest group: 51 percent Hindu) 4 percent of Japanese Americans (largest groups: 33 percent Protestant and 32 percent unaffiliated) The survey results provide interesting insights into Asian-Americans’ lived experience. Surveyors asked, for example, “Overall, do you think of yourself to be a typical American or very different from a typical American?” Forty-six percent of Catholics felt like they were typical Americans while 49 percent did not. Buddhists and Hindus were more likely to see themselves as different (59 percent each). Could this self-understanding affect the way we interact with parents of Asian-American students or with the students themselves? Academically, over half (57 percent) of Asian American Hindus have education beyond a college degree. Seventeen percent of Asian American Catholics, 15 percent of white Catholics, and 4 percent of Hispanic Catholics have gone to graduate school. Interestingly, 76 percent of Asian American Buddhists and 73 percent of Asian-American Hindus celebrate Christmas. How can these two subgroups stay true to their own faith traditions? “Most Asian-American Buddhists (79 percent) and Asian-American Hindus (91 percent), for instance, reject the notion that their religion is the one, true faith and say instead that many religions can lead to eternal life (or, in the case of Buddhists, to enlightenment).” Do you think that these traditions may have influence your students’ understanding of Catholicism? See http://www.pewforum.org/Asian-Americans-A-Mosaic-of-Faiths.aspx for the full report as well as summaries and charts about these topics.

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Prayers for Students to Start the Year

School is coming soon. When it does, share some of these prayers with your students. Have them create other prayers to help them and their classmates through the school year. These prayers are all included in Day by Day: The Notre Dame Prayerbook for Students. Prayer Before Study Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, lofty origin of all being, graciously let a ray of your brilliance penetrate into the darkness of my understanding and take from me the double darkness in which I have been born, an obscurity of both sin and ignorance. Give me a sharp sense of understanding, a retentive memory, and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally. Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations, and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm. Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in the completion; through Christ our Lord. Amen. St. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) Open My Mind Lord Jesus, you were once a student like me. You studied God’s law, the history of your people and a trade by which to earn a living. You lived in a human family, made steady progress in understanding and yearned to discover your vocation in life. Open my mind to the truth of things, make me humble before the awesome mysteries of the universe, make me proud to be a human being and a child of God and give me courage to live my life in the light of your gospel. Amen. The Balance Help me, God, to find a balance between study and leisure. When work must be done, let me realize that I am here to learn and cannot go to every party. Let me also see that life is more than books and being a person comes before grades. A snowball battle, a walk around a lake or a simple talk with a friend will do wonders when studies get me down. Guide me along this balanced line. Amen. Loretta Mirandola Anything Can Be Accomplished It’s never easy to be a student. Every day brings more assignments until it seems that the hard work will never end. I know I’d rather watch TV or listen to music many times when I sit down to study, but please, Lord, help me to realize that knowledge, like your love, can never be lost. Help me never to underestimate myself as a student because anything can be accomplished with your guidance and love. Let me be helpful and understanding toward my fellow students, and not judge them but radiate the same love you show us through your lasting mercy. Amen. Bill Starr Give Me Dear God, give me the strength to love others and to be loved. Guide me through each day with your helping hand. Give me the knowledge that you are already there, Especially when I need you the most. Give me the courage to live each moment as if the next will never come. Show me how to be strong when I am feeling weak. Give me the strength to live as you intended me to. Amen. Cassie Koberts Prayer Before Examinations Lord, it seems as though our lives are one test after another, weighing us in somebody’s balance. Save us from taking the coming tests too seriously or too lightly, but grant that we may reflect the best of the work we’ve done and the best of the teaching we’ve received; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. John W. Vannorsdall

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Prayer for the Victims of the Aurora Theater Shooting

Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims of today's shooting in the Aurora, Colorado movie theater. We pray for them, their families, and those who have contributed to these horrific acts. Lord, We woke this day with the news of death and injury in Colorado, learning of an experience hard to imagine or comprehend. Stay close to the victims of this massacre and their families and friends; support them in their loss and pain, heal their minds and bodies, and bring them new life. Renew hope in the people most closely traumatized and heal the minds those who are tempted to take innocent lives. Grant unto them eternal rest, O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon them; May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

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