Grade 5 - Religious Education

Believing

Celebrating

Living a Moral Life

Living in Communion

Living in Solidarity

Praying

Demonstrate an understanding of the important role of the Church in handing on Divine Revelation. [CCC nos. 74-100; 748-780]

Through an examination of selected biblical passages, find evidence of the origin of the Church (i.e. its identity and role) in the Old Covenant. (God gathers the People of God – Gen. 12:2, 15:5-6; God forms a priestly kingdom/holy nation – Ex. 19:5-6; Dt. 7:6; Is. 2:2-5; Mic. 4:1-4; the prophesy of a new covenant – Hos. 1; Is. 1:2-4; Jer. 2; Jer. 31:31-34; Is. 55:3.) [CCC nos. 748-780]

Define the distinction between Tradition and Sacred Scripture and explain how the Church Magisterium hands on Divine Revelation received through Sacred Scripture and Tradition. [CCC nos. 74-100]

Describe how the Church fulfills its mission to spread the “Good News” of Christ to the world (e.g. preaching of the Word, celebration of the sacraments, catechesis and religious education, moral and social justice teaching and the witness of service). [CCC nos. 748-780]

Demonstrate an understanding of the historical development of the Creed; its roots in the Old Testament and New Testament, its first formation in the Apostles' Creed of the Early Church (1st century CE) and its second expression formulated by the Council of Nicea (325) and Constantinople (381), the Nicene Creed.

Examine a selection of biblical passages to find evidence of the practice of professing one's faith (i.e. the rule of faith) and to unfold why it was important for the early Church to profess the mysteries of our faith; e.g. to promote conversion in others. (I Cor. 15:3-6; 1 Tim. 3:16; 2 Tim. 2:8; Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 2:29-37, 41-42)

Compare the professions of faith found in the Apostles' Creed to those of the Nicene Creed to identify Catholic beliefs that are professed in only one of the two Creeds.

Compare the vows taken at special moments in life (marriage, before testifying in court) to the way we profess the Creed in the Sacrament of Baptism and the Liturgy of Easter Vigil ("Do you believe” – “I do”"), and explain why the Creed marks the moment of conversion for those who become members of the Catholic Church.

Explain how the Church is called in its mission to witness to holiness (i.e. the Church is called to be Holy). [CCC nos. 823-829; 946-973; 1987-2029]

Examine the Parable of the Rich Young Man to identify what it means to strive for a life of holiness (God is the source of holiness; to strive for holiness we are to obey the commandments, follow Jesus Christ and live a life of justice and charity toward God and neighbour. [CCC nos. 823-829; 2012-2029]

Use examples to explain why “charity is the soul of holiness” within the Church and how the sacraments received through the Church promote God's grace which helps to sanctify the Church (i.e. Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and Eucharist allow her to strive for holiness). [CCC nos. 823-829; 1987-2011]

Explain how the devotion to Mary and the canonization of the faithful (i.e. Saints) promotes holiness within the life of the Church (i.e. prayer, devotion, charity) and the witness to justice in our society through the charitable efforts of the local church community to address poverty, loneliness and spiritual hunger. [CCC nos. 823-829; 946-973]

Focus: Sacrament of the Sick. Understand that the sacraments can heal relationships and restore us to life through the actions of the Holy Spirit and the ministry of the priest. [CCC nos. 1499-1532]

Identify and explain the significance of the Last Sacrament (i.e. Penance, Anointing of the Sick and Eucharist) in the Christian life (conveying God's grace through the power of the Holy Spirit, it brings spiritual and physical strength during an illness, especially at the time of death). [CCC nos. 1524-1532]

Identify in the Rite of the Anointing of the Sick - who can receive and celebrate the sacrament; the rituals, blessings and prayers, signs and symbols that signify and convey grace and identification with Christ who suffers and who heals. [CCC nos. 1514-1523]

Identify in Scripture, examples of illness in human life and the transformation, forgiveness, and healing that Christ reveals through his ministry and connect these examples to the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. [CCC nos. 1449-1513]

Understand how the liturgy of the Mass is a celebration of our faith, a belief in the real presence of Christ and our unity in Christ. [CCC nos. 1348-1355; 1373-1381]

Compare the various scripture passages found in the Gospels which unite Christ's presence to the Eucharist and which also serve to strengthen our faith in this mystery (Mt. 26:26-30; Mk. 6:30-44; Jn. 2:1-12; Jn. 6:22-59; Jn. 13:1-17; 1 Cor. 11:23). [CCC nos. 1348-1355]

Identify the elements of the liturgy of Mass that make Christ's presence visible through signs, words and the action of the Holy Spirit (The Assembly, the Liturgy of the Word, the Eucharistic Prayer, the Priesthood). [CCC nos. 1348-1355]

Explain how the prayers, ritual actions, and songs in the liturgy of the Mass can unite us in full, conscious and active participation and transform us into a community called to witness to the presence of Christ in the world. [CCC nos. 1391-1405]

Understand that the Liturgical year celebrates both the mysteries of Christ's life and memorial celebrations for the saints who are examples to us of Christ. [CCC nos. 1145-1178]

Identify and examine a selection of the scripture passages in the New Testament which reveal the divinity of Jesus (e.g. Epiphany, miracles, transfiguration, resurrection) and explain using examples, how images, signs and symbols in the Liturgical year convey this important truth of faith for Christians. [CCC nos. 1153-1162]

Name the images and symbols associated with Holy Thursday and Pentecost (e.g. sacred oils, bread and wine, foot washing, wind and tongues of fire) and explain what they convey and how their meaning deepen our Christian faith and guides our life of witness and service. [CCC nos. 1145-1155]

Examine the Baptismal liturgy of the Easter Vigil and explain why the liturgy begins with the Litany of the Saints to which the names of those to be baptized are added, and why it is appropriate form of prayer to the saints. (Through baptism we become members of the communion of Saints. When we pray to the saints, we're simply asking them to help us, by praying to God on our behalf, or thanking them for having already done so.) [CCC nos. 946-959; 1173]

Demonstrate an understanding how the New Law (i.e. Law of the Gospel, Jesus Christ, work of the Holy Spirit) expressed in the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount and "The New Commandment” leads to the perfection of the Ten Commandments. [CCC nos. 1965-1986; 1987-2029]

Examine the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) to identify the relationship of the Decalogue of the Old Testament to the New Law (Law of the Gospels) and its authoritative teachings and guidance for the early Christian community. [CCC nos. 1965-1986; 1987-2029]

Explain how the Holy Spirit helped the early church to live the New Law (Law of the Gospels) and how this help continues in the Church today (through the gift of grace in the sacraments and the authoritative teachings of the Magisterium). [CCC nos. 1965-1986; 1987-2029]

Identify, using passages from the New Testament, the ways we are called to live the New Commandment (i.e. conversion of heart, developing in our lives an interior law of charity, openness to the grace of the Holy Spirit) in the choices we make, in our relationship with God and others. [CCC nos. 1965-1986]

Identify through the lives of the saints how being people of faith, hope and charity (i.e. the "evangelical counsels”) promotes the development of charity in our lives and perfection in living the New Law. [CCC nos. 1973-1974; 1987-2029]

Demonstrate an understanding of conscience as a source of help in judging our moral actions and our responsibility for the results of our actions. [CCC nos. 1749-1761; 1776-1802]

Examine the narrative of the first sin (Genesis 2) and explain what it tells us about human free will and responsibility, how it illustrates an understanding of the “sources of morality" and how it describes the consequences for immoral actions i.e. sin. [CCC nos. 407-408; 1730-1775]

Distinguish between a morally good act and a morally evil act and describe the positive or negative effect that our passions can have. [CCC nos. 1755-1775]

Describe the three sources of morality outlined in the moral teachings of the Church upon which the morality of a human act depends (i.e. the morality of a human act depends on: the object of the act that is chosen, the intention of the person acting, and the circumstances of the action) and apply them to an analysis of various moral dilemmas a person might face. [CCC nos. 1749-1754]

Explain the importance of the teaching role of the Church (i.e. Magisterium) in assisting society and individuals to reflect on moral issues and to respond in ways that promote the dignity of the human person and the call to holiness. [CCC nos. 2030-2040]

Identify and examine a selection of biblical passages to unfold what God revealed about the responsibility of individuals and social institutions to care for the poor and the sick, to be just in what they do.

List the precepts of the Church and explain how they strengthen our moral life, the spirit of prayer, and growth in the love of God and neighbour. [CCC nos. 2041-2043]

Identify the principles of social justice outlined by the Magisterium of the Church and explain why they are teachings that address communal social sin and are called to holiness. [CCC nos. 1928-1948; Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church]

Understand that in the life of the Church we are called to carry out the mission of Christ (Catholic and Apostolic). [CCC nos. 783-786; 830-870]

Articulate the important ways that the Church continues in its “apostolic" witness (i.e. succession of ministry, teaching, Magisterium) and commitment to the “apostolate” (i.e. being sent out to proclaim the Good News, acts of charity e.g. Kairos, St. Vincent de Paul, ShareLife, Development and Peace). [CCC nos. 857-870]

Identify how members of the Church witness to God's universal love, to the nature of the Church being “catholic” and to the promotion of relationships with non-Christians (i.e. Muslims) and other paths of missionary witness. [CCC nos. 830-856]

Connect the missionary and apostolic qualities of the Christian community i.e. mission and service of the Church, to the priestly, prophetic and royal roles and responsibilities of being a Christian in the life and mission of their school community (e.g. examine their own commitment to including/excluding others, advocate against injustice, service projects). [CCC nos. 783-786]

Understand how in the life of the Church it identifies saints, and how we are drawn closer to Christ through Mary, and the Communion of Saints. [CCC nos. 946-962; 963-975]

Articulate how intercession to the saints draws the whole Church more firmly into the path of holiness (i.e. prayer and drawing upon the example of their lives of faith and service). [CCC nos. 954-959]

Identify Mary's role of discipleship using passages of the Old and New Testament, link this with the mystery of her Son Jesus Christ and identify the virtues that distinguish her as the first disciple (obedience and trust to God's will e.g. Magnificat). [CCC nos. 963-970]

Identify in Apostles Creed the two meanings of the term “communion of saints" (the communion of “holy things” and “holy persons”) and explain how this affects our understanding of the meaning of Church. [CCC nos. 946-962]

Understand that the authority exercised by the Church is derived from Christ its Head, animated by the gift of the Holy Spirit, and demonstrated in our witness of Christ through the gift of loving service in the Church, to society and the world. [CCC nos. 737-747; 781-810; 871-913; 1913-1927]

Identify through the Letters of St. Paul (i.e. the analogy of the body 1 Cor. 12:12-31; Romans 12:3-8) the key characteristics of what it means to be Church and explain the importance of recognizing, developing, and willingly sharing our gifts and talents in order to give witness to Christ. [CCC nos. 1897-1904]

Identify the passages of Scripture in the New Testament which describe the Church receiving authority from Christ i.e. the mandate given to the apostles (Matthew 28:20; Matt. 10:1), and give examples of how this is reflected today in the Church. [CCC nos. 1897-1904]

List ways the Church exercises its authority both locally and globally through loving service which witnesses to Christ, i.e. promoting the common good (sharing of the gifts given of Holy Spirit through personal acts of charity and through participation in charitable organizations e.g. St. Vincent de Paul, Development and Peace, Catholic Charities, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Women's League). [CCC nos. 1897-1904]

Focus: Fundamental love for the poor and vulnerable. Understand that human solidarity in our Christian living, understood as “friendship”, is reflected in the example of Jesus who calls us to act justly by putting the needs of the poor and vulnerable first. [CCC nos. 1939-1948]

Examine Matthew 25:31-46 to identify and summarize what Jesus reveals about the judgement of God concerning the human dignity of others, the “friendship” that we are to see and establish with others (i.e. hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, and those in prison) and how he will judge our actions towards others. [CCC nos. 356-384; 1928-1933; 1391-1401]

Define the meaning of the virtue of solidarity with respect to material and spiritual goods and link solidarity to the Church's social justice teaching on the preferential love of the poor and vulnerable (i.e. the human need and capacity of love and care for the poor and vulnerable which is an expression of our faith). [CCC nos. 356-384; 1928-1933; 1391-1401]

Apply the principle of solidarity to global and/or local issues of injustice and describe ways that students can become involved in projects of “social charity”. [CCC nos. 356-384; 1928-1933; 1391-1401]

Demonstrate an understanding of Christianity as a religion that seeks unity within the experience of diversity. [CCC nos. 748-870]

Identify signs of diversity within the Church (many gifts, cultures, nationalities, charisms expressed in diverse forms of prayer and celebration, e.g. devotions, saints, cultural signs attached to the sacraments, etc.). [CCC nos. 811- 822]

Explain the ways that unity is promoted in the Catholic Church (i.e. profession of one faith, common celebration of worship e.g. Eucharist & sacraments, apostolic succession of leadership). [CCC nos. 811- 822]

Understand how the Holy Spirit continues to teach us to pray individually and communally through the Church. [CCC nos. 2623; 2697-2724; 2617-2622]

Distinguish what is essential and different between personal and communal prayer and provide examples of how the Church has adapted communal prayers to reflect the culture of a particular people and the unity of the Christian faith (e.g. use of Peace Pipe at Eucharist for First Nations People of Canada). [CCC nos. 2562-2565; 2767-2772]

Describe the variety of ways that Catholics express prayer during the communal celebration of the Mass (i.e. song, petitions, prayers, posture, kneeling, fold our hands, bowing our heads, cultural expressions and in silence) and suggest how and why all these ways deepen our experience of prayer. [CCC nos. 2617-2619; 2622]

Identify in a selection of biblical passages the elements of personal and communal prayer (i.e. Abraham, Moses, David, Job, the prophets, Jesus, Mary and the disciples, Chosen People, disciples, apostles etc.) that is inspired by the Holy Spirit and describe how these two forms of prayer are commonly experienced today (i.e. personal morning and evening prayer, group retreats, pilgrimages, charismatic and liturgical). [CCC nos. 2566-2622]

Demonstrate an understanding of the three expressions of prayer: vocal, meditation, and contemplation and how each has been promoted within the Church. [CCC nos. 2697-2724]

Identify and use various means to enter into and experience vocal prayer (i.e. personal and communal, music, rosary, stations of the cross, novena, litanies), meditative prayer using various biblical passages (e.g. the Beatitudes, Jesus' prayer of petition while on the cross Father forgive them..., Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane) and contemplative prayer (i.e. silence, images e.g. icons, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament). [CCC nos. 2697-2724]

Demonstrate an understanding of the unique characteristics of the three major expressions of prayer found in the Tradition of the Church and witnessed in the life of Jesus and Mary (i.e. vocal, meditation, and contemplation). [CCC nos. 2697-2724]