Fostering Faith Curriculum Guide
for Catechist Certification: Church

Session Description

This session explores the nature of the Church as the sacrament of Christ according to its creedal characteristics, and examines the social mission of the Church: the relationship to society, politics and the Church, and its members as citizens.

Themes

Church as the continuation of Christ’s life and ministry in the world

Marks of the Church according to the Creed: one, holy, catholic, and apostolic

Various roles in the Church's mission to the world

Social mission of the Church and the variety of roles assumed by its members

Focusing the Session

The Church is the sacrament of Christ, i.e. the sign and instrument of his continuing presence in the world. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ makes the Church one (in unity with God and each other), holy (continually being sanctified for God by Christ), catholic (all the members in communion in Christ and commissioned to serve the whole world), and apostolic (rooted in the teaching office of the Apostles). The Church expresses these qualities in the "domestic Church" of the family, in its relationship to civil society, and in the formation of the consciences of its members as citizens. The laity are called by Baptism and Confirmation to be witnesses to Christ in the world.

Instructional Objectives

In conducting this session the facilitator will:

	Articulate a vision of the Church as the continuation of Christ’s life in the world.
	Provide an in-depth understanding of the Church in terms of each of its characteristics as one, holy, catholic and apostolic.
	Relate the characteristics of the Church to its social mission.
	Provide current examples of the Church's involvement in the political sphere.
	Clarify the duties of Christians to family and social life.
	Use various teaching methods which the catechists in turn can use with their students.

Catechist Competencies

As a result of this session, catechists will be able to:

	Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between Christ and Church.
	Articulate the meaning of the Church as one, holy, catholic and apostolic.
	Provide examples that show an appreciation of the various roles of the mission of the laity in the Church.
	Provide examples that relate the social mission of the Church to their daily lives and activities.
	Show examples that demonstrate the relationship of the Church to the political world.

Special Points from the Documents

	The Church, in Christ is in the nature of a sacrament, a sign and instrument, that is, of communion with God and of unity among people (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church #1)
	Marks of the Church as one, holy, catholic and apostolic (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church #8; Sharing #72; CCC #811–870)
	The Church is at once holy and always in need of purification (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church #8)
	Biblical basis of Church's social ministry (Sharing #151–154)
	The laity are called to participate in the mission of the Church (CCC #897–913)

Documentary References

See Bibliography for secondary sources.

Vatican II, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church #1, 39-51

General Catechetical Directory #55

Catechism of the Catholic Church #823–865, 2207–2213

Sharing the Light of Faith #72-74, 151–154

Follow the Way of Love

Scripture Contexts

Session Description

This session outlines significant periods in the history of the Church for the purpose of exploring how each continues to influence our understanding of the Church today.

Themes

Survey of the beginnings and historical development of the Church

Great events, characters and movements of the Church's history

Divisions in the Church and movements toward unity

Focusing the Session

Any understanding of the teaching of the Church is enhanced by a study of the development of the Church through time. The Church has had both great success and many failures. Becoming more aware of Church history helps catechists to see how the story of the Church is the result of decisions made by people over centuries, and to gain a larger view of God's direction of the Church through time.

Instructional Objectives

In conducting this session the facilitator will:

	Introduce participants to the main outline of Church history, especially in the West.
	Provide examples that illustrate reasons for the Church's success and failures.
	Discuss the period of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation (16th and 17th centuries) as the source of major divisions within Christianity today.
	Convey the ongoing ecumenical efforts in the Church since Vatican II.

Catechist Competencies

As a result of this session, catechists will be able to:

	Embrace a historical perspective of the Church.
	Provide examples of Christians in history who have influenced the faith they share.
	Demonstrate the ability to share what they have learned by devising a time line marked by the major events in Church history.
	Articulate some of the reasons why divisions exist in Christian churches today.

Special Points from the Documents

	The Church fully supports the modern movement to restore Christian unity (Decree on Ecumenism #1-2)
	Even those outside its borders, if they believe in Christ and are properly baptized, are in some, though imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church (Decree on Ecumenism #3)
	Many gifts and graces of Christ exist outside the borders of the Catholic Church (Decree on Ecumenism #3)
	The Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in the religions of the world (Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions #2)

Documentary References

See Bibliography for secondary sources.

Vatican II, Decree on the Catholic Eastern Churches

Vatican II, Decree on Ecumenism

Vatican II, Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions

Sharing the Light of Faith #75-80

Catechism of the Catholic Church #836-856

Scripture Contexts

Session Description

This session offers a basic understanding of the meaning of the communion of saints, Mary's special vocation in the Church and an appreciation of the role of the saints in Christian life.

Themes

Church's fundamental beliefs about Mary and the Saints

Images of Mary and the saints in the Scriptures and the Church's Tradition

Focusing the Session

The unity of the Church extends in time to the past to consider those who have modeled what it means to live in the grace of Christ. Mary's role as Mother of God and Mother of the Church is explored. The lives of the patron saints of catechists are briefly explored.

Instructional Objectives

In conducting this session the facilitator will:

	Articulate the meaning of "Communion of Saints" to catechists.
	Explore the mission of Mary in the context of Scripture and the Church.
	Discuss the tradition of patron saints, including special patrons of peoples of diverse cultures as well as the patrons of catechists.
	Use a variety of teaching methods which the catechists themselves can use.

Catechist Competencies

As a result of this session, catechists will be able to:

	Articulate the meaning of the Communion of Saints.
	Explain the special role of Mary in the Church from a scriptural and theological perspective.
	Relate the ministry of the saints to life in the Church today, including the witness of saints among differing cultures.

Special Points from the Documents

	The Mother of God is a type of the Church in the order of faith, charity, and perfect union with Christ (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church #63)
	Mary is Mother of Christ and Mother of the Church (Sharing #106; CCC #484–511, 963–975)
	We look for fellowship in the communion of saints and seek their intercession (Sharing #107; CCC #946–952)

Documentary References (see Bibliography for secondary sources)

Vatican II, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church #52-69

General Catechetical Directory #68

On Catechesis in Our Time #73

Catechism of the Catholic Church #946–977, 491–492, 488–511

Sharing the Light of Faith #106–107

Scripture Contexts