LEVEL ONE

BLEST ARE WE, Silver Burdett Ginn Religion

 Grade 1 begins formal faith formation for children and their families.  The text is based on the structure of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the spirit of the General Directory for Catechesis. 

Unit Themes: 

+   Children are helped to explore the Sunday worship experience and learn     the meaning of the signs and events they may witness.  Basic orientations toward liturgy and prayer, as well as sense of community, are part of the unit objectives.

+   God the Father, as presented by Jesus in the Gospel, is at the center of this unit.  The Father’s love and goodness are highlighted.

+   Jesus is God’s greatest gift to us.  He is God’s Son and our brother, divine and human.  Jesus Christ is present to us in the Eucharist.  We learn about God’s forgiveness in the Gospels.

+   Scripture stories about the promise of the Holy Spirit and the action of the Spirit are presented.  These stories show the relationship of the Holy Spirit to the Father and the Son, as well as the role the Spirit plays in the life of the church and every person.

+   The beginnings of the Church, which Jesus founded, are presented through Scripture stories and liturgical passages.  Emphasis is placed on the concept of Church as the center of action for those who are dedicated to living the Gospel.

Concepts:  the birth, life and resurrection of Jesus, God the Father, the Holy Spirit, the Great Commandment, scripture stories, creation, Mary, the Holy Family, the Trinity, the Eucharist, sacraments, the Mass, and Christian Morality.

Prayer and Worship:  Glory to the Father, the Lord’s Prayer, the Sign of the Cross, Grace before meals, and prayer of petition, thanksgiving, forgiveness and praise.

Each chapter includes a section called “Family Time”.  Families are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this special feature to affirm their faith at home, at regular weekend Mass attendance and family discussion of faith.