This Issue

• Rosary and Life Issues
• For Principals and School Boards
• For Educators
• For Parents
• Forming Adult Faith
• Compendium Corner

Rosary and Life Issues

“Human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and for ever it remains in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end. God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end: no one under any circumstances claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being.”

                                                             (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2258)

 Today I believe the Lord is saying to us all: do not hesitate, do not be afraid to engage the good fight of the faith (cf. I Tim 6:12). When we preach the liberating message of Jesus Christ we are offering the words of life to the world. Our prophetic witness is an urgent and essential service not just to the Catholic community but to the whole human family.

Pope John Paul II, at the conclusion of his 1998 ad limina visits to the bishops of the United States

 In a special way, we call on U.S. Catholics, especially those in positions of leadership -- whether cultural, economic or political -- to recover their identity as followers of Jesus Christ and to be leaders in the renewal of American respect for the sanctity of life. "Citizenship" in the work of the Gospel is also a sure guarantee of responsible citizenship in American civic affairs. Every Catholic, without exception, should remember that he or she is called by our Lord to proclaim His message. Some proclaim it by word, some by action and all by example. But every believer shares responsibility for the Gospel. Every Catholic is a missionary of the Good News of human dignity redeemed through the cross. While our personal vocation may determine the form and style of our witness, Jesus calls each of us to be a leaven in society, and we will be judged by our actions. No one, least of all someone who exercises leadership in society, can rightfully claim to share fully and practically the Catholic faith and yet act publicly in a way contrary to that faith.

                                                     Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics

 The Rosary or “garland of roses,” is a prayerful reflection on the life of Jesus. It is made in union with Mary and uses a number of Gospel passages –the “mysteries.” For centuries it has been a prayer loved by countless saints and encouraged by the Church’s Magisterium.

 Many events are linked to Mary and her recommendation to recite the Rosary. These are truly marvelous events.

 John Paul II brought in the Rosary’s Christological dimension by adding the Mysteries of Light, which focus on episodes in the life of Christ. Now we have even greater reason to say that the Rosary is a compendium of the Gospel.

                                                          (Essentials for Christian Living) 

A Prayer For Life 

Father and maker of all,

You adorn all creation

With splendor and beauty,

And fashion human lives

In your image and likeness.

Awaken in every heart

Reverence for the work of your hands,

And renew among your people

A readiness to nurture and sustain

Your precious gift of life. 

Grant this through our Lord

Jesus Christ, your So,

Who lives and reigns with you in

The unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, forever and ever.

Amen

Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers

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For Principals and School Boards

• Provide a copy of the booklet, Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics, Vivir el Evangelio de la vida: A Challenge to American Catholics for each board member and educator in your school. Invite them to reflect on their opportunity for renewal in their public role in your community.
• Take turns beginning each meeting by reciting the Prayer for Teachers or Prayer for Students.
• Visit USCCB’s website, Catholics Confront Global Poverty, to see how your parish and school can join with USCCB Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development, Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, your local Catholic Charities office and others to confront poverty in our communities, our country and around the world.

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For Educators

• Create a small prayer place in your classroom and post a different prayer there each week. Refer to Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers for appropriate prayers during different seasons and times of the year
• Invite grandparents to a special prayer service in Church one morning, and invite them to sit with their grandchildren and pray the Rosary together. End with simple refreshments in the classrooms.
• Sign up for People of Life E-Newsletter and Life Insight for resources on current pro-life issues
• With Grades 6-8, review the Themes from Catholic Social Teaching Lesson Plans and Resources and discuss with them how these themes are at the heart of who we are as Catholic Christians in the world today.
• Purchase a copy of Reader’s Journal for the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, or the Spanish Version as a prayer resource and reflective tool to read, reflect and respond and meditate, pray, and act.

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For Parents

• Create a small prayer place in your home and place a copy of different prayer there each week. Refer to Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers for appropriate prayers during different seasons and times of the year that might be important to your family
• Place a copy of A Rosary for Peace in your prayer place. Invite your family to pray the Rosary for Peace once a month.
• Sign up for People of Life E-Newsletter and Life Insight for resources on current pro-life issues.
• Review the document, Everyday Christianity: To Hunger and Thirst for Justice, Cristianos de cada día: tienen hambre y sed de justicia and reflect on how you can better reflect Gospel values in your everyday life.
• Purchase a copy of Reader's Journal for the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, or the Spanish Version as a prayer resource and reflective tool to read, reflect, and respond and meditate, pray, and act.

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Forming Adult Faith

“Forming Adult Faith” includes suggestions from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults (USCCA) on how to promote ongoing faith formation among the adults in your school community.

There are several sections in the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults that address life issues.

Part III: Christian Morality: The Faith Lived.

Chapter 29: The Fifth Commandment: Promote The Culture of Life.

Ideas and suggestions on how to use this chapter for your individual and group reflections can be found online and in the Reader's Journal for the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults.

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Compendium Corner

• Review the questions and answers in preparation for your class.
• Consider how to use appropriate questions and answers as part of your lesson plan.
• Develop learning activities that help youth and young adults learn this information by heart

Section One

Man’s Vocation: Life in the Spirit

Chapter One: The Dignity of the Human Person

358. What is the root of human dignity?

Chapter Two: The Human Community

411. How does society insure social justice?

412. On what is human equality based?

Section Two

The Ten Commandments

Chapter Two: You Shall Love Your Neighbor As Yourself

466. Why must human life be respected?

467. Why is the legitimate defense of persons and of society not opposed to this norm?

470. What is forbidden by the fifth commandment?

471. What medical procedures are permitted when death is considered imminent?

472. Why must society protect every embryo?

474. What duty do we have toward our body?

475. What care must be given to the dying? 

Part Four

Christian Prayer

Section One

Prayer in the Christian Life

Chapter Two: The Tradition of Prayer

562. How is Christian prayer Marian?

563. How does the Church pray to Mary?

To obtain a copy of the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, visit www.usccbpublishing.org or call 800-235-8722.

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