Grades 1-2

Grade 1
Goal: to provide a general introduction to the Catholic Faith. The child will be helped to understand God as: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Instructional Objectives:

Introduction to the Trinity
Mary, Mother of God
Angels
The Church
A study of the Saints
Heaven as our true home
The Ten Commandments
Prayer

Vocabulary
Advent – the season to get ready for Jesus’ birth.
Angel – God created angels to serve him. Angels are God’s messengers.
Children of God – all of us, as created by God our Father.
Christmas – the day we celebrate the birthday of Jesus
Commandment – a rule and guideline from God, our loving Father, to keep us safe and happy.
Easter – the day we celebrate that Jesus rose from the dead to new life.
Eucharist – In this sacrament, we receive Jesus’ body and blood to nourish us and help us be more like Jesus.
Faith – Believing and trusting in God’s promises.
God the Father – the creator of everything, heaven and earth
God the Son – Jesus
God the Holy Spirit – the power of Jesus, gifted to us when he returned to Heaven.
Grace – God’s gift of grace makes us holy and gives us help to live as his children
Guardian Angels – God gives each of us an angel to help us. Your guardian angel watches over you and protects you, and helps you to do what God wants.
Lent – The season to get ready for Easter. We pray and try to be more like Jesus.
Mary, Mother of God – Jesus is the Son of God and the Son of Mary.
Sin – doing something we know is wrong. Disobeying God. Original Sin is the sin of the first human beings, Adam and Eve.
Trinity – the three persons in one God. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Prayers to Know
The Sign of the Cross Hail Mary Our Father Grace before Meals Genuflect Glory Be Rosary Morning Prayer Night Prayer Prayer of Sorrow

Lesson Themes

God the Father – our Creator
God the Son – our Savior
God the Holy Spirit – sent by the Father and the Son to guide us
Mary was the first disciple
Angels to Guide Us
The Church was established by Jesus to continue his presence in the world
Saints as Heroes and examples for us
The promise of Eternal life in Heaven
Baptism gives us grace and takes away personal sin
Moses and the 10 Commandments
Celebrating the Liturgical seasons
Jesus Loves Children and wants them to come to him (Prayer)

Grade 2
Goal: to help the children begin to understand the sacramental life of the Church, especially the Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist.
Instructional Objectives:

The original plan of creation (Adam and Eve/Original Sin)
God’s plan of redemption and the forgiveness of sins
The Church continues Jesus’ saving mission
A review of the Sacrament of Baptism
A detailed study of the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation
A detailed study of the Sacrament of the Eucharist
Life in Christ – Discipleship in Action
The parts of the Mass

Vocabulary
Absolution – the forgiveness of our sins through the words and actions of the priest during the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Adam and Eve – the first people created by God, who intentionally turned away from him and had to leave Heaven.
Bishop – A successor to the apostles who teaches and leads an area of the Church called a Diocese.
Blessed Sacrament – Another name for the Eucharist
Charity – giving help to those in need
Communion - the part of the Mass when we receive the bread and wine that has become the body and blood of Jesus. During Communion we are united with Christ and other members of the Church.
Confession – Another name for the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.
Conscience – the ability to know what is right or wrong, what we should or should not do.
Contrition – being truly sorry for hurting yourself or another, and turning away from God.
Deacon – a Minister or one who serves. The Deacon helps the priest by reading the Gospel, preaching, and assisting at marriages and baptisms.
Fast – limiting the food you eat as an offering to God.
Forgiveness of Sin – we receive God’s forgiveness for our sins first at Baptism and then in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Genuflection – dropping to one need and bowing your head to show respect to the altar or Blessed Sacrament.
Gospel – the Good News about Jesus – that he suffered, died, and rose from the dead so we can share in God’s life.
Hell – living without God.
Holy Communion – Another name for Eucharist.
Holy Spirit – the spirit of God the Father and Son that remains with us here on earth.
Laity – all people who are not ordained.
Last Supper – the meal that Jesus shared with his followers the night before he died. During the meal he broke bread, blessed it, and told his followers that this was his body.
Liturgy of the Eucharist – the part of the Mass when the bread and wine are blessed and changed to the body and blood of Jesus.
Liturgy of the Word – the part of the Mass when we share our Church family stories. The first story comes from before Jesus was born (Old Testament). The second story tells us about the early life of the Church, after the resurrection (New Testament). The Gospel is the true account of the life, words, and lessons of Jesus.
Mass – means “Sending forth”. We go to Mass to receive Jesus and take him out in to the world to make it better.
Miracle – an event that cannot be explained by human laws or science, but by the intervention of God.
Mortal Sin – a very serious sin that turns us away from God’s love.
New Testament – the book of the Bible that tell us about Jesus’ life and teachings.
Old Testament – the books of the Bible that tell the story of God’s plan to save his people from sin and death.
Penance – doing something to make up for sin – a good deed, saying a prayer, or making some kind of sacrifice.
Pope – The successor of St. Peter as the Bishop of Rome and leader of the whole Church.
Priest – the leader of our church family.
Real Presence – the presence of the body and blood of Jesus in the bread and wine.
Redeemer – Jesus who has saved us from sin.
Religious Community – people who choose to live together and work each day to bring the message of Jesus to others.
Resurrection – Jesus rising from the dead three days after being laid in the tomb. This is the most important truth of our faith.
Reverence – showing respect and honor to God and all that is holy.
Sacrament – a powerful sign through which Jesus shares God’s life and love with us.
Sorrow – regretting actions that have hurt God and others.
State of Grace- feeling the life and love of God in us.
Venial Sin – a failure to love God and others.

Prayers to Know
Guardian Angel Prayer Act of Contrition Act of Faith Act of Hope
Act of Love Morning Prayer Rosary

Lesson Themes

The story of Adam and Eve and original sin
The story of Moses and the 10 Commandments
Jesus as the Good Shepherd
The story of Zacchaeus
The teachings and miracles of Jesus
The Last Supper
The Easter story
The roles of the Pope, Bishop, Priest, and Laity
The parts of the Mass
The 5 steps to Confession
How to share Jesus with others