What Does Each Grade Learn?
Grade 1
First Graders explore the Sunday Mass and learn the meaning of the signs & events witnessed. A basic orientation toward liturgy, prayer and a sense of community. They learn that Jesus’ followers become the Church. First graders also learn of “Three Persons in One God”: God the Father, where the Father’s love & goodness is highlighted. Jesus, God’s greatest gift to us. Jesus is God’s Son & our Brother, divine & human. Jesus Christ is present to us in the Eucharist. The Scripture stories show the relationship of the Holy Spirit to the fatherand the Son, as well as the role the Holy Spirit plays in the life of the Church and every single person. They come to understand that God is our Loving Father, Jesus is God’s Son and that Jesus sends us the Holy Spirit. First Grade students learn of God’s forgiveness in the Gospels. The Church is the center of action for those dedicated to living the Gospel.
Grade 2
The 2nd grade student learns that our Catholic Church welcomes us through the sacrament of Baptism. Through the sacrament of Baptism we become members of the Catholic Church and try to follow the example of Jesus, Mary and the saints. The second grade student learn they can choose what is good. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation they learn they can celebrate God’s forgiveness and re-establish their relationship with God, others and the Church community.. Jesus saves us from sin. The second grade student learns of God’s love through the Word of God in the Scripture and Homily. The second grade student also learns that the Mass is the celebration of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, when JESUS is truly present in the Eucharist. The second grade student also learns that God gives us the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, the Church works for justice and peace in the community and the world.
Grade 3
The third grade student learns about the “Four Marks” of the Church and the basic concepts of social justice are introduced. The Church is both sacramental & servant community. The Church is ONE: United. Our belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our sacramental encounter with Grace. The Church is HOLY. The teachings of the Gospels develops the idea of holiness in the Church & individuals. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is highlighted as part of the Church’s holiness. The Church is CATHOLIC: Membership “Open to All”. The Church Is APOSTOLIC. The Church is committed to being faithful to the teachings of the Apostles.
Grade 4
The fourth grade student learn that all of our moral teachings come from the fact that we learn goodness from God who is the perfect GOOD. The fourth grade student continue to learn & understand that Jesus IS the Son of God, the perfect image of God sent to show us divine goodness & human potential for good. Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit to be our guide and source of strength. The fourth grade student also begins to understand that our moral lives are lived primarily through the Christian community where we are inspired & supported. Our relationship with God is strengthened through the sacraments. God’s justice is advanced through a caring community.
Grade 5
The Grade 5 student is introduced to the concepts necessary for understanding the Sacraments.
The 5th Grade4 student learns that Baptism & Confirmation welcome us into the Churtch and strengthen us in our faith. In the Eucharist we celebrate what we as a community believe. Through the Eucharist our faith is strengthened and the bonds of community renewed. The Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation & Anointing of the Sick which are celebrated primarily in the community. Holy Orders & Matrimony; whereby Matrimony is presented within the context of family as “domestic church”. Holy Orders is a sacrament of leadership & ministry.
Grade 6
Grade 6 students study the Old Testament. They begin with the study of Abraham & Sarah being introduced to the themes of Revelation & Covenant.
They continue to study Exodus looking into the Christian belief in deliverance through the Paschal Mystery. The history of the Kingdom of Israel in the Old Testament provides an understanding about the Kingdom of God in the New Testament. Prophets play a vital role in the religious awareness of the people of Israel and later in the understanding of Christ’s message. Exile & remembrance are important themes. The Maccabean Revolt, religious sects and the hope for the Messiah, mark the period before the coming of Christ. Jesus’ Life & teachings are connected to God’s promises in the Old Testament.
6th Grade students have access to Bibles at the school to help them in their study of the Old Testament.
Grades 7-9
With several years of Sunday School behind them, our young people are now ready to deepen their learning of the Catholic Faith. The goal; and purpose of our Religious Education program for our youth & teens is that through their small communities of learning , and under the guidance of a faith - filled Catechist (teacher), they find a safe & loving haven that represents the Church community.
There they can explore how much God loves them, especially in the person of Jesus. There they learn the “Catholic Way of Living”. In cooperation with you, the parents of our young people, we hope to foster an ever deepening respect and love for Jesus in the Eucharist. It is our hope that the young people of our Holy Spirit parish community attend Mass weekly so the prescence of Jesus in their hearts will help them grow to be young adults whose lives reflect the compassion of Jesus. This is how we all cooperate with God in building up the Kingdom of God.
First Graders explore the Sunday Mass and learn the meaning of the signs & events witnessed. A basic orientation toward liturgy, prayer and a sense of community. They learn that Jesus’ followers become the Church. First graders also learn of “Three Persons in One God”: God the Father, where the Father’s love & goodness is highlighted. Jesus, God’s greatest gift to us. Jesus is God’s Son & our Brother, divine & human. Jesus Christ is present to us in the Eucharist. The Scripture stories show the relationship of the Holy Spirit to the fatherand the Son, as well as the role the Holy Spirit plays in the life of the Church and every single person. They come to understand that God is our Loving Father, Jesus is God’s Son and that Jesus sends us the Holy Spirit. First Grade students learn of God’s forgiveness in the Gospels. The Church is the center of action for those dedicated to living the Gospel.
Grade 2
The 2nd grade student learns that our Catholic Church welcomes us through the sacrament of Baptism. Through the sacrament of Baptism we become members of the Catholic Church and try to follow the example of Jesus, Mary and the saints. The second grade student learn they can choose what is good. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation they learn they can celebrate God’s forgiveness and re-establish their relationship with God, others and the Church community.. Jesus saves us from sin. The second grade student learns of God’s love through the Word of God in the Scripture and Homily. The second grade student also learns that the Mass is the celebration of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, when JESUS is truly present in the Eucharist. The second grade student also learns that God gives us the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, the Church works for justice and peace in the community and the world.
Grade 3
The third grade student learns about the “Four Marks” of the Church and the basic concepts of social justice are introduced. The Church is both sacramental & servant community. The Church is ONE: United. Our belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our sacramental encounter with Grace. The Church is HOLY. The teachings of the Gospels develops the idea of holiness in the Church & individuals. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is highlighted as part of the Church’s holiness. The Church is CATHOLIC: Membership “Open to All”. The Church Is APOSTOLIC. The Church is committed to being faithful to the teachings of the Apostles.
Grade 4
The fourth grade student learn that all of our moral teachings come from the fact that we learn goodness from God who is the perfect GOOD. The fourth grade student continue to learn & understand that Jesus IS the Son of God, the perfect image of God sent to show us divine goodness & human potential for good. Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit to be our guide and source of strength. The fourth grade student also begins to understand that our moral lives are lived primarily through the Christian community where we are inspired & supported. Our relationship with God is strengthened through the sacraments. God’s justice is advanced through a caring community.
Grade 5
The Grade 5 student is introduced to the concepts necessary for understanding the Sacraments.
The 5th Grade4 student learns that Baptism & Confirmation welcome us into the Churtch and strengthen us in our faith. In the Eucharist we celebrate what we as a community believe. Through the Eucharist our faith is strengthened and the bonds of community renewed. The Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation & Anointing of the Sick which are celebrated primarily in the community. Holy Orders & Matrimony; whereby Matrimony is presented within the context of family as “domestic church”. Holy Orders is a sacrament of leadership & ministry.
Grade 6
Grade 6 students study the Old Testament. They begin with the study of Abraham & Sarah being introduced to the themes of Revelation & Covenant.
They continue to study Exodus looking into the Christian belief in deliverance through the Paschal Mystery. The history of the Kingdom of Israel in the Old Testament provides an understanding about the Kingdom of God in the New Testament. Prophets play a vital role in the religious awareness of the people of Israel and later in the understanding of Christ’s message. Exile & remembrance are important themes. The Maccabean Revolt, religious sects and the hope for the Messiah, mark the period before the coming of Christ. Jesus’ Life & teachings are connected to God’s promises in the Old Testament.
6th Grade students have access to Bibles at the school to help them in their study of the Old Testament.
Grades 7-9
With several years of Sunday School behind them, our young people are now ready to deepen their learning of the Catholic Faith. The goal; and purpose of our Religious Education program for our youth & teens is that through their small communities of learning , and under the guidance of a faith - filled Catechist (teacher), they find a safe & loving haven that represents the Church community.
There they can explore how much God loves them, especially in the person of Jesus. There they learn the “Catholic Way of Living”. In cooperation with you, the parents of our young people, we hope to foster an ever deepening respect and love for Jesus in the Eucharist. It is our hope that the young people of our Holy Spirit parish community attend Mass weekly so the prescence of Jesus in their hearts will help them grow to be young adults whose lives reflect the compassion of Jesus. This is how we all cooperate with God in building up the Kingdom of God.