Catholic morality helps us to live close to God and each other.
Topics Covered:
Lent - During the 40 days of Lent, we are called to form new life-giving habits and abandon old self-destructive habits to become better disciples of Christ. We can do this through praying, fasting, and giving: When we pray, we are renewed and filled with . When we fast, we are repenting and depending on God. When we give, we are building our community and sharing with others.
Define Morality - What does it mean to live a moral life? How would you define morality?
The bishops of the US say morality is: the goodness or evil of particular actions. For a Catholic, it also is the manner of life and action according to the teachings of Christ Jesus and interpreted by the Church…Every moral act consists of three elements: the object (what we do); the intention (why we do the act); the circumstance (conditions surrounding the act). All elements have to be good for the act to be considered moral. But if only one element is bad, then the act is morally bad.
Models of Morality - During class, each group created a model of a teen in today's culture. In green/blue, the groups identified traits that they believe a moral teenager would have. In red, the groups identified sins and temptations that teens have to face today and that challenge or morality. Check out what the groups created and think about what you agree/disagree with.
Catholic Beliefs and Practices - From the 10 Commandments to the 7 Deadly Sins, there are many lists in our faith that help us to live moral lives. And within those lists, some items are easier to follow than others. In class, groups discussed which virtues, Beatitudes, Catholic Social Teachings, Commandments, and sins are easier to follow and which are harder to follow. As you read through their charts, reflect on which beliefs and practices of the Catholic faith are easy for you to follow and which are hard. For a list of the beliefs and practices, along with their meanings, follow this link: Catholic Beliefs and Practices Lists.
Reconciliation - Because we are not perfect or live completely moral lives, God has given us the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Watch the video below as a reminder of the Power of Confession.
Before you celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation, you should go to Reconciliation. To help you, the follow links will bring you to brochures that will guide you through an Examination of Conscience and how to make a good confession: