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LIFE LESSONS
Life Lesson 1 Life Lesson 2 Life Lesson 3 Life Lesson 4 Life Lesson 5 Life Lesson 6
These six lessons are designed to instruct Catholics of every age about respect for all human life.The contents are adapted and expanded from materials received in past Respect Life Program packets made available through the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, the documents of Vatican II, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the encyclical "Evangelium Vitae," and other important writings including John Paul II's Theology of the Body.
Goal
In response to the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, the goal of Life Lessons
is to provide a means for every family and every education program,
K through adult, in every parish to incorporate education on respect
for the dignity of all human life into their homes as well as into parish
and school curricula. Parishes where the religious education program
does not follow a weekly or monthly calendar can still use the lessons
in whatever schedule is followed and, of course, families can use them
as they see fit. The effective use of Life Lessons in
parishes will require strong pastoral leadership and commitment on the
part of all involved in parish religious education
Suggested
Method of Distribution
Priests and deacons will receive the Life Lessons from
the Diocesan Marriage, Family and Respect Life Office. The lesson should
be given immediately to the DRE who can review the lessons and copy
the lesson pages for the appropriate age levels and distribute them
to teachers, youth leaders and adult facilitators. In the case of Catholic
Schools, the principals will receive the lessons and see that they are
copied and distributed to the teachers. Distribution should take place
as soon as the lessons are received in order to allow time for effective
planning. Lessons can also be downloaded from www.wycatholicfamilyministry.org.
The website and the Wyoming Catholic Register as well as communication
through parish marriage, family and respect life contacts will also
assist in promoting the Life Lessons to those families
who would like to use them in their homes or home schooling programs.
Format
Each Life Lesson follows a specific theme. The same theme
is presented on the front and back of a single page, one each, for young
children, older children and teens and adults. Teen lessons are with
adult or older child lessons or separate, depending on the topic. Each
theme is developed according to the following format: Scripture quotation(s),
Church document quotation(s), theme development and content presentation,
discussion and/or activity suggestions, a family activity suggestion
and a prayer focus which will recommend a traditional prayer to be said
and special prayer intentions to remember.
Life Lesson Themes
Life Lesson themes are suggested for particular months but they can be used at any time during the year as long as The Church Teaches Us About Life lesson is used first. Each lesson can also be used independently of the others.
October Theme: "The Church Teaches Us About Life" This lesson will introduce the concept of Life Lessons and focus on the teaching authority of the Church, its source and its mission.
November Theme: "All Life Is Sacred" All of God's creation is deserving of care and respect, especially each unique human life which has dignity beyond measure because it is in God's own image that we are created. Thus, peace must replace violence in our lives.
December Theme: "Women - Bearers Of The Gift Of Life" This lesson will consider the privileges of womanhood, the dignity and rights of women, the wonder of motherhood, and Mary as patroness of our country and model of all who respect and protect human life.**
January Theme: "Celebrate Children" In this month which marks the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion, the tragedy of the loss of innocent babies' lives will be acknowledged and the lives of our living children will be celebrated as the precious gift they are to family and Church.
February Theme: "Love and Giving Life" The theme this month will affirm the importance of the virtue of chastity and recognize the sacrament of marriage as the proper context for the transmission of life which begins at conception. The family will be affirmed as the "sanctuary of life."
March Theme: "Fathers - Protectors of Life" This lesson will consider the dignity of men, the importance of fathers taking and active part in home and family life and the tragedy that has come from denying fathers the right to protect their unborn children once mothers have decided to abort. St. Joseph will be recognized for his special role as guardian of Jesus and patron of fathers.**
** Some children and some adults may not have had a positive experience of mother or father. Care will be taken to handle this possibility with great sensitivity
April Theme: "Death, Dying, and Suffering In Light
of the Resurrection" This lesson will consider the topic of
euthanasia and the important role of true compassion which calls the
faithful to prayerfully share in the pain of others while assuring them
of the promise of eternal life with Jesus. Catholic teaching on advance
directives and extraordinary means will be noted.
May Theme: "Real Choices - Alternatives to Abortion" Through positive alternatives to abortion provided by pregnancy counseling, adoption services and support for those who choose to parent a child alone, the lives of unborn babies are saved and healthy parent/child relationships are encouraged.
The following are the links to the individual lessons. There are 3 lessons on each link, appropriate for each of the age groups.
Life
Lesson 1
Life Lesson 2
Life Lesson 3
Life Lesson 4
Life Lesson 5
Life Lesson 6