Catechism

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CURRICULUM OUTLINE

Grade KG

The KG student will…

 Recognize the symbol of The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
 Learn to pray the prayer our Lord Jesus taught us – “Our Father…”
 Learn the prayer “Hail Mary…”
 Name of the parish, diocese, bishop, and vicar…

Grade 1

First grade student will…

 Recognize that God is a loving Father who is the Creator of all things.
 Understand that God speaks to us through His living Word, the Bible.
 Recognize that God’s son Jesus is the promised Savior.
 Recognize the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Trinity.
 Explore what it means to be a member of the Church.
 Recognize and celebrate the significance of feasts and seasons of the Church on a developmentally appropriate level.
 Basic prayers at the appropriate level.
 Learn who St. Thomas the apostle was.

Grade 2 (First Reconciliation and Holy Communion Class)

Second Grade Students will....

 Understand that they belong to the Christian Community and the Catholic Church.
 Learn about Penance, God’s Sacrament of Healing and Forgiveness as they prepare for First Reconciliation.
 Value the Eucharist as the Sacrrament of Jesus’ living within us as they prepare for First Communion.
 Appreciate and study parts of the Holy Mass.
 Recognize and celebrate the significance of feasts and seasons of the Church on a developmentally appropriate level.
 Learn about saints, sacramental and stories from the Bible.
 Define and name the mysteries of the Blessed Trinity.
 Learn about the historical arrival of St.Thomas in India.

Grade 3

Third Grade Students will....

 Know and appreciate how the Catholic Church is special.
 Learn more about the Holy Trinity.
 Realize that prayer brings us closer to God.
 Gain a greater understanding of the sacraments.
 Become familiar with Jesus and strive to be more like Him.
 Become familiar with various celebrations and seasons of the Church year.
 Identify and learn Mary as the model of faith and Mother of the Church.
 Learn about the various Christian communities St.Thomas established in Kerala.

Grade 4

Fourth Grade Students will....

 Know the difference between good and evil and identify the good people and things in our lives.
 Recognize that love for God can be expressed by showing love for our neighbors through their study of the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes.
 Develop reverence for life, people and the gifts of the earth.
 Come to know what God reveals about respecting truth and property.
 Learn about celebrating faith and serving in our Church.
 Appreciate the saints and how they helped to build the Church.
 Become familiar with various celebrations and seasons of the Church year.
 Develop deeper understanding of sacraments as celebrations of God’s saving work present among us.
 Develop deeper understanding of the Creed which, summarizes our faith in God.
 Learn the uniqueness of Syro-Malabar Church on developmentally appropriate level.

Grade 5

Fifth Grade Students will..

 Understand and practice the Sacraments.
 Become more familiar with messages taught in the Bible in order to live a true Christian life.
 Learn that they must begin to contribute to the Church and to society through role modeling and following Catholic values and morals.
 Continue to develop a sense of worship and commitment to the Chruch and community based upon Catholic teachings and beliefs.
 Learn basic doctrine of Trinity.
 Learn to apply Ten Commandments and Jesus’ law of love in their life.
 Learn more about prayer and five different ways of prayer.
 Learn the uniqueness of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and the dioceses in the various parts of the world.

Grade 6

Sixth Grade Students will learn:.

 The Gift of Faith.
 The Mystery of God.
 The People of God
 Mary Mother of Christ, Mother of the Church
 Clebration of the Liturgy
 Passover and the Sabbath
 Baptism and Confirmation
 The Eucharist
 Sacrament of Healing
 Our Call to Holiness
 Loving One Another
 People of Prayer
 The Lord’s Prayer
 The Liturgical Year and Season.

Grade 7

Seventh Grade Students will..

 Learn about our faith and how we live in that faith by the word of God.
 Learn how our faith leads us to a good life.
 Learn about the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Learn about God’s loving plan of creation, salvation and sanctification.
 Learn about Jesus Christ the only Son of God – his life, ministry, passion, death, resurrection and ascension; how we can be followers of Christ and obtain our eternal salvation.
 Learn about the Holy Spirit.
 Study the mystery of the Church – One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church; Holy Church is both human and divine (as the people of God and as body of Christ).
 Learn about Communion of saints.
 Study the missionary journey of St. Paul; how we can spread the Gospel to others.
 Understand the importance of prayer and the need for family prayer. It is a covenant and communion with God. How we are called to be people of prayer and why it is a part of our family life.
 Familiarize with different ways of praying and how Mary is a model of prayer for Christians.
 Learn the difference between prayer and meditation.
 Learn about Apostolic age, persecution and growth of the Church.
 Learn about the faith of Martyrs and the effect of their lives in the growth of the church.
 Learn about the contributions of saints to the church in the early centuries.
 Study second Vatican Council and some of the developments in the Church in the 20th century. What was accomplished at this Council and the three Popes’ role in it.
 Study Liturgical year of the Church.
 Study the history and liturgy of Syro-Malabar Church appropriate to the age level
 Learn the history of the Christian community in India.

Grade 8

Eighth Grade Students will..

 Continue preparation for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation.
 Understand that they are called by the Holy Spirit to be active members of the Faith Community.
 Learn that Scripture stengthens our faith and empowers us to share in the mission of the Church.
 Realize what it means to live a life according to Christ’s moral standards.
 Become aware of the important social issues and be familiar with the Church’s teachings on abortion, war and economic issues.
 Learn the history of Churches.

Grade 9

Ninth Grade Students will..

 Learn the history of Indian Churches.
 Do a detailed study of the Ten Commandments and will make a presentation in the class.
 Involve in group discussion on contemporary issues.
 Learn to be a role model to their little brothers and sisters.

Grade 10

Tenth Grade students will..

 Do detailed study on Scripture, creation and De-creation.
 Learn World of Moses: People, covenant, Nationhood, Division and Rebirth.
 Group discussion, Ministry, World Religions.
 Passion, death and ressurection of Jesus.
 The four Ghehanta prayers.

Grade 11

Eleventh Grade students will..

 Learn about Spiritual and emotional tools to live a happy Christian life.
 Learn about Christian morality; how morality leads to spiritual happiness.
 Study about various ingredients of true Christian happiness.
 Explore the true meaning of Christian freedom.
 Recognize the importance of conscience and how to develop the same.
 Values and value system.
 Participate in group discussion on: Contemporary issues, importance of prayer, Parent/Teenager relationship, friendship, Peer pressure, Hero worshiping, R-rated movies, alcohol abuse and drug abuse etc.
 Discuss about: spirituality of sexuality, homosexuality, self-abuse, dating, sexual abstinence etc.

Grade 12

Twelfth grade students will..

 Be role models to junior students.
 Assist in various classes as “ Teacher Assistants”.
 Periodically meet together for self-assessment and development.
 Complete a project/project report as part of their graduation requirements.
 At the end of the Scholastic year, upon completion of all the requirements, will formally graduate and receive Diploma.

St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Church, Boston

St. Thomas The Apostle of India, Pray for Us.