Educational Programs
The educational programs offered in Catholic Schools in Ontario are offered in accordance with the guidelines published by the Institute for Catholic Education and approved by the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario.
To access the Guidelines, click on the titles below:
Kindergarten – Growing in Faith; Growing in Christ Kindergarten Kit (ACBO)
Scripture Stories
The following key Scripture stories appear throughout the kindergarten resource and are fully illustrated:
| The Creation StoryMary and the Angel GabrielJoseph and the AngelThe NativityThe Shepherds and the AngelsThe Visit of the Three Wise MenThe Parable of the Good SamaritanJesus Feeds a Large CrowdJesus and His FriendsPalm SundayJesus Washes His Friends Feet | The Lord’s SupperJesus and the ChildrenThe Tiny Mustard SeedJesus Went to a Wedding CelebreationJohn Baptizes Jesus |
Additional Scripture stories are explored in the Storybook, Picture Cards, Posters, and Teacher Resource:
| The Little Lost SheepJesus Is the Good ShepherdThe Easter StoryJesus Is the Light of the World |
Prayers of the Church
- The Sign of the Cross
Theological Emphases in Kindergarten
| Strand of Religious Education | Theological Emphases | |
|---|---|---|
| Believing | God’s self-revelation as Creator of all; the person and life of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, revealed through Sacred Scripture and Tradition, as the fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation for all people; the expression of Catholic beliefs | |
| Celebrating | Ways that the Church expresses its faith throughout the liturgical year in rituals, symbols, and prayers, with special attention given to the Mass; the connection between liturgy and life through the celebration of the Church’s liturgical year and family celebrations | |
| Living a Moral Life | The dignity of the human person, made in the image and likeness of God, as expressed in Scripture and Tradition; Jesus as the model teacher of showing love, respect, and compassion for others; as a follower of Jesus, living the virtue of charity in the treatment of and respect for all people | |
| Living in Communion | The call to be in relationship with others and with God; belonging to the Church is a living relationship with others and God that is centred on Christ and that is active through sharing in the evangelizing mission of the Church; belonging to the family of God | |
| Living in Solidarity | The life and action of Jesus as the foundation of Catholic social teaching; recognizing the dignity of each person and the gift of creation leads to doing good and working for justice; Christian life as witness to God’s love and how to live in right relationship | |
| Prayer | Prayer as the embodiment of the personal and communal relationship with God; prayer as the communal celebration that expresses what the Church believes |
Grade 1 – Growing in Faith; Growing in Christ 1 (ACBO)
Scripture Stories
The following key Scripture stories appear throughout Grade 1 and are fully illustrated:
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Additional Scripture stories are explored in the Teacher Resource:
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Prayers of the Church
- The Sign of the Cross
- The Lord’s Prayer
- Hail Mary
- Glory Be
Sacramental Focus*
- Baptism
*Note that information on all the sacraments is scaffolded throughout the program.
Saints
Illustrated stories of the following saints appear in the resources for Grade 1:
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In the Student Book
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In the Teacher Resource
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Theological Emphases in Grade 1
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Strand of Religious Education |
Theological Emphases |
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Believing |
God’s self-revelation in the person of Jesus Christ, Sacred Scripture, and Tradition; God’s plan of salvation for all people as it is found in the Church; the Creed as a summary of Catholic beliefs and a profession of faith |
|
Celebrating |
The ways that the Church expresses its faith through liturgy and the celebration of the sacraments, with special attention given to the importance of the Eucharist; the celebration of the Church’s liturgical year |
|
Living a Moral Life |
The universal call to holiness; living as a follower of Christ who reveals God’s love to others; theological anthropology (being created in the image and likeness of God) as expressed in Scripture and Tradition; our ability to reason and the formation of conscience |
|
Living in Communion |
An ecclesiology of communion calls us to be in fellowship with our neighbour and with God; belonging to the Church as the Body of Christ; sharing in the evangelizing mission of the Church; learning about the Communion of Saints |
|
Living in Solidarity |
Catholic social teaching: dignity of the person, sharing God’s resources with our neighbours, and so on; mission and evangelization |
|
Prayer |
Prayer implies a relationship with God; ways the Church expresses its faith and prayer; traditional prayers; prayer as both personal and communal |
Grade 2 – Growing in Faith; Growing in Christ 2 (ACBO)
Scripture Stories
The following key Scripture stories appear throughout Grade 2 and are fully illustrated:
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Additional Scripture stories are explored in the Teacher Resource:
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Prayers of the Church
- Apostles’ Creed
- Prayer to My Guardian Angel
- Holy, Holy, Holy
- Lord I Am Not Worthy
- Lamb of God
- Act of Contrition
The following prayers from Grade 1 are also included:
- The Sign of the Cross
- The Lord’s Prayer
- Hail Mary
- Glory Be
Sacramental Focus*
- Reconciliation/Eucharist
*Note that information on all the sacraments is scaffolded throughout the program.
Saints
Illustrated stories of the following Saints appear in the resources for Grade 2:
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In the Student Book
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In the Teacher Resource
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Theological Emphases in Grade 2
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Strand of Religious Education |
Theological Emphases |
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Believing |
God’s self-revelation in the person of Jesus Christ, Sacred Scripture, and Tradition; God’s plan of salvation for all people as it is found in the Church; the Creed as a summary of Catholic beliefs and a profession of faith |
|
Celebrating |
The ways that the Church expresses its faith through liturgy and the celebration of the sacraments, with special attention given to the importance of the Eucharist; the celebration of the Church’s liturgical year |
|
Living a Moral Life |
The universal call to holiness; living as a follower of Christ who reveals God’s love to others; theological anthropology (being created in the image and likeness of God) as expressed in Scripture and Tradition; our ability to reason and the formation of conscience |
|
Living in Communion |
An ecclesiology of communion calls us to be in fellowship with our neighbour and with God; belonging to the Church as the Body of Christ; sharing in the evangelizing mission of the Church; learning about the Communion of Saints |
|
Living in Solidarity |
Catholic social teaching: dignity of the person, sharing God’s resources with our neighbours, and so on; mission and evangelization |
|
Prayer |
Prayer implies a relationship with God; ways the Church expresses its faith and prayer; traditional prayers; prayer as both personal and communal |
Grade 3 – Growing in Faith; Growing in Christ 3 (ACBO)
Scripture Stories
The following key Scripture stories appear throughout Grade 3 and are fully illustrated:
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Additional Scripture stories are explored in the Teacher Resource:
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Prayers of the Church
- The Morning Offering
- Act of Faith
- Act of Hope
- Act of Love
- Memorial Acclamation
The following prayers from Grades 1 and 2 are also included:
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Sacramental Focus*
- Reconciliation/Eucharist
*Note that information on all the sacraments is scaffolded throughout the program.
Saints
Illustrated stories of the following Saints appear in Grade 3:
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Theological Emphases in Grade 3
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Strand of Religious Education |
Theological Emphases |
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Believing |
God’s self-revelation in the person of Jesus Christ, Sacred Scripture, and Tradition; God’s plan of salvation for all people as it is found in the Church; the Creed as a summary of Catholic beliefs and a profession of faith |
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Celebrating |
The ways that the Church expresses its faith through liturgy and the celebration of the sacraments, with special attention given to the importance of the Eucharist; the celebration of the Church’s liturgical year |
|
Living a Moral Life |
The universal call to holiness; living as a follower of Christ who reveals God’s love to others; theological anthropology (being created in the image and likeness of God) as expressed in Scripture and Tradition; our ability to reason and the formation of conscience |
|
Living in Communion |
An ecclesiology of communion calls us to be in fellowship with our neighbour and with God; belonging to the Church as the Body of Christ; sharing in the evangelizing mission of the Church; learning about the Communion of Saints |
|
Living in Solidarity |
Catholic social teaching: dignity of the person, sharing God’s resources with our neighbours, and so on; mission and evangelization |
|
Prayer |
Prayer implies a relationship with God; ways the Church expresses its faith and prayer; traditional prayers; prayer as both personal and communal |
Grade 4 – Growing in Faith; Growing in Christ 4 (ACBO)
Scripture Stories
The following key Scripture stories appear throughout Grade 4 and are fully illustrated:
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Prayers of the Church
- The Rosary
- Sacred Heart
The following prayers from Grades 1 to 3 are also included:
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Sacramental Focus*
- Reconciliation
*Note that information on all the sacraments is scaffolded throughout the program.
Saints
Illustrated stories of the following Saints appear in the Grade 4 Student Book:
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Theological Emphases in Grade 4
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Strand of Religious Education |
Theological Emphases |
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Believing |
God’s self-revelation in the person of Jesus Christ, Sacred Scripture, and Tradition; God’s plan of salvation for all people as it is found in the Church; the Creed as a summary of Catholic beliefs and a profession of faith |
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Celebrating |
The ways that the Church expresses its faith through liturgy and the celebration of the sacraments, with special attention given to the importance of the Eucharist; the celebration of the Church’s liturgical year |
|
Living a Moral Life |
The universal call to holiness; living as a follower of Christ who reveals God’s love to others; theological anthropology (being created in the image and likeness of God) as expressed in Scripture and Tradition; our ability to reason and the formation of conscience |
|
Living in Communion |
An ecclesiology of communion calls us to be in fellowship with our neighbour and with God; belonging to the Church as the Body of Christ; sharing in the evangelizing mission of the Church; learning about the Communion of Saints |
|
Living in Solidarity |
Catholic social teaching: dignity of the person, sharing God’s resources with our neighbours, and so on; mission and evangelization |
|
Prayer |
Prayer implies a relationship with God; ways the Church expresses its faith and prayer; traditional prayers; prayer as both personal and communal |
Grade 5 – Growing in Faith; Growing in Christ 5 (ACBO)
Scripture Stories
The following key Scripture stories appear throughout Grade 5:
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Prayers of the Church
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The following prayers from Grades 1 to 4 are also included:
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Sacramental Focus*
- Baptism
- Reconciliation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders
*Note that information on all the sacraments is scaffolded throughout the program.
Saints and Holy People
Features and stories of the following Saints and Holy People appear in the Grade 5 Student Book:
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Theological Emphases in Grade 5
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Strand of Religious Education |
Theological Emphases |
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Believing |
God’s Self-Revelation in the person of Jesus Christ through Sacred Scripture and Tradition The Creed as a Summary of Catholic Belief and a Profession of Faith In God’s Plan of Salvation Christ founded the Church with the following marks: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic |
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Celebrating |
The Seven Sacraments of the Church – Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist: Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick; Sacraments of Service: Holy Orders and Marriage The Mass as the source and summit of Christian life The Celebrations of the Church’s Liturgical Year |
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Living a Moral Life |
Christian Morality as a living response of our human vocation to life in the Spirit as revealed by reason (Natural Law), the Scriptures and Tradition Freedom and Responsibility, Reason, Conscience, and Conscience Formation Grace, Virtue, Holiness and Sin and Forgiveness |
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Living in Community |
Living in the Church as members of the Body of Christ The Communion of Saints |
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Living in Solidarity |
Living our Christian vocation within the human community Social Justice Teachings of the Church Our mission to evangelize (i.e. proclaim the Gospel message) and to witness to Jesus Christ |
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Prayer |
God’s universal call to prayer and our human response The Way of Prayer: Forms and Expressions of Prayer |
Grade 6 – Growing in Faith; Growing in Christ 6 (ACBO)
Scripture Stories
The following key Scripture stories appear throughout Grade 6:
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Prayers of the Church
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The following prayers from Grades 1 to 5 are also included in the Teacher Resource:
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Sacramental Focus*
- Holy Orders
*Note that information on all the sacraments is scaffolded throughout the program.
Saints and Holy People
Features and stories of the following Saints and Holy People appear in the Grade 6 Student Book:
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Social Justice Focus
Principle of Rights and Responsibilities
Understand that by virtue of our human dignity, out of respect for equality and diversity of being and the common good, all human beings are to enjoy certain fundamental human rights (e.g. the right to life, liberty, religious freedom, food, shelter, health care, education, and employment). [CCC nos. 1886-1896; 1928-1948]
Theological Emphases in Grade 6
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Strand of Religious Education |
Theological Emphases |
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Believing |
God’s Self-Revelation in the person of Jesus Christ through Sacred Scripture and Tradition |
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Celebrating |
The Seven Sacraments of the Church—Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist: Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick; Sacraments of Service: Holy Orders and Marriage |
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Living a Moral Life |
Christian Morality as a living response of our human vocation to life in the Spirit as revealed by reason (Natural Law), the Scriptures and Tradition |
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Living in Community |
Living in the Church as members of the Body of Christ |
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Living in Solidarity |
We are called to live our Christian vocation within the human community (i.e. communal nature of our dignity as human beings) |
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Prayer |
God’s universal call to prayer and our human response |
Grade 7 – Growing in Faith; Growing in Christ 7 (ACBO)
Scripture Stories
The following key Scripture stories appear throughout Grade 7:
- Sermon on the Mount
- The Book of Ruth
- The Wedding at Cana
- The Prodigal Son
- The Transfiguration on the Mountain
- The Agony in the Garden
- Jesus is Betrayed
- Peter Denies Jesus
- Jesus is Tried
- Jesus Suffers with His Cross
- Jesus Dies on the Cross
- Jesus is Risen
- Jesus Ascends
- Simon of Samaria
Prayers of the Church
- The Lord’s Prayer
- Hail Mary
- The Magnificat
- The Memorare
- Hail Holy Queen
- The Rosary
- The Chaplet of Divine Mercy
- The Angelus
- Liturgical Prayers of the Mass
- Prayers for Confirmation, Marriage, and Holy Orders
Sacramental Focus*
- Marriage
- Confirmation
- Holy Orders
*Note that information on all the sacraments is scaffolded throughout the program
Saints and Holy People
- Blessed Maria Gabriella Sagheddu
- St. Teresa of Avila
- St. Juan Diego
- Our Lady of Guadalupe
- St. Francis of Assisi and the first Nativity scene
- St. Andre Bessette
- St. Joseph
- St. John Bosco
- Disciple Stephen
- Apostle Andrew
- Apostle Philip
- Apostle James
- Apostle Paul
- St. Marie of the Incarnation
- St. Jerome
- St. Mariam Baouardy
- St. Lawrence
- St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
- Blessed Chiara “Luce” Badano
- Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin (St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s parents)
- Sts. Perpetua and Felicity
- St. Jude
- St. Thomas More
- St. Oscar Romero
- Cardinal Thomas Collins
- Fr. John Comiskey
Social Justice Focus
- Solidarity
- Caring for People Who Are Poor and Vulnerable
- Community and the Common Good
- Participation in Society
Theological Emphasis
The grade 7 program is designed to draw the students into a deeper and more critically aware relationship with God. The program is founded in the six major areas of catechesis: What we Believe; Celebrating our Faith; Living a Morally Good Life; Living In Community; Living in Solidarity, and Nurturing a life of Prayer. The program explores the sacred mysteries of our faith revealed in Scripture, Tradition and the life of Jesus Christ and God’s revelation of Himself to humanity. Through the one, holy catholic and apostolic Church God, offers us salvation. This offer is explored through a study of the four stages of salvation history and the sacraments of Confirmation, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. The program also focuses on the personal encounter with Christ offered through His real presence in the Eucharist. A focused study of the Sermon on the Mount within the program looks at virtuous living and developing habits of prayer. Church teaching on social justice and the call to community and solidarity are examined though narratives and the lives of the saints with a particular emphasis on Mary Mother of Jesus and the many devotions to her prayed by the faithful.
Grade 8 – Growing in Faith; Growing in Christ 8 (ACBO)
Scripture Stories
- Jesus Cleanses the Temple
- Peter’s Declaration about Jesus
- The Transfiguration
- The Call of Matthew
- The First Sin and its Punishment
- Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath
- Jesus and Zacchaeus
- The Escape to Egypt
- Announcement to Zechariah
- Announcement to Mary
- Visitation to Elizabeth
- Birth of John the Baptist
- Revelation to Joseph
- Birth of Our Lord
- The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
- The Shepherds and the Angels
- Jesus’ Side is Pierced, the Death of Jesus
- Abuses at the Lord’s Supper
- The Boy Jesus in the Temple
- The Greatest Commandment
- The Temptation of Jesus
- Jesus Stills a Storm
- Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
- The Soldiers Mock Jesus
- The Crucifixion of Jesus
- The Walk to Emmaus
- Jesus and Thomas
- The Commissioning of the Disciples
- The Apostles Heal Many
- Paul and Silas in Prison
- The Conversion of Saul
- Paul’s Charge to Timothy
- The Promise of the Holy Spirit
- Instructions Concerning Prayer
Prayers of the Church
- Act of Spiritual Communion
- Anima Christi
- Daily Examen
- Divine Praises
- Eucharistic Prayer: Doxology
- Litany of Loreto (abridged)
- Litany of the Holy Spirit (adapted)
- Miraculous Medal Prayer
- Prayer Against Despair
- Prayer Before the Crucifix
The following prayers from Grades 1 to 7 are also included in the Teacher Resource:
Grade 1
- The Sign of the Cross
- The Lord’s Prayer
- Hail Mary
- Glory Be
Grade 2
- Apostles’ Creed
- Prayer to My Guardian Angel
- Holy, Holy, Holy
- Lord I Am Not Worthy
- Lamb of God
- Act of Contrition
Grade 3
- The Morning Offering
- Memorial Acclamation
Grade 4
- Hail, Holy Queen
- Prayer to the Holy Spirit
- Psalm 23
- Act of Contrition
Grade 5
- Act of Faith
- Act of Hope
- Act of Love
- Memorial Acclamation
- Nicene Creed
- Litany of the Saints
- Litany of the Holy Spirit
- Eucharistic Prayer: doxology
- St. Andrew Christmas Novena
Grade 6
- Prayer for Vocations
- Hail, Holy Queen
Grade 7
- The Magnificat
- The Memorare
- The Rosary
- The Chaplet of Divine Mercy
- The Angelus
- Liturgical Prayers of the Mass
- Prayers for Confirmation, Marriage, and Holy Order
Sacramental Focus*
- Confirmation
*Note that information on all the sacraments is scaffolded throughout the program
Saints and Holy People
- Apostle Peter
- Apostle Paul
- The Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
- St. Francis of Assisi
- St. Clement I
- St. Dulce Lopes Pontes
- St. Josephine Bakhita
- St. John of Damascus
- St. Nicholas of Myra
- St. Gregory of Nazianzus
- St. Teresa of Calcutta
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux
- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
- Blessed Pier Georgio Frassati
- Blessed Stanley Rother
- St. Longinus
- St. Hildegard of Bingen
- St. John of God
- St. Angela of Foligno
- St. John Paul II
- Blessed Carlo Acutis
- St. Gianna Beretta Molla
Social Justice Focus
- Rights and Responsibilities
Theological Emphases of Grade 8
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Strand of Religious Education |
Theological Emphases |
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Believing |
God reveals Himself through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition and authenticated by the Magisterium God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one Through the Holy Spirit Christ remains present in the Church and in the world The Church is One, united in faith; Holy, sanctified by Christ; Catholic, founded for all people; and Apostolic through the legacy of the Apostles |
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Celebrating |
Through the Holy Spirit, the sacraments are the source of grace Through the Mass we encounter Christ and fully participate in his passion and death The Liturgical year unifies the Church through the celebration of the paschal Mystery |
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Living a Moral Life |
The Commandments, The Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes guide the moral life of followers of Christ We guide our moral life through our conscience, Sacred Scripture and the teaching of the Church We overcome sin by acknowledging our weakness and asking for forgiveness |
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Living in Communion |
The Church is the people of God, witnessing to Christ through service |
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Living in Solidarity |
The Social Justice teaching of the Catholic Church is rooted in Sacred Scripture Promoting the dignity of each person and the common good is the responsibility of both civil authority and each individual Social structures and institutions are responsible to identify and eliminate sinful inequalities We participate in Jesus’ mission through evangelization in all sectors of society |
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Prayer |
The Our Father is the model for all prayer to God We are called to develop a habit and a life of prayer through Jesus as our mediator |
Grade 9 – Growing in Faith; Growing in Christ 9 (ACBO)
Scripture Stories
- Two Creation stories (Genesis 1 and 2)
- The Covenants
- Adamic
- Noahic
- Abrahamic
- Mosaic
- Davidic
- The Ten Commandments
- The Sermon on the Mount
- The Beatitudes
- The Parable of the Good Samaritan
- The Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother
- Jesus and the Woman of Samaria
- Jesus and Zacchaeus
- The Woman Caught in Adultery
- Jesus Visits Martha and Mary
- The Miracles of Jesus
- Jesus Cleanses a Leper
- A Woman Healed
- Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac
- Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant
- Jesus Heals a Paralytic
- Jesus Raises the Widow’s Son at Nain
- Jesus Raises Lazarus
- Feeding the Five Thousand
- Jesus Stills a Storm
- Jesus Walks on the Water
- The Events of Holy Week
- Jesus Enters Jerusalem
- The Last Supper
- The Agony in the Garden
- The Arrest and Trial of Jesus
- The Crucifixion of Jesus
- The Death and Burial of Jesus
- The Crucifixion in Prophecy
- The Resurrection of Jesus
- Jesus Appears to the Apostles
- The Ascension of Jesus
- Pentecost
Prayers of the Church
- The Sign of the Cross
- Glory Be
- Prayer of Thomas Merton
- Hail Mary
- The Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)
- The Stations of the Cross
- Apostle’s Creed
- Nicene Creed
- The Magnificat
The following prayers are included in the back of the Student Resource:
- Act of Contrition
- Canticle of the Creatures (St. Francis of Assisi)
- The Chaplet of Divine Mercy
- Daily Examen
- Fatima Prayer
- Grace before Meals
- Hail, Holy Queen
- Jesus Prayer
- The Memorare
- The Morning Offering
- Prayer against Despair (St. Ignatius of Loyola)
- Prayer for the Dead
- Prayer for Vocations
- Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
- Prayer of St. Ignatius
- Prayer of St. Teresa of Ávila
- Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas
- Prayer to God the Father
- Prayer to My Guardian Angel
- Prayer to the Holy Spirit
- Prayer to the Holy Spirit (Eastern Catholic, prayer at every Divine Liturgy)
- Prayer to St. Joseph (from Patris Corde)
- Rosary
Sacramental Focus
- Sacraments of Initiation
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- The Holy Eucharist
- Process of Initiation into the Catholic Church
Saints and Holy People
- The Wise Men
- St. Hildegard of Bingen
- Gregor Mendel
- Georges Lemaître
- Sister Mary Kenneth Keller
- Sheila Stiles Jewell
- Sister Damien Marie Savino
- Father Nicanor Austriaco
- Brother Guy Consolmagno
- Sister Libby Osgood
- Mary the Mother of Jesus
- St. Joseph
- St. Mary Magdelene
- The 12 Apostles of Jesus
- St. Peter the First Pope
- St. Teresa of Ávila
- St. Mark Ji Tianxiang
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux
- St. Maximilian Kolbe
- Blessed Stanley Rother
- Sister Thea Bowman
- Blessed Chiara Badano
- Blessed Carlo Acutis (Canonization date: April 27, 2025)
Discipleship and Culture
- Witness to Discipleship through
- Prayer and Devotions in the Catholic Church
- Fostering Healthy Relationships through Chastity
- Moral Decision Making
- Authentic Witness to Catholic Social Teaching and Social Justice Principles
Theological Emphases in Grade 9
The Church provides two guides for any teaching of the Catholic faith: the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and the Directory for Catechesis. The Grade 9 curriculum makes frequent reference to the CCC itself, but even more importantly, it recognizes and mirrors the major themes and concerns of both these foundational texts.
The CCC is structured in four parts:
- Part One: The Profession of Faith (Divine Revelation and the Creeds)
- Part Two: The Celebration of the Christian Mystery (Sacraments)
- Part Three: Life in Christ (the Human Person, Grace, and Moral Living)
- Part Four: Christian Prayer
Each of these catechetical themes is reflected in the curriculum and explored in the Grade 9 program. For example:
| Theme | Grade 9 Curriculum Strand | Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ Grade 9 |
|---|---|---|
| The Profession of Faith | SC: ScripturePF: Profession of Faith | God’s revelation in Scripture (1.1)Story of creation (1.2)Story of redemption (1.3, 2.1–2.3)Divine Revelation (3.1)The creeds (3.1) |
| The Celebration of the Christian Mystery | PS: Prayer and Sacramental Life | Sacraments (3.2) |
| Life in Christ | SC: ScriptureCM: Christian Moral DevelopmentFL: Family Life | Created in the image and likeness of God (1.2)Covenant (1.3)Life, death, and resurrection of Christ (2.1–2.3)Moral living and the common good (3.3) |
| Christian Prayer | PS: Prayer and Sacramental Life | Prayerfulness of Mary and Jesus (2.1–2.3)Sacraments (3.2) |
The thematic structure of the Directory for Catechesis, not surprisingly, largely overlaps with that of the CCC. It specifies the tasks of catechesis as:
1. Leading to Knowledge of the Faith
2. Initiating into the Celebration of the Mystery
3. Forming for Life in Christ
4. Teaching Prayer
5. Introduction to Community Life
As noted above, each of these tasks is undertaken and richly explored within the Grade 9 curriculum.
Grade 10 – Christ and Culture Grade 10 Civics Course – Stewards of the Gift of Catholic Education (ACBO)
Text: Christ and Culture (CCCB)
This course both invites and challenges the adolescent to personalize the Gospel values and social justice principles that guide Catholics in understanding their role in shaping culture as disciples of Jesus. Students will explore such foundational topics as: what it means to be human, created in God’s image, what is culture, Christ and culture, living together in solidarity, social justice, prayer and sacrament, friendship and intimacy. Connections between the living Church and contemporary culture are explored in terms of what it means to be a responsible Christian adolescent in a secularized, pluralistic world.
Civics Course -Stewards of the Gift of Catholic Education (ACBO)
This unit in the Civics course introduces students to the struggle and gift of Catholic Education along with the responsibility for continued advocacy and support.
Click Stewards of the Gift to access the Institute for Catholic Education Guideline.
Grade 11 – Faith and Culture: World Religions
TEXT: World Religions: A Canadian Catholic Perspective
This course engages students in the examination of world religions, particularly Judaism, Christianity, Islam and the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Spiritualities and a locally appropriate religious tradition. This is a survey course that will help students understand the basic similarities and differences between the religious traditions so they can interact with others with acceptance and familiarity. We live in a multi-faith global community. With the knowledge of this course, students ought to be able to understand more clearly the world’s religious affairs.
Grade 12 – Church and Culture
TEXT: In Search of the Good: A Catholic Understanding of Moral Living (CCCB)
This course enables students to deepen their understanding of how the Church engages contemporary culture with faith and reason, in pursuit of love, justice, and the common good. Students will have opportunity to learn how living the Baptismal vocation to a virtuous life, filled with the joy of the Gospel and nurtured by the sacraments, can transform them and society from within, allowing God to reign in human hearts. Students will also refine research and inquiry skills.
Click on Catholic Companion to Equity and Social Justice Grade 12 University/College HSE4M to access the Institute for Catholic Education guideline for this course.
Blessed and Beloved Family Life Education Program
The Blessed & Beloved Family Life Education Program
The Blessed & Beloved Family Life Education program, developed with Ontario Catholic educators in partnership with the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario (ACBO), supports students’ holistic growth in the area of family life in the context of Catholic faith. It affirms the dignity of each person, strengthens home-school partnerships, and explores age-appropriate learning about personal well-being, relationships, family life, and human sexuality. Blessed & Beloved is currently available for Grades 1-6 with expansion planned to include Grades 7-8 by the 2027-28 school year.
Fully Alive Family Life Education Program
Grades 1 – 8
In grades 1 through 8 in Ontario Catholic schools, the program used for instruction in Family Life Education is Fully Alive. Fully Alive is a Family Life Education program sponsored and approved by the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario.
Family Life Education, as it is represented in Fully Alive, is intended to pass on a distinctively Catholic view of human life, sexuality, marriage, and family. Its goal is to complement the efforts of families and to support what parents are doing at home. The entire program from Grades 1 through Grade 8 is designed to encourage children to become the people God wants them to be — to be fully alive.
Fully Alive is organized around five themes that are seen as essential to a complete Family Life Education program:
Theme One – Created and Loved by God
The first theme provides the foundation of the program. We are created in the image of God, and God loves and sustains each one of us. This theme explores some of the ways in which each person is unique and irreplaceable, yet shares a common human nature with all others.
Theme Two – Living in Relationship
Human beings are created to live in relationships with others. The bonds of family and friendship, which are explored in this theme, are central in our lives, and shape our identity and development.
Theme Three – Created Sexual: Male and Female
Sexuality is a fundamental dimension of our identity as children of God. In this theme, sexuality is presented as a gift from God that is intended for life and love.
Theme Four – Growing in Commitment
God’s call to faithfulness is explored in this theme. Learning to be committed and trustworthy is a life-long challenge that begins in childhood.
Theme Five – Living in the World
Our relationships with others go beyond the circle of family and friends. Theme five examines what it means to participate in society, and to fulfill our responsibilities to care for and build God’s world.
Grades 9 – 12
Catholic Family Life Education in Grades 9 through 12 is a multi-disciplinary curriculum area, designed to promote the Christian formation of adolescents in authentic human values related to personhood.
The bishops of Ontario have identified Family Life Education as a required curriculum strand comprising approximately twenty percent of the Religious Education curriculum at the secondary level, since both areas are concerned with the integration of Gospel values into the whole pattern of human life. Classroom instruction in Family Life Education provides opportunities for the holistic formation of students in the Catholic Tradition. This strand draws upon the disciplines of theology, life sciences, and the social sciences. Within these, moral theology, biology, and developmental psychology are especially significant.
Students study three areas in Family Life Education (Personhood, Relationships, and Sexuality), to support the direction given in the OCCB’s 1996 message to the Catholic Education community, entitled, Family Life Education for Secondary Students.
Family Life Education therefore is a distinctive feature of Religious Education in Catholic secondary schools in its biological, medical, psychological, and moral aspects. It is the intention of Family Life Education to assist students in the development of understanding and personal attitudes toward the Christian vision of human relationships and sexuality as integral to the person, created in the image of a life-giving and loving God. (Ontario Catholic Secondary Curriculum Policy Document 9-12, Introduction)