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Holy Spirit Schools Catechesis The Six Strands of Religious Education

The fundamental task of catechesis is to form disciples of Jesus Christ. In his method of formation, Jesus used a variety of interrelated tasks to instruct and pray with his disciples, to show them how to live and how to carry out his mission.

 

We are called in our Catholic schools to continue to form Disciples of Christ.  While these six strands form the basis of our new Religious Education programs, it is important that each element is permeated in all aspects of school life. This tool was created to provide all staff with an opportunity to learn more about our faith.   

Official Teachings of the Catholic Church
(Click on each book for description)

General Directory for Catechesis
(GDC)

Catechism of the Catholic Church
(CCC)
(Some text may be summarized)

 Additional Resources
(Click on each book for description)

The General Directory for Catechesis
in Plain English
(GDC in Plain English)

All efforts in evangelization and catechesis should incorporate the following six fundamental strands:

 

1.Catechesis promotes knowledge of the faith. (Believing)

2.Catechesis promotes knowledge of the meaning of the Liturgy and the sacraments. (Celebrating)

3.Catechesis promotes moral formation in Jesus Christ.  (Living a Moral Life)

4.Catechesis teaches the Christian how to pray with Christ. (Praying)

5.Catechesis prepares the Christian to live in community and to participate actively in the life and mission of the Church. (Living in Communion)

6.Catechesis promotes a missionary spirit that prepares the faithful to be present as Christians in society. (Living in Solidarity)

 

We must come to understand how each task of catechesis can be brought to bear in a practical fashion in the classroom.

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