Morality and Christian Vocations (Religion 12)-Period 5 Assignments

To help you study

Read the attached essay, published in the magazine First Things in 2014, in which the author proposes a different way of thinking about sexuality and morality in a way that is very different from what we are currently hearing in the world. 

After you read it, write (1) a summary of the argument, showing that you understood what was being said, and (2) any additional questions you have about the author's argument. A better response (well-written, well-reasoned) will earn more points than a hasty and sloppy response.

Watch this video discussion between Matt Fradd and Fr. Mike Schmitz, then write a thoughtful and reasonable response. Does it help you understand Catholic teaching? Did anything surprise you? Are there any questions remaining? (Etc.)

Points will be awarded based on the quality of your response; a well-thought-out response that is well constructed and uses good grammar is worth more points than a sloppy and unreasonable response.

Watch this video discussion between Matt Fradd and Fr. Mike Schmitz, then write a thoughtful and reasonable response. Does it help you understand Catholic teaching? Did anything surprise you? Are there any questions remaining? (Etc.)

Points will be awarded based on the quality of your response; a well-thought-out response that is well constructed and uses good grammar is worth more points than a sloppy and unreasonable response.

During Lent, the students in Religion 12 will push themselves to live out the "universal call to holiness" in a direct way by making a rule of life and attempting to live by it. A rule of life helps one to grow in virtue by practicing prayer, asceticism, and works of charity. It is an invaluable life skill which is guaranteed to pay off in spiritual benefits, provided that the student approaches the task with a generous spirit. 
The assignment has three parts:
1) Write a rule of life and have it approved by Fr. Ignatius by Ash Wednesday. 
This Rule should be written in at the beginning of your journal. The rule of life must include, at minimum, 5 practices:
-a) attendance at Mass every Sunday
-b) abstinence from meat every Friday
-c) some daily act of prayer, determined by each student
-d) some daily act of self-denial (some act of fasting, cold showers, limiting phone use, etc.) determined by the student
e) some weekly act of almsgiving/charity toward the poor or even those within the student's own family.

2) Keep a journal/record throughout Lent (February 22-April 9) of how well you are doing at holding to your resolutions.
At minimum, this is just a chart on which you can check off, each day, whether or not you did each of the things you resolved to do. It could also take the form of a diary in which you record your daily experiences. Students have a great deal of freedom with how they wish to present the journal. 

3) Write a 1-page, single-spaced reflection essay (Times New Roman font, size 12) regarding your experience. What did you gain from the experience? Was it easier or harder than you thought? What were your successes and failures? What can you take from this experience going forward in your spiritual life?
Note: if students can prove (through an attendance record signed by a priest or faculty member) that they attended Mass each of the six Sundays of Lent AND at least one weekday for each of the six weeks at Mary Star High School, they will be exempt from writing the one-page essay. Friday Stations of the Cross at Mary Star High School will also satisfy the second part of this requirement (provided that a faculty member certifies their attendance). 

Mass is offered at school each day (M-F) at 7:10 in the gym; Stations of the Cross are on Fridays at 12:30 in the gym.

This practice is meant to challenge you! Make use of the opportunity to grow!

Dear Students,

I will offer 20 extra credit points, in the "Quiz" portion of the gradebook, to anyone who watches the whole film "Into Great Silence" (almost 2.5 hours long--but worth it!). After watching the film, you need to come see me after school to have a short conversation (10-15 minutes) about the film, to tell me what you learned from watching the film. 

Fr. Ignatius

I will check your Lent Journal projects tomorrow (April 3) in class!

Quiz in class on Holy Orders, March 21

There will be a quiz (multiple choice) about the vocation to religious life next Monday in class.

For this assignment: 
Create a Google slides presentation about a religious community assigned to you in class. Your presentation must include:
3-5 slides
minimum of 5 pictures
the name of the Order/Congregation (and the particular abbey/monastery/province that you researched, if applicable)
at least 3 interesting facts that make this community stand out and would make a young man/woman want to join the community
what are the requirements for joining?
contact information for vocations
To begin, check out the pages on: https://religiouslife.com/vocation-search (Ask Fr. Ignatius if your community is not listed on this website). You should look at the IRL website and the community's own website, but can also find information elsewhere (Google images, Wikipedia, etc.).
Due at the end of class on Thursday, 3/2, uploaded to this page.

There will be a quiz this Friday in the Christian Vocations class covering: the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist, as well as the prayers and liturgy of the Church and their place in the "universal call to holiness." The quiz will be multiple-choice.

Thursday, there will be a review session in class.

See the attached rubric for the Life Story Project. You will have class time during the block period next week to work on it, but you must come prepared with the materials you need.

To celebrate Catholic Schools Week, the administration has asked that all students complete a short essay on the topic: 
"Why I  Appreciate My Catholic Education?” 

The length of the essay should be 1/2 - 3/4 page - single spaced, with size 12 font Times New Roman and 1-inch margins. Due January 25 by the end of the school day. Upload your finished essays to this page. 


This essay is worth a grade in religion, 25 points. Essays will be judged based on: careful use of language and grammar, correct spelling, originality and thoughtfulness. Be sure to write in complete sentences and use spell-check!
Each teacher will pick one essay that the student will read on the P.A. during morning announcements. We will also publish a few of them in the newsletter.

Go to https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test and complete the personality test there. Then complete the attached worksheet. Due by the end of class.

Dear Students,

We will have the final quiz of the semester next Friday, December 9. It will cover our study of the 5th Commandment, and whatever we are able to cover of the 7th & 10th Commandments next week. 

If you are not here for the quiz, you will need to make it up on Monday/Tuesday of finals week, or possibly next Thursday after school, if you make arrangements with me. 

On Monday/Tuesday of finals week, we will do some review exercises (competition) in class, with the ability to gain some extra credit on the exam.

Students are encouraged to create a page for the school's Book of Remembrance, honoring those who have died and recorded so that the whole school community can pray for the repose of those who are listed.

If (and only if) you turn it in to me by Friday, December 2, I will give extra credit points. 

Late submissions are always allowed for the sake of our prayers, but will not receive extra credit points.

We will have a quiz in class this coming Tuesday, November 22. The quiz will have approximately 10 questions each about the 3rd and 4th Commandments (20 questions total). 

We will use the Scantron sheets that have space for short written answers. You can expect to have about 15 multiple choice questions, and about 5 questions in which you will need to write the answer. 

The questions will be drawn from the questions attached here. If you can answer these questions, you will pass the quiz just fine!

Fr. Jacob is organizing a conference from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, October 29 on the topic of "The Infinite Value of the Sacrifice of the Mass."  

Location: the parish hall at Sts Peter and Paul Church in Wilmington. 

There is a suggested donation of $30 to help the sacred music fund at the parish, but students who cannot pay (or cannot pay the full amount) are still welcome to attend.

For 15 points of extra credit, attend the conference and write (complete sentences) at least three things you learned about the Catholic faith during the presentations.

Quiz during class on Monday, November 7. The quiz will be multiple choice. Please bring a pencil--it will be done through Scantron.

Know what the First Commandment says.
Know the definitions of the theological virtues (faith, hope, and charity). 
Know the sins against these three virtues.
Know the definition of the virtue of religion.
Know the sins against the virtue of religion.

Please submit your pro-life essay here in digital form (for Fr Ignatius to read/grade) and also bring a printed paper copy by Friday, October 28 to be submitted to the Knights of Columbus.

Dear students,

I'm linking you to some Quizlet flashcards to help you study for our quiz on Tuesday. I did not make these, so I do not take credit for a few typos that I saw--but the answers are otherwise correct!

Fr I

On Tuesday, we will have the last quiz of the quarter. You must know from memory the 10 Commandments (in order!), the 8 Beatitudes, and the 5 Precepts of the Church. Don't forget to study!


The Ten Commandments 
I. I am the Lord Thy God. Thou shall not have
strange gods before Me. 
II. Thou shall not take the Name of the Lord thy
God in vain. 
III. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day. 
IV. Honor thy father and thy mother. 
V. Thou shall not kill. 
VI. Thou shall not commit adultery. 
VII. Thou shall not steal. 
VIII. Thou shall not bear false witness. 
IX. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s wife. 
X. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s goods.  



The Beatitudes 
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the
Kingdom of Heaven. 
2. Blessed are the meek; for they shall possess the
land. 
3. Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be
comforted. 
4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for justice;
for they shall be satisfied. 
5. Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain
mercy. 
6. Blessed are the pure of heart; for they shall see
God. 
7. Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be
called the children of God. 
8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for
justice’s sake; for theirs is the Kingdom of
Heaven.  



The Precepts of the Church 
1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on Holy
Days of Obligation and rest from servile labor. 
2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year. 
3. You shall receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist at
least during the Easter Season. 
4. You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence
established by the Church. 
5. You shall help to provide for the needs of the
Church.

Dear Seniors: I confirmed with Mr. Emnace that the dress code for our outing on Thursday is Spirit Shirts. 

Also, if for some reason you haven't turned in your permission slip, I have attached a copy here which you can print out and bring to school with you. See you Thursday!

God bless,
Fr Ignatius