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Period of the Catechumenate Begins
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November
18th – Foundations of Morality
· Why does God care about our behavior?
· How has he created us to know him and what he expects from us?
· How can we live up to his standards? Can we do it through effort?
· What are the Ten Commandments and what is its relationship to the teachings of Jesus?
· What does Jesus mean when he says that loving God and loving our neighbor are the most important Commandments?
· Why is it hard to know and do good? What inside me fights against my desire to be moral?
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25th- No Class Thanksgiving
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December
2nd - Liturgical Life: Holy-days of Opportunity
· How do I live a Christian life? What are my obligations?
· Why are ‘obligations’ really ‘opportunities’?
· How do I participate in the liturgy of the Church? Is it just about attending Mass?
· What is the liturgical calendar?
· How do I orient my life to grow in my faith and love for Jesus?
· What are misunderstandings about Church teaching on the liturgy, prayer, and faith?
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9th- Living in Prayer: Catholic Spirituality
· What is unique about Catholic spirituality?
· What are the foundations of it and how will it help me grow in my knowledge and love for Christ?
· What is prayer? What are the types of prayer?
· What is the rosary?
· How do I pray, as the Bible says, ‘unceasingly’? (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
· Is there a difference between ‘saying my prayers’ and ‘praying’?
· If prayer is communication with God, how do I listen and hear God speaking to me?
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16th - Sacramental Vision: Catholic worldview
· What are the sacraments and what do they tell me about the world God created?
· What does it tell me about the Creator?
· How is a Catholic worldview different from Protestant worldview?
· How can a sacramental vision deepen my love for Christ and the Church?
· What does this worldview mean for my prayer life?
· How does this help me experience the holidays as holy-days?
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25th- Merry Christmas
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31st- No Class New Years Eve
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January
· What is Baptism? Must I be baptized in order to be saved?
· What are the effects of baptism and how are they connected with the other sacraments?
· What is the sacrament of Confirmation? Is it related to Baptism in a unique way?
· What is the role of the Holy Spirit?
· What are misunderstandings about the teachings of the Church on this topic?
· How do I prepare myself for baptism or how do I grow in my appreciation for my baptism?
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· What is the Sacrament? Why is it called various names– Sacrament of Reconciliation, Penance, Confession, Healing
· Why can’t I ask forgiveness from God directly? Why must I go to a priest?
· What is the role of the priest in this sacrament? Is it him or Christ that forgives me?
· What are the steps in making a ‘good confession’?
· What are the requirements of the Church regarding this sacrament?
· What are common misunderstandings about this topic?
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· What is the Eucharist? Why is it called “the source and summit” of the faith in Church documents?
· How is Jesus present in the Eucharist?
· Is the Eucharist necessary?
· How do I receive it? Why can non-Catholics not receive this sacrament in the Catholic Church?
· What are the requirements for Catholics to receive this sacrament?
· What will this sacrament do for me?
· What are common misunderstandings about this topic?
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· What is the sacrament of matrimony?
· What does the Church teach on marriage, sex, and family life?
· What is unique about Catholic teaching on marriage- why is it a sacrament and not just a ceremony before God?
· What does the Church teach on contraception and procreation?
· What is Theology of the Body? What is the meaning of sex and why is it not just ‘good’ but sacred?
· Why is marriage considered an icon of Christ’s relationship to the Church?
· What are common misunderstandings about this topic?
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February
· What is the Anointing of the Sick?
· Who is it for? Is it only for those dying?
· What is Holy Orders What is the priesthood? What is the difference between the priesthood of the laity and the hierarchal priesthood?
· Can women be priests?
· What is the role of the priest in my life of faith?
· How do I know what my vocation is?
· What are common misunderstandings about this topic?
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10th - Lent - Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving
· What is Lent? What do I do and observe during this season in the Church?
· What is the relationship between my faith and prayer, fasting, and almsgiving?
· What is the connection between those receiving the Sacrament of Baptism through the RCIA process and the rest of the Catholic world?
· Am I not allowed to eat meat? What does it mean to fast and abstain since Vatican II?
· How does lent draw me closer to Jesus?
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17th - Ash Wednesday –
· What does Ash Wednesday mean?
· How does ashes on my forehead draw me closer to Christ?
· Why does the Church celebrate certain events during it’s liturgical year?
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