November 11th Grades 8 & 9 Class Update

What a great turn out for our first ever parent/student 9th grade class night!  We started the night off with prayer in the church. November is the Month of the Holy Souls in the Catholic Church so the students, parents and catechists prayed a litany for Specific Souls in Purgatory.

Grade 8
Chosen Lesson 6- "Why be Catholic?"  (Discovering the Church Jesus Founded)
Four Marks of the Church (One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic)
Catholic=Universal
"Upon this rock I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18) is referring to Peter
Student Homework: 
Read Chosen pages 52-54
Don't forget to do the Challenges of the Week:  Ask your parents or another adult to tell you a story about a time they experienced the presence of God in their lives, the Catholic Church is so organized that it is unmatached wolrdwide, or we are all members of the body of Christ (see page 51).
Parent Homework:
Read Chosen Parent's Guide pages 40 & 41.  Try out the conversation starters with your teen!

Circle of Grace:  How to Be Morally Responsible in Today's Culture
The goal of the lesson was to help the teens recognize how popular culture can influence our Circle of Grace.  Popular culture can have a positive or negative influence in our desire to obey the Ten Commandments and live our faith to its fullest.

Grade 9- There will be a short quiz on the Seven Sacraments next time.
Finished Chosen Lesson 7- "Where am I going?   (The 4 Last Things), Seg. 3
Read 1 Cor 3:13-15 and Scott Hahn's commentary from St. Ignatius Study Bible
Read 1030 and 1032 from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC).
1030:All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. 
1032: This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture:  "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin."  From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified they may attain the beatific vision of God.  The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead.  Let us help and commemorate them.  If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation?  Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.

Chosen, Lesson 8 "How do I get there?"  (The Power and Purpose of the Sacraments)
Watched all three video segments.  Discussed CCC 1131: The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us.  The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament.  They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions.  
 
Student Homework: 
1.  Mass
2.  Pray 10 minutes/day
3.  Read Chosen pages 72-74
Don't forget to do the Challenges of the Week! 
Parent Homework:
None, because you were at class!  :-)

Other News:
Sponsor Paperwork  
Many of you have your Sponsor Certificate of Eligibility turned it or you've contacted me about your progess.  Thank you!  All others, please have them turned in by our next class on Sunday, December 3.  

Service Opportunity:
​​​​​​​Saturday, November 17 at 9:30 am- Cleaning the Church 
Our Church is in need of deep cleaning. The pews need to be washed and the cobwebs cleaned away. Can you help? Cleaning rags, buckets and cleaning liquid will be available. If you have a favorite kind or prefer a sponge please feel free to bring those along. Any putty knives you can bring along will be very helpful for scraping gum. With enough volunteers it shouldn’t take more than an hour.

Calendar:
Sunday, November 18- No Class
Sunday, November 25- No Class
Sunday, December 2- Class
Sunday, December 9- Class   (9th grade: Confirmation Name/Saint Report Due- see red binder for more information)
Sunday, December 16- Teen Night at Gebert's (required class night).  There will be a gift exchange activity.  Please bring a $5-10 wrapped gift.
Sunday, December 23- No Class
Sunday, December 30- No Class
Sunday, January 6- Class