Goal #5: Living the Virtues in a Community of Faith
Mrs. Sue Clausen, St. John's School Principal

This is the fifth article in a continuing series on Religion Standards for Catholic Education to be used in Catholic elementary schools and faith formation programs of the Archdiocese.

STANDARD FIVE: CHILDREN EXPERIENCE COMMUNITY LIFE AS AN APPRENTICESHIP OF FAITH, WHICH CULTIVATES VALUES, RELATIONSHIPS, AND ECUMENICAL DIALOGUE.

Foster spiritual growth in community.

I remind all of our families how fortunate we are to be a parish school because we are part of a community that supports us in a prayerful manner. Children also learn how this community plays out as they participate in all-school and parish events: Catholic Schools Week, Turkey Dinner, Spaghetti Dinner, Non-Public School Marathon, Ice Cream Social, and sports activities to name a few. Within the school, friendships develop between families that continue outside of school. At St. John's, we have the opportunity to come together to celebrate the Eucharist and to help students understand that this is what we are all about, growing in our relationship with God and others. Community is not just taught in religion. It is taught in social studies, and stories of saints illustrate how God works in our lives.

Each student studies a saint each year and gives a presentation. Every class is assigned a list of saints so that, throughout all nine years of school (K - 8), students learn how to model themselves after holy people. We have ready access to the Church, and students can see the Baptismal Font and the Altar "up close." For little ones, this is a powerful visual aid. They see how their Christian lives began and continue with the Sacraments. Older children see service flow from the Eucharist as the responsibility of a member of the Body of Christ.

Cultivate human values and Christian virtues that foster growth in interpersonal relationships and in civic responsibility.

"Do unto others what you would have them do unto you." The Golden Rule helps us to better understand God's laws, and it reminds us that we must learn to live with each other as we journey toward our destination to God. Caring for our bodies is not only important to our health, but also because God made each of us and gave this gift to us. It is our duty to take care of this gift. God made us in His image, and children are taught to make themselves into His likeness because this is the goal of the Christian life. We teach self-care, as well as being kind and caring to others, and to tend to God's creation, our earth.

Youngsters are taught that the virtues help us conform to the likeness of God. The cardinal virtues of Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance help us live as good community members. We teach a moral decision making process to assist children in confronting the many dilemmas presented by everyday life. The theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity ground the cardinal virtues and provide the basis for the moral life.  These virtues help us to live as members of God's family and direct our relationship with Him. Teachers use the virtues as a way to explain that striving for good is our path to God. In learning Christian virtues and human values, students are led to serve others because we must look out for the common good. It helps to expand their world, moving beyond seeing themselves as the center of the universe to helping others.

While many schools attempt to stop the bullying that
happens on the playground, we have the "Plank of
the Virtues" in our Catholic teaching to support the development of compassion, respect, and care for others.

Nurture marriage and family life.

The family is the first community a child experiences. We explain Jesus' relationship to students - God as a loving father, Mary as Jesus' caring mother, and Joseph helping Jesus learn to be a good Jewish boy. We compare the love of parents to God's love to help them understand the Fourth Commandment (Honor thy Father and Mother), and how parents support them. We share how marriage is a sacrament for a man and a woman to grow closer to God through each other and the love they share. Respect for human life is taught from conception until natural death, and that each human life is sacred. The National Directory for Catechesis states: "Children begin learning the meaning of married love at a very early age from their parents, both through the example of their lives and through their more formal instruction. The family is the most effective school for catechesis on Christian marriage and family life." 

Share actively in the life and work of the parish, and foster the potential of small communities to deepen the faith relationships of members, to strengthen the bonds of communion with the parish, and to serve the Church's mission in society.

All students have prayer partners: older students work with younger students on art projects, service projects, or just enjoying each other's company. Youngsters begin to know older students and to move beyond classroom community. The school designs service projects in learning how to help others. School and Parish Faith Formation join together to work on social justice issues. Catholic Social Teaching is the basis for the Church's mission in society, and this provides the framework for service and action on behalf of the common good.

Understand the teaching on the nature and mission of the Church, including an understanding of the Church's authority and structures and the rights and responsibilities of the Christian faithful.

What does it mean for a child to be Catholic? We live out the traditions and rituals of the Church. Children attend Mass, and Fathers Skluzacek and Magnuson help them to understand the parts of the Mass, the important vessels used, the vestments, the colors, the seasons of the Church year, and the sacramental and liturgical life of the Church. The review of the Sacrament of Baptism reminds the students of their membership in the Body of Christ and their role in the Church. Older students learn the four marks of the Church: one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.

Support the ecumenical movement and promote the unity of God's people as an important dimension of fidelity to the Gospel.

Understanding and appreciating that we are all God's people means we are always respectful of each human person. The more we learn about others, the more we are able to appreciate them. Young students know that we are the brothers and sisters of Jesus, and, as they grow and mature, they are better able to understand other religions. Visiting synagogues and inviting people of other faiths to our classrooms put a face on the religious practices of others. It also gives our guests the opportunity to understand and appreciate our Catholic faith.