12/05/2018 - DP - Session 9 - Part 1 of 2 - The Church


Bible Readings:



Catechism Reading: Paragraph 777

Review, Link & Introduce

  • In the last couple classes we learned how our relationships with others are important to becoming the best version of ourselves and the difference between romantic love and agape love.

  • This week we will begin to learn about the Church and the powerful role it can play in our lives as well as the vital role we have in the mission of the Church. 

Decision Point: Session 9 - The Church 
                                          (StudentWorkbook Link)

  • Decision Point Opening Prayer (Pg 215)






Open Q&A

Action Items

  • Continue working on the Saint paper for your Confirmation name

  • Re-watch the videos from session 9

Upcoming Class Schedule

  • 12/12 - Attend Parish Penance Service

  • 12/19 - Group Service Project - Clean Church Pews (Bring a bucket & Sponges)

  • 12/26 - NO CLASS

  • 1/2 - NO CLASS

  • 1/9 - Session 9 - Part 2

Closing Song:


Closing Prayer




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10/31/2018 - DP - Session 5 - Part 1 of 2 - The Bible

Bible Reading: Luke 2: 41-47 
 Catechism Reading: Paragraph #101 
 Opening Prayer: Litany of Saints  

Review, Link & Introduce 

  • In the last class we discussed the importance of regular prayer to our spiritual life and a specific way we can pray. 
  • This week we will look at what the Bible is and why it is so essential to our faith. 

Decision Point: Session 5 - The Bible   
                                          (Student Workbook Link) 
Other Discussion Items 

  • Picking a Saint name 

Open Q&A 

Action Items 

  • Pick up that bible and read one chapter 

  • Class Next Week (11/7) - Session 5 - Part 2 

Closing Song:  

Closing Prayer 

10/24/2018 - DP - Session 4 - The Prayer Process



Bible Reading: Mark 1:35

Catechism Reading: Paragraph #2744

Opening Prayer

Review, Link & Introduce

  • In the last couple classes we learned that all of our sins lead us to slavery and away from the freedom that God wants for us.  Fortunately, we also learned that through Jesus's life, death and resurrection we can be reconciled and forgiven by God if we are willing to make the biggest decision of our life to follow Jesus.

  • This week we will learn what the four most important questions are that we all must answer and how to use the best tool God has given us to answer those questions.  The questions are: Who are you? What are you here for? What matters Most? and What matters Least?  The tool we will learn to use better is: Prayer. 

Decision Point: Session 4 - The Prayer Process 
                                          (StudentWorkbook Link)

  • Decision Point Opening Prayer







  • Journal (Pg. 105)

  • Decision Point Closing Prayer (Pg. 108)

  • Crossword Puzzle (Pg. 109)

Open Q&A

Action Items

  • Accept the challenge to set aside a time and place to pray every day for the next 30 days.
    • Use the "4.4 - The Best Way to Learn" video to guide you through that prayer time.
      • The key to using any good tool is to START using it and then PERSEVERE through the struggles of learning to use the tool and the challenges to turning its use into a habit.

  • Did you load the Decision Point App on your Phone or iPod Touch?
    • Show how to download the audio portion of the "4.4 - The Best Way to Learn" video to a mobile device so you can pray with this audio any time and any place.

  • Re-watch the videos from session 4

  • Class Next Week (10/31) - Session 5 - Part 1

Closing Song:


Closing Prayer




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10/23/2018 - Parent Note about Prayer Challenge


Hello Parents, Family Members, and Sponsors,

Our class on Wednesday, 10/24, will be learning about prayer.  Along with teaching Why Pray? there are videos that teach the kids a process for praying and why it is important to set aside a regular time every day to pray.

At the end of the lesson there is a challenge to set aside a particular time every day for 30 days to pray using the new prayer process that is taught in the lesson videos.  The purpose for this is to begin to build a habit of regular prayer.

The primary reason for this short note is to encourage you as parents, family members, and sponsors to also accept the 30 day prayer challenge and to use the same prayer process that is taught in class.  What better way to support your child in developing a stronger prayer life than for them to see you using the same prayer process on a daily basis.

Every class has six videos.  I would encourage you to watch all of the videos but if you are short on time, watching the videos titled "Introduction - Silence", "4.3 - The Prayer Process", and "4.4 - The Best Way to Learn" will prepare you for accepting the 30 day prayer challenge.







Thank You for Considering Participation in this Challenge!


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10/17/18 - DP - Session 3 - The Jesus Question - Both Parts


10/10/2018 - DP - Session 3 - Part 1 of 2 - The Jesus Question

Bible Reading: Mark 3:11

Catechism Reading: Paragraph #424

Opening Prayer: Anima Christi

Review, Link & Introduce

  • In the last class we learned about "Stinkin' Thinking" which is all the different arguments that we come up with that limit us being the best version of ourselves.

  • This week we will examine who Jesus proclaimed he is, how to determine what is true about Jesus, and who Jesus is to each of us.

Decision Point: Session 3 - The Jesus Question 
                                          (StudentWorkbook Link)

  • Decision Point Opening Prayer (Pg. 57)




Other Discussion Items

  • None tonight

Open Q&A

Action Items

  • Remind yourself, if and when you receive the Eucharist that you are receiving the Son of God, Jesus, and that he deserves adoration.

  • Class Next Week (10/17) - Session 3 - Part 2

Closing Song:



10/17/2018 - DP - Session 3 - Part 2 of 2 - The Jesus Question

Bible Reading: John8: 3-11

Catechism Reading: Paragraph457

Opening Prayer: St.Clement

Review, Link & Introduce

  • In the last class we examined who Jesus proclaimed he is, how to determine what is true about Jesus, and who Jesus is to each of us.

  • This week we will look at how Jesus lived his life and how we are called to live a holy life as he did with God's grace as help.

Decision Point: Session 3 - The Jesus Question 
                                          (StudentWorkbook Link)




  • Journal (Pg. 81)

  • Crossword Puzzle (Pg. 84)

Open Q&A

Action Items

  • Forgive those who have wronged you and let God heal you.
  • Class Next Week (10/24) - Session 4

Closing Song:

  •  

Closing Prayer

  • Decision Point Closing Prayer (Pg. 74)

10/17/2018 - Words of Encouragement

10/17/2018 - Words of Encouragement


 Getting to the Point - how what we talk about relates to our lives:
We took the last two weeks to cover Session 3, which is about who Jesus is, understanding how he lived, and how we see Jesus in our own lives.
In the decision point video to intro chapter 3, Matthew Kelley talks about how inside each of us we may see Jesus, but we also have a bit of Judas in us - and by that he means our natural inclination to sin which is called concupiscence. Even though we want to do good, we sometimes choose to do bad. We discussed how because we choose to do bad, instead of the good God wants for us, we find the world in a mess. Additionally, we suffer ourselves. Thankfully, God gives second chances, and when we come back to him with a humble heart with true sorrow for our sin with the purpose of not doing wrong again, he will forgive us through the sacrament of Confession. We are called to be radicals, going against the world, as Jesus did - living out God's will for our life.

Parent Point – A little piece of information relating to adult living:
I think it is easy to neglect the idea of needing Confession. I know it's easy to say, well God will forgive me - I don't need to go to a priest to be forgiven, or to say well, since I never commit any serious sins I don't really need to go.

The truth is this: Jesus instituted the sacrament of Confession to be a channel of his mercy. It's not meant to hurt us, but to heal us and strengthen us. Yes, it's hard - I know! But God's mercy  is endless. As to why we should confess to a priest, I think Jesus's words say it better than me when he told his apostles in John 20: 22-23

"When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained."


Jesus gave his apostles that power to forgive sins through God himself. This has been handed down to our current priests. We have to stop making excuses and go. Trust me, it is worth it. The feeling of knowing how close you are to God after making a good Confession is unmatched. Even if you haven't been in a long time, just go in and talk to a priest and let him know and he'll help you know what to do. God's love and mercy awaits you - trust in him!

If you have any questions I would be happy to talk with you or just share resources on the sacrament. Just let Gary or I know.

Resource Point – Support for what is said above and where to learn more:
The theme for our opening Bible and Catechism reading has been around who Jesus is and how he is willing to offer his mercy to us if we are truly repentant. 
9/19 - Bible Reading: Mark 3:11
9/19 - Catechism link: Paragraph 424 
9/26 - Bible Reading: John 8: 3-11
9/26 - Catechism link: Paragraph 457 

Prayer Point – A small prayer we did in class or we think applies:
Prayer of Pope Clement XI

O my God, I believe in Thee; do Thou strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee; do Thou secure them. I love Thee with my whole heart; teach me to love Thee daily more and more. I am sorry that I have offended Thee; do Thou increase my sorrow.

I adore Thee as my first beginning; I aspire after Thee as my last end. I give Thee thanks as my constant benefactor; I call upon Thee as my sovereign protector.

Vouchsafe, O my God, to conduct me by Thy wisdom, to restrain me by Thy justice, to comfort me by Thy mercy, to defend me by Thy power.

To Thee I desire to consecrate all my thoughts, words, actions, and sufferings; that henceforward I may think only of Thee, speak of Thee, refer all my actions to Thy greater glory, and suffer willingly whatever Thou shallt appoint.

Lord, I desire that in all things Thy will may be done, because it is Thy will, and in the manner that Thou willest.

I beg of Thee to enlighten my understanding, to inflame my heart, to purify my body, and to sanctify my soul.

Grant that I be not puffed up with pride, moved by flattery, deceived by the world, or duped by the devil.

Give me grace to purify my memory, to bridle my tongue, to restrain my eyes, and to mortify my senses.

Give me strength, O my God, to expiate my offenses, to overcome my temptations, to subdue my passions, and to acquire the virtues proper for my state.

Fill my heart with tender affection for Thy goodness, a hatred of my faults, a love for my neighbor, and contempt of the world.

Let me always remember to be submissive to my superiors, condescending to my inferiors, faithful to my friends, and charitable to my enemies.

Assist me to overcome sensuality by mortification, avarice by alms-deeds, anger by meekness, and tepidity by devotion.

O my God, make me prudent in my undertakings, courageous in dangers, patient in affliction, and humble in prosperity.

Grant that I may be ever attentive at my prayers, temperate at my meals, diligent at my employments, and constant in my resolutions.

Let my conscience be ever upright and pure, my exterior modest, my conversation edifying, and my life according to rule.

Assist me that I may continually labor to overcome nature, to correspond with Thy grace, to keep Thy commandments, and to work out my salvation.

Help me to obtain holiness of life by a sincere confession of my sins, by a devout reception of the Body of Christ, by a continual recollection of mind, and by a pure intention of heart.

Discover to me, O my God, the nothingness of this world, the greatness of heaven, the shortness of time, and the length of eternity.

Grant that I may prepare for death, that I may fear Thy judgments, that I may escape hell, and in the end obtain heaven, through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Challenge Point – What can we add to help us become better Catholic Christians:
Get to Confession, especially if you haven't been in a while.

News Point – What’s up for CCD in the upcoming weeks:
  • We'll be moving into the next sessions.