Upholding the Dignity of Women • Generations of Faith

This pastoral circle exercise takes young adults through a discussion of the stereotypes men and women have about each other, analysis of the causes of sexism, reflection on the Church's teachings about the human dignity which all persons deserve by virtue of being created in God's own image and likeness, and selection of appropriate action in response to what they've learned.

Respect for Human Dignity

This session on Catholic Social Teaching explores the dignity of human life, the profound belief that every person is created in the image of God and every person is precious. As the Catholic Bishops of the United States explain, “The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. Our belief in the sanctity of human life and the inherent dignity of the human person is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. . . We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person” (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Sharing Catholic Social Teaching, 4). • By John Roberto

Caring for the Body

Children's activities on Caring for the Body. These can be incorporated into the intergenerational session or used by parents with their children. Do the activities. Read the Bible passages. Decide which action ideas you are going to try. Give yourself time to put the ideas into action. Then do it! Live the Practice! Children, parents, and the whole family can work together to do the activities and live the Christian Practices.

Caring for the Body

This resource includes eight activities for planning an intergenerational session on the Practice of Caring (or honoring) the Body. • By John Roberto

The Living Community • FIRE

Comfort My People

Participants will explore the importance of emotion in our spirituality through the study of the story of Zacchaeus. They will understand the respect for the entire person that is commanded by the fifth commandment. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

The Responding Community • FIRE

Slavery & the Exodus

The purpose of this lesson is to help the group understand what it means to be enslaved. To understand the Exodus and Passover, it is necessary to first understand oppression. This lesson is designed to be used in conjunction with "The Responding Community: Passover Celebration." • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

Celebrating Community • FIRE

Living in a Broken World

In this session participants will become aware of the plight of those living with disabilities and suffering in our world. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

Capital Punishment • Generations of Faith

This session, based on the pastoral circle, helps young adults surface their own feelings regarding capital punishment and provides information on the reality of the death penalty in the U.S. It also challenges them to look at the issue from the perspective of other people, understand Church teaching on the issue, and choose a personal action response.

Created in the Image of God • Generations of Faith

One-Day Retreat

This retreat provides participants with the opportunity to spend a day reflecting upon and learning about how they are created in the image of God. • By Stephen Tholcke

Dignity & AIDS • Generations of Faith

This pastoral circle process employs a forced choice continuum and a panel presentation to help young adults get in touch with their own feelings regarding persons with HIV or AIDS. It also gives them insight into Catholic teaching on AIDS and homosexuality, and offers ways they can use Catholic social principles to address concerns raised by these issues.

Life & Dignity • Generations of Faith

Individuals will be guided in a reflection on the life and dignity of the human person.