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The Catholic Information Service
Society, a Jesuit organisation in India, offers online resources
introducing Jesus, the Catholic faith, and the Bible for adults
who have little or no knowledge of Christianity. They are written
for India, but can certainly be used anywhere else in the world.
The table of contents reads, in part, as follows:
- Who is Jesus?
- Correspondence courses - Notes for this course are all online
and can be used without being registered for the course.
- Bible Character for a Forthnight - A fairly extensive introduction
to one major character in the Bible. The one being introduced
this week is John the Baptist.
- Introduction to the Bible
- Introduction to the New Testament
- Christian Religion
Catechist
Magasine: Article Archives - This magasine offers a searchable
database of hundreds of articles published since 1998.
Eucharist:
Jesus With Us
In its Update your Faith Series, www.americancatholic.org is making
available pamphlets on the Eucharist. These ave been published on
a monthly basis since March. The articles in each of the 6 pamphlets
published this year are available online and it is possible to purchase
the pamphlets in bulk at a reasonable price. These are wonderful
resources for adult faith education or for RCIA.
WMC
Clip Art Graphics - There are several sets of clipart illustrations
of Bible scenes available on this Web site. Of particular interest
are two set of brightly colored illustrations: one
of passages in the Old Testament and the other of passages
in the New testament.
Interview
With Jesus - Flash movie - A series of short (a few minutes
each) Flash sideshows with beautiful photography and gentle instrumental
music. Included are the following: Interviews with God; The Lord's
Prayer; Love Verses (1 Cor 13); The Beatitudes; Psalm 23 and more
- 16 meditations/prayers in all.
Videos by the American Bible
Society Two excellent videos are available online. One is on The
Good Samaritan, and the other is on chapter 20 of John. Both of
these videos were created by the American Bible Society.
The
Good Samaritan, Luke 10.25-37 - Click on "Video Studio"
and then on "The Neighbor(12 minutes)" to see the video.
John 20 -
The Resurrection
The site on The Good Samaritan is, by the way, well worth exploring
in its entirety. It contains very good background articles on the
parable, links to resources available on other Web sites,
interviews, songs...
For those interested
in the relationship between science and faith and issues for Catholics
stemming from developments in various scientific fields, the Institute
for Theological Encounter with Science & Technology (ITEST)
web site offers a large collection of articles by Catholic experts.
ITEST is "an organization committed to ongoing dialog among contemporary
thinkers, assessing developments in science and technology for their
theological implications and to apply religious values to scientific
processes."
For those interested
in the relationship between science and faith and issues for Catholics
stemming from developments in various scientific fields, the Institute
for Theological Encounter with Science & Technology (ITEST)
web site offers a large collection of articles by Catholic experts.
ITEST is "an organization committed to ongoing dialog among contemporary
thinkers, assessing developments in science and technology for their
theological implications and to apply religious values to scientific
processes."
Religious
Education Database - The Australian Catholic Education Commission
has a searchable database of Web sites, learning objects and "faith
quests".
Select a the type of resource you are looking for, the content
area you are interested in and the year group of your students or
simply use a keyword, press "submit" and get a listing
of resources with brief descriptions of contents.
Quite a useful resource. |
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Holy
Spirit Interactive: Your Complete Guide to Catholic Youth Ministry
The introduction to this section on the Holy Spirit Interactive
Web site reads as follows:
"Have you ever wanted to set up a Youth Ministry in your parish
or community, but didn't quite know how to get started? Holy Spirit
Interactive, which has begun working actively with youth on several
fronts, presents a 52-week course by Anand Menon that will take
you through all the steps you need to build a vigorous, purpose-driven
Youth Ministry within a year's time.
Every week, you will find new articles showing you how to work
with youngsters, gaining their trust and their loyalty. You will
also find a series of activities that will allow you to teach the
youth about God, Scripture and other spiritual matters in a fun
and interesting manner."
Only the first two weeks are now available on this web site, but
some of the resources posted thus far are useful and it will be
interesting to see how the guide develops from week to week over
the coming year.
The Archdiocese of Brisbane has a number
of learning
objects on the Religious Education section of its Web site -
scroll down the page to see them.
The intro reads as follows:
"These learning objects are designed to provide rich, interactive
multimedia learning resources and tools that enable students to
develop the knowledge, skills and values they need to participate
within church and community contexts...
Students are encouraged to analyse and synthesis information, think
critically, solve problems and make decisions. Emphasis is on the
application and integration of new media while recognising that
students have different needs and learn in many different ways."
The learning objects help young students distinguish between wants
and needs; learn the story
of Zacchaeus (this one is particularly well made!); learn the
names of objects
in a church, learn ways to care
for creation; explore the consequences
of loving and unloving choices; etc.
Art Index
for Sunday School Lessons - This Web page give access to a wealth
of resources that can be used with younger children: Bulletin board
ideas, art ideas, craft ideas, and even recipes - all presented
with specific scripture themes in mind. Well done and well worth
exploring even though the content is not specifically Catholic and
some resources may have to be adapted somewhat.
Ignatian Spirituality In
Music - Songs for Daily Liturgy and Retreats by Ruth Scherer Leacock - "A site offering new music and supportive materials for liturgy
and retreats. It is especially appropriate for anyone interested
in the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Themes from his meditations
are woven into the lyrics. If you have difficulty reading music...
you can select
a song and listen to it while viewing the musical score. "
The table of contents illustrates how this resource can be used:
- The
Songs - View short descriptions of all of the songs. Link
to sheet music, listening on line, and support materials.
- Retreat
View - View the songs organized by their Ignatian themes.
Link to sheet music, listening on line and support materials.
- Liturgical
View View the songs organized by appropriate liturgical use.
Link to sheet music, listening on line, and support materials.
- Listen
Listen to midi versions of each of the songs online.
- Download
Sheet Music or Midi files Download packets of sheet music
suitable for printing and Midi files for listening. Both choral
and simple melody versions are available.
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My Friend—The
Catholic Magazine for Kids - By Diane Lynch
Our young people are constantly
being bombarded with media messages—many of them less
than desirable. How can we counteract these negative influences?
Here’s one answer! My Friend—The Catholic Magazine
for Kids is a dynamic magazine of information, entertainment,
and Christian formation for children aged 7 to 12 that leads
them to the positive values all teachers and parents want
to emphasize. |
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Every 32-page issue of My Friend
includes terrific fiction stories that illustrate Christian values
lived out by kids with whom readers will identify. You’ll
also find the popular comic series Stepping Stones, featuring the
adventures of four friends dealing with life’s challenges
at home and in school. Another comic series, Saints of Note, follows
brother and sister Paul and Cecilia as they travel back in time
by playing special sheet music on an antique flute they’ve
found in their attic. And just whom do they meet in their “notable”
travels? Why, a number of most interesting saints!
Each issue includes real-life stories
of kids working to help others, crafts, recipes, activity pages,
movie and book reviews, amazing science articles, and a monthly
calendar featuring feast days, prayer suggestions, and liturgical
reminders. The magazine runs a yearly writing contest; this year’s
appears in November. Kids are given the first line of a story as
well as the last couple of sentences. It’s up to them to write
the best part—the part that comes in between! And this year,
every issue includes a bonus pull-out-and-keep poster of one of
the Beatitudes.
My Friend—The Catholic Magazine
for Kids is published monthly from September through June, and it’s
a wonderful resource for classrooms and home schools. A subscription
also makes a great gift for holidays, birthdays, First Communions—anytime.
Order it soon for the children you love! |
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What
in the World is Faith Anyway? by Mark Shea, Holy
Spirit Interactive, November 12, 2005
"Defining the word "Faith" seems to be one of
the most baffling things in the world for most of us. Every day
you'll hear people say stuff like "You just gotta have faith..."
and then not finish the sentence. They will assure us in a time
of crisis "Just believe. Your faith will make you strong."
But when we ask the $64,000 question, "Just believe what?"
many are not exactly snappy in their response."
Bringing Christmas
Peace to the Classroom: A Christmas Carol, Emotional Intelligence,
and Catholic Values
by Tim Warneka, M.Ed., LPCC, Today's
Catholic Teacher, November/December 2005
"What can Ebenezer Scrooge teach us about peace?
Help your students develop their emotional intelligence and become
more peaceful people with this Catholic look at A Christmas Carol."
A Question
of Humanity by Fr. Kevin Fitzgerald, SJ, Company
Magazine, August 18, 2005 - a genetic researcher, explores
A explains how genetic engineering calls on us to review our basic
assumptions about being human.
Ethicist
says media misleading public on stem cells - By Cindy Crebbin,
Catholic
Herald, Nov. 3, 2005 - Priest says church supports some
stem cell research
Five
Helps for Prayer by Armand Nigro sj - Jesuit Fr Armand Nigro
offers five simple ways to approach our prayer.
Seeing
God in Others by Jean Vanier |
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What does Love
mean?
A group of professional people posed this question
to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, "What does love mean?"
"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over
and paint her toenails anymore.
So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands
got arthritis too. That's love." -- Rebecca- age 8
"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth." -- Billy
- age 4
"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving
cologne and they go out and smell each other." -- Karl - age
5
"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your
French fries without making them give you any of theirs." --
Chrissy - age 6
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." -- Terri
- age 4
"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes
a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK."
-- Danny - age 7
"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired
of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more.
My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss"
-- Emily - age 8
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man
who are still friends even after they know each other
so well." -- Tommy - age 6
"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was
scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw
my daddy waving and smiling.
He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared
anymore." -- Cindy - age 8
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"My mommy loves me more than anybody
You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at
night." -- Clare - age 6
"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of
chicken." -- Elaine-age 5
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still
says he is handsomer than Robert Redford." -- Chris - age 7
"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after
you left him alone all day." -- Mary Ann - age 4
"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me
all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new
ones." -- Lauren - age 4
"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and
little stars come out of you." (what an image) -- Karen - age
7
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she
doesn't think it's gross." -- Mark - age 6
"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean
it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."
-- Jessica - age 8
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop
opening presents and listen." -- Bobby - age 7
"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with
a friend who you hate," -- Nikka - age 6
"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then
he wears it everyday." -- Noelle - age 7 |
