FRANCISCAN FRIARS (10:44) – Fr. Daniel J. Mahan, S.T.L., pastor of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Bloomington, Indiana, and St. Jude the Apostle in Spencer covers the entire Catechism in 111 videos, giving an outline of the content along with clear easy to follow explanations. The series is based on the 2nd Edition of the Catechism.

This Sunday’s Catechism Themes

“The following paragraphs from the Catechism of the Catholic Church resonate with the biblical readings for this Sunday. They were chosen either because they cite or allude to the specific readings, or because they treat topics found in the readings.”  —Homiletic Directory

• CCC 30, 163, 301, 736, 1829, 1832, 2015, 2362: joy
• CCC 523-524, 535: John prepares the way for the Messiah
• CCC 430-435: Jesus the Savior

Featured Excerpts

Catechism of the Catholic Church. Order Hard Copy of the text in English and in Spanish. Excerpts courtesy of the Catechism search tool at Catholic Cross Reference,  a Catholic blog run by Jeff Pinyan.

Christ: The Cause of our Joy

THE THOMISTIC INSTITUTE (57:56) 

The Key to Joy

WORD ON FIRE (3:07) – This short clip is a preview from episode two called “Happy Are We: The Teachings of Jesus”. Fr. Barron talks about the key to joy by putting the beatitudes into terms we can understand clearly today.The filming of Episode Two took Fr. Barron from the Mt. of Beatitudes in the Holy Land to Poland, New York, Madrid, and – in this particular preview – to the Cove Alliance orphanage near Kampala, Uganda.

The Christian Life is a Life of Joy AND Suffering

ASCENSION PRESENTS (4:28) – Father Angelus shares a beautiful experience he had while playing with a boy in a hospital in Guatemala. The simplicity and genius of this boy’s faith inspired Father Angelus, because—even though the boy was in a wheelchair—he knew how to have joy in the midst of his suffering.

Why Joy is More Christian than Happiness

ASCENSION PRESENTS (3:26) Happiness is circumstantial. In fact, the word has the same root as the word “happenstance”. And yet, despite how fickle it is, many of us base our lives on the pursuit of happiness. Joy, on the other hand, is the abiding and pervasive sense of well-being. Fr. Mike explains that joy is, as G.K. Chesterton wrote, “the gigantic secret of the Christian.” The Christian understands that God knows his name, loves him, and is here with him now. This never changes, and it is what gives the Christian a perpetual joy to which happiness cannot compare.

Joy

BIBLE PROJECT (4:31) – In this video, we explore the unique type of joy to which God’s people are called. It’s more than happy mood, but rather a choice to trust that God will fulfill his promises..

What is Gaudete Sunday? 3 Things to Know about the 3rd Sunday of Advent

THE RELIGION TEACHER (3:51) – The third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday. Here are a few things to know about this important day during the Advent season:

1) What does Gaudete mean? “Gaudete” is a Latin word meaning “rejoice.” It comes from the opening word of the introit (entrance song) of the third Sunday of Advent liturgy, which is derived from Philippians 4:4-5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.Indeed, the Lord is near.”

2) Why pink (rose)? The priests wear rose colored vestments on this day. The third candle on the Advent wreath is rose (pink) as well. While purple/violet is a color to signify prayer, penance, and preparation, the color change to rose signifies the joy we can experience now that Christmas is almost here.

3) Why the third Sunday? By week three we have passed the half-way point of Advent. Jesus is near. Christmas is almost here.

RCL Benziger

Moral conversion prepares for the coming of Christ

Human beings are created by God with an openness to truth and beauty, a sense of moral goodness, freedom and the inner voice of conscience. We long for the infinite and for happiness. Even those people who have not accepted the good news in Jesus are capable of making distinctions between what is good and what is evil and acting accordingly.

Catholic teaching upholds that moral conversion is possible for all and needed by all. This conversion is accomplished in many ways through daily living. Gestures of reconciliation, concern for the poor, the exercise and defense of justice, the admission of one’s faults, fraternal correction, and acceptance of suffering are outward signs of this moral conversion. In other words, moral conversion takes time and practice but is accessible to all.

Catholic theology has long pointed to and explored the cardinal virtues as key elements that assist in moral conversion. The cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance are central to the pursuit of the moral life.

SOURCE: RCL BENZIGER Classroom Sessions Year C (2018-2019)

Lesson Plans (PDF)

Lesson segments: Opening Prayer, Life Reflection, Listening to the Word of God, Scripture Discussion Starters, Scripture Background, Questions for Deeper Reflection, Doctrinal Discussion Starters, and the Gospel in Life

Primary Session
Intermediate Session
Junior High Session

SOURCE: RCL BENZIGER Classroom Sessions Year B (2017-2018)

Doctrinal Discussion Starters

Primary

• How does John the Baptist answer the crowd when they ask him what they should do?
• How does John baptize the people?
• Who does John the Baptist say is coming?
• How will the one who is coming baptize the people?

THE GOSPEL IN LIFE – Visit and spread some joy to someone who is alone this Advent season.

Intermediate

• What good news does John the Baptist spread?
• Why is the crowd concerned about what they should do?
• What does John the Baptist tell them that they should do?
• Who does John the Baptist say is coming?

THE GOSPEL IN LIFE – Spread joy to those around you. This week take the time to smile more often, especially to members of your family.

Junior High

• What good news does John the Baptist proclaim?
• Why does the crowd ask what they should do?
• How does the John reply?
• When the crowd asks if John the Baptist might be the messiah, how does the John respond?

THE GOSPEL IN LIFE – Spread joy this week. Be filled with gratitude for the saving presence of God in your life.

SOURCE: RCL BENZIGER Classroom Sessions Year B (2017-2018)

RCL Benziger

Textbook Series Correlations

Be My Disciples (PDF)

Blest Are We (PDF)