Notes from class on 12/14

Question for the comment box at the end!!!! Don't miss it! 

Last night, we had 5 out of 12 students present.  'Tis the season for Christmas Concerts at middle schools!  During class time, we went to confession and learned how to use the missalettes in the church to follow along with the words of the Mass.  If you were absent from class, please make sure you get to confession.  The confession schedule at St. John's is: Sunday through Saturday after the 7 PM Mass and Saturdays 1-2 PM.

As we were going through the missalettes, one of our students asked why the words of the Mass were different now.  She wondered, "Why do they change the words all the time?"

The fact is that the words of the Mass hadn't changed in over 500 years.  Then, in the 1960's the words changed-from Latin into English.  Then it was over 40 years before the changes of 2011 happened.

The videos I'm posting below explain the reasons for the new translation of the Missal well.  But to summarize:  Pope John Paul II, in the year 2000, called for a new translation of the roman Missal, one that would be standard throughout the whole English-speaking world.  He also wanted it to be a more exact translation of the original Latin that the Mass was written in.  The new translation captures the basic truths of the Catholic faith in a more full way.  There's an old saying: "Lex orandi, Lex credendi" (We believe what we pray).  We need the Mass to present the fullness of the truth of Catholicism so we can really believe.


New Roman Missal for Middle School Youth - Word for Word by Life Teen from Life Teen on Vimeo.

We also talked about identity: what makes Catholic Christians, well, Catholic?  Answer in the comment box below: How can people tell that someone is Catholic? How could someone tell if YOU are Catholic?

Confessions this week.

Sorry I've been so remiss in posting, everyone.

Please note that we are going to confession tomorrow night and that afterward, we will learn more about Christmas and about how to use the missalettes at Mass.  I know some of you must participate in Christmas concerts tomorrow night.  Please make sure you go to confession on your own.

Click on the link for a good Examination of Conscience for young people.

God bless you!

Mrs. G.

Class recap for November 2, 2011

This week, we talked about All Saints and All Souls Days.  More on that later.

We also took a test on the new translation of the Nicene Creed.  The students were given the choice of reciting the creed or taking a fill-in-the blank test.  Most of the students opted to fill-in-the-blanks passed the test.  Some need to study a little harder.  Grades will be given out on November 9.

Welcome!

Hello, everyone! Welcome to our CCD class blog.  This is the place where parents and students can come to get reviews and updates on what we are covering in Mrs. Giglio's 7th grade CCD class.  I will also open some posts up for question and answer and discussion.  Comments will be moderated, which means I will read them before they will appear on the blog.  I will post more over the weekend and I will let you know this weekend that this is here as a resource for you as well.  See you soon!