Unit 4: Jesus Shows His Great Love

Goals

• The children will be familiar with the Paschal Mystery.
• They will be determined to live as loving, active members of the Church.

Chapter 19: Jesus Gives the Gift of Himself
The night before he suffered and died, Jesus invited us to come together to give thanks to the Father for freeing us from the power of sin. The children will learn that in each Mass, Christ is present to nourish us with the Eucharist and, by this gift, to make us one with himself and with one another. The sufferings of Christ reveal the depth of his love for the Father and for all of God's people. Jesus inspires us to respond to mental and physical sufferings as he did—with peaceful confidence that they lead to the fullness of life. The children will learn to accept the mystery of suffering in their own lives and to reach out with love to help others in pain.

Chapter 20: Jesus Is Risen
The Resurrection of Jesus transforms human life and sheds rays of hope through the darkness that sin spreads throughout the world. The children will associate Easter with signs of new life and will experience the peace and joy that Jesus brings to those who believe in his Resurrection. Jesus' Paschal Mystery gifts all who are baptized with a life over which death has no more power. The children will review the ways our risen Lord is present among us. They will celebrate their call to live in the hope and the joy of the risen Lord.

Chapter 21: Jesus Sends Us the Spirit
Jesus' Spirit, sent upon the apostles, Mary, and the Church, is with us today. The children will learn how their lives can be transformed by the Holy Spirit they received at their Baptism. They will learn how they were gifted with faith, hope, and love and how they can strengthen these virtues.

Chapter 22: Jesus Is with Us in His Church
The continuing reality of Christ's presence in the world today is expressed through his Church, the means God chose to unite our human family with himself. The children will learn that through the pope and the bishops, Jesus is leading us. The children will experience a sense of belonging to the Church and will learn to express its holiness through words and deeds of love.

Chapter 23: Mary Is the Mother of the Church
Mary, the Mother of the Church and the model for followers of Jesus, shows us how a faithful response to God leads us to eternal happiness with him. She was assumed body and soul into heaven, where she is queen. The children will be encouraged to imitate Mary's saying yes to God by giving themselves to God and to others with love in their hearts.

Chapter 24: The Holy Spirit Helps the Church
Jesus wants everyone to know the good news of God's saving love. He shares the message of love with us through the Gospels. The children will learn how loving words and deeds show that the Spirit of Jesus is with us.

Chapter 25: We Give Glory to God
God invites us to enter into his glory and to share it with everyone. The children learn how kind words and good deeds give glory to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The children will experience how, with the help of Jesus' Spirit, they can bring true happiness and peace of heart to themselves and others. The children will learn how they can grow in the life Jesus offers them, and they will be prepared to welcome the Lord into every moment of the day.