The Virtue Program entitled Understanding and Living the Virtues was produced in order to enhance our knowledge of how to respond to Christ to live as His disciples. The Program highlights the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity, the Cardinal Virtues of Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance as well as the Virtues of Respect, Friendship, Purity, Chastity and Modesty.
To implement this program, it is suggested that the teachers, catechists, families and any interested adults focus on one virtue per month following the sequence given. Materials are included to help the teachers with classroom activities as well as to assist parents to teach the virtues in the home. Below is a sample of how the program may be used.
Week One: Introduce the virtue of faith: “What is faith?” and “Why do we need faith?” Further, send the Home Connection to the parents.
Week Two: Review page one: Review simply “What is faith?” and “Why do we need faith?” Speak about the life of Saint Joseph and how he practiced the virtue of faith.
Week Three: Review by asking young people to answer the following questions in their own words: What is faith? and Why do we need faith? Choose some practices to foster the growth of faith and discuss them with the children.
Week Four: Choose another one or more of the practices, especially something related with Scripture, and go through it with the young people.
To use the Virtue Program in conjunction with any approved religion textbook we offer the following guidance for making the transition from teaching a chapter to speak about one of the virtues. The content of the teaching is meant to help us know what our loving God has done for us. Our response to the teaching is that we want to grow in our love for Him. This involves cooperating with God’s grace and practicing a loving response to His love by developing good habits which we call the virtues.
The Virtue Program is for use in Catholic Schools, Parish Faith Formation Programs and with families. May each of us strive to live the virtues as committed disciples of Jesus Christ.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Ann Lankford
Director for Catechesis and Evangelization