The new 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 as well as the Cardinal Virtues of Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance.
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: 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 page one: 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 children.
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.
In the Diocese of La Crosse, each administrator and parish catechetical leader was given a DVD containing a teaching by Bishop Listecki on The Virtues. The DVD comes with discussion questions that can be used for certification credit. Further, the same people received a gift from Bishop Listecki on virtue entitled “The Virtue Driven Life” by Father Benedict Groeschel, CFR. The book can be read and questions in the book discussed for certification credit. Books can be purchased for $9.50.
The Virtue Program is a joint effort of the Office of Catechesis and Evangelization and the Office of Catholic Schools. We hope that you will find the materials helpful in teaching the virtues.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Director of Catechesis and Evangelization