Be My Disciples Sample

Plant the Seeds of Discipleship

We at RCL Benziger

are imagining what

the world would

be like if it was

filled with Christ’s

disciples.

Do you share our vision and our hopes?

Be My Disciples shares the Christian story in

a catechumenal model using reflection on

Scripture and doctrine. It initiates children

into the community of faith and challenges

them to discipleship. Be My Disciples is a

balanced approach that invites, teaches, and

challenges young people to become disciples

of Jesus. It leads Catholic children and their

families to grow in their conversion to Jesus

Christ; accept the demands of discipleship;

decide each day to choose life in Christ and

live as active, committed members of the

Catholic Church.

Using a spiral structure, the six units of

Be My Disciples explore the Catechism of

the Catholic Church’s four pillars of Creed,

Liturgy, Morality, and Prayer. Every chapter

incorporates Sacred Scripture. Fifteen

seasonal lessons at each grade level give

children the opportunity to experience the

beauty and richness of the liturgical year of

the church and its major feasts and seasons.

Activities and prayer experiences help

children and their families keep their minds

and hearts open to discipleship as witnessed

in the life of Jesus.

The Be My Disciples family of texts provides

a comprehensive program for parish religious

education. The program for elementary

children in Grades 1-6 builds on the seeds of

faith planted through Stories of God’s Love,

our unique Scripture-based religion readiness

program for preschool and kindergarten

students. It dovetails with Our Catholic

Heritage, RCL Benziger’s two-level entry

level program for intermediate and junior-

high students who are just beginning formal

catechesis. Be My Disciples will soon be

joined by Be My Disciples Junior High and

other adult resources correlated to the major

themes of Be My Disciples.

BeMyDisciples.com is a unique web site

that invites all persons of faith to share their

stories of discipleship and offers unparalleled

resources for children, parents and educators.

We at RCL Benziger are excited by the

promise of Be My Disciples. We hope

you share our vision after previewing this

program and will join us in promoting

“Disciple Power!”

Best wishes,

Jo RotunnoPublisher

RCL Benziger

Dear Partner in Ministry,

Jo Rotunno

A Letter from the Publisher

Call toll free at 1-877-275-4725 • RCLBenziger.com Call toll free at 1-877-275-4725 • RCLBenziger.com


Found to be in Conformity with the Catechism

of the Catholic Church

Found to be in Conformity with the

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Features in Be My Disciples Focus on Faith Formation for Children and Catechists

Child’s Book3 Age-AppropriateApproachesConsider DevelopmentalNeedsofYoungerChildren Provide successful learning opportunities

that engage children’s religious imagination

3 DisciplePower Children focus on a specific virtue or gift as they

form the habits of discipleship

3 ��LookingAhead A quick preview of the chapter content

3 Faith-FilledPeople Saints and holy people give children models

for discipleship

3 IFollowJesus Make a decision about how faith will be lived

through the week

Multi-Media CateChist Guide3 CatechistWorkshop Your starting point for confident, capable,

committed catechesis. This built-in interactive workshop and the Be My Disciples in-service video will help you get the year off to a great start. You’ll also find a correlation to related modules in the Echoes of Faith program for catechist formation that will increase your confidence still further.

3 LessonPlannerwithTimeGuide Easy-to-follow plan for teaching each chapter

3 ConnectionswiththeNationalDirectoryforCatechesisandCatholicSocialTeaching

How to’s for making connections and implementing important directives

3 EnrichmentIdeasforEveryLesson Teaching options and a connection to a specific

lesson concept

ResouRCes3 BeMyDisciples.com Extensive creative and practical resources, interactive

connections between textbooks and the Web site, and innovative social networking opportunities

3 MusicProgram Eight music CDs help children build a repertoire of

liturgical music

3 AssessmentTools Create an assessment portfolio with chapter tests and

other assessment instruments

3 AdditionalActivities Time-saving reproducible activities extend

learning in class or at home3 ProgramDirector’sManual Comprehensive E-Resource for implementing the

Be My Disciples program 1

Build a World Filled with Christ’s Disciples!

We asked pastors, DREs, catechists and parents throughout the country to share what they considered to be the essential elements of discipleship. As a result of their input, the features and benefits of the Be My Disciples program will help you meet the needs of the children and families you serve as they grow in the knowledge of their faith and live as disciples of Jesus. Be My Disciples shares the Christian story in a catechumenal model, using reflection on Scripture and doctrine. It initiates children into the community of faith and challenges them to discipleship.

The balanced approach to catechesis offered by Be My Disciples:

3� Teaches, reinforces, and extends knowledge of Scripture, Catholic doctrine, and the Church’s seasons every year in every grade through RCL Benziger’s unique spiral structure.

3� Invites children to discipleship through a dynamic methodology that incorporates the latest findings in brain research, psycho-social development, and emotional intelligence.

3� Challenges children to a deeper integration of faith and life by leading them to higher levels of thinking and encouraging a weekly faith choice.

3� Invites parents into a partnership with the parish in the faith formation of their children.

This exciting new program leads Catholic children and their families to:

3� grow in their conversion to Jesus Christ.

3� develop the habits of discipleship.

3� decide each day to choose life in Christ.

3� live as active, committed members of the Catholic Church.

Trinity • God Our Father and Creator • Jesus Christ, the Son of God • The Death and Resurrection of Jesus •The Holy Spirit • The Bible, the Word of God • The Church, the People of God • Mary • Saints • The Church’s Year of Worship • Liturgy • Baptism • Conrmation • Eucharist and the Mass • Reconciliation • Anointing of the Sick • Holy Orders • Matrimony • Loving God • Loving Others • Virtues • Grace • Ten Commandments • Beatitudes • Conscience • Making Choices • Works of Mercy • Jesus, Model of Prayer • Tradition of Prayer • Transformation through Prayer • Ways of Praying • The Lord’s Prayer

Extend Knowledge of Our Catholic Faith Every Year

Call toll free at 1-877-275-4725 • RCLBenziger.com2

Call toll free at 1-877-275-4725 • RCLBenziger.com

Program Components Child’s BookThe structure of each ten-page chapter invites the children to Explore, Discover, and Decide upon a response to the lesson content.

Multimedia Catechist GuideGuides support you every step of the way with consistent features and resources that help you prepare engaging lessons each week.

Eight Music CDsA music CD for every grade level contains the program theme song and six hymns sung by young voices to help children build a musical repertoire of liturgical music.

Assessment ToolsReproducible masters help you create an assessment portfolio for each young disciple.

Additional ActivitiesTime-saving reproducible activities extend learning in your session or at home.

Be My Disciples At HomeParents and families share their faith journey using this comprehensive at-home companion.

Be My Disciples Summer ProgramUse this guide to adapt the Be My Disciples curriculum for use in a summer program format.

Program Director’s ManualIdeas for implementing the Be My Disciples program along with catechist training and parent support and are all contained in this accessible E-Resource.

BeMyDisciples.comOffer more support than ever for children, families, catechists and program directors using this comprehensive site.

Stories of God’s Love, KindergartenSow the seeds for a lifetime of discipleship using this story-based religion readiness program for Kindergarten.

Our Catholic HeritageUse this initiatory text with intermediate-age and junior high students who are just beginning formal catechesis.

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Present Important Concepts through the Four Pillars

To provide children and their families with a thorough understanding of our Catholic faith, Be My Disciples uses Scripture, doctrine, and the Church liturgical year along with lives of the saints and real-life examples of Christian witness to encourage the growth of Gospel–centered moral conscience and Christian discipleship.

Encouraging Children and their Families to Know and Live their Catholic faith

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Children Learn Catholic Prayers and Practices

Traditional Prayers in both English and LatinAs requested by the Holy Father, traditional prayers taken from the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church are provided, along with pronunciation key for Latin prayers.

Belief and Practice Deepen the Path of DiscipleshipChildren are introduced to prayers and practices from our rich Catholic heritage.Understanding Catholic Doctrine

Each year children encounter and extend their understanding of the core teachings of the Catholic faith through six unit themes.

Celebrating the Liturgical YearWeekly liturgical prayer and fifteen seasonal lessons at each grade level give children the opportunity to experience the rhythm of the Church year.

Encountering the Word of God in ScriptureThe use of Scripture to begin each unit and throughout each chapter helps the children grow in their knowledge of the Word of God.

Child’s Book

5

Jesus invites you to be his disciple. He wants you to know him better, to understand his message, and to follow his way of life. During this year, you will learn more about Jesus and what asks of you. You will learn about virtues, habits, and qualities that are the marks of a disciple. And you will learn that Catholics who follow Jesus don’t keep it to themselves. Jesus’ message is such good news that you just have to share it!

Solve the PuzzleOn the next page you will be invited to search through your student book and get a preview of what you will be learning this year. The puzzle below is a little bit like a crossword puzzle. Begin by solving the six clues in the boxes on page 7. Then transfer the letters of your answers into the puzzle squares below that have the corresponding numbers. The solution is a sentence that tells the main theme of the Gospel.

Welcome to

9 14 20 8 5 16 1 19 3 8 1 12

13 25 19 20 5 18 25 10 5 19 21 19

16 1 19 19 5 4 6 18 5 13 12 9 6 5

20 8 18 15 21 7 8 4 5 1 20 8

9 14 20 15 1 14 5 23 1 14 4

7 12 15 18 9 15 21 19 12 9 6 5

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1. We Believe, Part OneThis year in unit 1 you will learn about the God speaks to us 23 15 18 4through creation, people, and himself. God speaking to us is called v v . 4 9 9 14 5 18 5 5 12 1 20 9 15 14 (See pages 13–14.)

3. We Worship, Part OneIn Unit 3 you will learn more about the Church’s , 12 9 20 21 18 7 25the “work of the people” that we do when we worship God. The yearly cycle of the Church’s celebration of the liturgy is called the

year. (See pages 85–86.) 12 9 20 21 18 7 9 3 1 12

5. We Live, Part OneIn unit 5 you will learn that God always keeps his promise.

’ 7 15 4 19 6 1 9 20 8 6 21 12 14 5 19 19is everlasting. (See pages 172–173.)

2. We Believe, Part TwoThis year in Unit 2 you will learn about the section of the Gospel that tells about the Suffering and Death of . The 10 5 19 21 19section is called the narrative. (See page 56.) 16 1 19 19 9 15 14

4. We Worship, Part TwoIn Unit 4 you will learn about how sacraments celebrate God’s love for us. The Sacraments of 8 5 1 12 9 14 7forgive us our sins and reconcile us to God. (See page 129.)

6. We Live, Part TwoIn Unit 6 you will learn about the 7 18 5 1 20

. We are to love God and 3 15 13 13 1 14 4 13 5 14 20we are to v b 12 15 5 15 21 18 14 5 9 7 8 15 18 19as we love ourselves. (See page 189.)

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Welcome and Engage Children

Introduction and WelcomeChildren are introduced to the program goals and invited to grow as disciples of Jesus.

Scripture PuzzleSolving clues from the corresponding preview activity gives children a sentence that tells them the heart of the Gospel message.

Preview ActivityAn engaging activity leads children on a search through their book to preview what they will learn this year.

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Prayer and Ritual Child’s Book

Honoring the BibleAs they gather for prayer, children are introduced to a Catholic ritual for honoring sacred Scripture.

Interactive PrayerAn easy-to-follow prayer reminds children that Mary was the first and best disciple. It gives them an opportunity to accept their call to be a disciple.

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Build Religious Literacy

Scripture grounds the unit content in the Word of God

Forecast key concepts and vocabulary

Activate the child’s prior knowledge

Be My Disciples helps children know and live their faith through loving service to others. Week by week, children gather to:

• Grow in Knowledge. Through RCL Benziger’s unique spiral structure, children are introduced to Scripture and the Catholic Tradition, and reinforce and extend their knowledge year by year.

• Connect Faith with their Experience. Through a process of presentation, application, reflection, and decision, children relate knowledge of the Catholic faith with their life experience and commit themselves more deeply to the person and mission of Jesus Christ.

• Practice the Skills of Discipleship. By learning gifts and qualities of discipleship and practicing its habits and virtues, children learn the skills required to follow Jesus.

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Chapter Opener

Looking AheadOffers children a quick preview of chapter content and a synopsis of how they will explore, discover, and decide.

Reflection on LifeA question helps the children connect the lesson with their life experience.

Encounter with ScriptureAn opening Scripture passage and reflection ground the lesson content in the Word of God.

Encounter the Word of God. The proclamation and reflection on the Word of God in Scripture begins each unit and each chapter. Throughout each chapter, the children grow in their knowledge and love of the Word of God. They see how God’s loving presence and his Revelation have guided the Church throughout history and continue to guide us in our lives today.

Child’s Book

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We Live Out the Values of Jesus

Disciple PowerThis key character formation feature helps children focus on a specific virtue that forms the habits of discipleship.

Stories of the People of GodThis page tells the story of a saint, holy person, or ministry that has made a difference in the world. By learning more about a person or group that has lived the values of Jesus, children begin to learn the demands of discipleship.

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Word and Image Support Core Content

Faith FocusA question to focus the child’s attention on the key chapter concept

Faith VocabularyCalls out the vocabulary terms defined in each chapter

Learn Catholic Doctrine. The spiral structure helps children encounter and extend their understanding of the core teachings of the Catholic faith every year.

Child’s Book

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Discover & Illuminate Core Concepts

Faith-Filled PeopleAn additional related example of a saint or holy person who models the way of discipleship.

Engaging ArtworkPhotos, illustrations, and fine art provide visible cues to enhance the learning experience.

Catholics BelieveHighlights a Catholic doctrine or practice that helps build Catholic knowledge and identity.

Engaging ActivitiesReinforce lesson content with fun-to-do activities in your session or at home.

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Disciples Follow Jesus

ActivityChallenges the children to integrate faith and life as they grow as children of God and disciples of Jesus.

My Faith ChoiceChildren decide how they will live their faith during the next week.

Personal PrayerAs the lesson concludes, children are encouraged to pray about their faith choice.

Child’s Book

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Concluding the Lesson

Chapter ReviewA variety of strategies help children reinforce key concepts.

A Prayer Experience concludes the chapter by drawing upon the rich prayer tradition of the Church to help the children learn the many forms and styles of the Church’s prayer life.

To Help You RememberThis feature lists three important concepts that foster faith.

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Foster Faith in the Home Child’s Book

With My FamilyThis tear-out page in each chapter gives families: • Chapter summary • Family activities • Discussion starters • Background on the

Church’s tradition of prayer to enhance the spiritual journey of both parents and their children

• Connections to related teaching from Church documents

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Unit Review

Unit ReviewAdditional assessment is provided in the form of helpful unit tests.

Emphasize LearningA variety of approaches for review helps to reinforce and extend learning. • Vocabulary choice • Matching activity • Connecting with Scripture • Be a Disciple

Group WorkEncourages children to learn cooperatively and engages their higher level thinking skills.

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Spiritual and Cognitive Developmental Needs

Be My Disciples considers the developmental needs of children in Grades 1-3.As the Be My Disciples program was developed, consideration was given to both the spiritual and cognitive faith development of the younger child. You will discover an age-appropriate approach to support the faith journey of children in grades 1-3.

Key Developmental Features for Grades 1-3• Shorter sentence length• Appropriate type size• Engaging colorful illustrations• Short ritual prayer experiences• Attention to formula prayers for memorization• Briefer chapter and unit reviews• Teaching strategies that address concrete

thinkers with shorter attention spans

Benefits of Developmental Features• Provide successful learning opportunities helping the

child to grow in faith knowledge• Combine art and image to engage the child’s religious

imagination• Introduces appropriate virtues to help the child build

the habits of Christian living• Assists sacrament preparation by teaching what we

believe about the sacraments and how we celebrate them

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Solid Background for Catechists

The Catechist Guide supports you every step of the way with consistent features and easy-to-use resources that help you prepare engaging lessons each week.

Catechists Workshop Use this built-in interactive workshop and the Be My Disciples in-service video to help you get the year off to a great start.

Chapter BackgroundA short and easy-to-read essay provides theological background on the chapter content that helps you grow in faith. Reflection questions help connect faith concepts with your own life.

Be My Disciples catechist guides build confident, capable, committed catechists!

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All the Support You Need

Catechist to Catechist Practical suggestions from master catechists assist you with your sessions and your personal faith journey.

The Church TeachesIncludes references from important catechetical documents and includes references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults for each chapter.

Catechist PrayerThis short prayer centers you as you begin to plan your lesson.

Multi-media Catechist Guide

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Makes Lesson Planning Easy

Planning At-a- Glance!The plan for teaching each chapter includes:• Chapter focus • Objectives • Outline of the lesson process• Materials list

Color Coding The three-step lesson plan is highlighted in the plan and at the point of use through color coding.

Time Guide Shows a suggested time needed to complete each step in the lesson.

Lesson Activities Outlines materials and suggests additional resources for planning a great lesson.

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A Lesson Process that WorksFollow a simple, effective three-part process for each chapter:• Explore• Discover• Decide

ExploreYou will lead the class through an opening process that engages their life experience, grounds the chapter content in Scripture, and invites reflection on it. A second page titled “The Church Follows Jesus” helps you share a story from the Church’s Tradition about a saint, holy person, or ministry that illustrates discipleship.

Looking AheadOffer learners a quick preview to see how they will Explore, Discover and Decide throughout the lesson.

Prayer and Scripture Begin the LessonGrounds the chapter content in Scripture and invites prayerful reflection.

Tasks of CatechesisTeaching boxes throughout the program relate lesson components to one of the six Tasks of Catechesis as outlined in the National Directory for Catechesis.

Effective Three Step Plan Multi-media Catechist Guide

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Provides Wrap-Around Support

Easy-to-Follow Process Introduce, Reinforce, and Connect to keep children engaged throughout the lesson.

Integration ActivityChallenge children to integrate faith and life with meaningful activities.

Disciple PowerA specific virtue or gift that forms habits of discipleship is highlighted as children grow in faith.

Wraparound Lesson Plans Concise point-by-point plans begin with a brief classroom prayer and then lead you page-by-page through a creative teaching process.

Explore Begin the lesson by exploring how the Church has followed Jesus.

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Faith FocusHelps children focus on the key concept taught in this section.

Faith VocabularyCalls out the vocabulary terms defined in each chapter.

National Directory for CatechesisAssists catechists as they make connections between the lesson content and the eight Human Methodologies.

Connects You to Church Documents Multi-media Catechist Guide

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Celebrate Catholic Tradition

Discover These doctrinal teaching pages are the building blocks of your lessons and will make the core doctrinal content accessible to the children. Each page of the teaching plan names the core concept for the page and provides you with simple teaching steps.

Faith-Filled PeopleCatechists find additional related information on the saint or holy person whose life is a model for the way of discipleship.

ScriptureWith Scripture woven throughout each chapter, children grow in their knowledge of the Word of God.

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DiscoverA combination of word and image helps to illuminate core concepts and doctrinal presentations; additional Scripture stories and application activities work together to increase understanding.

Key ConceptThe catechist sees the core information for each teaching page.

Catholic IdentityThe Catholics Believe section highlights a Catholic doctrine or practice to build knowledge and Catholic identity.

Teaching TipBox content on every lesson page of the guide offers additional tips and activities.

Point-of-Use Tips Multi-media Catechist Guide

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Leads Children to a Faith Decision

DecideThis page shows you how to assist the children in integrating the content with their own lives and making a clear faith choice for the coming week to continue their journey of discipleship.

I Follow JesusThis important section assists children as they integrate faith with the experiences of everyday life.

My Faith Choice Children are encouraged to put their choice into practice this week.

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Concludes with Review and Prayer

Teaching BoxesThe lesson plan pages also are filled with teaching boxes holding ideas, suggestions, and additional background information to help you. Look for this material at the bottom of each page of the lesson plan. Here are the topics you’ll find:• Catholic Social Teaching• Partnering with Parents• Six Tasks of Catechesis• Human Methodologies• Disciple Power• Faith Vocabulary• Liturgy Tips• Teaching Tips• Special Needs• Background

We PrayYour lessons end as they began – with prayer. The lesson plan provides clear instructions for leading the prayer, along with ideas for involving the students and enhancing the prayer experience.

Chapter ReviewsChildren review key terms and concepts using a variety of short assessment tools.

Multi-media Catechist Guide

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Connects With Families

Before Moving On At the conclusion of each chapter, a reflection question focuses on how the catechist can grow in skills and confidence.

BeMyDisciples.comChildren are reminded to visit the web site for additional resources.

Living as DisciplesFamilies relate to home and family as a school of discipleship and are given background information on the Church’s tradition of prayer for families. Tips for sharing Scripture, prayer, and at-home activities are also provided.

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Enriching the LessonAt the end of each lesson plan you will find a page of three enrichment activities that provide teaching options. Each activity includes clear directions, materials needed, and a connection to a specific lesson concept. These activities either provide alternatives to the process in the lesson plan or extend and enrich the lesson for the students.

Catholic Social TeachingThe last lesson plan box in each unit highlights a principle of Catholic Social Teaching that was addressed in the unit. A related Enriching the Lesson activity on the following page reinforces this teaching for the children.

PurposeCheck here if you would like an additional activity that connects to specific lesson content.

Directions and MaterialsEasy-to-follow directions and a complete materials list for each activity help you plan for fun and purposeful activities to extend and enrich the lesson.

Provides Purposeful Activities Multi-media Catechist Guide

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BeMyDisciples.com

Exciting New Online ResourcesVisit BeMyDisciples.com to find outstanding online support with additional chapter reviews, online lesson planning tools, and a variety of other helpful content for children, parents, catechists and program directors.• Interactive connections between

textbooks and web site• Easy access to practical and

creative resources• Safe social networking

opportunities for sharing faith

Scan with your smart phone for a special video about discipleship!

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Additional ActivitiesTime-saving reproducible activities extend learning in class or at home.

Be My Disciples At HomeAn at-home companion to the Be My Disciples program that will help you and your children share your faith journey.

Resources

Assessment ToolsUse these reproducible masters to create an assessment portfolio with chapter and unit tests and other assessment instruments.

Steve Agrisano

Music ProgramDirected by well-known Catholic composer and performer Steve Angrisano

Each music CD contains:• A program theme song• Six hymns (one for each unit) sung by young voices help children build a

musical repertoire of liturgical music as they advance through the grades.• Sung Mass parts reflecting the Roman Missal, Third Edition• Instrumental music for classroom meditation

Music Songbook – Complete lyrics and accompaniment for guitar and piano.

Program Director’s ManualThis accessible E-Resource includes everything the catechetical leader needs to implement Be My Disciples in your parish. You’ll find ideas for catechist training, parent support, meeting models, retreat models, and much more!

Resources Designed to Enrich and Enhance Your Sessions!

Be My Disciples Summer ProgramThis complete resource helps parish catechetical leaders adapt the Be My Disciples curriculum for use in a summer program format.

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Reach out to returning

families

Evangelize and Catechize Learners!This comprehensive and engaging two-level program for intermediate-age and junior high students is designed for first-time older students who are just beginning formal catechesis on their journey of faith. Following the directives of the General Directory for Catechesis, it uses the RCIA’s initiatory approach prescribed by the bishops to both evangelize and catechize new learners in the intermediate grade levels.

• Offer a full initiatory catechesis • Lay a foundation for a lived faith • Introduce the Rites of Baptism,

Confirmation, Eucharist and Reconciliation

• Provide online support

Older Students Beginning Catechesis

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Lay a foundation for Discipleship

Sow the Seeds for a Lifetime of Faith!The Scripture-based format of Stories of God’s Love Kindergarten begins where every catechesis should begin – by touching children’s hearts with the Gospel message.

Written by a team of kindergarten specialists, Stories of God’s Love Kindergarten follows USCCB guidelines for kindergarten materials, lays a firm foundation for young learners, and can be used with any elementary program.

• Children learn of and relate to God’s love through Scripture and story.

• Parents and families are nurtured through activities, reflection, and prayer that foster Catholic faith and values.

• Teachers and catechists find solid background, helpful planning tools, and easy-to-follow lesson plans each week.

• Online resources offer support for teachers, catechists, and parents.

Use Stories of God’s Love Kindergarten as the foundation for Be My Disciples.

Call toll free at 1-877-275-4725 • RCLBenziger.com 3333


BeMyDisciples.com

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