Visions - Pflaum Home

UNIT 1
Walking
in Jesus’
Footsteps
“
The Christian faith is, above all, conversion
to Jesus Christ, full adherence to his
person, and the decision to walk in his
footsteps,” the National Directory for Catechesis
emphasizes (98). By listening and responding to
the Gospel, we walk in Jesus’ footsteps with his
first men and women disciples and learn what
Jesus asks of us as disciples.
Jesus teaches about discipleship by
responding to people’s questions and needs. A
Pharisee asks about divorce. A young man seeks
eternal life but can’t give up his wealth to follow
Jesus. A beggar believes Jesus can give him
sight. James and John learn greatness lies in
service. Jesus puts more value on the pennies a
widow gives to the Temple than on the
ostentatious gifts of richer people.
Visions calls young people to journeys of love
and service like those others have made. They
reflect on the experience of living in a cardboard
box for a night. They recognize the heroic service
of St. Damien and St. Marianne to people with
leprosy. They follow young people their own age
through their choices, and sometimes their
mistakes, to a clearer idea of living Jesus’ law of
love.
The Visions activities provide the hands-on,
concrete, cooperative experiences young people
need to explore the challenges for their lives in the
Sunday Gospels. The activities go beyond reading
and writing. They get young people out of their
seats and into small groups to play valuing games,
act out moral dilemmas, and celebrate prayer
services. The activities provide opportunities for
the young people to put the Gospel into practice.
Visions calls the young people to pray together
as a community. Although they are often printed
only in this guide, every session has a gathering
prayer and a closing prayer. In this unit a blessing
for the new school year, a song of prayer, and a
role-play prayer of people Jesus met are in the
student copies of Visions.
Date/Sunday
Gospel Theme
Bible
Catholic Social
Teaching
1 Creed 2 Sacraments 3 Life in Christ 4
Prayer
September 23, 2012
25th Sunday
September 30, 2012
26th Sunday
Mark 9.30-37
The Greatest Serve
Mark 9.38-48
Those Not Against
Us Are With Us
Scripture
readings
at Eucharist
Homelessness
Preferential option
for the poor
Jesus suffers, dies
and rises on the
third day.
The Church is
Catholic, sent to all
people.
Assembly, a sign of
Christ’s presence, a
vision of Church
Eucharist: lectionary
readings
Building community;
setting class guidelines
Respect for one another
Blessing our new
year
Our Father
October 7, 2012
27th Sunday
Mark 10.2-16
Unity of Marriage
Genesis 2.18-24;
marriage
The human person
is social.
God creates us for
relationships.
Marriage
The community that
helps us to grow
Prayer of thanks
October 14, 2012
28th Sunday
Mark 10.17-30
Rich Young Man
Ten
Commandments
Preferential option
for the poor; basic
rights
Jesus values the
Commandments.
Pope and bishops as
teachers
Discipleship:
St. Damien, St.
Marianne
Petitions
October 21, 2012
29th Sunday
Mark 10.35-45
Serve Others
Common good,
rights and duties
Jesus gives himself
for us.
Rights, duties toward
one another
Prayer to serve
October 28, 2012
30th Sunday
Mark 10.46-52
Bartimaeus
Vatican II: Church in
the Modern World
Jesus’ miracles
show God’s love for
us.
Vatican II: Liturgy
Vatican II: Church,
People of God
Seeing and
thanking
Sign of Peace
November 4, 2012
31st Sunday
November 11, 2012
32nd Sunday
Mark 12.28-34
Two Great
Commandments
Mark 12.38-44
The Widow’s Mite
The Creed of
Israel—Sh’ma
Solidarity is our call.
Rights and
responsibilities
God is one and
loving.
The whole of Christ’s
life teaches.
Creed
Eucharist: Collection,
presentation of gifts
Exploring points of
view, developing
compassion
Recognizing values
Sh’ma
Praying in Gospel
roles