The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism Lesson 23 The Sacraments

The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism

Lesson 23

The Sacraments

The sacraments are signs of Jesus taking care of His sheep

We read in the Holy Bible:

11

            For thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will look after and tend my sheep.

12

            As a shepherd tends his flock when he finds himself among his scattered sheep, so           will I tend my sheep. I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cloudy and dark.

13

            I will lead them out from among the peoples and gather them from the foreign   lands; I will bring them back to their own country and pasture them upon the         mountains of Israel (in the land's ravines and all its inhabited places).

14

            In good pastures will I pasture them, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing ground. There they shall lie down on good grazing ground, and in rich pastures shall they be pastured on the mountains of Israel.

15

            I myself will pasture my sheep; I myself will give them rest, says the Lord GOD.

16

            The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal (but the sleek and the strong I will destroy), shepherding them rightly.

                                                                Explanation

Our Lord wants our souls to be clean

            At the Last Supper our Lord gave His Apostles Their first Communion. He said the first Mass and gave them power to do the same. But before He did, He washed their feet to show them how clean they should be in body and soul to be pleasing to the Father and to receive Holy Communion. And He wanted to give them an example of how they should love one another and serve one another.

Our Lord wants us to receive Communion often

            Our Blessed Lord would like us to receive Communion often. He has told us, “Unless you eat of the Son of Man and drink of His Blood, you shall not have life within you” (John 6, 54). The Church tells us if we do not eat Our Lord’s Body in Holy Communion at least once a year, our souls will be dead in mortal sin. Anyone who would stay away from Communion that long would be very ungrateful for all our blessed Lord did and suffered for us to give us His Flesh to eat and His Precious Blood to drink.

Our Lord wants us to go to confession often

            It is good to be as clean as we can before we go to Communion. We let Our Lord wash our souls in His precious Blood in the sacrament of Penance, Justas He washed the feet of the Apostles. The Church obliges those in mortal sin to take a bath in the precious Blood of Christ in confession at least once a year, but it is good to have our souls washed often.

Practice: Go to confession and Communion often. So your soul will be healthy and strong.

Catechism

134. What is meant by the commandment to confess our sins at least once a year?

By the commandment to confess our sins at least once a year is meant that we are strictly obliged to make a good confession within the year, if we have a mortal sin to confess.

            Frequent confession of all sins, either mortal or venial, keeps our souls clean and helps us to grow in God’s love.

135. What sin does a Catholic commit who neglects to receive Holy Communion worthily

            

By the 7^th commandment we are commanded to respect what belongs to others.

117. What does the 7^th commandment forbid?

            The 7^th commandment forbids all dishonesty, such as stealing, cheating, unjust     keeping of what belongs to others, and unjust damage to property of others.

                        We must not take anything belonging to another and keep it for are own. We must not destroy or damage on purpose what belongs to others.

                        We must not cheat. This means that we must not copy answers from            someone else in the classroom. And we must be fair when playing with others.

118. Are we obliged to restore the owner stolen goods, or there value?

            We are obliged to restore the owner stolen goods, or there value, whenever we are able.

Discussion Questions

1.                              What was Our Lord’s attitude toward money?

2.                              What does He want us to do with earthly goods?

3.                              What are “treasures” in heaven?

4.                              How can we lay up treasures in heaven?

5.                              What is a generous act like?

Yes or No

1.                              Did Our Lord care about riches?

2.                              Are prayers and good deeds heavenly treasures?

3.                              Do we have to share our things with others?

4.                              Is cheating in class or at play dishonest?

5.                              Is it all right to damage the property of others?

Fill in the Blanks

1.                  We must respect what ......................... to others.

2.                  We must always speak the………………….

3.                  We must be pure in thought and …………….

4.                  We must not envy the............................. of others.

5.                  Jesus tells us not to be selfish but................................

Other Readings from the Bible.

1.                                          What happened to the rich young man who was too selfish, Matthew 19, 16-24.

2.                                          The foolish rich man who did not prepare for heaven, Luke 12, 13-34.

3.                                          How Our Lord suffered from the lies told about Him during His trial, Mark 14, 55-59.

Class Liturgical Action

Say together Psalm 48 which shows the danger of trust in riches. The teacher will help you. 

The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism Lesson 22 The Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Commandments of God

The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism

Lesson 22

The Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Commandments of God

When we are generous with others we lay up treasures of love in Heaven

3^rd Commandment of God: To confess our sins at least once a year.

4^th Commandment of God: To receive Holy Communion during the Easter time.

5^th Commandment of God: To contribute to the support of the Church.
6^th Commandment of God: To observe the laws of the Church concerning marriage.

We read in the Holy Bible:

1

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.

2

The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper,

3

fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God,

4

he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist.

5

Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waist.

6

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Master, are you going to wash my feet?"

7

Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later."

8

Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me."

9

Simon Peter said to him, "Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well."

10

Jesus said to him, "Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all."

11

For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, "Not all of you are clean."

12

So when he had washed their feet (and) put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, "Do you realize what I have done for you?

13

You call me 'teacher' and 'master,' and rightly so, for indeed I am.

14

If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet.                                                                             

Explanation

Our Lord wants our souls to be clean

            At the Last Supper our Lord gave His Apostles Their first Communion. He said the first Mass and gave them power to do the same. But before He did, He washed their feet to show them how clean they should be in body and soul to be pleasing to the Father and to receive Holy Communion. And He wanted to give them an example of how they should love one another and serve one another.

Our Lord wants us to receive Communion often

            Our Blessed Lord would like us to receive Communion often. He has told us, “Unless you eat of the Son of Man and drink of His Blood, you shall not have life within you” (John 6, 54). The Church tells us if we do not eat Our Lord’s Body in Holy Communion at least once a year, our souls will be dead in mortal sin. Anyone who would stay away from Communion that long would be very ungrateful for all our blessed Lord did and suffered for us to give us His Flesh to eat and His Precious Blood to drink.

Our Lord wants us to go to confession often

            It is good to be as clean as we can before we go to Communion. We let Our Lord wash our souls in His precious Blood in the sacrament of Penance, Justas He washed the feet of the Apostles. The Church obliges those in mortal sin to take a bath in the precious Blood of Christ in confession at least once a year, but it is good to have our souls washed often.

Practice: Go to confession and Communion often. So your soul will be healthy and strong.

Catechism

134. What is meant by the commandment to confess our sins at least once a year?

By the commandment to confess our sins at least once a year is meant that we are strictly obliged to make a good confession within the year, if we have a mortal sin to confess.

            Frequent confession of all sins, either mortal or venial, keeps our souls clean and helps us to grow in God’s love.

135. What sin does a Catholic commit who neglects to receive Holy Communion worthily

     

By the 7^th commandment we are commanded to respect what belongs to others.

117. What does the 7^th commandment forbid?

            The 7^th commandment forbids all dishonesty, such as stealing, cheating, unjust     keeping of what belongs to others, and unjust damage to property of others.

                        We must not take anything belonging to another and keep it for are own. We must not destroy or damage on purpose what belongs to others.

                        We must not cheat. This means that we must not copy answers from            someone else in the classroom. And we must be fair when playing with others.

118. Are we obliged to restore the owner stolen goods, or there value?

            We are obliged to restore the owner stolen goods, or there value, whenever we are able.

Discussion Questions

1.                              What was Our Lord’s attitude toward money?

2.                              What does He want us to do with earthly goods?

3.                              What are “treasures” in heaven?

4.                              How can we lay up treasures in heaven?

5.                              What is a generous act like?

  

Yes or No

1.                              Did Our Lord care about riches?

2.                              Are prayers and good deeds heavenly treasures?

3.                              Do we have to share our things with others?

4.                              Is cheating in class or at play dishonest?

5.                              Is it all right to damage the property of others?

Fill in the Blanks

1.                                                      We must respect what ......................... to others.

2.                                                      We must always speak the………………….

3.                                                      We must be pure in thought and …………….

4.                                                      We must not envy the............................. of others.

5.                                                      Jesus tells us not to be selfish but................................

Other Readings from the Bible.

1.                                          What happened to the rich young man who was too selfish, Matthew 19, 16-24.

2.                                          The foolish rich man who did not prepare for heaven, Luke 12, 13-34.

3.                                          How Our Lord suffered from the lies told about Him during His trial, Mark 14, 55-59.

Class Liturgical Action

Say together Psalm 48 which shows the danger of trust in riches. The teacher will help you. 

The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism Lesson 21 The Commandments of the Church; the First and Second Commandments

The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism

Lesson 21

The Commandments of the Church; the First and Second Commandments

The early Christians assembled for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

2^nd Commandment of God: Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

We read in the Holy Bible:

42

They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.                   

Explanation

Worship and sacrifice among the Jews

            The Jewish people worshiped God and sacrificed to Him in a special way. They fasted and kept away from certain foods. They gave to the Lord a certain amount of their worldly goods and money.

            On the Sabbath they went to their synagogues for prayers, hymns and a sermon. And on the special feasts they went up to the temple in Jerusalem to take part in the great sacrifices offered to God.

Christ gave a new sacrifice

            But Our Lord told the Jews that there 1^st   Commandment of God: To assist at mass on all Sundays and Holydays of obligation.

would be a change. He would give them new ceremonies and a new sacrifice. “New wine,” He told them, “must be put into fresh skins” (Luke 5, 38). The new wine of holy love, the spiritual wine of the of the Holy Spirit, which He would pour out into His Church beginning on Pentecost, would have to have new wineskins of new ceremonies to contain it (Acts 2, 12-17). These new ceremonies would be something like what they had had, yet they would be different.

The sacrifice of the Mass

            Our great ceremony is the Mass. It continues the sacrifice o Christ on the cross. We must assist at mass on all Sundays and Holydays of obligation. To show that we are wiling to share this sacrifice and to suffer with Christ, we fast and abstain on the days appointed by the Church.

Practice: When you assist at mass, do your best to pat careful attention to the prayers and ceremonies.

Catechism

127. What are the chief commandments, or laws, of the church?

The chief commandments, or laws, of the church are these 6:

1.  To assist at Mass on all Sundays and Holy days of Obligation.

2.  To fast and to abstain on the days appointed.

3.  To confess sins at least once a year.

4.   To receive Holy Communion during the Easter time.

5.   To contribute to the support of the Church.

6.   To observe the laws of the Church concerning marriage.

128. What sin does a Catholic commit who through his own fault misses Mass on a Sunday or holyday of obligation?

Catholic commit who through his own fault misses Mass on a Sunday or holyday of obligation commits a mortal sin

The mass is our great act of sharing in the love of Our Lord. It hurts Him deeply if we sin on purpose.

129. Which are the Holydays of obligation in the United States?

            The Holydays of obligation in the United States are these 6:

            Christmas Day December 25

            Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God January 1

            Ascension Thursday 40 days after Easter

            The Assumption August 15

            All Saints Day November 1

130. What else does the Church oblige us to do on holydays of obligation?

The Church obliges us to abstain from servile work on holydays of obligation, just as on Sundays, as far as we are able.

131. What is a fast day?

A fast day is a day on which only one full meal is allowed; But in the morning and evening some food may be taken, the quantity and quality are determined by approved local custom.

            Only those over 18 years of age and under 60 have to obey the law.

132. What is a day of abstinence?

A day of abstinence is a day on we are not allowed the use of meat.

When we do not eat meat we show Our Lord that we are willing to give up something we like for love of Him. We show Him that we thank Him for giving up His life for us on Good Friday.

133. Who are obliged to observe the abstinence days of the Church?

All baptized persons who have reached the use of reason and passed their fourteenth birthday are obliged to observe the abstinence days of the Church.

Discussion Questions

1.                              What did the Jews do on the Sabbath Day?

2.                              What did they do on big feasts?

3.                              What change did Our Lord make?

True or False

1.                              Christ gave us the sacrifice of the mass.

2.                              The church makes laws without Christ’s help.

3.                              If we go to Church only on some Sundays, we obey the law of the Church.

Fill in the Blanks

1.                              There are ……………… there are holydays of obligation.

2.                              On a day of abstinence we do not eat meat……………….

3.                              On a fast day only one full ……………… is taken.

Other Readings from the Bible.

1.                              Jesus at the feast of the Passover, Luke 2, 41-42.

2.                              Jesus replaces old sacrifice and ceremony with “new wine” and “fresh skins,” Luke 5, 37-38.

3.                              The apostles are filled with the “new wine,” the Holy Spirit, Acts 2, 12-17.

Class Liturgical Action

Learn by heart and recite together Psalm 116 which praises God. 

The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism Lesson 20 The Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Commandments of God

The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism

Lesson 20

The Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Commandments of God

When we are generous with others we lay up treasures of love in Heaven

7^th Commandment of God: Thou shalt not steal.

8^th Commandment of God: Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

9^th Commandment of God: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors’ wife.
10^th Commandment of God: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors’ goods.

We read in the Holy Bible:

19

            And he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking 5 the five loaves and           the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.

20

            They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over 6 --     twelve wicker baskets full.

21

            Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.

Explanation

How to lay up heavenly treasures

            We must follow the example of Jesus, our Good Shepherd. He could have had all the riches of the world, for He was God. But He wanted to be poor. He was born in a poor stable in Bethlehem. He grew up in the poor town of Nazareth. He was the son of a poor carpenter. When He left home to do the work for which He came to earth, He had no money, He lived in poverty. And He died naked on the Cross after the soldiers had taken away His poor clothing.

Trust in Our Lord

            If we trust in Our Lord and work hard, He will give us what we need. We can be very selfish with what God has given us. Or we can be very generous. If we are generous with what God has given us, we shall be piling up treasures in heaven. Each generous act is like a jewel we send ahead of us to heaven. It is a jewel we send to God. It represents our love for Him. Let us share our toys, games, books, clothes, and other things with brothers and sisters. Let us not get angry if things get broken or lost. Remember they are only possessions of earth. We must be generous with what belongs to us, and not take what belongs to others.

Practice: giving whatever you can to make them happy

The Seventh Commandment

115. What is the 7^th commandment of God?

            The 7^th Commandment of God is: Thou shalt not steal.

116. What are we commanded by the 7^th commandment?

            By the 7^th commandment we are commanded to respect what belongs to others.

117. What does the 7^th commandment forbid?

            The 7^th commandment forbids all dishonesty, such as stealing, cheating, unjust     keeping of what belongs to others, and unjust damage to property of others.

                        We must not take anything belonging to another and keep it for are own. We must not destroy or damage on purpose what belongs to others.

                        We must not cheat. This means that we must not copy answers from            someone else in the classroom. And we must be fair when playing with others.

118. Are we obliged to restore the owner stolen goods, or there value?

            We are obliged to restore the owner stolen goods, or there value, whenever we are able.

The Eighth Commandment

119. What is the 8^th commandment?

            The 8^th commandment of God is: Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy      neighbor.

                        “To bear false witness” means to lie about our neighbor. Our Lord said, “I     am... the truth.” If we claim to love Our Lord and follow Him, we must always tell the             truth.

120. What are we commanded by the 8^th commandment.

            By the 8^th commandment we are commanded to speak the truth in all things

121. What does the 8^th commandment forbid?

            The 8^th commandment forbids lies and harming the name of another.

The Ninth Commandment

101. What is the 9^th commandment?

            The 9^th commandment of God is: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors’ wife.

102. What are we commanded by the third commandment.

            By the third commandment we are commanded to worship God in a special        manner on Sunday, the Lord’s Day.

            On Sunday we should give all the time we can to the thing s of God.

103. How does the Church command us to worship God on Sunday?

            The Church commands us to worship God on Sunday by assisting at the Holy         Sacrifice of the Mass.

            The Mass is our greatest act of worship. We offer it to our Father in Heaven.

104. What is forbidden by the third commandment of God?

            By the third commandment of God all unnecessary servile work on Sunday is             forbidden.

105. What is servile work?

            Servile work is that which requires labor of the body rather than of the mind.

            Necessary work is never forbidden.

The Tenth Commandment

101. What is the third commandment?

            The third commandment of God is: Remember thou keep the Lords Day.

102. What are we commanded by the third commandment.

            By the third commandment we are commanded to worship God in a special        manner on Sunday, the Lord’s Day.

                        On Sunday we should give all the time we can to the thing s of God.

103. How does the Church command us to worship God on Sunday.

            The Church command us to worship God on Sunday by assisting at the Holy          Sacrifice of the Mass.

            The Mass is our greatest act of worship. We offer it to our Father in Heaven.

104. What is forbidden by the third commandment of God?

            By the third commandment of God all unnecessary servile work on Sunday is             forbidden.

105. What is servile work?

            Servile work is that which requires labor of the body rather than of the mind.

            Necessary work is never forbidden.

Discussion Questions

1. What is the second commandment of God?
2. What is the third commandment of God?
3. How can we honor God’s name?
4. How can we keep Sunday holy?
5. How did Our Lord keep the Sabbath holy?

Yes or No

1. Was the synagogue a Jewish place of worship?
2. Did Our Lord ever go to the synagogue?
3. Was Saturday ever the Lord’s day?

4. Do we have to go to Mass on Sunday?
5. Is all servile work forbidden on Sunday?

Fill in the Blanks

1.      The Apostles changed the Lord’s day from ..……………… to ..........................

2.      The Lord’s day among the Jew was called the………………… .

3.      The second commandment tells us not to take the ……………. of .......................... in vain.

4.      The third commandment tells us to keep ................... the Lord’s day.

5.      Our best way to worship God on Sunday is by going to ................................

Other Readings from the Bible.

1.      What Our Lord said about swearing, Matthew 5, 33-37.

2.      What He said about cursing, or wishing evil on another, Matthew 5, 21-24.

3.      What He said to those who did not show proper respect in Church, Matthew 21, 12-13.

Class Liturgical ActionLearn to say the Divine Praises in honor of God and His Holy Ones.

The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism Lesson 19 The Fourth and Fifth And Sixth Commandments of God

The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism

Lesson 19

The Fourth and Fifth And Sixth Commandments of God

Jesus obeyed and respected His parents

4^th Commandment of God: Honor thy Father and thy Mother.

5^th Commandment of God: Thou shalt not kill.

6^th Commandment of God: Thou shalt not commit adultery.

We read in the Holy Bible:

51

He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. (Luke 2, 51)

8

He humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2)

Explanation

All power comes from God

            God has all power on Heaven and on earth. He gives us a share in his power, or authority, to people on earth. He gives parents authority over there children. He gives rulers power over countries. We owe obedience to earthly power because it comes from God.

Jesus obeyed those in power

Our Lord obeyed First, His Heavenly Father. He said, “I have come down from heaven not to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 14, 31).

            Jesus obeyed His parents on earth. He obeyed Mary, His Mother, Joseph, His foster father. He knew that His heavenly Father had given power, or authority, over Him. Jesus obeyed his parents in all things. That is what is meant by the words “and was subject to them.”

            Jesus obeyed the earthly rulers. He knew that they would have no power except from God, His Father in Heaven. Pontius pilot, the Roman Governor of Palestine, “Do you know I have the power to crucify You, and that I have power to release You?” (John 19, 10).Our Lord replied “You would have no power over Me were it not given you from above” (John 19, 11). Jesus obeyed this authority, even to death on the cross.

Jesus is our model

            Our Lord showed us the way of love and obedience. We must follow Him. He obeyed the Ten Commandments given to man by God the Father. We are learning in this lesson about the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Commandments. Let us follow Jesus in our obedience to them. Let us imitate Him in loving obedience to our parents, teachers, and all who have power from god over us.

            When we obey, we are listening to the good shepherd

Practice: Do something more than you have to for God each Sunday. Make an extra visit, or do some reading about God or one of the Saints.

The Second Commandment

97. What is the second commandment of God?

            2^nd Commandment of God is: Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.

98. What are we commanded by the second commandment?

            By the second commandment we are commanded always to speak with reverence of God, of the saints and of holy things.

                        A name is a word-picture of a person. We use the name of God and holy    persons with respect.

99. What is meant by taking God’s name in vain?

            By taking God’s name in vain is meant that the name of God or the holy name of             Jesus Christ is used without reverence.

100. What is cursing?

            Cursing is the calling down of some evil on a person, place, or thing.

The Third Commandment

101. What is the third commandment?

            The third commandment of God is: Remember thou keep the Lords Day.

102. What are we commanded by the third commandment.

            By the third commandment we are commanded to worship God in a special        manner on Sunday, the Lord’s Day.

                        On Sunday we should give all the time we can to the thing s of God.

103. How does the Church command us to worship God on Sunday.

            The Church command us to worship God on Sunday by assisting at the Holy          Sacrifice of the Mass.

                        The Mass is our greatest act of worship. We offer it to our Father in Heaven.

104. What is forbidden by the third commandment of God?

            By the third commandment of God all unnecessary servile work on Sunday is             forbidden.

105. What is servile work?

            Servile work is that which requires labor of the body rather than of the mind.

                        Necessary work is never forbidden.

Discussion Questions

1. What is the second commandment of God?
2. What is the third commandment of God?
3. How can we honor God’s name?
4. How can we keep Sunday holy?
5. How did Our Lord keep the Sabbath holy?

Yes or No

1. Was the synagogue a Jewish place of worship?
2. Did Our Lord ever go to the synagogue?
3. Was Saturday ever the Lord’s day?
4. Do we have to go to Mass on Sunday?
5. Is all servile work forbidden on Sunday?

Fill in the Blanks

1. The Apostles changed the Lord’s day from ..……………… to ..........................
2. The Lord’s day among the Jew was called the………………… .
3. The second commandment tells us not to take the ……………. of .......................... in vain.
4. The third commandment tells us to keep ................... the Lord’s day.
5. Our best way to worship God on Sunday is by going to ................................

Other Readings from the Bible.

1.      What Our Lord said about swearing, Matthew 5, 33-37.

2.      What He said about cursing, or wishing evil on another, Matthew 5, 21-24.

3.      What He said to those who did not show proper respect in Church, Matthew 21, 12-13.

Class Liturgical Action

Learn to say the Divine Praises in honor of God and His Holy Ones.