"Memento Mori" - Remember you will die.

     I realize that this is a rather strange way to begin 8th grade religion class.  In fact, I will be telling the students that we will be beginning ELA and Religion with horror and death -  I like to be dramatic!  Truthfully, I picked this saying because it is the antithesis to the reigning attitude in secular culture today which seems to be, "This life is all you get, so make the most of it."  We will spend the first few weeks of school examining and discussing what the students really believe and why.  Next we will explore the logical reasoning behind belief in God and how that compares with other religions.  It is my hope that each student gets a chance to test and defend his/her beliefs in order to make them their own.

     In addition, I plan to continue using  books, popular Christian music , videos and trips, to teach the curriculum and help the students to own their faith.  One new "project" which I launched last year is called "Living Your Faith."  In it, the students are asked to participate in at least three planned activities outside of school each trimester which are designed to help them live their faith.  Last year these included:  Meet me at Mass (8th graders go to 10:00 mass with me and then go back to my house for brunch), Christian movie night (popcorn and blankets in the classroom on a Friday night),  Latin Mass,  Worship Night in America,  participating in praise and worship in school, Friday lunchtime adoration, and Holy Week services and other devotions.  The response from the kids last year was so great that I decided to expand it this year to include even more experiences. 
     In summary, it is my absolute priviledge to be able to share God's love and truth with these precious young adults.  I am humbled by the task of preparing them for the most important final exam - the only one with everlasting implications.   I pray that they will become soldiers for Christ in a world that is becoming increasingly hostile to His message.