All people are called to cultivate the virtue of chastity, which allows us to imitate Christ in doing what is right, good and truly loving in the areas of relationships and sexual morality.
“Assisting parents of adolescents and youth in the formation of their children for chaste living is essential to their formation in the Catholic faith and should be mandatory in Catholic schools and in parish religious education and youth ministry programs” (Catechetical Formation for Chaste Living, USCCB, 2009).
The Archdiocese of Baltimore is committed to providing education for parents and children about preventing, identifying, and reporting child sexual abuse within the context of a holistic catechesis for chaste living. This catechesis is to be offered as an important component of the curriculum of religious instruction and faith formation in the parish or school setting, from kindergarten through high school.
Family Life Catechesis in the Archdiocese of Baltimore is a catechesis for Healthy Relationships. The purpose of this catechetical endeavor is to create a knowledgeable school/parish community that welcomes open communication and a holistic discussion around the issues of moral living, marriage and family, healthy sexuality and sexual abuse prevention.
Provide Catholic teaching on morality
Present skills and virtues for Catholic family living
Place human sexuality within the context of Catholic family moral living
Help families address the complex issues of contemporary life
Offer child protection education for children and their parents/guardians
Curricula and Content: Office of Family, Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Safe Environment and the Annual Audit: Office of Child and Youth Protection
Application within Catholic Schools: Department of Catholic Schools
Application within Parishes (k-5): Office of Family, Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Application within Parishes (6-8): Office of Family, Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Kindergarten- Eighth Grade
RCL Benziger Family Life (first or second edition) -OR-
Loyola Press Growing with God – IMPORTANT: please contact the publisher to ensure you are implementing the *Archdiocese of Baltimore approved* version of this text (omits one chapter and includes additional material)
Ninth – Twelfth Grade
Grades Kindergarten- Eighth Grade
RCL Benziger Family Life (first or second edition) -OR-
Loyola Press Growing with God – IMPORTANT: please contact the publisher to ensure you are implementing the *Archdiocese of Baltimore approved* version of this text (omits one chapter and includes additional material)
Grades Six – Eighth
PREFERRED:
RCL Benziger FamilyLife (first or second edition)-OR-
Loyola Press Growing with God – IMPORTANT: please contact the publisher to ensure you are implementing the *Archdiocese of Baltimore approved* version of this text (omits one chapter and includes additional material)
Archdiocese of Baltimore Created to Love for middle school is still an option, but preference is given to the above options.
Grades Ninth – Twelfth
Archdiocese of Baltimore Created to Love for high school. If you choose to supplement the above with other materials, please contact the Office of Family, Youth, and Young Adult Ministry for guidance.
Each family life catechesis textbook series includes implementation ideas for any parish or school program. Several models are possible, for example:
Three days a week for 7-8 Weeks
Four to Five days a week for 2-4 weeks
One day a week for 10-12 week
Contact the Office of Family, Youth, and Young Adult Ministry for guidance on various methods of incorporating the family life catechesis component into your formation scope and sequence. Example integrations include:
One chapter per session incorporated into basic catechetical lessons*
Additional sessions added to regular faith formation schedule
Monthly family life class; basic catechesis on other weeks
For middle and high school: retreat format