Curriculum Standards

Departments
Catechesis & RCIA
Curriculum Standards and Approved Textbooks

Curriculum Standards

Appendices
(Created 2019)

Appendix A - Catechesis Within Evangelization

Appendix B - Role of the Heart

Appendix D - Abbreviated Outlines by Grade (99 page document; These outlines by grade are available as individual documents on our SharePoint site.)

Curriculum Standards for Catechesis

(REVISED 2012)
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

References

I. Foundational Principles

II. Preschool through Eighth Grade Curriculum Standards
A. Elementary Curriculum Standards

First Reconciliation and First Eucharist Policies
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Sacrament of First Eucharist

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 6

B. Junior High Curriculum Standards

Grade 7

Grade 8

III. Ninth through Twelfth Grade Curriculum Standards

A. Senior High - Background for Catechists
B. Senior High Curriculum Standards

Two options for Senior High Curriculum Standards are offered.
One option is based on the Four Pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

Pillar I – The Profession of Faith – Creed
Pillar II – Celebration of the Christian Mystery – Sacraments
Pillar III – Life in Christ – The Ten Commandments
Pillar IV – Christian Prayer – The Lord’s Prayer

The other option is based on the USCCB's Curriculum Framework:

Diocese of Duluth's Adaptation of the USCCB's Curriculum Framework

IV. Confirmation Policy and Curriculum Standards

A. Confirmation Policy (Revised Jan. 2016)
Appendix (Revised Mar. 2022)
B. Immediate Preparation for Confirmation Curriculum Standards

V. Special Topics
A. Special Needs Child
B. Reverence for the Eucharist
C. Vocations
D. Saints

VI. Prayers and Concepts

VII. Dictionary of Terms

VIII. Textbook Evaluations

A. What does it mean to use “Approved Texts?”

B. Elementary Approved Series (UPDATED Dec 2014) - Click here for diocese's evaluation of these series.
          Alive in Christ © 2014 by Our Sunday Visitor
                    Alive in Christ - Parish Edition correlation to diocesan Curriculum Standards.
          Be My Disciples © 2013 by RCL/Benziger
                    Be My Disciples correlation to diocesan Curriculum Standards.
          Christ our Life © 1997, 2002, 2009 by Loyola Press
          Image of God © 1986, 1993, 2014 by Ignatius Press
          We Believe © 2011 by Sadlier
          Spirit of Truth © 2018 by Sophia Institute

         Approved Elementary Series being phased into retirement:
              Call to Faith (c) 2005, 2009 by Our Sunday Visitor (formerly Harcourt Religion)
              Faith First (c) 2000, 2001 by RCL/Benziger
             Faith First Legacy Edition (c) 2006, 2007 by RCL/Bengizer

First Communion / First Reconciliation Approved Series (UPDATED Aug 2019) - Click
here for diocese's evaluation of these series.
Materials produced by a publisher of an "Elementary Approved Series" (see above)
Blessed © 2017 by Dynamic Catholic

C. Junior High Approved Series (UPDATED June 2015) - Click here for diocese's evaluation of these series.
          Be My Disciples (c) 2014 by RCL/Benziger
          Image of God (c) 1986, 1993, 2014 by Ignatius Press
          Faith and Life (c) 1987, 2009 by Ignatius Press
          Christ our Life (c) 2002, 2009 by Loyola Press
          Alive in Christ (c) 2014 by Our Sunday Visitor

          Approved Junior High Series being phased into retirement:
               Call to Faith (c) 2009 by Our Sunday Visitor (formerly Harcourt Religion)
               Faith First Junior High (c) 2001 by RCL/Benziger
               Faith First Legacy Edition (c) 2006, 2007 by RCL/Benziger

D. Senior High Approved Series - Click here for evaluations.
          Understanding the Catechism (c) 1998 by RCL Benziger
          God's Descent (c) 2012 by Nic Davidson
Y-Disciple by the Augustine Institute (pilot staus)
(*Note: Y-Disciple can be used for meetings at a parish, not for meeting in homes.)

E. Confirmation Approved Series (UPDATED July 2014) - Click here for diocese's evaluation of these series.
          Chosen (c) 2014 by Ascension Press
          Decision Point (c) 2014 by Dynamic Catholic
          Image of God: Spreading and Defending the Faith (c )1990, 2013 by Ignatius Press
          Confirmed in the Spirit (c) 2007 by Loyola Press
          Filled with the Holy Spirit (c) 2007 by RCL/Benziger

F. Family Life - Grades K-6
Loving as God Loves Worksheets by the Diocese of Duluth (Office of Catechesis)
Family Life by RCL Benziger

G. Family Life - Grade 5
PUREly YOU! by Purely You Educ.

IX. Other Materials

A. Catechists Required and Supplemental Materials
B. Elementary Supplemental Materials (UPDATED MARCH 2015)
C. Junior High Supplemental Materials (UPDATED JULY 2013)
D. Senior High Supplemental Materials
E. Confirmation Supplemental Materials
F. Special Needs Supplemental Materials

X. Local Treasures (Please contact the Diocese of Duluth for a copy of the Local Treasures Booklet)