The Church “exists in order to evangelize,” that is “the carrying forth of the Good News to every sector of the human race so that by its strength it may enter into the hearts of men and renew the human race.” (General Directory of Catechesis #46, Evangelii Nuntiandi #18)  Catechetical instruction in the Catholic parish or school should be based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church and thoroughly integrated into the curriculum and objectives of the Diocese.

Standards are clear, precise statements of what the student is to learn during a prescribed grade level. The standards in the Diocesan Religious Education Curriculum Guidelines are the same for each grade level and have been developed around the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Creed (what we believe), Mass and Sacraments (how we celebrate our beliefs), Christian Living (how we live our beliefs), and Prayer (how we pray our beliefs). These standards provide the instructional framework for the content of the Catholic faith.

C/DREs will use the Curriculum Guidelines to assist catechists and parents in applying the desired religious education standards and Catholic doctrine to the specific grade levels. Catechists and Parents will use the Learning Outcomes to direct their lesson planning during the academic year, centering their plans and resources on this framework to assist students in attaining the standards.

Each grade level contains learning outcomes based on the two sources upon which our faith is formed:  the Bible (Sacred Scripture) and the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Tradition).  The Bible is the sacred Word of God, and the Catechism transmits the Word of God to us providing the foundation upon which we are to live our lives of discipleship.  The Learning Outcome for each grade contains what the student will learn from Sacred Scripture and the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, as well as traditional, Marian and liturgical prayers, and the Safe Environment lesson mandated by the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

Using your catechist manual in conjunction with these Learning Outcomes will ensure the students receive faith formation structured on the Six Tasks of Catechesis as they build and deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.  Your parish C/DRE can provide guidance and resources from the Diocesan Curriculum Guidelines for Religious Education should you desire a more comprehensive guideline to follow.    Materials and information for the Safe Environment lesson will be provided by your C/DRE.