Welcome to Faith in Action! Service is the water without which we cannot fully bloom. "Gratitude is the attitude of beatitude." This is a 6th through 8th grade class where we are all called to become true images of God as we open our hearts wide to the needs of others and become the people God created us to be in the process through living the Beatitudes and Catholic Social Teaching. We will learn more about our Catholic faith as well as leadership skills and how to work as a community to carry out the mission of Jesus (Works of Mercy). In the 2017-2018 school year, we are focusing on the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. The goal is to build our relationship with Jesus through serving our brothers and sisters in need. Please see the plan for the trimester-long class and the grading method below the final examination.
The final exam for the end of each trimester in the 2017-2018 school year is below. (The notebook may be collected at any time and has a great impact on the overall grade.)
Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy Final Exam
1. Where are the corporal works of mercy listed in the Bible? (book and chapter)
2. Please list the seven corporal works of mercy and the seven spiritual works of mercy.
3. How do the Works of Mercy bring good out of suffering through benefiting both the giver and the receiver?
4. Please write an essay explaining why the corporal and spiritual works of mercy are considered to be the job description of a Christian. Use at least three pieces of evidence from Scripture that were discussed in class (Mt. 25-- the final judgment; Mt. 22-- the Great Commandment; and Mt. 28-- the Great Commission) to support your answer.
5. Please write an essay that includes the following: (A) Describe which works of mercy you have carried out during your Faith in Action class this trimester (you must name each work of mercy and what you specifically have done for each --not just the type of project-- for example, "I pulled weeds, fed chickens, and planted seeds at the farm," as opposed to "I went to the farm."). (B) Describe how what you have learned and done has affected you, including an explanation of the activity that had the most impact on you (and why?).
Extra credit: How could the Works of Mercy, the Beatitudes, and Catholic Social Teaching all be use to form your conscience and as a guide for the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
Matthew 25 Corporal: Feed the hungry. Spiritual: Instruct the ignorant. Give drink to the thirsty. Counsel the doubtful. Clothe the naked. Admonish the sinner. Visit the imprisoned. Comfort the sorrowful. Shelter the homeless. Bear wrongs patiently. Visit the sick. Forgive all offenses. Bury the dead. Pray for the living and the dead.
FIA counts for 20% of a student's religion assessment grade during just the trimester that he or she is in FIA. The number of points involved varies according to the number of points in each religion class at the trimester's end, but the weight will be the same, regardless. The basic grade is calculated on having a complete notebook (students are consistently directed and given time to write down notes during class and are told they are responsible for copying them from a classmate if they are absent) and performance on the final exam (posted above from day one). Participation and effort in class/service projects and in Friday homerooms (in 7th and 8th grades only) are also important and can influence the grade (lowering it slightly if participation and effort are notably low, or increasing it slightly if participation and effort are notably high). Getting a high grade in FIA is almost entirely based on participation during class/projects and effort in both reviewing for the final (which is most effectively done bit by bit over the 12 weeks, instead of the weekend before) and taking notes in class.