Miss Donoghue - "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ." (St. Jerome)

Pay close attention to the details! Good luck!

Assignment: In your assigned groups, create a 3-5 minute video recounting any biblical event we have examined in class this year. BE CREATIVE.

Requirements:
- EVERY member of the group must be clearly involved in the production of the video. As denoted in the attached rubric, I will be grading on how effectively your group filmed, edited, and presented the video. You will turn in an outline of the video that describes how each member of the group was involved.

- Your video must have an introduction and rolling credits at the end. Example here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DURtZ04iDrI

- If you are doing a live-action video, you must use at least one special effect.

- The video must be a minimum of 3, maximum of 5 minutes. Points will be deducted for videos that are too short or too long.

- Your video must include [APPROPRIATE] music. You must cite the music you use in MLA format on a Works-Cited page (failure to do so may result in a "0" on the assignment for using what is not yours without giving credit to the owner).

- Videos must be creative! I want you to have fun with this project; make your video the one I save to use as an example for all my students in years to come. :)

Submission Requirements:

***ALL VIDEOS ARE DUE BY 8TH PERIOD ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2012. Any video not turned in by this time will be worth 0 points.

- Your video must be turned in on a CD/DVD. It must work when I play it on my Apple laptop (in other words, try it at school to make sure it works)!

- In addition to the CD/DVD, your group must turn in an outline of your video. Here are some tips for writing a video outline: http://videoforchange.wordpress.com/1-plan/outlining-your-video/

- You must turn in a Works-Cited page that includes any sources you used to gain information for the video. (EVERYONE will at least need to include the Bible.)

- Remember also that, since I am allowing you three weeks to complete this video, my expectations are very high. I will be posting the rubric for this video ASAP.

*** Remember, don’t put anything in this video that you wouldn’t want your religion teacher to see!

Ideas:
- "How-to" video spoof
- Television commercial spoof
- Game show
- News broadcast
- Documentary
- Biography (or Autobiography, if you play the Bible character)
- Kinetic Typography video
- Stop-motion video (Lego Lowdown King David)
- Whiteboard Animation
- Street Interview (Like Jay Leno)

- Voiceover (Vintage 21 Jesus Videos)

- Music Video (you must write AT LEAST the lyrics)

As always, talk to me or email me with any questions.

-Miss D

There are two extra credit options for the Fourth Quarter, and they are due no later than May 4th. You may do both assignments -- that's a LOT of points!

Option A: Rediscovering Catholicism
I. Read Rediscovering Catholicism by Matthew Kelly. **Since I have read the book (and I am taking the time to read online descriptions/summaries of it), I will know if you have actually read the book or not.

II. Write a 2-4 (minimum 2pg, maximum 4pg) page paper reflecting on what you learned from the book. BE SURE to include what you are going to DO about the information you learned! That's the main purpose of this book! :)

III. Make sure your paper is:
-MLA formatted
- Typed
- Double spaced
- 12pt. Standard font (Cambria, Times New Roman)
- 1" margins
- Revised (ie, there are no serious grammar or spelling errors).
- Cited properly (if you quote/paraphrase the book, CITE IT. IF THE IDEA IS NOT YOURS, THEN YOU NEED TO GIVE THE AUTHOR CREDIT.)

Option B: Holy Week

As we discussed in class, there is one liturgy celebrated between Holy Thursday and the Easter Vigil. We refer to it as the Triduum (three days); just as a symphony has movements, this liturgy has different parts.

I. Your assignment is to attend one of the following Masses/Services: Mass of the Lord's Supper (Holy Thursday - evening), Good Friday services, Tenebrae (Lt. for "shadows" or "darkness"), or the Easter Vigil Mass. While I strongly encourage you to attend any one (or all) of these at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland if possible, attending at your parish is equally great!

II. Write a 1-3 page paper (minimum 1pg, maximum 3pgs. Typed in 12pt. standard font, double spaced, MLA format) responding to the following prompts:
- Which part of the liturgy/which service did you attend?
- Where did you attend? (If possible, please obtain a priest's signature)
- Describe the liturgy.
- What was the most meaningful part of this liturgy for you? How did you gain a greater understanding of Jesus' Passion, death, and
Resurrection?
III. Turn in the paper ASAP (I recommend you write it over break, while it is fresh in your mind). You can receive up to TEN extra credit points for the first paper, and up to five for each subsequent paper (in other words, if you attend everything, you can earn up to 35 points).

IV. The schedule for St. Paul's Cathedral is as follows:

Holy Thursday
- 10am Chrism Mass
- 4:30pm - Carpool meeting at Holy Trinity in Robinson (with Holy Trinity Youth Group) to head to Oakland
- 5pm- Dinner and discussion at Lulu's Noodles! :) (this is obviously optional, but it will be fun).
- 7pm - Mass of the Lord's Supper at St. Paul Cathedral
- 9:30-10:00pm - Carpool returns to Holy Trinity

Good Friday
-12:15pm - Carpool meeting at Holy Trinity
- 1:30pm - Good Friday service at St. Paul Cathedral
- Return to Holy Trinity by 4:00pm
- Carpool meet at Holy Trinity at 5:45 pm for Tenebrae
- 7pm - Tenebrae

Holy Saturday
- Carpool meets at 7:00pm at Holy Trinity
- 8:30pm Easter Vigil Mass

Have a holy, blessed, and full-of-grace Easter!

In Christ,
Miss D

We will, in the next four weeks, be studying the life of Jesus Christ within the context of one of the greatest meditations on His life: the Rosary.

That said, here are reading assignments that you can expect in the next three weeks:

The Joyful Mysteries
- The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38)
- The Visitation (Luke 1:39-56)
- The Nativity (Birth) of Our Lord (Luke 2:1-20) (Matthew 1:18-2:12) (John 1:1-14)
- Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2: 22-40)
- Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52)

The Luminous Mysteries
- The Baptism of Our Lord (Matthew 3:13-17) (Mark 1:9-11)
- The Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11)
- Proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Various)
- Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9)
- Institution of the Eucharist (Various)

The Sorrowful Mysteries
- The Agony in the Garden
- The Scourging at the Pillar
- The Crowning with Thorns
- Carrying the Cross
-The Crucifixion

The Glorious Mysteries
- The Resurrection
- The Ascension
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit
- The Assumption of Mary
- The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven

This week, we will be accomplishing the following:

- Finish up worksheets on the Wisdom Literature. They will be checked for completion points in class.
- Begin the overview of the Prophetic Literature.
- Specifically learn and understand the Isaian prophecies, and how they relate to the coming Christ.
- BEGIN DISCUSSION OF JESUS, THE CHRIST! (FINALLY! YAY!)

I am excited to enter into the next phase of our journey through scripture with you. :)

- Miss D

Just wanted to take a moment to post some ideas for your Lenten journey. I will be praying for you as I, too, walk into the desert with Christ!

Lent, as you know, is a time of penance, remembrance, sacrifice, and giving. It is my greatest hope that you will use these next 40 days to walk with God... even if you haven't before. Remember: this is no longer just your parents' faith...it is YOURS! Take ownership of what you believe. :)



We need to be prepared for the moments when people look at us strangely with ashes on our foreheads, or while ordering your third fish sandwich of the week... we must boldly enter into our Lenten journeys, and be ready to witness to those who might want to be a part of it, too. For that purpose, here are a few really interesting articles that might help you along these 40 days! :)

A Plan for your Lent -- http://lifeteen.com/a-plan-for-your-lent/
Why we eat meat on Fridays -- http://lifeteen.com/why-catholics-abstain-eating-meat-on-fridays-during-lent/
What to give/give up -- http://lifeteen.com/what-to-give-up-25-creative-ideas-for-lent/
Also --http://lifeteen.com/weird-lent-ideas-that-will-make-you-holier/
Finding Life in Lent - http://lifeteen.com/desert-dwellers-finding-life-in-lent/

Also, consider these:
- If you don't say grace and return thanks to God before and after meals, this is a great time to start (even though it might be awkward at first)!
- Write letters to 40 different people who have made an impact on your life.
- Read the Bible for 5 MINUTES each day. I recommend starting with the Gospel of Mark, it's nice and short!
- Read a book from my spiritual reading list. Some of them are really good!
- Pray on your knees, instead of laying down in your bed.
- Spend 5 minutes in the chapel each day, even if you just sit there. :)

I hope that your Lent, both personally and in your families, is fruitful and helps you grow!

In Christ,
Miss D.

This week, we will do a study guide for, review, and take a test on Exodus 32-King David.

Post-exam, we will begin a packet on the Wisdom Literature and begin studying the Isaian Prophecies of the Christ.

Monday, 2/6	Tuesday, 2/7	Wednesday, 2/8	Thursday, 2/9	Friday, 2/10
Israel Demands a King	Israel Demands a King	Covenant with David	Covenant with David	Teacher Inservice- No school for students!

Bishop Zubik vehemently addressed the recent HHS Contraceptive Mandate in this week's Pittsburgh Catholic. He asked all of us for our help in writing to our local representatives, urging them to stop this obstruction of our freedom to practice religion. Please read the article below. Sample letters are included. Also, you can go to the PA Catholic Advocacy network and send an emailed letter!

http://diopitt.org/bridging-gap/hell-you

http://www.votervoice.net/core.aspx?APP=GAC&AID=718&issueid=27153&SiteID=-1

http://www.nchla.org/actiondisplay.asp?ID=292

For those of you seeking extra credit for the Third Quarter, here are your options:

- The Lovewalk for the Poor is on Sunday, February 12. We will begin with Mass at Sacred Heart Parish in Shadyside at 2pm with Bishop Waltersheid. Freshmen will receive 10 extra credit points for attending, and juniors will be exempt from Zenit articles for the rest of the quarter.

- Make a difference! Help our Bishop fight the HHS mandate that we discussed in class by writing to your local government officials. Sample letters can be found on the link above. Make sure to copy your letter or show it to me before you send it!

-Spiritual Reading: Choose a book from the list I provided last quarter, and earn up to FIFTEEN extra points!

This is placeholder text for your new blog entry. Replace it with your own.

Monday, 1/30	Tuesday, 1/31	Wednesday, 2/1	Thursday, 2/2	Thursday, 2/3
Review Leviticus-Deuteronomy	Joshua-Judges-Ruth	Joshua-Judges-Ruth	Joshua-Judges-Ruth	Israel Asks for a King
Packet due next class.

Upcoming Assignments:

Date	1/23	1/24	1/25	1/26	1/27
In Class	March for Life	Finish "The Mass...Revealed!" Packet.	In class, review the Golden Calf	In class, outline Leviticus/Numbers.	In class, outline Numbers/Deuteronomy.
Out of class (homework)	Exodus 32- Critically read and take notes	Review Exodus 32. Prepare to discuss in class tomorrow.	Work on Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy Packet.	Work on Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy Packet.	Work on Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy Packet.

"Why I Hate Religion But Love Jesus" Video

Religion comes from the Latin word "religiare," meaning "to bind." Religion binds us together as humans -- in Christianity, we are bound together as brothers and sisters in Christ and through the Church.

In this video, the man makes the claim that Jesus came to "abolish religion." Now, he definitely makes some great points at the end about grace, and Christ's passionate love for us...but in the middle, he's got it all wrong.

Critically watch this video, and think about what we discussed in class -- is the fancy media/music masking a message that is untrue?

Watch the video and read the response given here:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/badcatholic/2012/01/why-i-hate-religion-but-love-jesus-the-smackdow.html

As you discuss it with family and friends, ask yourself these questions:
What claims is he making about the Church?
Are any of them true?
What makes this video enticing? Is it the music, the media, or really the message?

Just some food for thought over the weekend. Feel free to comment or ask questions! Study hard for your midterms. :)

-Miss D

Don't forget that on Tuesday, we will be having a study group after school from 2:45-3:30!

-Miss D

Let me help you study for the Religion midterm!

I will host a study session after school on Tuesday, January 10th from 2:45-3:30 in room AAC 2 (my classroom). This is an excellent opportunity to study with your peers, under my guidance! I will answer any of your questions and help you as much as I can before the test. We can even go over some good studying practices, if you'd like. :)

Please let me know in class if you are going to attend. Bring your Bibles, notes, any worksheets I've given you, and your intelligent brains.

You will get +1 extra credit point on your test if you attend.

Looking forward to studying together!
-Miss D

EXTRA CREDIT REPORTS FOR ALL CLASSES ARE DUE BY 8TH PERIOD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 9TH. NO EXCEPTIONS.

If there are any questions, let me know!

-Miss D

Here are the answers to the Passover Handout we went over in class!

Remember, as important as these comparisons are...they won't be on your Midterm exam. It is very important, however, that you understand the similarities between the Passover Meal and Jesus' Sacrifice on the cross.

Handout 2 on the attachment below is where you will find what you seek! :)

Quiz XIV- Exodus 14 (Crossing of the Red Sea)
Quiz XV- Exodus 16-17 (Manna in the Desert)
Quiz XVI- Exodus 19-20 (Ten Commandments)
Quiz XVII- Exodus 31:12-18, 32