This list was created by translating the ICE curriculum expectations in the Grade 12 course into guiding questions. They follow the sequence of the expectations but need further refinement into units of studies. Some questions are overarching while others are specific to units. These questions represent the cognitive culmination of our students’ explorations throughout their fourteen years of Catholic schooling. Proficiency in answering these questions would be indicative of a successful graduate.
Key questions in Grade 12 U, O and W destinations (as designated in the 2006 Curriculum guidelines)
1. What is human dignity and why is it so important to Catholic teaching?
2. What is the role of scripture in our daily lives?
3. What is the Christian understanding of love?
4. What does it mean to have a vocation?
5. What role could prayer play in our daily lives?
6. What is the Catholic understanding of marriage and the family?
7. What is the reasoning behind Church teaching on life issues such as abortion, contraception, chastity, invitro fertilization, capital punishment, euthanasia?
8. What is the Church teaching on social issues such as poverty, war, racism, unjust gender discrimination?
9. What is the scriptural basis for the preferential option for the poor?
10. What significance do the following have for Christian living?
-Exodus and Biblical liberation
-the Prophetic call to justice
-the transformative power of God as shown in Scripture
-the Ten Command meets
-the Sermon on the Mount
11. What is the Christian understanding of work?
12. What is the value of religion in our search for meaning?
13. What is the connection between our call to discipleship and community service?
14. How can we integrate our rational, emotional, physical, social, aesthetic, moral and spiritual aspects of ourselves?
15. What is the Christian understanding of happiness?
16. What role does the Church play in moral and ethical formation?
17. What are the underlying principles of Catholic social teachings?
18. What is personal and social sin?
19. What does the Church teach about contemporary moral issues?
20. How do we form our conscience?
21. What is are some of the basic principles of Catholic moral teaching (e.g., principle of double effect, the common good, the integrity of procreation, respect for human life and human dignity) and how can they be applied to concrete examples of contemporary moral issues?
22. How do those called to marriage prepare for celebrating the sacrament?
23. How is marriage nurtured by wisdom from scripture and tradition?
24. How does one know if they have a vocation to the priesthood?
25. How are Sacraments woven into the life of Catholics?
26. What does the Church teach about marriage breakdown and why does it told these teachings?
27. What are common challenges to contemporary marriage and family life and How can the church support couples and families in these situations?
28. In what ways (ministries) can Christians serve the community?
29. What wisdom can scripture, tradition, and lived examples bring to our understanding and practice of forgiveness and reconciliation?
30. What has prayer to do with social justice and other moral decisions?
31. How can I enrich my spiritual life through prayer and reflection?
32. What is the common good?
33. How do institutions support the common good?
34. What is the Domestic Church and why is it important to support ones moral and ethical life?
35. How does Church teaching relate to values and practices that undermine the sacredness of life?
36. Describe ways in which the limits of human freedom can be challenging but can also offer opportunities for personal growth and fulfillment (e.g., living fully with a disability).
37. What is role of chastity in the personal integration of sexuality and in the expression of sexuality in relationships and marriage?
38. Describe essential components for building healthy intimate relationships (e.g., family, friendships, romantic relationships, etc.) in their lives, and examine the ways in which all relationships influence human growth.
39. Describe the challenges that confront parents today as they seek to pass on Catholic values to their children (e.g., the influence of the media, peer pressure, contemporary value placed on church).
40. What does it mean to be a strong family?
41. Why do Catholic teachings show a deep respect for the sacred gift of human procreation, the gift of children, and the experience of parenting?
42. Describe the manner in which the sacred gift of human procreation and life itself can be protected and apply Church teachings to related issues (e.g., natural family planning, contraception, reproductive and genetic technologies and the impact of STIs on human life and fertility).
Les Miller, May 2014