Daily Summary - 8/29

Today's Mass Readings
Today's Feast Days

Religious Studies
8th Grade: Took quiz. Answered student questions.

Next quiz: The Our Father

Oral Communications
Discussed the importance of a strong conclusion and aspects of speech delivery.
Assignment: Prepare a complete conclusion.

Daily Summary - 8/28

Today's Mass Readings
Today's Feast Days

Scripture
Discussed the authors and styles of Scripture. (Handout)
For next class read #6 on the reading list. Be ready for a quiz.
Chapter review questions 1-23 on page 21 are due Tuesday 9/2. Do not do numbers 10, 20, or 21.

Religious Studies
8th Grade: Discussed the Universal Call to Holiness. (Handout)
9th Grade: Took terms quiz. Answered questions.

Next quiz: The Our Father

Oral Communications
Discussed using and citing credible sources. (Handout)
Assignment: Find 5 credible sources for your first topic.

Daily Summary - 8/27

Today's Mass Readings
Today's Feast Days

Scripture
Discussed the Canon of Scripture. (Handout)
For next class read #5 on the reading list. Be ready for a quiz.
Chapter review questions 1-23 on page 21 are due Tuesday 9/2. Do not do numbers 10, 20, or 21.

Religious Studies
8th Grade: Discussed used a song to lead into prayer.
9th Grade: Discussed the Universal Call to Holiness. (Handout)

This week's quiz: Terms 11-20

Oral Communications
Discussed transitioning between points. (Handout)
Assignment: Complete transition worksheet.

Is the Catholic position on abortion unclear?

The question of abortion is always a factor when discussing politics, and this issue comes into very sharp focus, especially in election years, when politicians who claim to be Catholic support abortion. The following is from an interview on Meet the Press on Sunday, August 23:

Tom Brokaw asked Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi:

"Senator Obama saying the question of when life begins is above his pay grade, whether you're looking at it scientifically or theologically. If he were to come to you and say, ‘Help me out here, Madam Speaker. When does life begin?’ what would you tell him?"

Here is her response:

"I would say that as an ardent, practicing Catholic, this is an issue that I have studied for a long time. And what I know is, over the centuries, the doctors of the church have not been able to make that definition. And Senator -- St. Augustine said at three months. We don't know... And so I don't think anybody can tell you when life begins, human life begins."

Here is what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says about abortion:

"Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law" (CCC 2271)

The Catechism goes on to state:

"You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish." (CCC 2271)

The second quote is from the a document called the Didache, which was probably written between 60 and 80 AD and most think was directly from the 12 Apostles. For Nancy Pelosi to say that she has "studied [this issue] for a long time," and that the Church has "not been able to make that definition," means that she has not chosen very credible sources for her research, is in denial, or is simply wrong. The Church is very clear in its stance on abortion, and always has been.

Mrs. Pelosi's statements have, as you would expect, caused a lot of people to take offense, and rightly so. Since it is the duty of our bishops to guide us, and to lead us to truth, several bishops have issued statements in response to Mrs. Pelosi's comments. Here are a few:

• Charles J. Chaput, Archbishop of Denver and James D. Conley, Auxiliary Bishop of Denver.

• Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington.

• Cardinal Edward Egan, Archbishop of New York, who probably used the most forceful language when he stated: "Anyone who dares to defend that they may be legitimately killed because another human being 'chooses' to do so or for any other equally ridiculous reason should not be providing leadership in a civilized democracy worthy of the name."

Daily Summary - 8/26

This is something new that I am going to start adding to each day's post:
Today's Mass Readings
Today's Feast Days

Scripture
Discussed what Salvation History is. (Handout)
For next class read #4 on the reading list. Be ready for a quiz.
Chapter review questions 1-23 on page 21 are due Tuesday 9/2. Do not do numbers 10, 20, or 21.

Religious Studies
8th Grade: Discussed using Scripture for prayer.
9th Grade: Discussed used a song to lead into prayer.

This week's quiz: Terms 11-20

Oral Communications
Discussed establishing credibility at the beginning of a speech.
Assignment: Prepare an attention getter for your first speech.
Assignment: Prepare a credibility statement for your first speech.

Daily Summary - 8/25

Scripture
Discussed divine Revelation and its sources. (Handout)
For next class read #3 on the reading list. Be ready for a quiz.
Chapter review questions 1-23 on page 21 are due Tuesday 9/2. Do not do numbers 10, 20, or 21.

Religious Studies
Class A: Discussed the importance of faith and religion.
Class B: Discussed using Scripture for prayer.

Oral Communications
Discussed gaining attention at the beginning of a speech.
Assignment: Prepare an attention getter for your first speech.

Tim Tebow is even more impressive off the field!

This might be old news to some of you, but each year Playboy magazine selects an All-American college football team. This year, Tim Tebow, the reigning Heisman Trophy Winner, declined to be a part of this because of his religious beliefs. In fact his coaches did not even nominate him for it, because they knew what he would say. Tebow is not Catholic, but this certainly would have been the proper reaction for a Catholic to have. This is why I am proud of Notre Dame for, as the article states, "The Catholic university explicitly prohibits athletes from posing for the magazine's photo-spread and attending Playboy's weekend ceremony."

Pornography is not harmless as many people claim. It causes destruction to our society in a way that can be likened to a plague. There is a wealth of research that links violent crimes, and of course sexual crimes, to pornography. When a person uses pornography it causes him to look at another person in a way that is not appropriate or wholesome to the dignity that the person was given by God. This then wears off on the viewer, so that even when the pornography is gone, he continues to see people as having less dignity. This happens even if the viewer doesn't realize it. If you don't believe me, take a look at these two articles:

The Documented Effects of Pornography & The Pornography Plague.

This is not the first time Tebow's devotion to his Christian faith has been in the spotlight. After he won the Heisman it became widespread knowledge that when his mother was pregnant she contracted a disease doing mission work, and her doctor recommended an abortion. He believed that the medications she needed would cause damage to her child. She refused, because of her faith, and, when you watch him play football, it is certainly obvious he is not damaged.

Congratulations Tebow on not only being a great player but a great man.

Comments are working!

The comments section, which was getting blocked by the internet provider on the Subiaco network, has been fixed. Remember, the first person from each of my classes to post a comment will earn some bonus points. So far only one section has had someone post.

Daily Summary - 8/22

Religious Studies
Class A: Continued discussing the importance of faith and religion. This class asks a lot of questions, so if it seems as if we take a long time to cover a given topic, that is why. So far the questions have been very good and the entire class has been very attentive and participatory.
Class B: Does not meet on Fridays.

Oral Communications
Discussed thesis and purpose of a speech.
Assignment: Complete thesis and purpose worksheet.

Daily Summary - 8/21

Scripture
Discussed using Scripture for prayer.

Religious Studies
Class A: Discussed the importance of faith and religion.
Class B: Discussed using Scripture for prayer.

Oral Communications
Discussed informative speeches and speech topics.
Assignment: Turn in 10 possible speech topics; Mark the one that will be used for your first speech (Remember that it cannot be changed).

Daily Summary - 8/20

Scripture
Discussed the importance of faith and religion.

Religious Studies
Discussed the importance of faith and religion.
Catholic Glossary quiz tomorrow (terms 1-10).

Oral Communications
Class A: Began discussing informative speeches and speech topics.
Class C: Finished introduction speeches.

Daily Summary - 8/19

Scripture
Discussed behavior expectations for the year.

Religious Studies
Discussed behavior expectations for the year.

Oral Communications
Gave introduction speeches.

A couple things to start the year.

Why do we even bother to study religion?

And,as asked once by a student, "Why do I teach something so boring?"

Daily Summary - 8/18

Scripture
Discussed class procedures.

Religious Studies
Discussed class procedures.

Oral Communications
Discussed class procedures.
Introduction speeches begin tomorrow. (Requirements)

Welcome to my blog!

This blog will be used to keep students (and parents) up-to-date on what is going on in my classes when they are away from the class. Each day I will post a summary of what we accomplished in class, a list of assignments, and links to any handouts.

To start the year, I would like you all to visit this site and take a look around. To motivate you to do so, the first person from each of my classes to leave a comment about something they like or dislike about the site, will get bonus points. At the moment the comments section is not working correctly, but as soon as it is, just click on the link at the bottom of this post.

Enjoy!

Why do Catholics do that?!?

Just like in my classroom, if you have any questions about what Catholics do or why they do it, just ask. Please click "comments" below to leave any questions. As soon as I can, I will post the answer. Also, the links below are the answers to questions that have already been asked. Please contribute as much as you want. I never get tired of answering questions about the faith.

If you would like more information that what I have given in the answers below, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Catholic Encyclopedia are excellent resources.

The following questions have all been asked by high school age boys, either in class or on this website, and are questions that are relevant to that age. Some of them regard mature topics.
Previous questions:

• Mr. Pohlmeier, why do you teach something so boring?

The Church
• What are some differences between Catholics and Protestants?
• Why can’t women become priests?
• Why is there a pope?
• Do Catholics believe in Evolution?
• Why do Catholics make the Sign of the Cross?
• What is the meaning of the clothes the priest wears at mass?

God
• Is it possible for God to do anything?
• What is “fear of the Lord?”
• Why is the Holy Spirit a dove? Why can't he be something else?

Mary
• How is Mary the mother of God?
• Did Mary die? Did she go to heaven?
• Why do Catholics pray to Mary?

Miscellaneous
• What is the Apocalypse?
• Do Catholics believe in Evolution?

Morality (Sexual morality is listed separately below)
• Is cussing a sin?
• I have trouble cussing, especially using God’s name. What can help me stop?
• If we have to repent when we do bad, how can I? Catholics have confession. Who or where non-Catholics can go to repent and be forgiven?

Prayer
• What is the Rosary?

Sacraments
• If we have to repent when we do bad, how can I? Catholics have confession. Who or where can non-Catholics go to repent and be forgiven?

Saints
• Why do we pray to someone or something we don’t even know?

Sexual morality
• Is foreplay a sin? Such as kissing, touching, or sleeping together without sex a sin?
• Why do Catholics not use condoms?
• What is the Church’s view on sex in marriage, but not to get children?
• Why is masturbation wrong? Can it be a mortal sin?