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INTRODUCTION: Film Clips for Youth Faith Formation is an exciting and creative

approach to the faith formation of youth that uses a medium for which they have a

natural affinity: Hollywood movies.

In this eight-part series, fully licensed clips from Hollywood movies are used to help

Catholic school religion teachers, parish catechists, and youth ministers involve their

students in reflection and discussion about faith and its implications for prayer, belief,

and behavior. NOTE: Adults can find this series helpful for their programs as well.

At the core of the program are clips from popular movies that exemplify key traits and

issues that are part of a person’s life-long journey of faith. The clips provide viewers

with situations that relate to real-life experiences and draw them into a natural

engagement with the subject.

A person’s faith journey is a sacred and profound thing, but there is no reason why one

cannot have fun along the way. Jesus enjoyed himself at a wedding and certainly must

have chuckled at his conversation with Zachaeus, the little guy in the tree. It’s possible

– necessary, even – to enjoy the process detailed in this program while still being true

to the sacred task of faith formation.

HOW TO USE THIS SERIES: The teacher/catechist/youth minister should download

and consult the companion booklet for this program: How to Use This Series. Designed to help a leader make the best use of the lesson plans, this booklet contains

significant supplementary material to support an understanding of issues such as

“Catholic Social Teaching” or “Media Mindfulness.” In addition, it provides short

descriptions of some pedagogical tools employed in the lessons. There is also a

helpful bibliography of resources.

IN SHORT: This series is divided into eight Episodes (one Episode per DVD). Each

DVD features three traits/issues. Four short film clips address each of these

traits/issues. Each DVD/Episode contains twelve clips and lessons. Each lesson

provides information about the film and the clip itself. Also included are a variety of

discussion questions, Scripture references, and reflection, prayer, and faith-in-action

activities. Each lesson can stand alone or work in conjunction with others. It can also

be used as a supplement to lessons contained in (arch)diocesan-approved textbook

series.

PLEASE NOTE: It is against the law to copy these DVD episodes, in whole or in part.

None of the movies represented in this Episode is rated higher than PG-13 by the

Motion Picture Association of America. No inappropriate material is included in any of

the film clips.

Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible with Revised

New Testament and Revised Psalms © 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of

Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the

copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may

be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright

owner.

Options for audio and subtitles in English or Spanish are available in “Settings” on the

main menu of the DVD. Spanish subtitles are available for all film clips. Spanish audio

is available for most, but not all film clips.

Film Clips for Catholic Youth Faith Formation is available via DVD’s, Internet Streaming, and School Site Servers.

Please call (805) 984 5907

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EPISODE SEVEN

MAKING A DIFFERENCE TEAMWORK CARING FOR OTHERS

TABLE OF CONTENTS ((CCLLIICCKK AANNYY LLIINNEE BBEELLOOWW TTOO JJUUMMPP TTOO PPAAGGEE LLIISSTTEEDD))

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE Lesson Plans -----5-25 PAY IT FORWARD:

THE ASSIGNMENT ----------------------------5-8 SOMETHING BIG -------------------------------9-13 IT’S NOT FAIR ----------------------------------14-17

TEAMWORK Lesson Plans -----------------------26-55 REMEMBER THE TITANS:

IF YOU SURVIVE -------------------------------26-30 ATTITUDE REFLECTS LEADERSHIP ---31-34 RULE IT LIKE TITANS ------------------------35-38 MAKE SURE THEY REMEMBER ----------39-43 HE’S BETTER -----------------------------------44-48

CARING FOR OTHERS Lesson Plans ---------56-85 INTO THE ARM’S OF STRANGERS

URSULA’S BIRTHDAY PARTY -------------56-61 A PROMISE EVERY PARENT MADE -----62-66 KURT MEETS HIS FOSTER FAMILY ------67-72 I WAS MEANT TO SURVIVE -----------------73-77

Acknowledgments -----------------------------------86-87 Web Site Contact Information -------------------1, 87

MAKING A DIFFERENCE (See page 21 for other Film Clips regarding this topic. See page 4 for table of contents) PAY IT FORWARD (PG-13) Changing the World (“The Assignment”) 1:37 Grade Level: Upper Elementary - Secondary Audio: English Subtitles: English/Spanish Teaser Question: Is it possible for a single person to change the world? SYNOPSIS: Social Studies teacher, Eugene Simonet, gives his class an assignment:

“Think of an idea to change our world – and put it into action.” His student, Trevor

McKinney, comes up with a concept for changing the world: repaying good deeds, not

with payback, but with good deeds done to three new people, i.e., “paying it forward.”

In this clip, Mr. Simonet reveals the assignment.

FILM STATS: This is a film from Warner Brothers; Directed by Mimi Leder; Produced

by Peter Abrams, Robert L. Levy, and Steven Reuther; Written by Leslie Dixon (from

the book by Catherine Ryan Hyde); Starring Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt, and Haley Joel

Osment.

VIEW THE CLIP: The film clip can be viewed once at the beginning of the lesson and

several more times after the initial viewing, depending on need. Journaling or just

taking random notes before starting the discussion may help some students to collect

their thoughts. The teacher/catechist can determine the best way to use the clip so

that it will serve both the needs of the students and the point of the lesson.

GETTING STARTED: (Can use some or all questions) What’s going on in this scene?

OR What do you see/hear happening in this scene?

OR With which character (if any) do you identify? Why?

NEXT: Is it possible for a single person to change the world?

GOING DEEPER: Name something (or a few things) that an individual person has done that made a real

difference [at school, the local community, church, the world].

What are some things you would like to see changed in your school, local community,

church, or, even, in the world?

Has anyone ever done anything for you that made a real difference in your life –

something you couldn’t have done on your own? Describe.

MAKING CHOICES! (All Students) Come up with your own response to the same assignment the fictional

teacher in the film gave to his class -- “Think of an idea to change our world – and put it

into action.” Note the use of the word “change” here; the assignment doesn’t ask for

permanent healing or for everyone in the world to come on board with your idea.

Change can be something very small. What would be your idea? This could be the

basis for a class discussion where everyone shares his/her idea. (See “Making

Choices” for the following lesson – for Film Clip #2.) HOW CAN THESE SCRIPTURE PASSAGES HELP US? “It is better to give alms than to store up gold." (Tobit 12:8b)

“Better a poor man who walks in his integrity than he who is crooked in his ways and

rich.” (Proverbs 19:1)

”…there is nothing better for a man than to rejoice in his work; for this is his lot. Who

will let him see what is to come after him." (Ecclesiastes 3:22)

HOW CAN JESUS HELP US? (Younger students might like to act out this selection before the discussion.)

Read this selection (John 13:4-15) and decide what advice Jesus is giving us about

“paying it forward.” It is the scene at the Last Supper in which Jesus washes the feet of

his disciples. Pay special attention to Jesus’ words in verses 12-14.

THINGS TO DO AT HOME!!! (Some or all of these can be adapted or converted into in-class activities.)

1. NOTABLE QUOTABLES ACTIVITY Write a journal entry or have a discussion with family or friends, reflecting on one or

more of the following quotations and be ready to report back next time.

Mr. Simonet: “The realm of possibility exists – where? – in each of you. You can

surprise us. It’s up to you.”

Pay It Forward

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve

the world!”

Anne Frank, 20th Century German-born, Netherlands-resident; Jewish victim of the

Holocaust at age 15; author of the famous Diary of Anne Frank, discovered and

published posthumously

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”

William James, 19th-20th Century American; pioneering psychologist and philosopher

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s

not.”

Dr. Seuss aka Theodor Seuss Geisel; 20th Century American author and cartoonist

“I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You

should be able to throw something back.”

Maya Angelou, contemporary American; African-American autobiographer and poet

“Being good is commendable, but only when it is combined with doing good is it

useful.”

Author Unknown

2. PRAYER ACTIVITY

(All Students) Compose a prayer asking God for the inspiration and the courage to (1)

be a better person, and (2) find ways to make the world around you just a bit better by

what you say or do. Pray it twice a day for a week.

3. MEDIA MINDFULNESS ACTIVITY

(All Students) Watch a variety of TV shows for a week or so. Make a list of those

shows and/or performers/reporters/commentators, etc. that encourage viewers to make

a positive difference in their families, communities, or world. Make a separate list of

those who display a negative attitude in this regard. Bring both lists to class for a

discussion about changing the world.

4. FAITH-IN-ACTION ACTIVITY (All Students) In the “Notable Quotables” activity above, William James is

mentioned as writing the following: “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”

What can you do either for an individual, a charitable organization or a justice advocacy

group in your area that will make a difference? Research some possibilities and be

prepared for a class discussion soon. Perhaps your class could choose to do one or

more of the activities reported on by you and your classmates.

FOR WISDOM FROM WORLD FAITH TRADITIONS REGARDING “MAKING A DIFFERENCE” (CLICK HERE TO SEE PAGE 18)

APPS: NT: Jesus as servant-leader; Last Supper

Holy Thursday Liturgy; service; servant leadership; Catholic Social Teaching; prayer;

moral decision-making

PAY IT FORWARD (PG-13) Making the Ideal Real (“Something Big”) 1:45 Grade Level: Upper Elementary - Secondary Audio: English Subtitles: English/Spanish Teaser Question: Is “Pay it Forward” realistic? SYNOPSIS: Social Studies teacher, Eugene Simonet, gives his class an assignment:




In this clip, Trevor explains his plan and receives mixed reactions from his classmates

and a vote of confidence from his teacher.


by Peter Abrams, Robert L. Levy, and Steven Reuther; Written by Leslie Dixon (from


Osment.









NEXT: Is “pay it forward” realistic?

Name some good things about Trevor’s plan. Explain and use examples, if possible.

Name some drawbacks to Trevor’s plan. Explain and use examples, if possible.

GOING DEEPER: Trevor says, “It has to be big,” when paying it forward. Do you agree or disagree with

his statement? Explain and use examples, if possible.

How might your [family, community, church, school] change if you and your friends

tried a “pay it forward” type of plan?

MAKING CHOICES! (All Students) See “Making Choices” (above) for Film Clip #1. Spend a few weeks

putting the plan that you created there into action. The results of this activity will

become part of another class discussion. HOW CAN THESE SCRIPTURE PASSAGES HELP US? “A man’s goodness God cherishes like a signet ring, a man’s virtue, like the apple of

his eye.” (Sirach 17:17)

“A brother, a helper, for times of stress; but better than either, charity that rescues.”

(Sirach 40:24)

“Then let justice surge like water, and goodness like an unfailing stream.” (Amos 5:24)

“You have been told…what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do right

and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

“I myself am convinced about you…that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with

all knowledge, and able to admonish one another.” (Romans 15:14)


Read Luke 6:40-49 and decide what advice Jesus is giving us about being a good

person, that is, about being his disciple.


1. NOTABLE QUOTABLES ACTIVITY

Write a journal entry or have a discussion with family or friends, reflecting on one or


Mr. Simonet: "[Trevor’s idea] requires an extreme act of faith in the goodness of

people…I would call that admirable.”

Pay It Forward

“I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show,

or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or

neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.”

William Penn, 17th-18th English-born American colonist; city of Philadelphia planned

and developed under his direction

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will

not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.”

Edward Everett Hale, 19th-20th Century American; author and Unitarian clergyman

“Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a

little.”

Edmund Burke, 18th Century; Irish-born British politician, statesman, author, orator,

political theorist, philosopher

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta aka Mother Teresa; 20th Century Albanian-born Indian

citizen; advocate for the sick, poor, orphaned and dying; founder of the “Missionaries of

Charity”; Nobel Peace Prize-winner in 1979; candidate for sainthood in the Catholic

Church

2. PRAYER ACTIVITY

(All Students) As you try to work your own “pay it forward” scenarios, for a week

pray daily the following excerpt from a prayer1 written by the late Bishop Ken

Untener (of Saginaw, Michigan) as a reflection on the martyrdom of Salvadoran

Archbishop Oscar Romero. The prayer has been erroneously attributed to Romero

himself, though he never spoke these words:

It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view. The kingdom is not only

beyond our efforts, It is even beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only

a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work. Nothing we do is

complete, which is a way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us… We

cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This

enables us to do something, and do it very well. Amen.

Note to teacher/catechist – help the students to understand the meaning of the “Kingdom of God,” the term that figures so prominently in this prayer. Theologian Richard P. McBrien2 defines it as: “The reign, or rule, of God. It is the transforming presence of God in the heart, in groups, in the world at large, renewing and reconciling all things. It is both a process and the reality toward which the process is moving. Thus, it is “already” and “not yet.”


(All Students) Search for contemporary music, films and/or TV shows that promote

the “goodness of people” as spoken by Mr. Simonet in the film clip. Bring your list to

class and be able to defend your choices.

1 See http://www.jpic-‐visitation.org/reflections/prayers/romero.html 2 Definition from McBrien, Richard P. Catholicism (HarperSanFrancisco, 1994), p. 1243

4. FAITH-IN-ACTION ACTIVITY (All Students) Go online to research “The Giving Pledge,”3 announced in Summer

2010 by billionaires Bill Gates (founder of Microsoft) -- with wife, Melinda -- and Warren

Buffet. It reflects their commitment to donate the majority of their fortunes to charity

and to encourage other Americans of similar means to do the same. While not faith-

based, but it is a generous response to perceived needs in the country and the world.

Some of the donated money will fund education; other amounts target improving the

health and well being of the poor and sick. Going online to this web site (see footnote

below), will provide a list of those who have made this commitment as well as an actual

look at their letters of intent. With this in mind and on a very much smaller scale (!),

what can you do with some of your allowance or wages from a summer job? Whom

can you help? Do it! As the prayer above states, “We cannot do everything [but] this

enables us to do something, and do it very well.”

FOR WISDOM FROM WORLD FAITH TRADITIONS REGARDING

“MAKING A DIFFERENCE” (CLICK HERE TO SEE PAGE 18)

APPS: OT: Outreach to Needy

NT: Discipleship

Generosity; Catholic Social Teaching; Conscience-Formation

3 http://givingpledge.org

PAY IT FORWARD (PG-13) The Possibility of Failure (“It’s Not Fair”) 1:05 Grade Level: Upper Elementary - Secondary Audio: English Subtitles: English/Spanish Teaser Question: What if your idea doesn’t work? SYNOPSIS: Social Studies teacher, Eugene Simonet, gives his class an assignment:




In this clip, with the help of his teacher, Trevor reflects on the “failure” of his attempt to

complete the assignment.


by Peter Abrams, Robert L. Levy and Steven Reuther; Written by Leslie Dixon (from


Osment.









NEXT: How do people feel when their ideas don’t work?

How about you? How do you feel when your ideas don’t work?

GOING DEEPER: For “pay it forward” to be a valuable plan, how important is it that it be successful?

Explain.

What if it is only partially successful, is it still worth the try? Explain.

MAKING CHOICES! (All Students) A classmate has encouraged your entire class to join him/her, first, in a

drive to collect [clothing for the homeless, canned goods for the local food pantry, toys

for needy children, you name it] and, second, in helping to distribute the items at the

end of the drive. Everybody is very excited at the beginning of this plan. Most people

bring in one or more of the items asked for. However, when it comes time to distribute

the items, only a few volunteer. Most students’ enthusiasm seems to have dampened

and they have found excuses for why they are unavailable for this part of the plan.

Does this mean the plan was a failure? Explain.

HOW CAN THESE SCRIPTURE PASSAGES HELP US? “Be brave and steadfast…for it is the Lord, your God, who marches with you; he will

never fail or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

“Better an open rebuke than a love that remains hidden.” (Proverbs 27:5)

“For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.”

(1 Peter 3:17)

“Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 8a)


Read John 11:1-55, the story about the raising up of Lazarus. Pay special attention to

verses 45-53. Notice that some were not persuaded by this miracle and set up the

circumstances that precipitated Jesus’ execution. Was Jesus a failure or not? Explain.





Trevor: "’Pay it forward’ didn’t work. I couldn’t even do it.”

Pay It Forward

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and

learning from failure.”

Colin Powell, contemporary American; statesman and retired four-star general in the

U.S. Army; Secretary of State in President G.W. Bush administration; first African-

American appointed to that position

“Good people are good because they’ve come to wisdom through failure. We get very

little wisdom from success, you know.”

William Saroyan, 20th Century American; dramatist and author of many works set in

Fresno, California, featuring Armenian-American life

“Keep on beginning and falling. Each time you fall, start all over again, and you will

grow stronger until you have accomplished a purpose – not the one you began with,

perhaps, but one you’ll be glad to remember.”

Anne Sullivan, 19th-20th Century American; best known as teacher/companion of

Helen Keller

“Failure is success if we learn from it.”

Malcolm Forbes, 20th Century American; wealthy publisher of Forbes magazine.

2. PRAYER ACTIVITY

(All Students) Choose one of the following prayers to use twice daily for a week:

A. Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous; teach me to serve You as You deserve; to

give and not to count the cost…to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask

for reward save that of knowing I am doing Your will. (Prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola,

15th-16th Century Spanish nobleman, priest, theologian, founder of the Society of

Jesus, commonly known as Jesuits)

B. Let nothing upset you. Let nothing startle you. All things pass; God does not

change. Patience wins all it seeks. Whoever has God lacks nothing: God alone is

enough. (Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila, 16th Century Spaniard; Carmelite nun;

reformer; mystic; Doctor of the Church4)


(All Students) Watch a representative sample of TV “infomercials.” These are

expanded commercials, some as long as 30 minutes, which promote a product or

service that is “certain” to improve the lives of viewers and turn failure of one kind or

another into success! Rate their believability factor on a scale from “one” (dismal) to

“ten” (spectacular), and bring your list to class for discussion.

4. FAITH-IN-ACTION ACTIVITY

(All Students) Spend some time researching people who spent much of their public

lives moving past apparent failure while seeking the common good (people such as

Cesar Chavez; Martin Luther King, Jr.; Nelson Mandela; the Dalai Lama; Liu Xiaobo;

Sisters Maura Clarke, Ita Ford, Dorothy Kazel, and lay missionary Jean Donovan in El

Salvador)

FOR WISDOM FROM WORLD FAITH TRADITIONS REGARDING “MAKING A DIFFERENCE” (CLICK HERE TO SEE PAGE 18)

APPS:

OT and NT: Love

Virtues; the Providence of God; Success vs. Failure; Prayer and Spirituality; Saints

4 “Doctor of the Church” is a title conferred by various popes throughout the ages on 33 saints (to date) whose teachings and writings have had a marked impact on Church theology or doctrine.

WISDOM FROM WORLD FAITH TRADITIONS REGARDING “MAKING A DIFFERENCE”5

For Christians, the Bible is THE sacred book, divided into two parts (Old Testament, or Hebrew Scriptures, and New Testament, or Christian Scriptures), composed by many different human authors, and inspired by the Holy Spirit. The selections from ”Christianity” and “Judaism” below come from the Catholic translation known as the New American Bible (the same as that used in Mass and all other sacramental liturgies). It is important to note that the selection from “Judaism” below comes from the text of Scripture that Judaism and Catholic Christianity hold in common.

However, many other faith traditions throughout the world have produced written records of their own beliefs and/or reflections on the practice of faith in one’s everyday life. Listing these here as well will assist the teacher/catechist to draw on a wealth of wisdom when engaging the students in dialog about this theme.

Christianity Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down

and overflowing will be poured into your lap.

Luke 6.38

Judaism One man is lavish yet grows still richer; another is too sparing, yet is the poorer. He

who confers benefits will be amply enriched, and he who refreshes others will himself

be refreshed.

Proverbs 11.24-25

Islam Even dust, given in childish innocence, is a good gift. No gift that is given in good faith

to a worthy recipient can be called small; its effect is so great.

Jatakamala 3.23

5 Special Thanks to: William Gallington: Universal Spiritual Thoughts, Ilene Cooper: The Golden Rule, Munir Shaikh: Writer, UCLA Doctoral Student

Buddhism Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be

influenced by them for good or ill.

The Buddha

Shinto

Those who do not abandon mercy will not be abandoned by me.

Shinto. Oracle of the Kami of Itsukushima Hinduism The touchstone which discloses one’s greatness or smallness is simply this – one’s

deeds.

Tirukkural 505 Confucianism There was presented to me a papaya,

And I returned for it a beautiful keu gem;

Not as a return for it,

But that our friendship might be lasting.

There was presented to me a peach,

And I returned for it a beautiful yaou gem;



There was presented to me a plum,

And I returned for it a beautiful kew stone;



Confucianism. Book of Songs, Ode 64

Taoism The mind of the wise is free but tuned to people’s need.

Tao Te Ching 49 Bahá'í O Son of Being! Love Me, that I may love thee. If thou lovest Me not, My love can in

no way reach thee. Know this, O servant.

The Hidden Words: Arabic #5 - 19th Century CE Zoroastrianism Wisdom is the performance of what is desirable for the requirements of the creator, and

its weapon (zeno) is justice.

Dadestan-i Denig 2: 2 - 9th Century CE

Native American Religions Take only what you need and leave the land as you found it. Arapaho

African Traditional Religions

One must pour cold water on the ground before he can tread on soft soil.

African Traditional Religions. Yoruba Proverb (Nigeria)

FILM CLIPS ABOUT “MAKING A DIFFERENCE” FROM OTHER EPISODES IN THIS SERIES

EPISODE 1: HONESTY COOPERATION RESPECT Antz Because Z loses interest in cooperating with the other ants on his team, a disaster

strikes.

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Because a small hobbit (Frodo) volunteers to take the ring to Mordor so it can be

destroyed, others are inspired to join him.

Apollo 13 The crew of the Apollo 13 must overcome their differences and work together in order

to manually put the ship on the right course for its return to earth.

EPISODE 2: KINDNESS SELF-CONTROL GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP X-Men Xavier introduces the school for mutants where students soon discover that everyone

is unique.

The Mighty Ducks The coach of the hockey team tells one of his players to cheat in order to win. The

player refuses.

Sandlot The captain of the sandlot baseball team invites a “new kid” to join, even though the

“new kid” is a mediocre player.

Seabiscuit Tom Smith tells Charles Howard that the seriously injured horse Tom is caring for is

still worth something. “You don’t throw away a whole life just ‘cause he’s banged up a

little.”

Forrest Gump Young Jenny offers young Forrest a place to sit on the bus next to her after everyone

else refuses.

EPISODE 3: COURAGE PERSEVERANCE LOYALTY Monsters, Inc. Sully, the monster, comforts Boo by sitting in front of the bedroom closet, which Boo

fears is where monsters come from.

Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Sam carries his friend, the exhausted Frodo, up Mount Doom so that Frodo can

destroy the ring.

School of Rock Dewey’s band mates kick him out of the band Dewey started because Dewey is an

embarrassment and his membership in the band keeps them from winning the battle of

the bands.

The Addams Family Having lost their home to crooks, Morticia gives her family a pep talk, insisting, “We will

survive.”

EPISODE 4: KNOWING YOURSELF FACING PEER PRESSURE UNDERSTANDING BULLIES Teen Wolf A father tells his son that his family is part werewolf and urges his son to use his power

responsibly.

A Walk to Remember On the school bus a girl is challenged by one of the most popular boys. She tells him

that she has no intention of changing to suit him.

Hoot A new student confronts the person who has bullied him and insists they talk things

out.

The War The father of a boy who has been humiliated by bullies gives the bullies a gift.

EPISODE 5: PRIDE CITIZENSHIP HONOR Akeelah and the Bee In the finals of a spelling bee, a contender intentionally misses a word and is

confronted by her opponent.

The Rookie The coach of an uninspired baseball team explains to the players that doing their best

now will influence their success in life down the road.

It’s a Wonderful Life A man and wife risk everything to protect the savings of members of the Savings and

Loan.

Eight Men Out A player for the White Sox shares his suspicion that his teammates are cheating.

Batman Begins After a long absence Bruce Wayne meets Rachel at a posh hotel. She challenges

Bruce to act upon the positive values he insists exist within himself.

The Ant Bully Lucas and Zoc, an ant warrior, discuss how their respective societies deal with diversity

and violence.

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Spock struggles to understand why his teammates would risk their own lives to save

him. Spock's mother explains, "The good of the one outweighed the good of the

many."

The World Trade Center At the end of the film, at a “welcome home” party, John McLoughlin reflects: “It’s all

about ... people taking care of other people, for no other reason than it’s the right thing

to do.”

The Spirit of America An inspiring and challenging montage of short clips from the history of American

movies explores American style and values.

EPISODE 6: VISION FORGIVENESS EMPATHY (THE GOLDEN RULE) Billy Madison

Billy asks a man to whom he was mean years ago for forgiveness.

Bridge to Terabithia On the school bus, Leslie explains to Jesse how she made friends with their tormentor

by empathizing with her. Coach Carter A basketball coach challenges his team to consider what it will take to achieve their

dreams.

Kicking and Screaming Phil Weston finally apologizes to his son for his out-of-control and insensitive coaching.

Bringing Down the House When his daughter describes her night at a frat party, her father tries with great

difficulty to be a non-judgmental listener.

EPISODE 8: ON BEING A FAITHFUL CITIZEN: SOLIDARITY INTEGRITY DEFIANCE RESPONSIBILITY The Spirit of America An inspiring and challenging montage of short clips from the history of American


Glory During the Civil War white officers join their black troops in protesting unequal pay

based on race.

It’s a Wonderful Life George and Mary Bailey commit their own funds to guarantee deposits in the Savings

and Loan and prevent bankruptcy.

Born on the Fourth of July Paralyzed in the Vietnam War, Ron Kovic becomes an anti-war and pro-human rights

activist after feeling betrayed by the country he fought for.

TEAMWORK (See page 51 for other Film Clips regarding this topic. See page 4 for table of contents)

REMEMBER THE TITANS (PG) Belonging (“If You Survive”) 1:36 Grade Level: Upper Elementary - Secondary Audio: English Subtitles: English/Spanish Teaser Question: Is belonging to a team a good thing?

SYNOPSIS: Based on a remarkable true story, Remember the Titans follows the

explosive and dramatic events that took place in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1971. African-

American football coach, Herman Boone, is hired to guide an integrated, but racially

polarized, high school team – the T.C. Williams Titans. Angry, stubborn and a rigid

taskmaster, Boone faces an icy reception from the team’s players as well as an

awkward reception from Assistant Coach Bill Yoast. Yoast is a local white coach (with

seniority and a history of winning) who was bypassed, in favor of Boone, for the top job.

In this clip, Coach Boone reveals his coaching style to prospective members of the

football team and his requirements for team membership based on performance at the

upcoming training camp.

FILM STATS: This is a film from Disney Studios; Directed by Boaz Yakin; Produced

by Jerry Bruckheimer and Chad Oman; Written by Gregory Allen Howard; Starring

Denzel Washington and Will Patton.









NEXT: Is belonging to a team [think of all kinds of teams, not just those that are athletic] a

good thing?

GOING DEEPER: What would you be willing to sacrifice to belong to a team?

What wouldn’t you sacrifice?

Are freedom and responsibility related? How (not)?

MAKING CHOICES! (Younger Students) You eagerly sign up to be part of the [you-name-it] club/team at

school. Then you discover that membership requires staying after school to

practice/rehearse/meet several times a week after school, not just once a week as your

friends told you. This isn’t what you initially bargained for. Now what? Quit something

that could be fun? Stay with it and honor your commitment? You decide.

(Older Students) A classmate has been a member of the [you-name-it

club/team/group] at school for two years. The teacher/moderator/coach wants to

appoint him/her as captain/president/chairperson. The classmate has all the skills

needed for the job and would be excellent in this position, but (s)he is reluctant to take

on the responsibility. Responsibility is scary. Do have any advice for him/her?

HOW CAN THESE SCRIPTURE PASSAGES HELP US? “The law shall be the same for the resident alien as for the native.” (Exodus 12:49)

“Keep the mandate of the Lord, your God, following his ways and observing his

statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees as they are written in the law of Moses,

that you may succeed in whatever you do, wherever you turn.” (1 Kings 2:3)

“Know that the Lord is God, our maker to whom we belong, whose people we are,

God’s well-tended flock.” (Psalms 100:3)

“Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the

strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus

Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11)

HOW CAN JESUS HELP US? (Younger students might like to act out these, selections before the discussion.)

Read these selections (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1: 16-20; John 1:29-43) to see how

Jesus began to form his team and what implications this might have for us.




more of the following quotations, and be ready to report back next time.

Coach Boone: “This is no democracy. It is a dictatorship. I am the law… If you survive

camp, you will be on the team. If you survive.”

Remember the Titans

“When a team outgrows individual performance and learns team confidence,

excellence becomes a reality.”

Joe Paterno, contemporary American; legendary, award-winning college football

coach, most notably of the Penn State Nittany Lions

“There is no such thing as a self-made man. You will reach your goals only with the

help of others.”

George Shinn, contemporary American; former owner of New Orleans Hornets

basketball team

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.”

Michael Jordan, contemporary American; businessman and legendary professional

basketball player, retired

“Contrary to popular belief, there most certainly is an “I” in team. It is the same “I” that

appears three times in “responsibility.”

Amber Harding, contemporary American; writer

2. PRAYER ACTIVITY

(All Students) Compose a prayer for the weakest and or most ignored person in your

class. Ask God for the inspiration and strength to reach out to this person in need.

Say this prayer daily for at least a week.

3. MEDIA MINDFULNESS ACTIVITY (All Students) Watch a variety of sporting events on TV. Look for situations where

teamwork is evident and where it is not. What do the commentators have to say about

the value of teamwork? Does it seem to be valued? Report back to your class as part

of a discussion.

4. FAITH-IN-ACTION ACTIVITY (All Students) Challenge your classmates and/or the people with whom you are on a

team or in an activity to join you in a “team effort” to respond to a local need for charity

or justice: food or clothing collections; raising money for a worthy cause; employ a

method to help improve the environment, etc. Let your imagination and creativity out of

the box!

FOR WISDOM FROM WORLD FAITH TRADITIONS REGARDING “TEAMWORK” (CLICK HERE TO SEE PAGE 49)

APPS: OT: The Law

NT: The selection of The Twelve

Freedom and Responsibility; Catholic Social Teaching; Virtues; Sacrifice; Ten

Commandments

REMEMBER THE TITANS (PG) Respectful Leadership (“Attitude Reflects Leadership”) 1:15 Grade Level: Upper Elementary - Secondary Audio: English Subtitles: English/Spanish Teaser Question: How can a leader gain respect? SYNOPSIS: Based on a remarkable true story, Remember the Titans follows the







In this clip, two team members -- one black, one white – have a “frank” discussion

about leadership.












NEXT: What are some qualities of a good leader? How can a leader gain respect?

GOING DEEPER: How can a leader gain respect?

What advice would you give to the two football players in this film clip?

To what degree does racism (or sexism, ageism, homophobia, etc.) exist in your

[school, community, church]?

What needs to be done about it?

What can you do about it?

MAKING CHOICES! (All Students) (A silent and private exercise. You should have the freedom to answer

these questions for yourself without having to share your conclusions.)

Think about or look around the room at your fellow students.

Which of them command(s) your respect? Why?

Which of them are natural leaders (that is, other people naturally look up to them and

follow what they say and do, for good or for ill)?

Is their leadership that which works towards the good in any situation, or do they draw

people away from what is right? If the latter, why do people choose to follow them?

HOW CAN THESE SCRIPTURE PASSAGES HELP US? “…who shall act as their leader in all things, to guide them in all their actions; that the

Lord’s community may not be like sheep without a shepherd.” (Numbers 27:17)

“The Lord God was their leader; no strange god was with him.” (Deuteronomy 32:12)

“Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of

their way of life and imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7)

“Obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep watch over you and will have to

give an account, that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow, or that

would be of no advantage to you.” (Hebrews 13;17)


(John 10:1-18) Read this selection and decide the kind of leadership Jesus provides

for us by using the images of sheep, shepherd, etc. Notice what he says about

recognizing his voice.

THINGS TO DO AT HOME!!!

(Some or all of these can be adapted or converted into in-class activities.)



Big Ju: "Attitude reflects leadership, Captain.”

Remember the Titans

“Reason and calm judgment: the qualities especially belonging to a leader.”

Publius Cornelius Tacitus, ancient Roman senator and historian

“A leader leads by example, whether he intends to or not.”

Unknown Author

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”

John F. Kennedy, 20th Century American; 35th President of the United States

“A leader’s role is to raise peoples’ aspirations for what they can become and to

release their energies so they will try to get there.”

David R. Gergen, Contemporary American; journalist and presidential advisor

“Men in authority will always think that criticism of their policies is dangerous. They will

always equate their policies with patriotism and find criticism subversive.” Henry Steele Commager, 20th Century American; historian, author, teacher

2. PRAYER ACTIVITY

(All Students) Compose a prayer for all the leaders who have some sort of

relationship to you and your life: team captains; parents; teachers and administrators;

priests, (arch)bishop; pope; civic, state and national leaders, etc. Say this prayer at

least once a day for a week. Also, remember them especially at Mass during the

Prayer of the Faithful.


(All Students) Search TV shows (scripted, reality, and news) for expressions of

leadership. How are leaders portrayed in scripted shows, or how to they act in reality

and news shows? Rate them on a scale of “one” (doofus) to “ten” (inspiring). Bring

your conclusions to class for a discussion of the impact of TV on the prevailing image

of leadership.


(All Students) Do research online or in print materials. Come up with one leader

(either from history or current life) that you would characterize as a “respectful leader.”

List five (5) reasons to support your choice. Also, single out one admirable character

trait of this person and spend the next week trying to behave accordingly to all whom

you meet. Bring these results to a class discussion and try to convince your classmates

to adopt the chosen character trait and live it out for the following week.

FOR WISDOM FROM WORLD FAITH TRADITIONS REGARDING “TEAMWORK”

(CLICK HERE TO SEE PAGE 49)

APPS: OT: God and the Israelites

NT: Jesus as leader; Commissioning the Apostles

Church Leadership: Clergy, the Hierarchy, Lay Ecclesial Leadership, the Magisterium;

Baptism; Holy Orders; Religious Life; Priesthood; Lay Ecclesial Ministry

REMEMBER THE TITANS (PG) Teamwork (“Rule it Like Titans”) 0:52 Grade Level: Upper Elementary - Secondary Audio: English Subtitles: English/Spanish Teaser Question: What makes a great team? SYNOPSIS: Based on a remarkable true story, “Remember the Titans” follows the







In this clip, Coach Boone reminds his team of both the strengths and the challenges

they face as members of an integrated team.












NEXT: What kinds of teams (not just athletic) are you aware of in today’s world?

GOING DEEPER: Name the ones that you would consider “great.”

What makes a team “great”?

Have you or someone you know ever belonged to a great team?

Is a great team necessarily a winning team?

MAKING CHOICES! (All Students) Your friend has joined a school [club, team, activity, etc.]. It will require

time and effort to be part of this group and (s)he is willing and eager to give it his/her

all. However, his/her friends are not happy that (s)he is spending less and less time

hanging out with them after school. They are beginning to tease him/her about this

involvement and are jokingly (or, maybe, not-so-jokingly) calling him/her names

because of it. This is becoming uncomfortable and hurtful for your friend. Any advice?

HOW CAN THESE SCRIPTURE PASSAGES HELP US? “Magnify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.” (Psalm 34:4)

“Where a lone man may be overcome, two together can resist. A three-ply cord is not

easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

“Do two walk together unless they have agreed?” (Amos 3:3)

“Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.”

(2 Corinthians 6:1)

“Only conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I

come and see you or am absent, I may hear news of you, that you are standing firm in

one spirit, with one mind struggling together for the faith of the gospel.”

(Philippians 1:27)

HOW CAN JESUS HELP US? (Younger students might like to act out these selections before the discussion.)

Would you consider Jesus’ first 12 disciples (Apostles) a “great team?” Search the four

Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) for supporting evidence.





Coach Boone: "Tonight we got Hayfield. Like all the other teams in this conference,

they’re all white. They don’t have to worry about race; we do. But we’re better off for it,

men. Let me tell you something: you don’t let anything–NOTHING–come between us.”

Remember the Titans

“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.”

Henry Ford, 19th-20th Century American; industrialist, founder of the Ford Motor

Company, and sponsor of the development of the assembly line technique of mass

production.

“I offer you peace. I offer you love. I offer you friendship. I see your beauty. I hear

your need. I feel your feelings. My wisdom flows from the Highest Source. I salute

that Source in you. Let us work together for unity and love.”

Mahatma Gandhi aka Mohandas K. Gandhi; 19th-20th Century Indian; pre-eminent

leader during India’s movement for independence from Britain; though not the inventor

of non-violent protest, he was the first to apply it politically on a large scale

“Respect your fellow human beings, treat them fairly, disagree with them honestly,

enjoy their friendship, explore your thoughts about one another candidly, work together

for a common goal and help one another achieve it.”

Bill Bradley, contemporary American; Hall-of-Fame basketball player, Rhodes scholar,

three-term senator from New Jersey, author, radio host

“Many hands make light work.”

John Heywood, 16th Century English playwright and poet

2. PRAYER ACTIVITY

(All Students) Think of one or a few people on your team (or in your class, family,

school, or neighborhood) who really need God’s grace for some reason (to improve, to

heal a hurt, to be a better person, etc.). Pray sincerely twice a day for a week that this

person or those individuals receive all the good that God has in store for her/him/them.

3. MEDIA MINDFULNESS ACTIVITY (All Students) Watch competition shows on TV (singing, dancing, athletic, game

shows, etc.). Which of them seems to value teamwork and which seem to denigrate it?

Make a list of each. Decide the impact of the point-of-view of each of these shows on

the viewing public. Bring your results to a class discussion about the value of

teamwork.


(All Students) Go online to research charity/justice organizations that require

teamwork to accomplish their goals (e.g., Habitat for Humanity, Pax Christi, Catholic

Worker, etc.). Do they have opportunities for people your age to help out? If so, ask

your parents for permission to sign up. If you are below the age limit for participation,

send in some of your spending money to help the cause and see if you can emulate

their mission in some aspect of your life.

FOR WISDOM FROM WORLD FAITH TRADITIONS REGARDING “TEAMWORK”

(CLICK HERE TO SEE PAGE 49)

APPS: NT: Call of The Twelve

Teamwork vs. Individualism; Catholic Social Teaching; Conscience-Formation

REMEMBER THE TITANS (PG) Fair/Unfair (“Make Sure They Remember”) 2:52 Grade Level: Upper Elementary - Secondary Audio: English Subtitles: English/Spanish Teaser Question: What if the game isn’t fair? SYNOPSIS: Based on a remarkable true story, Remember the Titans follows the







In this clip, Assistant Coach Yoast summons up the courage to confront – face-to-face

– the game officials for their unfair and racist calls against his team. He also

challenges the team to rise above this injustice and play like the Titans that they are.

Note to teacher/catechist – In Greek mythology, “Titans” were a race of powerful ruling gods. In contemporary popular culture, large, powerful and/or dramatic figures or entities are referred to as “titans” or “titanic.” FILM STATS: This is a film from Disney Studios; Directed by Boaz Yakin; Produced











NEXT: What if the game (or other contest) isn’t fair?

Do you have any personal experience with this?

GOING DEEPER: Name some positive ways that people handle unfair situations.

Name some negative ways that people handle unfair situations.

What can people do when they disagree about the fairness of a situation?

MAKING CHOICES! (Younger Students) A teacher in your school has unfairly accused a student in your

class of an offense punishable by suspension. The student claims to be innocent, a

fact you know to be true. What should the student do? What should you do? What

will you do?

(Older Students) A teacher in your school seems to have a vendetta against one of

your classmates who is of a different race [or ethnicity] from the teacher. You feel that

your classmate is being unfairly treated and, furthermore, you feel that racial [or ethnic]

discrimination is at the root of the problem. What to do? HOW CAN THESE SCRIPTURE PASSAGES HELP US? “You say, ‘The Lord’s way is not fair!’ Hear now, house of Israel, is it my way that is

unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?” (Ezekiel 18:25)

“Instead, go on your own, strongly prepared for the conflict; otherwise the Lord will

defeat you in the face of the enemy. It is God who has the power to reinforce or to

defeat.” (2 Chronicles 25:8)

“Deliver me, Lord, from the wicked; preserve me from the violent. From those who plan

evil in their hearts, who stir up conflicts every day…” (Psalm 140: 2-4)

“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of

mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness

is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace. Where do the wars and where do the

conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within

your members?” (James 3:17- 4:1)


Read John 1:44-49. Notice the sense of superiority Nathaniel reveals when

commenting about Jesus’ hometown. Then notice how Jesus welcomes him, thereby

causing Nathaniel to have a change of heart. How are we tempted to get caught up in

this same type of superiority? What lesson can we learn from Jesus here?

THINGS TO DO AT HOME!!!

(Some or all of these can be adapted or converted into in-class activities.)



Coach Yoast: [to the team, in response to unfair calls (fueled by racism) against them

by the officials in a game] “All right now, I don't want them [the opposing team] to gain

another yard! You BLITZ ALL NIGHT!!! If they cross the line of scrimmage, I'll take

every last one of you out! You make sure they remember FOREVER the night they

played the Titans!!!”

Remember the Titans

“Life is not fair. Get used to it.”

Bill Gates, contemporary American; entrepreneur, founder of Microsoft

“It is not fair to ask of others what you are unwilling to do yourself.”

Eleanor Roosevelt, 19th-20th Century American; United Nations diplomat,

humanitarian; First Lady to husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32nd President of the

United States.

“All is fair in love and war.”

First use attributed to 16th-17th Century English writer, John Lyly, in his book titled

Euphues

“I know the world isn’t fair, but why isn’t it ever unfair in my favor?”

Bill Watterson, contemporary American; author/cartoonist of the comic strip ‘Calvin

and Hobbes’

2. PRAYER ACTIVITY

(All Students) Unfair practices and injustice happen in all walks of life and in all world

arenas. Select something that you find particularly disturbing in this regard. Pray daily

(for at least a week) for the people involved, that they might be strong in the face of

adversity and be able to hang onto their courage and dignity.


(All Students) Read the front page of a daily newspaper for a week (or you may

consult that newspaper’s online version). Keep a log of “unfair” and “fair” practices that

you see in various reports. Is there a balance or imbalance between the two? Be

prepared for a class discussion about this topic.


(All Students) In the “Notable Quotables” activity above, William James is

mentioned as writing the following: “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”

What can you do either for an individual, a charitable organization or a justice advocacy

group in your area that will make a difference? Research some possibilities and be

prepared for a class discussion soon. Perhaps your class could choose to do one or

more of the activities reported on by you and your classmates.


APPS: OT: Moses and Aaron; the Commandments; Job

NT: Paralytic, Bartimaeus; Samaritan Woman; Woman Caught in Adultery

Church; Catholic Social Teaching;

REMEMBER THE TITANS (PG) Questioning Authority (“He’s Better”) 1:17 Grade Level: Upper Elementary - Secondary Audio: English Subtitles: English/Spanish Teaser Question: When is it right to put the team first? When isn’t it? SYNOPSIS: Based on a remarkable true story, Remember the Titans follows the







In this clip, one of the white players (Alan) realizes that another player (Petey) who is

black would be better suited than he to play in the game and tells this to Asst. Coach

Yoast. Yoast tells him to relay that information directly to the player himself.












NEXT: When is it right to put the team first? Explain.

When is it not right to put the team first? Explain.

GOING DEEPER: Is it ever right to question a [coach’s, teacher’s, parent’s, etc.] judgment? Explain.

How can you tell the difference between questioning a leader’s judgment and

questioning a leader’s authority?

Is ever right to question either of these? Explain.

Is there a right or wrong way to do it? Explain.

MAKING CHOICES! (All Students) In a religion class, the teacher makes a theological statement that you

know to be incorrect [e.g., a true story: a student recently reported that his religion

teacher taught his class that the three Sacraments of Initiation are Baptism,

Confirmation, and Holy Orders (instead of Eucharist)]. You have already learned this

material from other teachers and textbooks, and you know that this teacher is clearly

wrong. What do you do? HOW CAN THESE SCRIPTURE PASSAGES HELP US? “He is near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear

together. Who disputes my right? Let him confront me.” (Isaiah 50:8)

“Better a poor man who walks in his integrity than he who is crooked in his ways and

rich.” (Proverbs 19:1 and 28:6)

“It is much better to admonish than to lose one’s temper, for one who admits his fault

will be kept from disgrace.” (Sirach 20:2)

“No disciple is superior to the teacher, but when fully trained, every disciple will be like

his teacher.” (Luke 6:40)


Read Matthew 12:1-14. The local authorities challenge Jesus about “working” on the

Sabbath. Notice his response.





Alan: "Put Petey in. He’s better." Coach Yoast: "You want him to take your spot? You

go give it to him.”

Remember the Titans

“Leave no authority existing not responsible to the people.”

Thomas Jefferson, 18th-19th Century American; 3rd President of the United States;

author of the Declaration of Independence

“Football is like life – it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice,

dedication and respect for authority.”

Vince Lombardi, 20th Century American; legendary football coach

“If you wish to know what a man is, place him in authority.”

Yugoslavian Proverb

“Authority founded on injustice is never of long duration.”

Seneca, ancient Roman philosopher

“Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would

be affected by it.”

Marian Anderson, 20th Century American; one of the most celebrated classical singers

of her time

2. PRAYER ACTIVITY

(All Students) Compose a prayer with yourself as the subject. During the next week,

pray daily that wherever and whenever you find yourself in a position of authority (over

a younger sibling, a team or committee, a class or school, etc.), you will behave in

keeping with your position as a disciple of Jesus Christ.


(All Students) Watch a representative sample of team sports on TV for a week.

Watch for things like the relationship between players and coaches, players and

officials, coaches and officials. Listen very carefully to the way the on-air

commentators characterize these encounters. Do they report them accurately? Do

they give all the benefit of the doubt to “star” players but not to others? Do they

minimize bad behavior? Keep a log of comments to bring to a class discussion on

leadership and authority.

Note: “authority” is based on the idea of “giving life to…,” as in “authoring” a book, bringing something to life.

4. FAITH-IN-ACTION ACTIVITY (All Students) Do some research about one of the following people of the 20th and/or

21st Centuries who, acting on the basis of his/her faith tradition, challenged prevailing

leadership or social structure in order to make something better happen for people in

need:

Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu (anti-Apartheid in South Africa) – www.tutu.org

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta aka Mother Teresa (the sick and dying both in India and

throughout the world) – www.motherteresa.org

Cesar Chavez (farm workers in California and elsewhere)

www.cesarchavezfoundation.org

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (civil rights in America) – http://mlk-kpp01.stanford.edu

Mohandas K. Gandhi aka Mahatma Gandhi (Indian independence from Britain; non-

violent protest) – www.mkgandhi.org

Dalai Lama (welfare of the Tibetan people; promotion of basic human values) –

www.dalailama.com

Sr. Helen Prejean (opposition to capital punishment) – www.prejean.org

Select one or two words or phrases that you think describes your subject’s motivation

or work ethic. Bring the results of your research and your descriptive words to a class

discussion. Decide to live each day inspired by the faith and conviction of your

research subject.


APPS: OT: Leadership: Abraham; Moses and Aaron; Joshua; Solomon, David, etc.

NT: Jesus, the Twelve and local leadership, e.g., Pharisees, Sadducees, Priests, etc.

Catholic Social Teaching; Sin and Forgiveness; Conscience-Formation

WISDOM FROM WORLD FAITH TRADITIONS REGARDING “TEAMWORK”6



Christianity As [Jesus] passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew

casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, ‘Come after

me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Then they abandoned their nets and followed

him.

Mark 1:16-18

Judaism They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks: One

nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.

Isaiah 2: 4

Islam But if they incline to peace, incline thou to it too, and rely upon God; verily, He both

hears and knows.

Qur'an: Sura 8


Buddhism Wise people, after they have listened to the laws, become serene, like a deep smooth,

and still lake.

Dhammapada 6: 82

Shinto

All ye under the heaven! Regard heaven as your father, earth as your mother, and all

things as your brothers and sisters.

Shinto. Oracle of the Kami of Atsuta Hinduism He knowing Me to be the enjoyer of all sacrifices and penances, the great Lord of all

worlds, and the friend of all beings, attains peace.

Bhagavad Gita 5: 29 Sikhism One who comes to His Sanctuary, finds absolute peace; not even a bit of his work goes

unnoticed.

Guru Granth Sahib, Kaydara Rag: 5 Bahá'í The well being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its

unity is firmly established.

Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh: p. 286

Zoroastrianism We sacrifice unto Peace, whose breath is friendly, and who is more powerful to destroy

than all other creatures.

Khorda Avesta - Haft Amahraspand Yasht: II - 6

Confucianism When one by force subdues men, they do not submit to him in heart. They submit,

because their strength is not adequate to resist. When one subdues men by virtue, in

their hearts' core they are pleased, and sincerely submit.

The Book of Mencius 6: A-2

Native American Religions

My children, war, fear, and disunity have brought you from your villages to this sacred

council fire. Facing a common danger, and fearing for the lives of your families, you

have yet drifted apart, each tribe thinking and acting only for itself. Remember how I

took you from one small band and nursed you into many nations. You must reunite now

and act as one. No tribe alone can withstand our savage enemies, who care nothing

about the eternal law, who sweep upon us like the storms of winter, spreading death

and destruction everywhere.

My children, listen well. Remember that you are brothers, that the downfall of one

means the downfall of all. You must have one fire, one pipe, one war club.

Native American Religions. Hiawatha (Iroquois)

African Traditional Religions It is because one antelope will blow the dust from the other's eye that two antelopes

walk together.

African Traditional Religions. Akan Proverb (Ghana)

FILM CLIPS ABOUT “TEAMWORK” FROM OTHER EPISODES IN THIS SERIES

EPISODE 1: HONESTY COOPERATION RESPECT Antz Because Z loses interest in cooperating with the other ants on his team, a disaster

strikes.

Ice Age A team of animals work together to save a human baby, but are betrayed by one of

their own.

X-Men Xavier introduces the school for mutants where students soon discover that everyone

is unique.

Boundin’ A jackrabbit helps a recently shorn sheep to look on the bright side.

Remember the Titans Coach Boon informs the members of his team that unless they get to know each other,

he will assign extra practices.

Babe Fly, the female sheepdog tells Babe to do whatever it takes to make the sheep listen to

him, but Babe learns how to accomplish the task by being polite.

EPISODE 2: KINDNESS SELF-CONTROL GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP The Mighty Ducks The coach of the hockey team tells one of his players to cheat in order to win. The

player refuses.

Parenthood A little league baseball coach sends his son into the game even though his son isn’t

very good. Some of the players complain



Charlotte’s Web Wilbur the pig tries to enlist the help of Templeton the rat in saving Charlotte’s egg

sack. The problem is that Templeton doesn’t help anyone unless there is something in

it for him.

EPISODE 3: COURAGE PERSEVERANCE LOYALTY Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Sam carries his friend, the exhausted Frodo, up Mount Doom so that Frodo can

destroy the ring.

The Addams Family Having lost their home to crooks, Morticia gives her family a pep talk, insisting, “We will

survive.”

EPISODE 4: KNOWING YOURSELF FACING PEER PRESSURE UNDERSTANDING BULLIES Drumline At an early morning practice the bandmaster states that each member is responsible

for the welfare and behavior of the other members.

Cheaper by the Dozen When bullies challenge her brother, his sister intervenes and tells her brother to let the

insult go.

EPISODE 5: PRIDE CITIZENSHIP HONOR Eight Men Out A player for the White Sox shares his suspicion that his teammates are cheating.


Loan.


and violence.



many."



to do.”



EPISODE 6: VISION FORGIVENESS EMPATHY (THE GOLDEN RULE) Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country At the beginning of the film Kirk reflects on whether he can put aside his hatred of the

Borgs, who are responsible for the death of Kirk’s son, in order to negotiate a peace

agreement.




based on race.



Saving Private Ryan Years later, James Ryan reflects on the supreme sacrifices other soldiers made on his

behalf.

CARING FOR OTHERS (See page 80 for other Film Clips regarding this topic. See page 4 for table of contents) INTO THE ARMS OF STRANGERS: STORIES OF THE KINDERTRANSPORT (PG) Being an Outsider (“Ursula’s Birthday) 0:42 Grade Level: Upper Elementary - Secondary Audio: English Subtitles: English/Spanish Teaser Question: Why do you think no one came to Ursula’s birthday party? SYNOPSIS: For nine months prior to World War II, in an act of mercy unequaled

anywhere else before the war, Britain conducted an extraordinary rescue mission

called Kindertransport (German for “Children’s Transport”). That country opened its

doors to over 10,000 Jewish and other children from Germany, Austria and

Czechoslovakia. These children were taken into foster homes and hostels in Britain,

expecting to be reunited with their parents at some later date. However, the majority

never saw their families again.

Into the Arms of Strangers is a documentary film about this remarkable rescue

operation and its dramatic influence on the lives of children who were saved from

almost-certain death had they remained in their native countries. Told in the words of

survivors, rescuers, parents and foster parents, the film relates the stories of young

people who were able to survive because of the help of others. These tales of courage

and hope, depicting the strength and resolve of children, cast light on a largely

overlooked example of the impact of the Holocaust.

In this clip, the adult Ursula describes the birthday party her mother prepared for her as

a child, to which no one came. It was her first awareness that she was perceived as

different.

FILM STATS: This is a film from Warner Brothers; Directed and Written by Mark

Jonathan Harris; Produced by Deborah Oppenheimer; Starring Judi Dench, Narrator.









NEXT: Why do you think no one came to Ursula’s party? GOING DEEPER: What does it mean to be an outsider?

Who in today’s society would fit this description?

Have you ever experienced being an outsider?

MAKING CHOICES! (Younger Students) Graduation is a month away. In your school, there are lots of

post-graduation parties hosted by various children and their parents in their homes.

Some invitations are E-vites or are sent out in the regular U.S. mail. But others are

hand-distributed at school. One such party is being held at the home of a girl in your

class. At lunchtime, she hands out her invitations to every classmate -- except two

other girls, who end up crying bitterly once they discover their exclusion. Everyone

else in the class has been invited to the party. Wouldn’t the party site be large enough

for two more people? Clearly, she is sending a message to these two classmates.

What, if anything, can be done? [Based on a true incident.]

(Older Students) For three years, your school will be hosting a visiting teacher in the

Mathematics Department, a Hasidic Jewish7 married woman from Israel. She is in the

United States while her husband is studying at a nearby university. Although she

already has a doctorate in mathematics, she chose to teach in high school rather than

do research at her husband’s university in order to share her gifts with young people.

In keeping with the principles of her religion, she dresses very modestly (in stark

contrast to contemporary styles for women) in long conservative dresses, with sleeves

past the elbow. She also wears a scarf at all times to cover her hair. There is no doubt

that she stands out from the rest of the population in your school. Her manner of

dress, her gentle nature and her accented English have made her a target of derisive

comments and jokes from some of the students. A few remarks are just cruel, but

others are openly anti-Semitic. You and your friends are not inclined to participate in

this cruelty and prejudice, but is there anything else you can do?

HOW CAN THESE SCRIPTURE PASSAGES HELP US? “Then the Lord asked Cain, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’ He answered, ‘I do not

know. Am I my brother’s keeper?’” (Genesis 4:9)

“Know that the Lord is God, our maker to whom we belong, whose people we are,

God’s well-tended flock.” (Psalm 100:3)

“For even if we sin, we are yours, and know your might; but we will not sin, knowing

that we belong to you.” (Wisdom of Solomon 15:2)

“And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendant, heirs according to

the promise.” (Galatians 3:29)

“Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let

your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you should

respond to each one.” (Colossians 4:5-6)

7 Hasidic Judaism focuses on personal experiences of God instead of ritual and religious education. It is centered around holy men (called zadikim or rebbbes) who are believed to have direct, personal contact with God.


Read Luke 7:36-30, the passage in which Jesus dines at the home of the Pharisee.

Note the gestures and rituals performed by what verse 37 describes as “a sinful woman

in the city.” She is definitely an outsider. Be aware of the responses to her actions by

the other guests and by Jesus. What can we learn from Jesus here?

Note to teacher/catechist – Please do not identify this woman as Mary Magdalene. The woman in this passage is never identified by any name. For many years in Church teaching, the story of this woman was erroneously and unfortunately attached to the person of Mary Magdalene.





Ursula: [referring to the fact that none of her school friends came to her birthday party]

“Nobody came…That was the first sort of comprehension for a child to understand that

you are ostracized, that there’s something different about you.”

Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport

“I never felt I belonged. I was always an outsider.”

Ethel Waters, 20th Century American; African-American; Academy-Award nominated

actress; blues, jazz and gospel singer

“It is not hard to feel like an outsider. I think we have all felt like that at one time or

another.”

Alan Cumming, contemporary Scottish stage, television and film actor, writer, director,

producer

“Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in

exclusion of religious principle.”

George Washington, 18th Century American; Commander-in-Chief of colonial armies

in the American Revolution; 1st President of the United States

“I am for the immediate removal of every Japanese on the West Coast to a point deep

in the interior. I don’t mean a nice part of the interior either. Herd ‘em up, pack ‘em off

and give ‘em the inside room in the badlands. Let ‘em be pinched, hurt, hungry and

dead up against it…”

Henry McLemore, 20th Century American; bigoted newspaper columnist, writing

shortly after President Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9102 that cruelly authorized that all

persons of Japanese ancestry living in the U.S., whether citizens or not, be removed

from their homes and business and sent to internment camps in response to Japan’s

bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941

2. PRAYER ACTIVITY

(All Students) “Negro Spirituals” (see www.negrospirituals.com) is a category of songs sung first by

Africans who arrived in the New World as slaves. Many of them became they part of

worship services where the slaves gathered to hear traveling preachers and to share

and sing about their joys, pains and hopes. One such song is “Nobody Knows the

Trouble I’ve Seen”:

Nobody knows the trouble I've seen

Nobody knows but Jesus (sometimes rendered as “Nobody knows my sorrow”)

Nobody knows the trouble I've seen

Glory hallelujah!

Sometimes I'm up, sometimes I'm down

Oh, yes, Lord

Sometimes I'm almost to the ground

Oh, yes, Lord

Although you see me going 'long so

Oh, yes, Lord

I have my trials here below

Oh, yes, Lord

If you get there before I do

Oh, yes, Lord

Tell all-a my friends I'm coming too

Oh, yes, Lord

Say or sing this prayer/song every day for a week in honor of those people today

who are oppressed or kept in slavery of one kind or another.


(All Students) How are outsiders (people of color, other faiths, special needs,

gay/lesbian, etc.) portrayed in today’s popular media (print, music, film, TV, online)

today? Do a little research and be prepared to back up your conclusions in a class

discussion.


(All Students) What groups are considered outsiders in your community, school,

church or even the world community? Make a list and bring it to the next class session.

Share your list with the other students. When all have finished, come to a consensus

of the top three needy “outsider” groups and then make a plan for some way that your

class can be of help to them (e.g., clothing drive for the homeless, car wash or bake

sale for money to send to Catholic Relief Services, services to the vision- or hearing-

impaired, etc.)

FOR WISDOM FROM WORLD FAITH TRADITIONS REGARDING “CARING FOR OTHERS” (CLICK HERE TO SEE PAGE 78)

APPS:

Treatment of the outsider in both OT and NT Vatican II: Church as People of God; Sin and Forgiveness; Conscience-Formation;

Moral Decision-Making; Catholic Social Teaching

INTO THE ARMS OF STRANGERS: STORIES OF KINDERTRANSPORT (PG) Parents Making Promises (“A Promise”) 1:15 Grade Level: Upper Elementary - Secondary Audio: English Subtitles: English/Spanish Teaser Question: Why do you think these parents gave up their children? SYNOPSIS: For nine months prior to World War II, in an act of mercy unequaled














In this clip, we learn of the exceptional act of sacrifice by so many parents who saved

their children’s lives by sending them away to the welcoming arms of families in

England willing to protect them.











NEXT: Why do you think these parents gave up their children?

Would you be able to make the kind of sacrifice that these parents did?

GOING DEEPER: Did they lie to their children when they promised to join them in a short time?

Is it ever acceptable for a parent to lie to his/her child?

Is it ever acceptable for a child to lie to his/her parent(s)?

MAKING CHOICES! (All Students) A friend’s grandmother (“Nana”) has become seriously ill and requires

considerable attention. Her daughter (your friend’s mother) has to make a decision

from among the following considerations: (By the way, money is not a problem here.)

1. Quit her job (an interesting and fulfilling one) in order to take care of Nana full

time during the day in Nana’s own home (with the help of a hired caretaker at

night)

2. Keep the job and hire round-the-clock caretakers in Nana’s home.

3. Keep the job and bring Nana to her home (your friend’s home) and hire daytime

caretakers.

4. Quit the job and bring Nana to her home (your friend’s home) and care for her

solo around-the-clock.

5. Keep the job and find an eldercare daytime facility for Nana to go to during the

week. The rest of the time, Nana will live with her daughter (your friend’s

mother) and family.

6. Keep the job and find a live-in care facility for Nana.

7. Other?

What would be your solution to this situation? Is sacrifice part of your solution?

HOW CAN THESE SCRIPTURE PASSAGES HELP US? “Offer fitting sacrifice and trust in the Lord.” (Psalm 4:6)

“My sacrifice, God, is a broken spirit; God, do not spurn a broken, humbled heart.”

(Psalm 51:19)

“To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”

(Proverbs 21:3)

“The just man’s sacrifice is most pleasing; nor will it ever be forgotten.”

(Sirach 35:6)


Read the crucifixion scenes in the four Gospels to discover the ultimate sacrifice based

on love. Spend time discussing this selfless act on the part of Jesus. Note the

reactions of the crowds, the soldiers, and the two who were crucified on either side of

Jesus.





Bertha Leverton: "Every parent promised their [sic] child, ‘We will soon come and

follow.’ How otherwise did the parents get the little children onto the trains?”


“I never promised you a rose garden. I never promised you perfect justice.”

Hannah Green, contemporary American author, best known for her best-selling novel,

I Never Promised You a Rose Garden

“Sacrificing your happiness for the happiness of the one you love, is, by far, the truest

type of love.”

Author Unknown

“Those things which are precious are saved only by sacrifice.”

David Kenyon Webster, 20th Century American; World War II soldier; journalist,

author

“I think the good and the great are only separated by the willingness to sacrifice.”

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, contemporary American; retired basketball player; coach,

actor, author

“We must want for others, not ourselves alone.”

Eleanor Roosevelt, 19th-20th Century American; United Nations diplomat,

humanitarian; First Lady to husband, 32nd President of the United States, Franklin

Delano Roosevelt

2. PRAYER ACTIVITY

(Younger Students) Pray for all authority figures (parents, grandparents, teachers,

etc.) in your life.

(Older Students) Spend time every day for the next week praying for (depending on

your circumstance in life) your birth parents, grandparents, foster parents, adoptive

parents, and/or godparents.

If your experience with your parents or parent-figures is, on balance, good, thank God

for what they mean to you and for their care and dedication.

If your experience with your parents has been difficult or non-existent, pray for them

anyway – at least for the fact that they gave you life. Pray that they receive all the

good that God has in store for them and that they may experience peace. Pray also

that you may come to an understanding of the difficulties in your relationship and that

you will experience peace.


(All Students) Check out several movies and TV shows. Watch to see how authority

figures (parents, teachers, etc.) are portrayed. Make a list of those that have realistic

depictions and those that do not. Be ready for a class discussion on authority figures

and also be prepared to explain your definition of “realistic.”


(All Students) Check your local church bulletin or (arch)diocesan newspaper for

opportunities available in your local community to assist those in need. Who needs

care in your area, and what can you do to help them? Make this a class project.


APPS: OT: Providence of God;

NT: Crucifixion and Death of Jesus Commandments, especially the Fourth

Commandment; Pascal Mystery; Sacrifice; Parenting

INTO THE ARMS OF STRANGERS: STORIES OF KINDERTRANSPORT (PG) Caring for Others (“Kurt Meet Foster Family”) 0:35 Grade Level: Upper Elementary - Secondary Audio: English/Spanish Subtitles: English/Spanish Teaser Question: Why do you think British families took these children in? SYNOPSIS: For nine months prior to World War II, in an act of mercy unequaled














In this clip, the adult Kurt describes his initial experience with his foster family and the

impact of this rescue on his life.








GETTING STARTED: (Can use some or all questions) What’s going on in this scene? OR What do you see/hear happening in this scene?


NEXT: Why do you think the British families took in these children? GOING DEEPER: Did the British families risk anything by their actions? Explain.

Did they gain anything by taking in these children? Explain.

MAKING CHOICES! (All Students) Spell out what challenges you think the families faced in taking in one

of these foster children. Could you have done what these parents did? Why (not)? If

you had been a foster sibling to a rescued child how would you have felt in this

situation? Explain. HOW CAN THESE SCRIPTURE PASSAGES HELP US? “O God…who helped me escape from my enemies. Above my adversaries you exalt

me and from the violent man you rescue me. Therefore will I proclaim you, O Lord,

among the nations, and I will sing praise to your name.” (2 Samuel 22:48-50)

“Turn, Lord, save my life; in your mercy rescue me.” (Psalm 6:5)

“Lord, my God, in you I take refuge; rescue me; save me from all who pursue me.”

(Psalm 7:2)

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave

himself for our sins that he might rescue us from the present evil age in accord with the

will of our God and Father.” (Galatians 1:3-4)

“The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly

kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:18)


John 11:35 (“And Jesus wept.”) is the shortest verse in the Bible – three words. It

describes Jesus reaction to seeing his deceased friend Lazarus’ in his burial space. In

the “Notable Quotables” section below, the celebrated author, Rabbi Harold Kushner

says that in caring for others, we run the risk of feeling. Read the entire Lazarus,

Mary/Martha account in John 11 and then spend time discussing Jesus’ very real and

very emotional response to the situation he encounters.





Mariam Cohen (English foster parent): “You felt you wanted to do something.”


“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear,

an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to

turn a life around.”

Leo F Buscaglia, 2oth Century American; author, lecturer; advocate of the power of

love

“From caring comes courage.”

Lao Tzu, ancient Chinese philosopher; founder of Taoism – the word “Tao” roughly

translates as “path” or “way,” as in “way of life”

“Love is more than a noun – it is a verb; it is more than a feeling – it is caring, sharing,

helping, sacrificing.”

William Arthur Ward, 20th Century American; scholar, author, editor, pastor, teacher

“Caring about others, running the risk of feeling, and leaving an impact on people

brings happiness.”

Harold Kushner, contemporary American; prominent rabbi, most notably the author of

the book, When Bad Things Happen to Good People

“I pray for a more friendly, more caring, and more understanding human family on this

planet. To all who dislike suffering, who cherish lasting happiness, this is my heartfelt

appeal.”

The current Dalai Lama, a title for the most influential leader in Tibetan Buddhism, the

14th such leader; Tibetans traditionally believe the Dalai Lama to be the reincarnation of

his predecessors and a manifestation of the Buddha

2. PRAYER ACTIVITY

(Younger Students) Pray every day for a week that you will be able to offer a

welcoming response, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, to someone in

need.

(Older Students) Spend this week in prayer for victims of human trafficking

throughout our country and the world.

Note to teacher/catechist – The United Nations defines “human trafficking” as “The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation". Slavery exists in our own time to populate the global sex trade and to provide forced (and, therefore, cheap) labor that produces sale-able goods and services for exorbitant profit. A “Google” search of the term “human trafficking” will provide a wealth of information.


(All Students) Consult “Entertainment Weekly” or “Billboard” magazines to discover

the top ten popular songs this week. Then do an online search for the lyrics to these

songs. Do these lyrics promote human dignity or not. Rate them on a scale of “one”

(worst) to “ten” (best). OR…

List your ten favorite films. How do they rate when it comes to promoting human

dignity (even if a comedy)? Rate them on the same scale as above. OR…

Spend some time looking at the most popular teen-oriented magazines. Use the same

rating system as above.

Be prepared for a class discussion next week on popular culture and human dignity.

4. FAITH-IN-ACTION ACTIVITY (Younger Students) In 1944, a Polish-Jewish lawyer named Raphael Lemkin coined

the word “genocide” to describe the systematic murder and destruction by the Nazis of

Eastern European Jews. It is now used to describe violent crimes committed against

groups with the intent to destroy the existence of the group.8 Research the issue of

genocide in modern times. Don’t limit yourself to the Holocaust in the 1930’s-40’s.

Consider also Cambodia, Rwanda, Sudan, etc. Take notes and be able to contribute

to a class discussion. What can a person of your age and circumstance do? For help,

consult the National Service-Learning Partnership and the United States Catholic

Conference of Bishops web sites.

(Older Students) Spend time researching the global problem of human trafficking.

What can you (and/or your class) do to bring focus to this problem in your school or

church community?

Note to teacher/catechist – see the mention of this issue in “Prayer Activity” above. Helpful web sites: www.humantrafficking.org; www.polarisproject.org; www.unodc.org


APPS: Salvation History; Evil; Redemption; Moral-Decision-Making; Conscience-Formation;

Catholic Social Teaching; Love

8 “What is Genocide?” from the web site of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (www.ushmm.org/wic/en/article.php?Moduleid=10007043)

INTO THE ARMS OF STRANGERS” STORIES OF KINDERTRANSPORT (PG) Life Purpose (“Meant to Survive”) 1:05 Grade Level: Upper Elementary - Secondary Audio: English Subtitles: English/Spanish Teaser Question: What is your purpose in life? SYNOPSIS: For nine months prior to World War II, in an act of mercy unequaled














In this clip, Alexander Gordon, a “Kindertransport” child now grown up, reflects on the

meaning of his survival.


Jonathan Harris; Produced by Deborah Oppenheimer; Starring Judi Dench, Narrator. VIEW THE CLIP: The film clip can be viewed once at the beginning of the lesson and








NEXT: How do you feel about what Alexander Gordon says in the film clip about his purpose

in life?

As Mr. Gordon did, try to express your life’s purpose in a sentence or two. (written or

oral, your preference)

GOING DEEPER: In his reflections seen in the film clip, Mr. Gordon is convinced that being Jewish is at

the center of his life purpose. Where does being Catholic fit into your life purpose?

Did you include your Catholic identity when you wrote your life purpose above? Why

(not)?

How would you define or describe “Catholic Identity”?

Is your definition/description reflective of you and your life?

MAKING CHOICES! (All Students) Being a Jew is very important to Mr. Gordon (the man in the film clip).

So, what does it mean to you to be a Catholic? Explain. (If there are students in class

who are not Catholic, they could be invited to suggest what values are an important

part of their lives and why.)

What would be your solution to this situation? Is sacrifice part of your solution?

HOW CAN THESE SCRIPTURE PASSAGES HELP US? “For you are a people sacred to the Lord, your God; he has chosen you from all the

nations on the face of the earth to be a people particularly his own.”

(Deuteronomy 7:6)

“Happy the nation whose God is the Lord, the people chosen to be his very own.”

(Psalm 33:12)

“Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine.”

(Isaiah 43:1b)

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness,

humility, gentleness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)

“But you are a chosen race, a royal, priesthood, a holy nation a people of his own, so

that you may announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his

wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)


In John’s Gospel, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine

know me.” In the time of Jesus, shepherds called out to their sheep that, over time,

learned to recognize their voices. Sheep were able to follow their own particular

shepherd by means of an ancient version of today’s computerized “voice user

interfaces” or voice recognition! How can you apply this image of shepherd and sheep

to your own relationship with Jesus Christ?





Alexander Gordon: “I've come to a conclusion about myself. In 1938, I escaped the

deportation in Poland. I got out of Germany in the Kindertransport… I was meant to

survive, not because of myself but that the Jews would survive and I would bring up

another generation and they would live. When I look at my children and my

grandchildren, I know that there was a purpose to my life."


“The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote

yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that

gives you purpose and meaning.”

Mitch Albom, contemporary American; journalist; best-selling author, most notably of

Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven

“Purpose is what gives life a meaning.”

Charles H. Parkhurst, 19th-20th Century American; clergyman and social reformer

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a

single bit of talent left, and could say. ‘I used everything you gave me.’”

Erma Bombeck, 20th Century American; humorist, newspaper columnist, author

“I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of

so they can see that it’s not the answer.”

Jim Carrey, contemporary Canadian-born actor, comedian

2. PRAYER ACTIVITY

(All Students) At least once a day during the next week, pray in thanksgiving for the

blessing of your Catholic faith. Ask God for the strength to live out your Baptismal call

to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

3. MEDIA MINDFULNESS ACTIVITY (All Students) Spend some time watching a variety of every-day TV shows. Do you

find people of faith as characters in these shows? If so, watch for the way they are

portrayed. Do they appear silly or misguided? Or do they appear to be ordinary

people of conviction? Are they the butt of people’s jokes or are they wisdom figures?

Do they go to a church, temple or mosque for worship services? Or do they just

describe themselves as “spiritual, but not religious”? What are your conclusions about

the way scripted and/or reality shows portray people of faith? Be ready for a

discussion with your classmates.


“The journey of faith is not just a ‘me and God’ experience. The Holy Spirit works

through the Church to lead us to build a world of peace and justice. God makes us for

lives in community…. What we do, or refrain from doing, reveals who we are as

followers of God.”9

The above quotation reminds us that our Catholic faith is meant to be lived not just for

ourselves, but also for others. Baptism gives a person an identity as a child of God and

brings him/her into relationship with Jesus Christ, a relationship that requires Gospel-

centered action. What are you doing, in the words of the above quote, “to build a

world of peace and justice” in whatever way your age and current circumstance will

allow? If nothing, now’s the time to begin! Small is better than nothing. Ask your

teacher/catechist for suggestions.

FOR WISDOM FROM WORLD FAITH TRADITIONS REGARDING

“CARING FOR OTHERS” (CLICK HERE TO SEE PAGE 78)

APPS: OT: God’s Chosen Ones

NT: Discipleship

Catholic Identity; Sacraments of Initiation; Redemption; Human Dignity; Catholic Social

Teaching

9 Excerpt from reflection contained on 3-‐Minute Retreat episode entitled “Seeking Justice” (September 9, 2010). To access the web site and sign up to receive this daily program, see www.loyolapress.com.

WISDOM FROM WORLD FAITH TRADITIONS REGARDING “CARING FOR OTHERS”10



Christianity Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the

prophets.

Matthew 7:12

Judaism …and as he is desirous that there shall be no slur cast on his belongings, so shall he

desire that there should be none of those of his friend.

Babylonian Talmud Tract Aboth: II, p. 66

Islam The most essential rule is not to do to others that which you would not have done to

you. That action is desirable which results from kindness, and that action is

undesirable which is unkind.


Buddhism He who seeking his own happiness punishes or kills beings who also long for

happiness, will not find happiness after death.

Dhammapada 10: 131

Shinto

In all the world there is no such thing as a stranger.

Shinto saying

Hinduism He who does not seek to cause the suffering of bonds and death to living creatures, but

desires the good of all beings, obtains endless bliss.

The Laws of Manu 5: 46 Sikhism Through compassion, the naked hermit reflects upon his inner self. He slays his own

self, instead of slaying others.

Guru Granth Sahib, Asa Rag: 10

Baha’i For after all, the earth is but the everlasting graveyard, the vast, universal cemetery of

all mankind. Yet men fight to possess this graveyard, waging war and battle, killing

each other. What ignorance!

Promulgation of Universal Peace; p.396

Zoroastrianism That nature only is good when it shall not do unto another whatever is not good for its

own self.

Dadestan-I Denig 94: 5 9th

Confucianism Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.

Analects 14: 36

Native American Religions

See to it that whoever enters your house obtains something to eat, however little you

may have. Such food will be a source of death to you if you withhold it.

Native American Religions. A Winnebago Father's Precepts

African Traditional Religions As you plan for somebody so God plans for you.

African Traditional Religions. Igbo Proverb (Nigeria)

FILM CLIPS ABOUT “CARING FOR OTHERS” FROM OTHER EPISODES

IN THIS SERIES EPISODE 1: HONESTY COOPERATION RESPECT Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Because a small hobbit (Frodo) volunteers to take the ring to Mordor so it can be

destroyed, others are inspired to join him."

X-Men Xavier introduces the school for mutants where students soon discover that everyone

is unique.

Boundin’ A jackrabbit helps a recently shorn sheep to look on the bright side.

Babe Fly, the female sheepdog tells Babe to do whatever it takes to make the sheep listen to

him, but Babe learns how to accomplish the task by being polite.

EPISODE 2: KINDNESS SELF-CONTROL GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP The Mighty Ducks The coach of the hockey team tells one of his players to cheat in order to win. The

player refuses.



Seabiscuit Tom Smith tells Charles Howard that the seriously injured horse Tom is caring for is

still worth something. “You don’t throw away a whole life just ‘cause he’s banged up a

little.”

Forrest Gump Young Jenny offers young Forrest a place to sit on the bus next to her after everyone

else refuses.

Bend it Like Beckham During a game, Jess reacts angrily when the opposition player uses a racial slur

against her.

EPISODE 3: COURAGE PERSEVERANCE LOYALTY Wizard of Oz The Lion tries to appear brave though he later admits that he is a coward.

Monsters, Inc. Sully, the monster, comforts Boo by sitting in front of the bedroom closet, which Boo

fears is where monsters come from.

The Secret Life of Zoey Zoey’s best friend tells Zoey’s mother that Zoey is mixed up with a bad crowd and

needs help.

Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Sam carries his friend, the exhausted Frodo, up Mount Doom so that Frodo can

destroy the ring.

EPISODE 4: KNOWING YOURSELF FACING PEER PRESSURE UNDERSTANDING BULLIES Teen Wolf A father tells his son that his family is part werewolf and urges his son to use his power

responsibly.

Drumline At an early morning practice the bandmaster states that each member is responsible

for the welfare and behavior of the other members.

Cheaper by the Dozen When bullies challenge her brother, his sister intervenes and tells her brother to let the

insult go.

Hoot A new student confronts the person who has bullied him and insists they talk things

out.

The War The father of a boy who has been humiliated by bullies gives the bullies a gift.

EPISODE 5: PRIDE CITIZENSHIP HONOR Star Trek: First Contact The inventor of warp drive is told he is destined to be a great hero…even if he says he

wants nothing to do with that destiny.


Loan.

Eight Men Out A player for the White Sox shares his suspicion that his teammates are cheating.

Batman Begins After a long absence Bruce Wayne meets Rachel at a posh hotel. She challenges

Bruce to act upon the positive values he insists exist within himself.



many."


and violence.



to do.”



EPISODE 6: VISION FORGIVENESS EMPATHY (THE GOLDEN RULE) Billy Madison Billy asks a man to whom he was mean years ago for forgiveness.

Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country At the beginning of the film Kirk reflects on whether he can put aside his hatred of the

Borgs, who are responsible for the death of Kirk’s son, in order to negotiate a peace

agreement.

Antwone Fisher After dinner at Dr. Davenport’s home, Antwone is told he needs to forgive his family in

order to survive.

Kicking and Screaming Phil Weston finally apologizes to his son for his out-of-control and insensitive coaching.

The Incredibles As an insurance adjuster, Bob Parr shows mercy to a distressed policyholder. His boss

warns Bob not to be too generous.

Bridge to Terabithia On the school bus, Leslie explains to Jesse how she made friends with their tormentor

by empathizing with her.




based on race.



Saving Private Ryan Years later, James Ryan reflects on the supreme sacrifices other soldiers made on his

behalf.

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