Gospel of Life Topics

Adoption

Every child deserves a home and a family. Students learn about the loving choice of adoption and explore stories of people who have been adopted. They will develop a deeper understanding of what adoption and foster care are and why, as Christians, we take very seriously the responsibility for every child born into the world.

Gospel of Life: Adoption

Caring for Creation

Pope Francis issued the encyclical Laudato si, the first written specifically on the environment. Students will understand the connection between honoring the dignity of each person, serving the poor and vulnerable, and protecting our environment.

Gospel of Life: Caring for Creation

Caring for Those in Need

Pope Francis has called us to go out with the joy of the Gospel, to encounter people where they are. Like Mother Teresa, we are called to serve the poor by looking people in the eye, respecting their dignity, and engaging in works of mercy.

Gospel of Life: Caring for Those in Need

Celebrating Special Needs

God makes each person special—a unique creation whom He planned from the beginning of time. Students are encouraged to recognize each person as a gift, regardless of their strengths, weaknesses, and limitations. 

Gospel of Life: Celebrating Special Needs

Dignity at Every Age

The international movement to legalize assisted suicide teaches that some lives are worth living while others have no value. As Christians, we embrace interdependence and understand that suffering is a necessary, if difficult, part of life. When we ask for help and allow others to care for us, we are providing the opportunity for others to offer mercy to us.

Gospel of Life: Dignity at Every Age

Immigration 

Solidarity invites us to see immigrants through the lens of our common dignity as members of the human community. When we begin to understand what motivates people to come to the United States, we learn that they are looking for the same things we are: peace, security, opportunity, education, and stability.

Gospel of Life: Immigration

Knowing My Value

Sometimes it is easier to recognize the goodness and value of other people. It can be difficult to believe that we are good and worthy of respect. Students will learn that taking care of ourselves is part of the call to holiness.

Gospel of Life: Knowing My Value

Learning to Forgive

Students will learn about the mercy of God and His invitation to us to uphold the dignity of every person, even those who have committed crimes. Bad decisions cannot destroy the reality of the love of God. Solutions to crime and punishment must take into account the dignity of every person.

Gospel of Life: Learning to Forgive

Life is a Gift

To truly create a world where every person is loved, each individual has to do his or her share to spread kindness, mercy and an authentic understanding of being part of the human family. Only then will abortion and other attacks on human life end.

Gospel of Life: Life is a Gift

Marriage

By teaching the truth about marriage—a loving, permanent commitment between a man and a woman to each other and any children they may have—we allow students to realize that God intends something special for us, and that we are made for and capable of lasting, authentic love.

Gospel of Life: Marriage

Overcoming Differences

Each person is totally unrepeatable and loved into existence by God. In our world, it is so important that we learn to respect the dignity of every human person, no matter our differences.

Gospel of Life: Overcoming Differences

Receiving Mercy

Life is a gift - but sometimes we don’t recognize the goodness of God’s plans and we choose to turn away. God is always calling us back to Himself. He invites us to receive His mercy and to extend forgiveness to others. 

Gospel of Life: Receiving Mercy

Respecting Others

Every person possesses inherent dignity. This means that persons can never be treated as objects to be used but must be respected as bearing the image of God. In this lesson, students will unpack what it means to respect others. 

Gospel of Life: Respecting Others