Dear Principals, Teachers, PCLs, Catechists and Parents:
It is a great joy to provide this curriculum for use during the diocesan year of spiritual renewal and preparation for consecration to Our Lady of Guadalupe. The intention is that it function as a supplement to your present curriculum and not replace it. The format is such that you may use it consecutively following the sequence listed, with each theme building upon the preceding one, (there are four lessons for grades K-8 and three for high school). If, however, you choose to use one unit independent of the others this can be done as well. In addition, you are free and encouraged to develop the content further if you so desire.
As to the teaching methodology, you will note that the content of each lesson centers upon a visual/image. The apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe is unique in all of history in that the Blessed Mother left us a visual image of herself emblazoned on the cloak of St. Juan Diego, known as the tilma. Not merely a photographic representation of the Mother of God, but rather a written message from her in Aztec codex, the tilma is meant to be ‘read’ and the message responded to. The pictorial lessons provided in this curriculum need to be approached in the same way – they need to be visually ‘read’, their content understood and then a personal response by the students is to be made. Remember: grace works through our cooperation. As you engage your students from their hearts as well as their heads the graces that God and Our Lady of Guadalupe have for them will be received.
Curriculum Overview with a Note for Teachers and a Visual Grade-Level Thumbnail Map for Each Lesson
Teachers Notes: Kerygma Lesson
Teachers notes Evangelization lesson
Grades K-2
K-2 Lesson 1_Kerygma
K-2 Lesson 2_Consecration
K-2 Lesson 3_Our Lady of Guadalupe
K-2 Lesson 4_Evangelization
Grades 3-5
3-5 Lesson 1_Kerygma
3-5 Lesson 2_Consecration
3-5 Lesson 3_Our Lady of Guadalupe
3-5 Lesson 4_Evangelization
Grades 6-8
6-8 Lesson 1_Kerygma