(a)
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Discuss the Catholic meaning of discernment as being a decision-making process in life including vocational decision-making. |
(b)
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Discuss influences on one's discernment processes such as:
- humility
- prayer
- advice from friends and/or family
- expectations of others
- personal interests and passions
- suffering or illness (e.g., physical, mental, emotional, spiritual)
- trust in God
- vocational vows (e.g., obedience, poverty, chastity).
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(c)
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Examine the benefits, responsibilities and challenges associated with the traditional Catholic vocations (i.e., priesthood, religious life, marriage, single life) including discussions of:
- spiritual development
- service
- chastity
- loneliness versus being alone
- family and community.
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(d)
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Examine how important vocational decisions can be guided by various religious and spiritual approaches including Catholic discernment, First Nations and Métis traditions and other practices (e.g., meditation, prayer, Elder advice, retreats, candle-lighting ceremonies). |
(e)
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Investigate how the priesthood and religious life influence society through ways such as:
- reflecting the Beatitudes
- demonstrating Gospel values
- representing and giving witness to Jesus.
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(f)
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Examine the Catholic understanding of the vocation of marriage through topics such as:
- matrimony within the vocation of holy orders (e.g., married deacons, married priests such as Ukrainian Catholics or those of the Chaldean Church)
- differences between civil law marriages and the sacrament of holy matrimony (e.g., Canon law, Council of Trent, Sacrament of Crowning in Eastern Churches, covenants versus contracts)
- differences between civil divorce and declaration of nullity of marriage (i.e., annulment)
- implications of the recalling of the gift of children within Eastern rite matrimonial ceremonies and the Latin rite two-fold question (i.e., Will you lovingly accept children from God? Will you raise them in the faith of the Church?)
- married life and family dynamics (e.g., communication, Natural Family Planning, artificial contraceptives, parenting strategies, domestic responsibilities, charity, play and leisure)
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(g)
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Describe personal responses to the vocational call of God. |