Morality Semester 1

  • Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM): A religious community dedicated to education, social justice, and serving the poor.

  • SNJM Core Values: Key beliefs guiding the SNJM, like respect, compassion, and justice.

  • Charism: A spiritual gift or focus of a religious group (e.g., education for SNJM).

  • Hospitality: Being welcoming, kind, and open to others.

  • Morality: Knowing right from wrong and acting ethically.

  • Moral Relativism: Belief that morality depends on culture or situation.

  • Moral Absolutism: Belief that moral rules are always true, no matter the situation.

  • Grounding Problem: The challenge of explaining why moral rules exist.

  • Conscience: The inner sense of right and wrong that guides actions.

  • Primacy of Conscience: The belief that following your conscience is most important.

  • Erroneous Conscience: A conscience that makes mistakes in moral judgment.

  • Culpable: Being responsible for wrongdoing.

  • Sin (Catechism): Deliberate offense against God’s law.

  • Object: The action taken.

  • Intention: The reason behind an action.

  • Circumstance: The context or situation of an action.

  • Sin of Commission: Doing something wrong actively.

  • Sin of Omission: Failing to do the right thing.

  • Free Will: The ability to make choices.

  • Virtue: A good habit or quality.

  • Vice: A bad habit or moral weakness.

  • Moral Decision-Making: Choosing actions based on moral principles.

  • LISTEN: A process for making moral choices (Look for the facts, Imagine possibilities, Seek insight beyond your own, Turn inward, Expect Gods help, Name your decision).

  • Symbol: A visible sign representing a deeper meaning (e.g., a cross for Christianity).

  • Ritual: A repeated action with spiritual meaning (e.g., prayers).

  • Sacrament: A sacred Christian ceremony where God’s grace is given.

  • Sacramentality: Seeing God’s presence in the world.

  • Paschal Mystery: Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection for salvation.

  • Ex opere operato: Sacraments work through God’s power, not human worthiness.

  • Efficacious Sign: A symbol that actually causes what it represents (e.g., Baptism cleansing sin).

  • Redemption: Being saved from sin through Jesus.

  • Sanctifying Grace: God’s life within us, received through sacraments.

  • Actual Grace: God's help in specific moments.

  • Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation.

  • Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick.

  • Sacraments of Service: Matrimony, Holy Orders.

  • Indelible: Permanent, can’t be erased.

  • Godparents: Spiritual mentors at Baptism.

  • Paschal Candle: Large candle symbolizing Christ’s light.

  • Original Sin: Human tendency to sin from birth.

  • Sacred Chrism: Holy oil used in Baptism.

  • Holy Water: Blessed water symbolizing purification.

  • RCIA: Process for adults becoming Catholic.

  • Liturgy of the Word: Scripture readings during Mass.

  • Lectionary: Book with Bible readings for Mass.

  • Liturgy of the Eucharist: The part of Mass where bread and wine become the Body and Blood.

  • Roman Missal: Book with prayers and instructions for Mass.

  • Consecration: When bread and wine become Jesus’s Body and Blood.

  • Tabernacle: The container for the Eucharist.

  • Eucharist: The Body and Blood of Christ in Communion.

  • Transubstantiation: The bread and wine changing into Christ’s Body and Blood.

  • Closed vs. Open Communion: Closed = only Catholics receive; Open = all Christians can receive.

  • Confirmation Sponsor: A mentor who supports the confirmed.

  • Confirmation Saint: A saint chosen for guidance and inspiration.

  • Concupiscence: Tendency to sin.

  • Repentance: Feeling sorry for sin and wanting to change.

  • Penance: Actions to make up for sin.

  • Absolution: Forgiveness given by a priest.

  • Examination of Conscience: Reflecting on sins before confession.

  • Sacramental Seal: The promise a priest won’t reveal sins heard in confession.

  • Oil of the Sick: Holy oil used for healing the sick.

  • Sacramental Marriage: A marriage blessed by the Church.

  • Civil Marriage: A legal marriage without a religious blessing.

  • 3 Requirements: Free choice, lifelong commitment, openness to children.

  • Annulment: Declaring a marriage invalid.

  • 3 Forms of Marriage Preparation: Classes, counseling, mentorship.

  • Vocation: A calling from God.

  • 3 Levels of Ordination: Bishop, Priest, Deacon.

  • Bishop: Oversees a diocese.

  • Priest: Leads a parish and sacraments.

  • Seminary: School for priests-in-training.

  • Deacon: Assists priests but can’t perform all sacraments.

  • Five Levels of Church Hierarchy: Pope, Cardinal, Bishop, Priest, Deacon.

  • Who are the poor? Those lacking basic needs like food, shelter, or healthcare.

  • Who are the marginalized? People excluded from society due to race, poverty, or other factors.

  • Wheel of Power/Privilege: A tool showing who holds power and privilege in society.

  • Voluntourism: Volunteering mainly for personal benefit rather than real help.

  • White Savior Complex: When privileged people help in a way that centers themselves instead of those in need.

  • Co-conspirator: Someone who actively works alongside marginalized groups for justice.

  • Kinship: Deep connection and solidarity with others, especially the marginalized.

  • Fr. Gustavo Gutiérrez: A priest who founded Liberation Theology.

  • Liberation Theology: A belief that faith should focus on freeing the oppressed.

  • Organizations serving the poor and marginalized: Groups that support vulnerable people through aid and advocacy.

  • Commitment to Liberating Action: Actively working for justice and freedom for all.

  • Brave Spaces (6 Pillars): Guidelines for open, respectful dialogue on tough topics.

  • Characteristics of Good Listening: Being present, empathetic, and open-minded.

  • Listening Circles: Group discussions focused on sharing and understanding experiences.

  • Conversations in the Spirit: Dialogue focused on spiritual reflection and mutual understanding.

  • Three parts of a good apology: Admit fault, apologize sincerely, and make amends.

  • Reconciliation: Restoring peace and repairing relationships after harm.

  • Residential Schools: Institutions where Indigenous children were taken from families, often abused.

  • Assimilation: Forcing a culture to adopt another, often against their will.

  • Sen. Murray Sinclair: A leader in Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation efforts.

  • Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: An organization investigating residential school harm.

  • The Camino: A spiritual pilgrimage in Spain.

  • Metanoia: A deep spiritual transformation or change of heart.