Booklet One (the relationship between important life events and the questions people ask about meaning and purpose in their lives)

• “Those who know others are wise, but those who know themselves are enlightened” Lao Tze

• “… conscience is man’s most secret core and sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths” (CCC, 1776)

• “Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made,” (Isaiah 43:7)

• “…whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31)

• “Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Phil. 2:4)

• “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38)

• “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28)

• “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’” (Matthew 22:39)

• “…purpose is best defined not by selfish desires but by the ability to love and consider others more important.” (Fr. Mike Schmitz, 2012)

• “Life is unfulfilled unless Jesus is known.” (Fr. Mike Schmitz, 2020)

Booklet Two (the concept of religion and being religious)

This booklet does not have mention any scripture or quotes, so I will just provide key definitions

spirituality - the quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things (not necessarily associated with religion but has to do with deep, often religious, feelings and beliefs)

religion - a system of beliefs, including belief in the existence of a deity or higher being (institutionalised system of religious attitudes, beliefs and practices that has a code of ethics)

religious - relating to or believing in a religion

religious identity - formation of self within a particular religion or part of a religious group

religious adherence - believe in and follow the practices of a particular religion

religious affiliation - self-identified association of a person with a religion, denomination or sub-denominational religious group

atheist - someone who does not believe in the existence of God or gods

theist - someone who believes in the existence of God or gods

agnostic - someone who cannot prove God’s existence

religiosity - both the value of religious group membership as well as participation in religious events (e.g. going to church)

monotheistic religions - religions that claim to be revealed by the One God

Booklet Three (the nature of religious belief + the key features of one religious belief or teaching)

• John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God.

• God chose Abraham and made a covenant with him and his descendants. By the covenant God formed his people and revealed is law to them through Moses. Through the prophets, he prepared them to accept the salvation destined for all humanity. (CCC 72)

• Then God said; ‘Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.’ God created him; male and female he created them. (Gen 1:26)

• St Paul, in his letter to the Romans (1:20) - Since the creation of the world… God’s eternal power and divinity have become visible and recognised through the things he has made.

• This mystery [of the Holy Trinity] was revealed by Jesus Christ and is the source of all the other mysteries (CCC 45)

• “… I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever - the Spirit of truth” John 14:16-17

• Jesus announced the sending of ‘another Paraclete’ (Advocate), the Holy Spirit before his Passover (John 14:26)

• John 15:26: “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.”

• Matthew 11:27 - “No one knows the son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

• Jesus makes the astounding claim that the triune God’s ultimate purpose is to include us in this eternal trinitarian dance of love (Zee, 2016)

Booklet Four (the key features of one religious ritual or practice)

• “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5)

• Matthew 28:18-20 reads: “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptise them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age”.

• Canon 863 states that “the baptism of adults, at least of those who have completed their fourteenth year, is to be referred to the Bishop, so that he himself may confer it if he judges this appropriate”.

Booklet Five (the characteristics of major divisions or denominations within a world religion)

• Matthew 16:16-19: And Simon Peter answered and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal [this] to you, but My Father who is in heaven. “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it. “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose shall be loosed in heaven.”