Virtue Project

The Virtues lesson plans were created to help form disciples and to strengthen the Catholic Identity for our Catholic Schools and our afterschool Religious Education Programs.

Dear Virtues Project Users,

As the 2023-2024 school year begins, we also begin Cycle III of the Virtues Project. We will cover the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, rolling out one or two per month. The new Religion Curriculum calls for the use of the Virtues Project to help cover the corresponding outcomes. The calendar to the left lists which Fruits are covered in which months. For background information as an introduction as well as review in June for students to the Fruits of the Holy Spirit the following links may be helpful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0WdF8XuAvA

Catholic Faith Productions (Older Students Fifth Grade and Above)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lP_r9S9IZ8

Fr. Robert Barron (9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit – Older Students)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uraapClj5o

Fr. John Morris (the Christophers’ overview for all but not the detail in definition of the Fruits).

There are times when different numbers of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit are listed at either nine or twelve. The reason for the difference is in the different translations of the Bible that are used. If we look at the New Testament and the letter to the Galatians 5:22 in the New American Bible translation we find nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit, however in the Latin translation, the Douay Rheims in Galatians 5:22 we find twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit. The Catechism of the Catholic Church also lists twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit, so the Virtues Project also uses twelve. Because there are more Fruits than months in the school year, some months require two Fruits of the Holy Spirit to be covered. If you have a lesson for one of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit that you would like to share with your fellow catechists, you can use the lesson plan template under Lessons. The template is a Word document and when complete you can send it via e-mail to [email protected] . Also, if you have a good idea to modify an existing lesson you may use the Lesson Plan Modification Form below. May the teaching and focus on the Fruits of the Holy Spirit help us encourage our students to become Disciples of Christ! If you have any questions about the Virtues Program contact us at (313)596-7332 or [email protected].)

May God bless each of you as you work in your ministries this year!

In Christ,
Greg Carnacchi

Online Lesson Plan Modification Form