Our Language, Our Story is the Eastern Ontario Catholic Curriculum Cooperative’s character development resource for Catholic school classroom teachers and administrators. It uses the Theological and Cardinal Virtues as points of reference for student learning and activities as well as for staff development. A second set of broad Catholic Character Themes is also provided to help animate what goes on in our Catholic schools and board offices with the language of our story. Each of these themes (Community, Compassion, Discipleship, Reverence, Stewardship and Solidarity) is linked to the virtues, which are the foundation of this resource.

1.1 Good Practices that help us Live the Gospel
So, what are the virtues? Virtues are good practices, which over time, become part of our character. Practicing the virtues tempers our personalities and enables us to live and work peacefully with one another.

Education through the virtues can help Catholic educators fulfill their mission to teach in the light of the Catholic faith. This will strengthen the distinctive Catholic character of our students and school communities. Practicing the virtues will help our young people grow as followers of Jesus, and bring the transforming witness of His Gospel to the world.

Let’s take a brief look at how the virtues are addressed in this resource:

The Theological Virtues

The three theological virtues (Faith, Hope and Love) are God’s gift to us at baptism. As we nurture our faith and practice these virtues, they become more prominent in our lives, to guide our character as it develops over a lifetime of discipleship.

Faith – A new way of seeing, a shared way of believing
	The language of our story speaks of faith. The theological virtue of faith is God’s gift to us at Baptism. Christian faith transforms our minds with God’s self-understanding. Faith gives us a new way… of seeing: seeing God, ourselves and everything around us, of believing: what Christ has taught us in the Gospels and handed on to us through His Church.
The faith we share through Baptism into Christ’s body (the Church), leads us to believe, pray and worship. It is witnessed in love of God and in love of neighbour, made in God’s image. Faith is visible in our Catholic schools whenever there is trust in God, belief, prayer, worship and the witness of love.

Hope – Trusting God’s promises in prayer and work for justice

The language of our story speaks of hope. The theological virtue of Christian hope is God’s gift to us at Baptism, which unites us with the risen Christ. By hope, we desire the happiness of the Kingdom and eternal life. Hope makes us able to trust in God’s promises, no matter what the obstacles. It keeps us from despair and presumption, and is expressed principally in prayer. Hopeful people live the Gospel with joy; they work for peace and justice on earth despite facing many obstacles. They trust that God’s plan will be fulfilled, even if not in their lifetime. Hope is visible in our Catholic schools whenever we find prayer, trust in God’s faithfulness, and work for peace and justice.

Love - Loving God above all things and others as God loves them

The language of our story speaks of love. The theological virtue of love is God’s gift to us at Baptism. The gift of Christian love enables us to love God above all things and to love others as God loves them. This was the great insight of St. Thérèse, who said, we have been made by love for love. God’s gift of love directs and gives strength to our life of virtue. Our model of love is Jesus, who laid down His life so that we might have life to the full (Jn. 10:10). Our encounters with Jesus in His Gospel and the sacraments nurture us so that we can love as He has loved us. Love is visible in our Catholic schools wherever the kindness, service and self-giving of Jesus are found.

The Cardinal Virtues

The four cardinal virtues (Prudence, Temperance, Fortitude, Justice) are practices on which all the other virtues hinge (cardinal, meaning hinge in Latin). These practices are learned and developed over time.

Prudence – Seeking, judging, acting – with confidence and love

The language of our story speaks of prudence or good sense. The cardinal virtue of prudence (good sense) has been called “the watchful eye of love.” Prudence has three steps: seeking the proper, most loving thing to do; judging what is the best choice; and confidently acting. A prudent person asks, “What is the right, most loving thing to do?” She considers others’ advice, and looks to the Gospel and Church teaching to guide her conscience. She prays and thinks things through, then confidently acts in truth and love. In this way, practicing prudence unites us more closely both with God and neighbour. Prudence is visible in our Catholic schools when we reflect as Jesus’ disciples and act in His love.

Justice – Seeking the good, meeting obligations to God and neighbour

The language of our story speaks about justice. The cardinal virtue of justice is found in the character of persons who practice… seeking what is good in every situation, and living in right relationship with God and neighbour. A just person fulfills their obligations to God in prayer and worship, and to neighbour in mercy and fairness. Justice is visible in our Catholic schools whenever we see people striving to meet their obligations to God and neighbour.

Temperance – Enjoying life’s pleasures in keeping with the Gospel
	The language of our story speaks about temperance. The cardinal virtue of temperance (moderation) is the practice of enjoying life’s pleasures in keeping with the call of the Gospel. A temperate person practices staying away fromexcesses.She or he strives…
to practice moderation in eating and drinking to practice self-control in emotional expression to practice balance in living responsibly to practice forming chaste, healthy friendships to practice honesty about who they are (humility) Practicing temperance frees us from slavery to unhealthy habits so that we can live a fully human life as God intended for us in Christ. The virtue of temperance is visible in our Catholic schools whenever moderation, chastity, balance, self-control and humble attitudes are practiced.

Fortitude – Practicing the good and just in challenging situations, patience with obstacles.

The language of our story speaks about fortitude. The cardinal virtue of fortitude (courage) involves practicing what is good and just when it is difficult or even dangerous. A person of fortitude practices patience when meeting obstacles while working to do what is right, even when others criticize them or remain silent. Fortitude is visible in our Catholic schools whenever we see persons defending truth and kindness in challenging situations.

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2.1 Main Section
Our Language, Our Story is divided into six main sections:

• Virtues and Themes
• Curriculum Connections
• Staff Development
• Additional Resources
• Community Outreach
• School Activities

The Virtues and Themes, Curriculum Connections and Staff Development sections are more fully developed. The Additional Resources, Community Outreach and School Activities will be expanded in subsequent updates and revisions to this resource.

2.2 Virtues and Themes
The Virtues and Themes section is foundational to this resource. It contains a wealth of information on the topics below:

• Theological Virtues – Faith, Hope, Love
• Cardinal Virtues – Justice, Temperance, Prudence, Fortitude
• Catholic Themes – Community, Compassion, Discipleship, Reverence, Solidarity, Stewardship

Each Virtue and Theme is organized under the following headings:

• Descriptor
• Scripture Quotes
• Connection to Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations
• Related Concepts
• Links to Online Resources
• PDF Files

2.3 Curriculum Connections
While Virtues and Themes are the foundation of this resource, the Curriculum Connections are very much its heart. The Curriculum Connections section is a companion to the classroom teacher's subject manuals. Each strand shows how a Virtue or Theme can be introduced at the beginning of a lesson, and returned to throughout as expectations are covered. Ideally, a hard copy of the Curriculum Connections section will be opened each morning and referred to alongside subject manuals throughout the day.

As Catholic educators, we believe that the search for truth and knowledge in every area of study leads us to Christ. The Curriculum Connections section of this resource is our attempt at helping Catholic educators accompany young learners on this search across the classroom curriculum.

2.4 Additional Resources
The Additional Resources section currently contains resources for addressing virtues through the visual arts at both the elementary and secondary levels.
It is a work in progress to be updated as this resource grows. It will provide information for use in elementary and secondary panels under the following categories:

• Print Resources
• Video Resources
• Music Resources
• Visual Arts Resources

2.5 Community Outreach
The Community Outreach section contains a rich sample of commonly found Catholic school outreach initiatives which exemplify the virtuous life. These include practices inspired by the liturgical calendar and others springing from a commitment to justice and solidarity. More will be added to this section as this resource evolves.

2.6 School Activities
This portion of Our Language, Our Story will provide samples from a variety of school activities. At present, the majority of resources in this section focus on the prayer and liturgical life of the community. Here you will find prayer services organized around the rhythms of the school year and the liturgical calendar.

2.7 Staff Development
The Staff Development section is currently sub-divided into four categories:

• Adult Faith Resources (prayers, retreats, personal reflection)
• Prayer Services (for staff meetings, workshops, school councils)
• Blessings
• Program-Related Resources

More sections will be added in subsequent editions of this resource.

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Everything we do as sharers in the Church’s evangelizing mission is geared toward helping young people reason, believe and live according to heart and mind of Jesus Christ. Character development is therefore central to our work as Catholic educators. There is something in this resource for everyone involved in this task - whether in or outside the classroom or in an administrative capacity. You are encouraged to explore its contents online or on CD.

As we journey with students, we are mindful that we are accompanied by Jesus Christ himself, in whose name we gather and learn each day. He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13: 8) – our Lord and Model for character development who calls us to learn, grow and change the world for the better as emerging citizens and His disciples. We hope and pray that Our Language, Our Story will enhance the character development among all who teach and learn in the light of faith in your Catholic school, classroom, or office.

The project team has included links to websites it considers to be of value for enhancing the usefulness of this resource to Catholic educators. Content consistency with Church teaching also has been considered. It does not accept responsibility for the changing content of these sites.  Please note that at the time this resource was created, all the sites were up and working correctly.

Icon of the Pantocratora - Used with permission
Orthodox Incense, Newport, Pennsylvania

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