Students will learn about the mercy of God and His invitation to us to uphold the dignity of every person, even those who have committed crimes. Bad decisions cannot destroy the reality of the love of God. Solutions to crime and punishment must take into account the dignity of every person.
PK, TK and Kindergarten Lesson Plan
Students will learn about the importance of offering forgiveness to their neighbors. They will learn of God’s forgiveness to each of them, and will have reinforced the understanding that just because someone does something wrong does not make them a bad person.
Grades PK-K Wednesday Learning to Forgive Lesson Plan.pdf
Grades 1-3 Lesson Plan
Students will learn about the importance of offering forgiveness to their neighbors. They will learn of God’s forgiveness to each of them, and will have reinforced the understanding that just because someone does something wrong does not make them a bad person.
Grades 4-6 Lesson Plan
Students will learn about the importance of offering forgiveness to their neighbors. They will learn of God’s forgiveness to each of them, and will have reinforced the understanding that just because someone does something wrong does not make them a bad person.
Grades 7-9 Lesson Plan
Students will learn about the mercy of God and His invitation to us to uphold the dignity of every person, even those who have committed crimes. Bad decisions cannot destroy the reality of the love of God. Solutions to crime and punishment must take into account the dignity of every person.
Grades 10-12 Student Handout
Students will learn about the mercy of God and His invitation to us to uphold the dignity of every person, even those who have committed crimes. Bad decisions cannot destroy the reality of the love of God. Solutions to crime and punishment must take into account the dignity of every person.
Grades 10-12 – Learning to Forgive.pdf
Resources
The Death Penalty is Always Inadmissible
Archbishop Gomez reminds us that no one ever loses human dignity
The Power of Forgiveness: Restorative Justice
4.5-minute video shares the story of one woman who has found forgiveness.
Homeboy Industries: A Turning Point
25-minute short documentary of the program that assists formerly gang-involved youth.
Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie 2019
Current statistics of who is in prison and why
The Norwegian Prison where Inmates are Treated Like People
Bastoy prison island village where inmates learn work and life skills
Bishop O’Connell visits Folsom Prison with families of the incarcerated through the Get on the Bus program
Catholic Social Teaching and the Death Penalty
Overview of the teaching on human dignity
Catholic Teaching and Restorative Justice
A guide for living as a people of justice and mercy
Families of Murder Victims Speak Out
Article shares the stories of families who have been victimized and their response to tragedy. Seeking retribution or sowing mercy are often not disconnected and can be difficult.
Death Sentences and Executions 2018
Provides international information from Amnesty International
The Cruel Cost of Solitary Confinement
Describes the physical and mental toll caused by solitary confinement.
Effects of Solitary Confinement
4-minute video Inmates at Pelican Bay State Prison discuss effects of long-term solitary confinement.