developing disciples of christ New program teaches the virtues BY VANESSA DENHA GARMO A few years ago a Dominican sister from Columbus, Ohio, was planning to implement Sean Covey’s “Leader in Me” program at her Catholic school, but never could really figure out how to incorporate the principles from a Christian’s perspective. At the same time Sr. John Dominic was working on a virtues program. “We were in the stages of what the virtues themselves look like and sound like,” she said. From that birthed the “Education in Virtues Remain in Me” program. The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, were on a mission to create Disciples of Christ. Formalized in 2013, today more than 250 Catholic schools in the country have implemented the program including Our Lady of Refuge, where more than half the students are Chaldean. The “Remain in Me” names come from the scripture teachings found in the Gospel of John: “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit because without me you can do nothing.” “We had been looking at teaching virtues to students and parents,” said Sr. John Dominic. “Teaching that to a first-grader is challenging and we struggled with this for a bit so we looked to our sisters who are teaching.” They looked to St. Thomas Aquinas’ teachings on the virtues and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. They began to focus on the Cardinal Virtues of Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance and within those virtues are other virtues, which they began to color code. Along with the Cardinal Virtues are Theological Virtues, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Fruits of the Holy Spirit and the Beatitudes. “We brought our children to SSA thinking it would change our child’s life bringing them into virtue and an everlasting joy that this earth cannot give, but turns out it is changing the parent’s lives just as much, if not more, than the child’s,” said Alivia Arabo, a parent at Spiritus Sanctus Academy. “The Dominican Sisters of Mother Mary of the Eucharist are a gift of joy to our family; they have brought us the joy of Christ with abundant graces pouring out from Heaven.” Many of the schools are tailoring the program to fit their needs. The Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona, for example, is using the program to incorporate standards for physical education and health. “We began giving our students Some of the materials used in the Virtues program. concrete examples and practical ways to live the virtues,” said Sr. John Dominic. “All of us are called to Holiness and all of us are called to be saints.” The virtues begin to shape behavior and character. “The beautiful thing about virtues is pattern of goodness,” said Sr. John Dominic. “No one wakes up saying ‘I am not going to be good today.’ Chaldeans love their children and want them to be good. We know Chaldean parents. They want their children to be princes and princesses of the world – to be good.” Children taught in the virtues learn that one becomes holy in the little things done in a course of the day. Sr. John Dominic gives some examples: “Being patient at the grocery store, keeping your dresser drawers neat, doing your homework, completing tasks, or noticing a sad person and speaking to that person, trying to make him or her feel better. These are ways we grow in the virtues.” This process enables children to expand their critical thinking. When approached about her behavior, the student is given a Saint Card to read and reflect on while assessing her own behavior and looking at ways she can improve by learning from the saint. “It is a whole language and broadens the vocabulary,” said Sr. John Dominic. “They are learning words that help them acknowledge their behavior and enable a child to change behavior and be more kind and courteous, such as ‘don’t let the door slam in your mom’s face.’ There are all these little things that mold behavior.” She also tells students that the virtues supply them with words to describe themselves. School administrators across the country have seen positive changes in students since implanting the program. “Kids and adults have set the bar higher,” said Sr. John Dominic. “They are more conscious of their behavior and how friendly they are to others. Kids have written me that living virtuously is about living as a Disciple of Christ.” The program defines — for students and parents — what it truly means to be a Disciple of Christ. “You hear people say you have to live as a Disciple of Christ but you really don’t know what that is like,” said Sr. John Dominic. “You don’t have to spend all your time at church; we really want you to go out and make a difference in the culture. You want your friends to notice you are different because you are kind, trustworthy, and loyal — you are living the virtues of friendship.” Sr. John Dominic has also developed the Life of Christ Journal, a tool to guide people into living a “Life of Christ.” It introduces both students and parents to prayerful readings and understandings of Jesus’ life as recorded in the Gospels. It is a journal of reflection and helps people listen to the Voice of Christ as they focus on following Him, and glean a deeper meaning as to why someone would want to live virtuously. “When we live as Disciples of Christ, we are seeking life in the virtues,” said Sr. John Dominic. “It is knowing Christ and establishing a friendship with Him. If we don’t have this personal interior relationship with Christ, it is harder to be good.” There is a lack of desire in today’s culture to develop one’s spiritual life, she said, “a ‘who-really-cares’ attitude that has quietly gripped the culture. There are so many distractions in the world – social media and technology and there is not time to pause and be silent and reflect, and it so important for brain development. We need time away to be silent.” 36 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>DECEMBER</strong> <strong>2015</strong>
Search for the ways to manage your chronic disease. EXERCISE LIFESTYLE FRUITS VEGETABLES WALKING BIKING DANCE STRETCH APPLE SUPPORT CELERY BROCCOLI SALAD You can lower your risk of chronic diseases such as asthma, heart diseases and Type 2 diabetes by exercising, eating healthier and quitting smoking. We’ll help you discover ways to prevent or manage chronic diseases. Learn how you can reduce your risk by talking to your healthcare provider or visiting michigan.gov/chronicdisease. <strong>DECEMBER</strong> <strong>2015</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 37
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