 In your notes, answer the following :  1. What kind of person do I want to become?  2. What kind of person am I becoming?  3. What is the meaning of my life?  We answer these questions through the decisions we make daily  Morality involves making decisions that shape our character (who you are, will be)  Morality reflects how we see life’s meaning

 We need to strive to build virtues and avoid vices  Virtue - a good habit that enables us to act according to right reason, enlightened by faith  Vice – a habit that leads to sin Plant an act, reap a habit Plant a habit, reap a virtue or vice Plant a virtue or vice, reap a character Plant a character, reap a destiny

 Virtues become part of character when we practice (like any skill)  character is a unique mix of qualities;  character is formed-affects our actions and choices Actions Actions and choices Habits Good Bad Virtues Vices Character Destiny

 Sin can be characterized as:  Venial - results in partial separation from God’s grace, diminishes charity  Mortal - destroys charity in the heart of people, destroys grace  All sins are forgivable, with the 3 Cs  Contrition  Confession  Correction  MAYBE only one sin is unforgiveable (discuss)

 In Catholic tradition each vice is matched with a corresponding virtue.  In your small group, match the vices with their virtues  Complete your chart individually

 All humans have a spiritual dimension – the yearning for something more.  Our soul helps us find this and gives us character.  character - attributes that make up a human, that make us accountable, act responsibly toward God and other people.  Character and personality are not the same things – character is more stable.

 lives by good values  worthy of admiration, imitation  “more human” – relates well with others, is happy  There are attributes of God that we try to imitate:  Goodness  Power  Wisdom  Love  Mercy  Justice  (Optional: In 6 small groups, please prepare a summary of your assigned attribute).

 Goodness  God’s goodness is made real by people’s actions  Morally virtuous, right, honourable  Power  God’s power is made real when we take control of our relationships, create change, don’t misuse power  authority, control, influence, strength  Wisdom  Knowledge that leads to finding the truth  Prudence: being cautious, weighing consequences  Right judgment: the ability to make the best choice

 Love  phile: attachment, devotion, tenderness (e.g. parents/children, friends)  eros: passion, sexual attraction  agape: unselfish, self-giving love that extends beyond family and friends (i.e. mutually beneficial relationships) – agape is given without expecting anything in return.  Mercy  Compassion, patience  forgiveness is a gift of mercy –justice doesn’t always require it  Justice  proper, fair, correct, equal  Social justice means that people must aid in creating systems to provide for the common good