We Believe, Part One

As you begin your mission, be sure you have your Travel Journal. Let your Disciple Power guide you on your virtual pilgrimage. Here is your first Mission Assignment…

Phase 1: Prepare for the Pilgrimage

Recall what you learned about each of the Disciple Power habits in Unit 1 of Be My Disciples. Using your Travel Journal, write your own description for each of the four Disciple Power habits. Let your descriptions be your “signs” to point you toward your destination.

• Perseverance (Chapter 1)
• Knowledge (Chapter 2)
• Wonder and awe (Chapter 3)
• Justice (Chapter 4)

Phase 2: Select a Destination

1. Choose one of the following destinations based upon what you learned from The Church Follows Jesus pages. Then explore more about that destination by clicking its links. Record in your Travel Journal three new unique facts you learned about that destination. Be sure that these facts reflect your “terrain” as you approach your destination. Use the suggested links to help you survey your terrain.

• World Youth Day (Chapter 1)
  1. Check out WorldYouthDay.com to learn more about this amazing event.
  2. Check out World Youth Day 2013 and the events held in Rio de Janeiro.
• Babylonia (Chapter 2)
  1. Review this Wiki-map of the Neo-Babylonian Empire under the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II who had sent many Jews into Exile during the time of the Prophet Baruch.
  2. Read about the Hanging Gardens of Babylon from the History Channel.
• Mausoleum of Santa Costanza (Chapter 3)
  1. Watch a slideshow and read a short article from Catholic Online to see the beautiful mosaics inside the mausoleum.
  2. Learn more about the Mausoleum and the Church dedicated to Saint Constance, daughter of Saint Constantine the Great.
  3. You can visit the official Web site of the Mausoleum in Italian too.
• Your Local Hometown (Chapter 4)
  1. Complete some research about your hometown to find out what kinds of social services are available for those in need, and who provides those services and help.
  2. Interview family members and friends to see what needs in the neighborhood they think are important to meet.

2. Now re-read the corresponding The Church Follows Jesus pages to surface information about your destination. Using your Travel Journal, answer the questions that correspond to the destination you selected.

• World Youth Day (Chapter 1)
  Using perseverance, what theme and Scripture passage(s) would you pick for the next World Youth Day? Explain why.
• Babylonia (Chapter 2)
  Using knowledge, what would you say to people exiled from their homeland?
• Mausoleum of Santa Costanza (Chapter 3)
  Using wonder and awe, why do you think people choose to decorate their final burial places with such illuminating artwork? Would you? Explain why or why not.
• Your Hometown (Chapter 4)
  Using justice, how might you help bring the justice of God’s Kingdom to your neighborhood? What needs does your neighborhood have that you can help meet? How can you help meet those needs?

Phase 3: Arrive at Your Destination

Now go to the corresponding I Follow Jesus page for your destination. And then respond to the activity on that page in your Travel Journal. Notice the difference in responses from when you completed the activity in your textbook versus the response in your Travel Journal. Discuss with a partner that difference using one or all of the following questions:

• What would you say about your new destination to entice someone else to visit that place?
• How has your faith been transformed by reaching your destination?
• Why was this particular pilgrimage important for you in becoming a disciple?