TEACHERS
It is written right at their level, and they’re getting it.
We’ve had a wonderful experience with Principles and Choices. I’ve never found a religion textbook that I was satisfied with until this one. It is written right at their level, and they’re getting it. The teacher’s resources and lesson plans were very helpful and effective.
Thank you for all your efforts. This book has even helped me to see things more clearly, even after 30 years in religious life! I feel like this book is like the Gospel of John…there’s something for little children in the stories, and yet the depth of its mystery and meaning is pondered by theologians. It is really making a big difference here. We have students with disabilities, and this is providing a foundation for our efforts to change the culture here at our school in how those students are viewed.
We’re very, very grateful! It’s even hard to put into words how much this has meant to me to be able to reach the students in this way.
Jumping out of their seats, cheering and clapping
I just wanted to say what a great experience it has been using the Principles & Choices curriculum this semester. Thank you so much for sending us the final act of the “Robert & Emma” drama. My students were actually jumping out of their seats, cheering and clapping at the end of Act 4. (They are hoping for a movie version!) They were so engaged in the play from the beginning, and it was a great way to reinforce the concepts in the textbook. What a great way to end the semester! I’m looking forward to having more time to go deeper with the curriculum in my classes next term. God bless you and all the important work you do!
Exceptional clarity
We have examined a copy of Book 1 and were delighted with the foundational nature of the content and its exceptional clarity. Clearly the moral thinking skills, deepened understanding of human nature, human motivation and human happiness will be an inestimable benefit to our upper grade students as we attempt to prepare them for the pressures and confusion of their teen years. Additionally, we also hope to use the fundamentals of the P&C program to orient our lower grade teachers to a better understanding of Catholic moral teaching. This addition to our ongoing professional growth would lead our whole teaching staff to a more effective living and teaching of Catholic morality at every level of the school.
Robust and satisfying
I have been enjoying teaching from the Principles and Choices materials very much. The books are clear, and the conversations the class and I have enjoyed regarding the four levels of happiness have been robust and satisfying.
Complex issues … practical ways
I am always on the lookout for ways to bring the complex issues of Morality and Justice to my students in practical ways. The Principles and Choices curriculum does this for me.
Fun and interactive lessons
My students were immediately impressed with how fun and interactive the lessons were, as well as how sophisticated and deep the learning became.
Refreshing
It was refreshing to see high school students respond so enthusiastically!
Captured my students’ hearts
Two big thumbs up. The play was exquisitely produced, handled tough issues with respect and intelligence, and captured my students’ hearts.
It’s inspiring
Your content is excellent. You really show a way to talk about the life issues, especially to younger people. It’s inspiring.
Changed the way they lived their lives
This program not only changed the way my students reasoned through ethical dilemmas… it changed the way they lived their lives.
Energized and inspired by pro-life education
This method made all the difference in the world to the way my students thought about pro-life. We weren’t debating simply rightness and wrongness anymore; we were discussing how the universal principles they learned change the very questions and understanding of these complex moral issues. For many of our students, it was the first time they felt energized and inspired by pro-life education.
You would be amazed to see our students, months after taking the class, applying the principles to material and situations in other classes — and they do it with confidence, intelligence, and conviction. It’s about time something like this exists for Christian schools!
Each lesson honors intellect and free will
My theology students truly benefit from the clarity and applicability of P&C’s information. They come to class full of questions and insights. I wish I had learned what my students are learning when I was their age. Each lesson honors intellect and free will so that Faith may grow more deeply in their young lives.
What others are saying about P&C
CHURCH LEADERS
Thank you
Thank you for your efforts to support the Church’s commitment to the dignity of all persons.
I wholeheartedly recommend
Healing the Culture is at the forefront of organizations working to promote a culture of life. Their pro-life curriculum has the potential to transform many hearts with a message that is gentle, inviting, logically appealing, and unwavering in its defense of the sanctity of all human life. I wholeheartedly recommend this important organization and its excellent programs.
Essential to their understanding of and formation in the faith
The secular culture of materialism and disregard for human life surrounds high school students everywhere they go. Comprehensive resources, like Principles and Choices, are essential to their understanding of and formation in the faith. The Office of Catholic Schools will add it to the list of programs shared with our high schools for their consideration.
Tools necessary to respect all life
Thank you … for the important work that you are doing. I agree with your assessment that we as a Church must strive to teach the youth about the importance of human dignity through a pro-life perspective that is grounded and consistent throughout their education and development. I commend you for believing in our youth and striving to give them the tools necessary to respect all life through enduring pedagogical methods.
Promote the culture of life
God reward you and your efforts to promote the culture of life. With an assurance of prayers and my every good wish for you and all of those who work for Healing the Culture.
Timely
The material covered in the book is timely. May God continue to bless you, your staff and your work.
Good, solid value to our youth
I appreciate the intentions you present in this initiative as they are of good, solid value to our youth.
You reach students precisely where they need
I am particularly grateful for the logical and sophisticated approach you take to pro-life ethics. By moving beyond ‘fact-based’ education about abortion and euthanasia, and tackling the more foundational issues of happiness, quality of life, love, suffering, freedom, and human rights, you reach students precisely where they need to be transformed in order to embrace Church teaching on respect for human life…
“I have witnessed many students who come away filled with excitement and passion about being pro-life; it has helped our own pro-life group, Newman Students for Life, reach out to our own faith community. Newman Students for Life has grown because of your partnership. What a blessing!
Dealt with so many issues
It dealt with so many issues that I work with as a teacher so very often.
It fills a real need
I’m delighted that Healing the Culture has produced this pro-life high school curriculum. It fills a real need and will doubtless be of great use in forming the next generation to articulate and defend the Faith in their daily lives.
Helps students better understand and support the pro-life movement
On behalf of Bishop Zubik, I want to thank and commend you for the great work you are doing in helping high school students better understand and support the pro-life movement. It is a ministry that is most certainly needed in today’s society. This is a worthwhile endeavor and we would be happy to support you in your efforts.
Excellent
You rated ‘excellent’ in my survey of the participants – and in my estimation, also.
I think it will change minds, hearts and lives
I am happy to offer this word of support for Principles and Choices, an exciting new comprehensive curriculum on the meaning and dignity of human life, published by Healing the Culture. The curriculum helps advance Healing the Culture’s important vision that their ‘unique philosophical approach to pro-life education will form a people who value the good of others above the good of the self, and a culture that values and protects human life in every form.’ I believe the curriculum will be received well by teachers and students alike; even more, I think it will change minds, hearts, and lives.
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Focus on key universal principles of logic, ethics, and justice
On most college and high school campuses, self-described ‘pro-choice’ advocates seek to discredit pro-life students by dismissing their views as being narrowly religious, or motivated by some animus against women’s rights. But your focus on key universal principles of logic, ethics, and justice…reveals that pro-life convictions naturally emanate from the basic laws of reason and human rights on which civilization itself depends.
Simple, without being simplistic
I enjoyed the P&C curriculum immensely. It does an excellent job of addressing fundamental questions about happiness, freedom and the philosophical foundations of a just society. The presentation is simple, yet without being simplistic.
Intelligent and compassionate
Healing the Culture presents one of the most powerful pro-life educational programs I have ever seen. Their curriculum is both intelligent and compassionate.
HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES
Hugely popular!
My son is homeschooled and is taking this as an Ethics class offered free of charge by a local parish priest out of the kindness of his heart to local home schooled high school students. Father has offered this class before and it is hugely popular!
STUDENTS
Realistic
The characters were really realistic, and I never thought of all those reasons for being pro-life.
Answered many of my questions
This answered many of my questions and inspired me to live a life closer to God.
More against abortion now than I was
I’m more against abortion now than I was. I realized that all humans, even unborn, should be given the opportunity to experience life.
Against abortion more
I thought that [abortion] depended on the situation, but now I am against it more.
Changed my thinking.
This changed my thinking. I believe now that no one should get an abortion just because [the situation] makes them unhappy.
Making abortion illegal
It made me feel a little stronger for making abortion illegal.
More sure
I have always been pro-life, and the lesson only helped me be more sure of my choice.
Abortion is cruel
This made me think of abortion as a more cruel and bad option.
Abortion is never okay
It made me consider why abortion is never okay.
Horrified by abortion
I already thought abortion was bad, but now I’m horrified by it.
Pro-life arguments
I realized many pro-life arguments.
Made my thoughts stronger
It made my thoughts on [abortion] a lot stronger. I am completely against it.
I was pro-choice, but now
I was pro-choice, but now I wouldn’t get an abortion myself.
Changed my thinking.
I changed my thinking. I think abortion is almost never okay.
Made me think
It made me think about how people just get abortions because the baby will lower their quality of life and for themselves to be happy, instead of for the baby’s sake.
Helped me see both sides
It didn’t completely change my mind, but it helped me see both sides to the argument.
Changed my mind on abortion
I did change my mind on abortion. I want the babies to be born, and then to be adopted.
Given the opportunity to experience life
I realized that all humans, even unborn, should be given the opportunity to experience life, and that there are millions of people wanting a child.