What is the MDI?
The Missionary Discipleship Institute (MDI) consists of three classroom units—aligned with our Archdiocesan Religion Standards—to provide a framework and process for students to encounter, recognize, and appreciate the presence of God’s love in their lives, grow together in understanding of that love in relationship with Jesus Christ, and discern and respond to the implications of that love as a community of missionary disciples. Throughout the year, students engage in a local immersion experience, research issues currently prevalent in our world, and are empowered to take hopeful Christian action. A commitment to these three units well can serve as your core 7th grade religion curriculum for the school year. Specifically, the Grade 7: New Testament Grade Level Overview and OCS Recommended Scripture References- Gr. 7-8 allows us to see the essential questions, vocabulary and content that is taught during the school year.
St. Mary’s Press research found that youth aged 12-13 are not experiencing the faith as being relevant to them and to the world – as these young Catholics see injustices such as racism, homelessness, climate change, violence, suffering and isolation in our world, they unfortunately are often not aware of the compassionate response of our Church. The MDI invites these young Catholics to experience how our Church, inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not only responds to these realities but is an extension of Christ himself, and that they, too, by virtue of their baptism, are called to respond in missionary discipleship.
The Office for Catholic Schools teamed up with Maryknoll Mission Education to develop this program which invites seventh grade students to answer Christ’s call through a year-long class exploration of what it means to be a Catholic in and for the world, integrating faith, global awareness, and authentic living of Catholic Social Teaching. Please feel free to review our MDI Rubrics in English and Spanish. It’s great that there is no cost to participate in MDI and activate the amazing resources for our Catholic school teachers. One of our favorite highlights is: September/October 2020 Maryknoll Magazine: Enjoy the featured MDI Seattle article on pages 44-47.
August 2020: The Archdiocese of Seattle cannot officially recommend resources for sacramental preparation for Confirmation that are not on the USCCB’s conformity list. However, as long as the main resource being used is from the conformity list and the archdiocesan requirements for immediate preparation are being met, parishes or schools may use additional or supplemental resources to enrich their programs and ensure that those preparing to receive the sacrament have a real and transformative encounter with Christ and grow in their relationship with him and the Church. The MDI curriculum is an excellent complement to enrich parish and school programs.
MDI and Covid-19! The culmination of our MDI journey is a CAPSTONE DAY to synthesize the year-long learning, share this MDI learning with other 7th grades, and help the students transition towards ownership of their faith and their call as a missionary disciple. Because of Covid-19, we have had to design a 2021 VIRTUAL CAPSTONE WEEK in May! Archbishop, this is our 19-20 MDI keepsake video, which shares many of our 7th grade missionary disciples telling their own 19-20 MDI journey, please click here! (Please note: It’s a BIG MP4 file, but worth watching!!)
For a deeper dive into the MDI educational and formation format, please click here. Our 20-21 Monthly Pacing Guide helps each teacher to navigate the big ideas of MDI.
Please click here to review our MDI Rubrics in English and Spanish.
We welcome our 2020 -2021 MDI Schools!
To follow the MDI journey of one of our schools, Christ the King School, Seattle please click here.
Our Lady Of Guadalupe School, Seattle also documented their immersion trip to St. Vincent de Paul, Georgetown. To view, please click here.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact either Anna Clarke Johnson (aclarke@maryknoll.org), Lauren Hobbs, our MDI Companion (lhobbs@guadalupe-school.org) or Sandra Smith (sandra.smith@seattlearch.org)
In gratitude,
Kristin Dixon, Superintendent, Office for Catholic Schools
Anna Clarke Johnson, Maryknoll Mission Education
Lauren Hobbs, Teacher, Our Lady of Guadalupe School serving as our MDI Companion
Sandy Barton Smith, Assistant Superintendent, Office for Catholic Schools