Contemporary Teaching of Religious Education

1. Contemporary Teaching of Religious Education Why is Religious Education taught the way it is today in schools?

2. Canon 774#2,code of Canon Law • Before all others, parents are bound to form their children, by word and example, in faith and Christian living.

3. Language and people associated with Catholic Schools • Catholic Education Offices guide & support Religious Educators in their work. • Parents will have a clearer understanding of the language that is used to explain the work of Religious Educators in your school. • Understand the roles & responsibilities of a Religious Educator.

4. Executive Director Executive Support Team Faith Education services Employee Support Services Schools Supervision & Equity Administration Services Religious Education & Curriculum Chart of Catholic Education

5. Partnershipsin Religious Education • School Principal. • School Religious Education Coordinator. • Faith Development Coordinator. • Diocesan Religious Education Consultant. • Parish Religious Educators. • Classroom Religion Teachers.

6. Lifelong Religious Education. Classroom Religion program Schools Religious Education The Context of Religious Education in Catholic schools

7. Terms used in Catholic Education • The 3 terms sound similar but have different meanings: • Catechesis • Catechism • Catechist

8. Mission Statement • At St. Joseph’s Primary School we are called to create community. We understand that when people gather and interact, they do so as disciples with Christ in their midst. All aspects of school life will deepen our faith in Christ as the source of strength, values, commitment and direction particularly in Parish school relationships, climate, culture, parent partnership and engagement with the wider community. • We are called as witnesses to the faith through the teaching of Catholic doctrine, morality and everyday interaction, nurtured by spiritual formation, all are challenged to witness their faith through administration, curriculum and relationships. • As a school community we are called to promote, deepen and renew the faith in all our members through religious education, the way we teach and strategic planning. • We are called to follow Jesus’ Gospel teachings through prayer, Eucharistic celebrations and Christ- centred gatherings. Guided by our Lord’s nurturing presence, the school is actively involved in Parish life and promotes environmental management. • At St Joseph’s we are called to live out the Gospel command to ‘love one another as I have loved you,’ (John 15:12) through promoting an atmosphere of mutual support, justice and service for all members of the school community. In particular this is expressed in pastoral care, leadership styles, management of resources and students being educated to a life of service as disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9. Aims At St. Joseph's Primary, it is a Christian Community centred round the person of Christ. • At St. Joseph's Primary, the teachers aim to in still in children Christian values an education in the Catholic Faith. The education That we offer the children is a progressive introduction to life in the community. We strive, not merely to impart information, but, by example, to bring about attitudes of concern, sharing, giving, forgiving and of thanking. • Our success in educating children depends largely upon the co-operation between pupils, parents and teachers. Similarly, we must work together to develop those skills suited to the child\'s age and ability, promoting a respect for human values and an openness to truth in every form. We aim to: • Instil Christian Values and an education in the Catholic Faith • Offer a progressive approach to education with continual review of strategies and processes used across all K.L.A.'s • Develop a strong spirit of co-operation between Staff, parents, Pupils and the wider Parish Community. Our School Motto at St Joseph’s is "ALWAYS FAITHFUL, ALWAYS PROUD"

10. Seven Sacraments • The Church has seven sacraments: • Baptism, • Confirmation, • Eucharist, • Penance, • Anointing of the Sick, • Holy Orders and Matrimony. • First, we will discuss what is common in their doctrinal aspects, then what is common in their celebration, and finally, what is distinctive about each sacrament.

11. Sacraments • Parents being the 'first educator' of their child will make the decision about the readiness and commitment of their child for a sacrament. • Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist • Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick • Sacraments of Service: Marriage, Holy Orders • The sacraments had their origins in the early Christian community's celebration of Jesus' continuing presence. • Sacraments of Initiation • Baptism is the first formal step of initiation into the Christian life. It recognises each person's life journey in faith. The baptised Christian is invited to share in the Church's vision of the Kingdom and work for its fulfillment. • Baptism brings about freedom from sin, the experience of new life, the forgiveness of sins, the reception of the Holy Spirit, enlightenment, sharing in the priesthood - prophetic role and kingship of Christ and especially belonging to the Christian community. • Through Baptism we accept the beliefs and identity of the Christian community and share in its mission. Baptism calls us to use our giftedness in active discipleship. Through Baptism we share in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

12. Description of Sacraments • Confirmation is a ratification of Baptism, helping the person live out the public conscious proclamation of the Spirit by witnessing to the Spirit's presence in the Christian community. It focuses on the Spirit-filled reality and the missionary dimension of the baptismal commitment. • We are called to manifest the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence ... the wonder and awe in God's presence. • Eucharist is a sacrament of initiation, which continues the process of welcoming into the Catholic community. As sacrament, the Eucharist both signifies and celebrates Jesus' saving action and brings about, in the celebrating community, an openness to that saving action in the present. • In the Eucharist is the celebration of and actual sharing in Christ himself, the ultimate source of reconciliation, it is the pre-eminent sacrament of Penance in the Church.

13. Religious Education

14. Conclusion • This expression Religious Education refers to a extensive variety of performance that take place in homes, religious communities, parishes and schools. • We describe Religious Education as the classroom teachings of Religion in our Catholic Primary school. • The perceptive of Religious Education promotes the awareness, skills, attitudes and morals that allow students to enthusiastically participate in our society we live in.

15. References • Australian Catholic Schools And Religious Education document. • Ryan,M(2006) Religioues Education in Catholic Schools. Melbourne:David Lovell Press. • St Joseph’s Tweed Heads Mission Statement. • Religious Education and the Catholic School section( 2) SOS Core document. "