Spreading the Good News

Transcription

1 No 106 Term Spreading the Good News We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. Mother Teresa 1

2 WELCOME Dear SRE Teachers, Welcome to a brand new year of teaching SRE. It s always exciting I think meeting your new classes for the first time at the beginning of each New Year. Jacinta will continue in her position as Coordinator of the Northern Region of the diocese. We are indeed fortunate to have Jacinta to work with us again this year. I will continue to coordinate in the Southern Region which will now also include assisting Catechists in the Parishes of Blayney, Orange, Cowra and Canowindra... Last term I was delighted to have been able to visit the Cowra Catechists in their SRE classrooms for the first time. A small group of six Catechists manage to cover the Catholic SRE Classes at Mulyan and Cowra Public Schools. Many of these Catechists covering two and in some cases three classes each Wednesday. Deborah Rutter now joins the Cowra team to teach the SRE class at Holmwood each Friday. Thank you Deb. I also visited last term our Catechists at Zig-Zag, Cooerwull, Lithgow Public, Oberon, Wallerawang, Kelso, South Bathurst, Perthville, Rockley and I see the Raglan Catechists each Friday. It is always a pleasure to catch up with you all and to see the good work that you are doing with our children in the Public Schools. I hope to be able to go to Canowindra this term to meet and visit our Canowindra Catechists. If you are able to attend any of the Training Days which are being offered this term it would be to your benefit to attend and a great opportunity to meet up with other SRE Teachers. We have much to learn from each other. Hope you all have a good start to the new school year. If you need any assistance, Jacinta and I are only a phone call away and are here to support you. Sincere thanks for all that you do, Vicki Mair SRE Regional Coordinator MESSAGE FROM JACINTA I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and New Year. It was wonderful meeting so many of the Northern Region SRE teachers last term. It was great to be able to put faces to names and to hear so many of your inspiring stories. During last term I travelled to Dunedoo where I met with the Catholic as well as Anglican teachers and was privileged to be able to sit in on some lessons with K/1 and Year 2 and attend their Christmas concert. In Coonamble I met people from lots of denominations who all work in Youth Ministry. The Dubbo team were very welcoming (and patient after I had a bit of car trouble). After meeting the teachers in Mudgee we celebrated Mass. It was great hearing about the preparations for the Christmas concert at Gilgandra. It was very interesting to listen to all the different circumstances you work in and all the different gifts you bring to SRE. 2

3 On 1 December I facilitated the CCRESS online Child Protection Training with three of the teachers in Dunedoo. We met in the nice cool town library, logged into our accounts and went from there. We watched the short training videos together and then discussed and answered the questions. Thanks to Beth, Janet and Carmel for attending after a huge morning at the Christmas concert. I look forward to working with you again this year. I will be available on Mondays and Fridays (but you can or leave a phone message for me any day and I will get back to you). Australian Catholic Youth Festival From 7-9 December I attended the Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) with the Diocesan group as an adult helper. It was held at Olympic Park in Sydney and the final Mass was in The Domain. I have been to the two previous ACYFs but it was such a joy attending in my home state and with 150 young people from our Diocese. Many of these young people had never seen so many Catholics all in one place let alone ones their own age! The participants not only learnt about they experienced the Festival theme Open new horizons for spreading joy. Whether it was meeting new people, joining in the songs, listening to keynote speakers such as Sr Hilda Scott, the Orange Sky laundry or Matt Maher or lesser known ones like Emily Wilson. Not only did the participants get to listen they also entered into dialogue with organisations such a St Vincent de Paul, Caritas, universities CSYMA and Bishops from all parts of Australia on issues relevant to them. On Saturday the train left Olympic Park and we started the pilgrimage to The Domain. There were not as many people as at WYD 2008 but the atmosphere was definitely there (singing, praying). The next ACYF will be held in Perth in December It will be open to students in Year 9 up to 30 years old. To see more of what the Bathurst pilgrims did check out But it doesn t stop there is the Year of Youth. There will be events throughout the Diocese including our own Youth Festival- RISE which is open to Year 6 to Year 8 with older students as facilitators. It is open to all students (Catholic and non-catholic) and would be a great opportunity for students at Public Schools to be part of the Year of Youth. Keep an eye out for more details at: There are photos of the Festival on the Facebook page or Josh or Kimberly might have some. Jacinta Thatcher SRE Regional Coordinator REFLECTION An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do. 3

4 After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house. The old woman smiled, Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot s side? That s because l have always known about your flaw, so l planted flower seeds on your side of the path and every day while we walk back, you water them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house. How often do each of us feel like the flawed pot, looking at our faults and inadequacies and failing to see the talents and gifts which we have to offer? AUTHORISATION CARDS Authorisation cards for this year are green and can be collected from your Parish Office. Bathurst people can collect theirs from Vicki at the Beginning of Year Catechists meeting after the Commissioning Mass on January 29 th. CATECHIST SUNDAY Catechist Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday February 11 th this year. Coordinators please speak with your Parish Priest and ask if you can organise some Catechists to speak at each of the Masses. Catechists only need to speak briefly two to three minutes. Below is an example of what you could say:- a) Introduce yourself b) Name the school where you teach c) Say how long you have been teaching SRE d) Say how you came to get involved in SRE e) Say what programme you use in teaching. f) Say what you enjoy about teaching SRE g) Say what support and help you get in teaching SRE If time permits display the programme you will be using and some samples of the students work in the church foyer or on the bulletin board. Display photos of local SRE Teachers on the bulletin board. Ask to have Prayers of the Faithful for this ministry included in the Mass. WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK NUMBER WWCC Our WWCC numbers need to be renewed every five years. It will be time for some people to renew their WWCC numbers towards the end of this year. You will receive an or letter explaining what you need to do. When your number is renewed you will need to send a copy to the Chancery Office or you can send or give me a copy and I can forward it to the Catholic Chancery Office here in Bathurst. 4

5 If you have lost your number, go to kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/check/apply and choose Find your WWCC number. Your number and expiry date will be ed to you. CHILD PROTECTION It is compulsory for you to do a Child Protection Course every three years. If you have not done Child Protection in the last three years please speak to Jacinta or myself so that we can arrange for you to do a Child Protection Refresher course online. SRE TRAINING DAYS BATHURST Where: - Catholic Cathedral Parish Centre, Keppel St, Bathurst When: - Wednesday January 31 st Time: am 3.00pm ORANGE Where:-Baptist Church, 85 Molong Rd, Orange When: - Wednesday February 14 th Time: am 1.30pm DUBBO Where: - To be confirmed When: - Friday February 23 rd Time: am pm STUDENT CATECHIST HELPER PROGRAMME During term 4 of last year three delightful students from Yr 9 at La Salle Academy trained to become Student Catechist Helpers for 2018.These three students will begin this term going into the Public schools in the Lithgow area to assist some of the Catechists. We thank La Salle Academy for their cooperation and support for this vital programme. SRE RETURNS FORM 2017 Thank you everyone for returning your Returns Forms to Jacinta or myself via post or . A big thank you to Jacinta for setting up the spread sheet and for collating all these important details for our records. 5

6 CHRISTMAS ASSEMBLIES Below is a picture of the Raglan SRE Teachers preparing to present the End of Year Christmas Assembly. COWRA FAREWELLS CATECHISTS On Wednesday November 1 st the Cowra Catechists gathered at the Japanese Gardens to farewell Annette Lynch and Angela Gillard who retired from teaching SRE during Annette has taught SRE for eleven years and Angela has taught for seven years in Cowra and three years in Sydney. We wish Annette and Angela well for their future endeavours and thank them for their generosity in serving for so many years in this important ministry. Many thanks also to Fr Laurie who took everyone for lunch on the day. EASTER CRAFT Why not get the children to make an Easter Calendar to take home to use during Holy Week. All you need is:- 1. Four pieces of different coloured cardboard for each child the size of an envelope or larger if you like. 2. Each card needs to be labelled with the words PALM SUNDAY, HOLY THURSDAY, GOOD FRIDAY & EASTER SUNDAY. 3. Children can draw a picture for each card or you could give them a small picture for each card so that they can colour it in and glue it on the matching card. 4. Next you need to punch holes in the top of each card, if you haven t already done so prior to handing the cards out. 5. Then put them together with a piece of ribbon or string ready to take home. A story which I love to read to the Infant children at the conclusion of my Lent and Easter lessons is The Tale of Three Trees retold By Angela Elwell Hunt. It is available for borrowing from the Catholic Resource Centre in Bathurst. 6

7 SCHOOL CALENDAR 2018 Term One January 30th - April 13th Term Two May 1st - July 6th Term Three July 24th - September28th Term Four October 15th - December 19th TERM ONE OVERVIEW OF CURRICULUMS CHRIST OUR LIGHT AND LIFE (Archdiocese of Sydney) This term the students are reminded of the way we share God s love (grace) and through the life of Jesus we recognise our growing friendship with God. Lent - a time of change. The Easter story. CONNECT (CEP Connect Program Youthworks Cycle B1 revised 2018) These lessons will help students to discover who Jesus is from the Gospel of Luke. Beginning with Jesus birth and boyhood, students will focus on specific events in Jesus life which demonstrated that he has power over nature, power to forgive and heal and power over death. Students will discover that Jesus is the powerful son of God, who is the fulfilment of God s promises in the Old Testament and came to earth to die for our sins so that we can be forgiven and live forever with God. GODSPACE (Burst Christian Resources - Yellow book) The Curriculum begins with introducing the theme of God s way. It s an introduction for the children about God, Jesus and the Bible, an overview of God s good news, creation, the first peoples, and their disobedience to Jesus loving us, God s forgiveness and the reward of Heaven. The Easter story. SUNDAY SCRIPTURES ALIVE (CEO Christchurch NZ) This term begins with the 5 th Sunday in Ordinary time, Cycle B 5 th Sunday Mark 1:29-39 Jesus heals Many People 6 th Sunday- Mark 1:40-45 Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy 1 st Sunday of Lent- Mark1:12-15 Jesus is put to the Test 2 nd Sunday of Lent- Mark 9:2-10 The Transfiguration 3 rd Sunday of Lent- John 2: The Cleansing of the Temple 4 th Sunday of Lent- John 3:14-21 Jesus is the Light of the world 5 th Sunday of Lent- John 12: Whoever wants to serve must follow me.....only by death comes life... Palm Sunday - Mark 14:1-15:47 The Passion of the Lord Easter Sunday - John 20:1-9 The Resurrection of the Lord 7

8 2 nd Sunday of Easter- John 20:19-31 Jesus Appears to His Disciples 3 rd Sunday of Easter- Luke 24:35-48 Emmaus, What Jesus Followers must do CHURCH CALENDAR February 2 nd Presentation of the Lord 4 th 5 th Sunday in Ordinary Time 11 th 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Catechist Sunday 14 th Ash Wednesday 18 th 1 st Sunday of Lent 25 th 2 nd Sunday of Lent March 4 th 3 rd Sunday of Lent 11 th 4th Sunday of Lent 17 th St Patrick 18 th 5 th Sunday of Lent 19 th St Joseph 25 th Palm Sunday 29 th Holy Thursday 30 th Good Friday 31 st Holy Saturday April 1 st Easter Sunday 8 th 2 nd Sunday of Easter Divine Mercy Sunday 9 th The Annunciation of the Lord 15 th 3 rd Sunday of Easter 22 nd 4 th Sunday of Easter 25 th Anzac Day 29 th 5 th Sunday of Easter DIRECTORY Vicki Mair 73 Freeman Cct Llanarth NSW 2795 Home: Mobile: Jacinta Thatcher Mobile: v-a-mair@live.com.au sre2@bathurst.catholic.org.au 8

9 CATHOLIC RESOURCE CENTRE A multi-media lending library operated by the Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst. Term Resource Sampler DVDs Born into the kingdom [DVD] (25 min.) / From the Brother Francis presents series, this episode has 4 parts: In the Garden ; I ve got a family, Jesus is the Light of the World and How we celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism. In the Garden is an animated presentation of the story of Adam and Eve and what led to their disobedience and can be used ecumenically. Program devised as Catholic teaching resource for the sacrament of Baptism. He is risen Resucito! /[DVD] (30 min.) / On container: The power of the resurrection. Contents/Parts are: Life of Jesus -- Holy Week and Easter Triduum celebrations -- He is Risen. Summary: Join Brother Francis as he celebrates the power and splendour of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in this animated presentation. (From container) The first part is an animated presentation of key points in the life of Jesus Christ, his death on the cross, resurrection and ascension to the Father. This is followed by a visual representation of how Holy Week and the Easter Triduum are celebrated showing key symbols and actions such as the washing of feet. Program ends with a joyful, visual song of praise "He is Risen". English and Spanish language tracks. The parables of Jesus [DVD] (32 min.)/ Animated Stories from the New Testament / Suitability: from Kindergarten to Middle Primary / Contents: The parable of the two sons -- The parable of Lazarus and the rich man -- The parable of the talents. MUSIC a range of songs for children available on CD, most with accompanying music books for Christian education and liturgical seasons such as the Behold the Lamb set described. Behold the lamb 2 x CDs (45 min.) / Portland, OR. : OCP, 1996 / On cover: Young people's music for Lent & Easter.Contents: Disc 1. All the children dance and sing -- No greater love -- In the silence of the garden -- Washing feet -- Behold the lamb -- Glory, Hosanna -- God's work of art -- Let the wind blow -- Song of salvation -- O God, my God -- Easter song -- We are yours, O Lord -- Show us your mercy -- Rise up with him. Disc 2. Instrumental accompaniment (without voices). Behold the lamb young people's music & readings for Lent & Easter / [Music] / Mark Friedman & Janet Vogt / Portland, OR. : OCP, 1996 Behold the Lamb: choreography book / by Donna Anderle ; song texts by Mark Friedman & Janet Vogt. / Portland, OR. : OCP, 1996 BOOKS More stories for interactive assemblies: 20 story -based assemblies to get children talking [Book]/ Nigel Bishop / U.K. : Barnabas, The Index of Curriculum and Biblical Links provides information to identify relevance to scripture stories/passages. Would suit Upper Primary Lower Secondary grades. The Lent-Easter book [Book ] / Joan Marie Arbogast ; Illustrated by Virginia Helen Richards ; photos by Mary Emmanuel Alves. / Boston, MA : Pauline Books and Media, 2005 / On cover : With reproducibles. 9

10 Stories, crafts, activities and discussion starters for each week based on the major themes of Lent and the feasts of the Easter season. Almost 50 pages of reproducibles for classroom and home. A reminder that many of the BIG BOOK titles from the popular To Know, Worship and Love series are relevant to Term 1 SRE programs, available for loan from the Centre 10 ON THE NET Topmarks - Easter range of free online offerings for teaching about Lent and Easter e.g. one offering The Easter Story which is an illustrated story of the arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. TES Connect Primary Teaching Resources This is a large repository of teaching lessons for primary. There are free resources and ones which can be purchased online for a small price. It takes a little time and effort to search this source. From this page select the more button, then select Religious Education from options offered. Next select World Religions then select Christianity. A few FREE download resources for Easter are: Easter Quiz (Prepared by Prepared by Krazikas.) Easter Word Search (Prepared by Prepared by Krazikas.) Easter (Prepared by evaszuc) For Exercise 1 or 2 The King is Coming Children s Chapel Online text with graphics for Palm Sunday/ Triumphal entry is just one option from the Children s Chapel site. Primary Resources Lent 2017 Offers a range of options, activities, lessons, worksheets. At time of writing links are to 2017 resources; 2018 not yet available. Search site closer to Lent 2018 for possible updates. STANDARD HOURS: TERM : Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 9 am 12 noon & 1 pm 5 pm Tuesdays: 2 pm 5pm - Outside these hours by appointment. - There are odd, unscheduled times when the Centre may be closed during standard hours. It is strongly recommended to telephone the Centre in advance to ensure staff availability, especially if coming from a distance. - Hours of opening and advance notice of any changes to standard hours (whenever possible) are advertised on the REgathering web site at - Topical information about resources and web sites for Christian education are discussed in the blog which is searchable by a number of subject tags is located at

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