2018 TERM 2
4 Classroom Activities 6-7 plenary council 2020 8-9 training schedule 11 around the diocese
E VA N G E L I S E + G AT H E R > < S E N D > “ Let the grace of your baptism bear fruit in a path of holiness.” Pope Francis – Gaudete et Exsultate”
VOL 23 ISSUE 2
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A Listening and Teaching Church
One of the principal themes of Pope Francis’ papacy, now five years long, is the need for the Church to journey together in discernment under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is in this way that the Church can become more faithful and responsive to God and to the variety of gifts which the Holy Spirit raises up in the community of faith.
This need to walk together, to be a ‘synodal’ Church, invites us as the baptised to attend to one another as persons of faith, to recognise the Spirit at work in our respective lives, experiences and gifts. As Pope Francis affirms, “A synodal Church is a Church which listens, which realises that listening ‘is more than simply hearing’. It is a mutual listening in which everyone has something to learn. The faithful people, the college of bishops, the Bishop of Rome: all listening to each other, and all listening to the Holy Spirit, the ‘Spirit of truth’ (Jn 14:17), in order to know what he ‘says to the Churches’ (Rev 2:7).”
What we learn from this evocative image of the Church is that the ordained are not only teachers but also learners. As well, lay men and women are not only recipients of the Church’s tradition and life but participants and co-creators of that reality through their faithful living in the Spirit. That is, laypersons can also be teachers and share insights that develop and enhance the Church’s life and mission. Catechists well know this and in the act of teaching we also learn from the young lives and the families we encounter in our State schools. We impart faith and knowledge to the young but are also enriched by their witness, questions and hopes. This is the blessing of Special Religious Education, to learn as we teach. As shared in this issue of Connections, the Australian bishops have recognised this need for learning and renewal in calling a
Plenary Council to take place in Australia in 2020. This Council will provide for the sharing and discernment of the whole Church as it seeks to respond to the life and mission of Jesus in the present. The Plenary Council will invite people to share their hearts and minds in faith and with trust that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Pentecost, advocates and guides the Church in every age. I hope each of you as dedicated catechists will play your part, even now, in discerning what God is asking of us here in Australia at this time. Again, details and opportunities to express your faith and gifts are outlined in this edition of Connections. At this remarkable moment for the Church, in the midst of undeniable challenge but also ever new life in Christ, may the Spirit of the Risen Christ continue to bless and encourage your ministry as ambassadors of the Gospel and pilgrims and learners on the way of Jesus. With every blessing, Daniel
Daniel Ang Director, Office for Evangelisation
Week 1 (29 April ) Fifth Sunday of Easter 30 April - Term 2 Commences Week 2 (6 May) Sixth Sunday of Easter Week 3 (13 May) The Ascension of the Lord Week 4 (20 May) Pentecost Sunday 24 May - Mary, Help of Christians
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message from the director, OFE
TERM 2 Liturgical Calendar 2018 Year B Week 5 (27 May) The Most Holy Trinity 31 May – The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Week 6 (3 June) The Most Holy Body & Blood Of Christ (Corpus Christi) 8 June – The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Week 8 (17 June) Ordinary Time Week 9 (24 June ) The Nativity of St John the Baptist 29 June - Sts Peter and Paul, Apostles Week 10 (1 July) Ordinary Time 6 Jul - Term 2 ENDS
It is the Year of Youth in the Australian Church. When you think about it : 1. It was October last year when the CCD ministry launched the new Called To Be a Catechist video having as the main focus our young catechists around our diocese; 2. 2018 is the Year of youth for the Church in Australia; and 3. Pope Francis launched the Synod of Youth for the Church across the world. Are these coincidences? Or is this the movement of Spirit in this Year of Youth as we open new horizons for spreading joy? Catholic high school students in public schools also contribute to the importance
CCD Newsletter Term 2, 2018 | Vol 23 Issue 2
Week 7 (10 June) Ordinary Time 13 June - St Anthony of Padua
and life-giving presence of young people in the local Church and society. Our Catholic Youth Broken Bay (CYBB) team have generously provided us with copies of “Christ our Joy” a reflection prayer card, which can be used not only with your high school students, but could also be used in meetings of your local parish leaders. Each parish in the Diocese has been invited to host the CYBB Pilgrim Cross during this Year of Youth. High School catechists, if you would you like to know more about the CYBB Pilgrim Cross journey please contact your regional CCD Coordinator for more details.
Teaching SRE with sensitivity in an age-appropriate manner
With a classroom of children in front of us each week, how can
The Tapestry - Cover image: Ascension, Pentecost and Trinity The artist has skillfully rendered this tapestry with many layers representing the Resurrection, Ascension, and Pentecost. The upward movement represents Resurrection and Ascension, when forty days after Jesus resurrected He took His rightful place on the throne of God and prepared to send His Holy Spirit to us. The tongues of fire along with a worshipful spread of arms or wings to represent Pentecost. God’s Holy Spirit is often portrayed as a dove – a Comforter and Presence of Peace for all He embraces as they receive Him. The 3 flames of the Trinity representing the community of our triune God. The tapestry inspires some powerful thoughts - be joyful that Jesus Christ is Lord of
Wishing you every blessing as you begin Term 2 in your SRE classrooms.
Alison https://www.wellscathedral. org.uk/worship/the-seasonsat-wells-cathedral/ascension-pentecost-and-trinity/
all (Ascension), grateful the Spirit of God has been given to His people (Pentecost), and hopeful that the Truth of God a unified community (Trinity). He speaks and shows His love to us and through us according to the purpose of the Father, the grace of the Son, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Used with permission Mike Sullivan
Working with Children Check Renewals in 2018!! Did you know that the NSW Working with Children Check lasts for 5 years, so renewals begin in 2018 for those who first applied in 2013?
If you have lost your WWCC number you can retrieve it at the following link:
A Working with Children number is like a driver’s licence – the number stays with you and is renewed before it expires. Do not reapply – you simply renew, and your WWCC number will remain valid for another five years.
https://wwccheck.ccyp.nsw.gov.au/Applicants/Retrieve
How do I renew? If your contact details are up to date, you will receive a notification when it is time to renew your WWCC number. Most Working with Children Check numbers were emailed when they were first issued.
Once you have renewed, your number and new expiry date will be emailed to you. (Don’t forget to check your Junk folder first if it doesn’t turn up in your Inbox.)
message from the diocesan coordinator
In order to teach our SRE lessons with sensitivity, age-appropriate learning calls us to adapt to the children’s levels of understanding. The catechist can then identify the readiness of children to learn and adapt their teaching methods accordingly. We should consider mental, emotional, social and spiritual maturity of the children in our classes, rather than just the numerical age.
we be sure that we are pitching our teaching at the right level for the children to be learning effectively? A good measure is how engaged the children are in the lessons. Planning your lessons is key to engaging the children and the creative use of suitable resources and activities will enhance the learning process. Many age-appropriate activities are open-ended, which means the activities are flexible and there are few right or wrong responses. This way, children at different developmental levels can participate with equal success. The Walking with Jesus curriculum has been developed by educators to take into account the age and stage of development of the children. We ask you to trust the curriculum material and use it creatively with the children you teach. Effective use of the curriculum material combined with your witness is fertile ground for children to encounter Christ and grow in faith. Age-appropriate prayer in the classroom is an important element for spiritual growth.
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We all know that the education of children begins at birth. For education to be effective at any age, it should align with the developmental maturity of the child. It is not difficult to assess that the learning ability of a 30 year old is not significantly different from that of a 35 year old, but the learning abilities of a 1 year old are dramatically different from those of a 6 year old. Concepts and information are processed very differently by children at each age and stage of development. Therefore, religious education must take into account the age of the child which is a pointer to the developmental maturity or readiness of a child to learn.
For those who don’t use email, you can call the Office of the Children’s Guardian on 02 9286 7219.
If you are unsure whether your contact details up to date at the Office of the Children’s Guardian website, please check your details by following the “Update my details” tab at the following link:
NB: It is essential that your WWCC number and renewed expiry date is provided to your Parish Office for verification purposes. Your Parish CCD Coordinator will provide you with a CCD Working with Children Check Renewal Advice form for this purpose.
http://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/child-safe-organisations/ working-with-children-check/when-to-renew
Renewal applications cannot be submitted until 3 months before your expiry date. CCD Newsletter Term 2, 2018 | Vol 23 Issue 2
Mary Help of Christians ->Word Scramble:
Have the students read Matthew 7:17 – 20 A Tree and its Fruit. Discuss the meaning of this passage and then complete these sentences by writing the correct word to complete each sentence. This is the deep and constant gladness in the Lord that circumstances cannot destroy. It comes from a good relationship with God and others.
J__ A disciple faithful to God’s will is serene, not overly anxious or upset. This comes from knowing God is with us.
P____
All words can be found in the ‘Hail Mary’ LAHI
________________________
RYAM
________________________
GACER
________________________
We are confronted with difficulties on a daily basis. Someone who has this fruit can endure difficulties and routine. It means not giving up in difficult situations.
SEDELSB ________________________
P_______
TRUIF
________________________
C______
SUJES
________________________
This Fruit of the Holy Spirit flows from God’s great love. It is a sign that you love all people without exception and do good to them.
THEROM ________________________
This fruit helps you to reachout to others in love, who need your help.
G_______ When you act in this way, you meet the needs of others even if it means sacrificing something of your own.
G_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ With this Fruit of the Spirit, you can be in charge of your emotions and desires instead of the other way around.
S_ _ _ – _ _ _ _ _ _ _ classroom activities
K_ _ _ _ _ _ _.
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These are people who are compassionate and considerate and try to see the best in others. They have the fruit of
G_________
When you keep your promises and are loyal to God and to those whom you love and care for, you have the fruit of
F_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ When you employ this fruit, you give credit to God for your talents and successes.
M_ _ _ _ _ _ A person filled with this fruit is strong but peaceful and gracious and has the power to forgive instead of being angry. This fruit helps you regard your own body and those of others as temple of the Holy Spirit
C_ _ _ _ _ _ _
Word Bank: Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Modesty, Self-Control, Chastity CCD Newsletter Term 2, 2018 | Vol 23 Issue 2
TEAR OUT AND KEEP!
The Fruits of the Spirit
The Road to
begins to talk. He explained the meaning of the Scriptures to them. Still they did not recognise the stranger.
Who knows what they were saying to one another. Maybe they were so disillusioned, they said nothing. At least until the stranger joined them. They could have assumed he was a pilgrim returning home after the Passover celebrations in Jerusalem and that he would have at least heard of the commotion on the eve of the Sabbath. Apparently he hadn’t.
Having been nourished by the breaking open of the Scriptures on the journey, they were again nourished by the bread. Now they were able to recognise the stranger.
This stranger just listened to what the two had to say about this Jesus person. About how disappointed they were, how they expected him to save Israel and expel the Romans. They were convinced that Jesus was the allpowerful Messiah they were awaiting. They had heard what the women had said but did not believe them. But then the stranger stops listening and
When they arrived at their destination, they invited the stranger to stay the night, which He accepted. Their companion on the journey joined them for the evening meal and at some point in the meal, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to them.
Then they remembered how their hearts were burning as they listened to Him. Jesus is risen! They were transformed! And because of this transformation they were moved to proclaim the Good News. For our prayerful reflection: When have our hearts been burning within us? How are we going to be transformed this Easter? Will our proclaiming the Good News be renewed?
Michael Tebutt CCD Regional Coordinator, Central Coast
They talked, Pouring out their hearts to Him. He listened! They were lost, As He had been taken from them. He Listened! They were upset, Disappointed, even angry. He listened! When they were finished, Said all that they could. He spoke. He unpacked all that had happened, Been foretold, prophesied. They listened! He explained, enumerated, Broke open the Scriptures. They listened! He went to go on. They invited. He stayed. They were comforted! He broke the bread! They realised! They were empowered, renewed, Ministered to. He vanished! They reflected, rejoiced and moved forward. He was with them!
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Imagine the scene, it was the morning after the Sabbath and everyone who knew Jesus, had heard the news that he had been killed. Those who had known him would be shattered. Some were frightened to show their faces in public so they stayed indoors. Others, probably not so easily associated with Jesus, felt it was OK for them to return home. The two on the road to Emmaus were from this group.
catechist spirituality
Emmaus
Christus vincit! Christus regnat! Christus imperat! CCD Newsletter Term 2, 2018 | Vol 23 Issue 2
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plenary council 2020
Plenary Council 2020: A Call to Catechists
What does it mean as a Catholic community to live the life and mission of Jesus in contemporary Australian society? As catechists we spend much time pondering this question as we go about the work of translating the Gospel into the world of meaning inhabited by our students, families and school communities. In many ways we as catechists serve as a kind of bridge between the Church and the world, sent out from our local parishes as ambassadors of the Gospel to primary and secondary students with life experiences, questions and aspirations all of their own. It is because of this encounter with and insight into the lives of young people and families that I hope each of you as dedicated catechists will share your voice toward the future shape of the Church in this country.
Why the Plenary Council Matters The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has announced a Plenary Council of the Church in Australia to be held in 2020. This will be the fifth Plenary Council in the short history of the Australian Church. Pope Francis has now approved the celebration of the Plenary Council and accepted the election of Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB of Perth as President of the Council. Put simply, a Plenary Council is the highest form of communion between the various local or particular churches of a nation (i.e. dioceses). There will be two sessions of the Plenary Council in Australia, the first in October 2020 and a second in May of 2021, in which the
CCD Newsletter Term 2, 2018 | Vol 23 Issue 2
Australian bishops, along with religious and lay delegates, will discuss, debate and develop legislation that will shape the Church for generations to come. The Australian bishops will be called on to vote on proposed legislation and are obliged to make their decisions on the basis of their careful discernment of the work of the Holy Spirit in the minds and hearts of all the People of God. This recognises that the sense of the faith of the faithful – what is known as the sensus fidelium – is a source of the Church’s life and learning as it seeks to live and share the Gospel more effectively. As such, the Plenary Council calls each one of us as Catholics in Australia to the act of discernment, grounded in prayer. We are invited to attend to the ‘signs of the times’ and then interpret and respond to these signs in the light of our faith. What is God asking of us at this time? Where is the Holy Spirit calling the Church to move and how might we get there? Pope Francis has encouraged this kind of shared discernment and it is a process that our Diocese wants to undertake with zeal, contributing a leading voice to the Australian discussion.
Our Journey in Broken Bay The Plenary journey in the Diocese of Broken Bay will commence formally this year at Pentecost 20 May. As shared with all of our clergy and our school principals in recent days, we seek to dedicate 2018 as a Diocese to listening – listening to God and one another, to grow in a sense of where the Spirit might be calling the Church to move. As a
Diocese we must first listen to understand, give our full attention to the Word of God and to each other, before undertaking a process of discernment in 2019 and proposing ideas to the Australian Church in 2020.
‘Listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches’
of these gatherings will be on the national agenda and an opportunity to share with the National Facilitation Team for the Plenary Council a sense of where and how God is calling the Church to grow. As it also marks the end of the Year of Youth, the youth of our Diocese will also take a central place in this dialogue and be invited to share their voice with all of us as people of the Diocese and with our Bishop.
To listen is one of the most important and difficult things to do as it involves a decision on our part to give attention to the other and to foster within ourselves an intense expectation that the other has something to offer us that can enrich and enhance our An Invitation (Rev 2:7) view of life. As Pope Francis has noted, it is As a catechist, formed and experienced in not by chance that the ear is the organ of listening and conversations of faith, I encourage hearing but also of balance! We listen as you to share the good news of Plenary Council Christians by receiving God’s Word, by our 2020 with your local communities and to reflect on the ways in which personal and collective prayer, by attending to the graced details of we, as a local Diocese and as the Church in Australia, can better live our daily life, and by our dialogue with our fellow Christians and those and share our faith in the generations to come. who do not yet know their home is with us. By these various means the Holy Spirit enables us as a Catholic community to recognise Some of you may well choose to apply to become the local animator and respond to the life and mission of Jesus in the present, to make for your local community with the support of your parish priest, or decisions informed by our Christian faith and reached by listening. you might like to liaise with your Local Animator once discerned, and encourage dialogue between the catechists in your parish or others Our Steps Ahead involved or otherwise in the life of your faith community. What is most Our listening and dialogue as a Diocese throughout 2018 will not only important is that you share your gifts, your openness and sense of faith inform the national Plenary Council but also the discernment of Bishop throughout the Plenary journey of discernment on which we are about Peter, our parishes, schools and agencies on how best to express the to embark. Again, more information and details will be sent to and life and mission of Jesus at this critical juncture of our life as Church. shared with your parish at Pentecost.
These Local Animators will then facilitate and promote local listening and dialogue sessions in our Catholic communities of Broken Bay from August to October. During these months, Bishop Peter will visit many of our communities to hear firsthand the sense of faith among the people of Broken Bay. Regional forums will also be convened in October to give our different regions of the Central Coast, Northern Beaches and North Shore an opportunity to share their experience and faith in further dialogue. Then in November and December 2018 we will hold diocesan assemblies with our people able to choose either the 24 November at The Cathedral Parish or 1 December at The Entrance Parish. The focus
• In listening to the Word of God, the lives, faith and questions of your students, and the details of your daily life, what is God asking of us in Australia at this time? • What are the new or emerging opportunities that we could seize as an Australian Church to better reach people with the Gospel? • If the future of the Church is always connected to those who currently do not believe, how might we share the Good News of Jesus with those who are not yet a part of our parish or faith communities with renewed passion, by new methods and expressions?
plenary council 2020
Our Local Animators will distribute Plenary Council guides that will support local conversations, and facilitate and encourage others to lead dialogue sessions with these guides. They will encourage all participants to share this feedback with their local communities, Parish Pastoral Councils, school, staff and the like, and upload their responses to the national Plenary Council website at www.plenarycouncil. catholic.org.au. Training for these tasks will be provided to our local animators in August 2018.
While we anticipate the launch of the journey of Plenary Council 2020, please pray for the opportunities and challenges that meet us as a Church in this twenty-first century. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to keep us faithful and ever responsive to the mission of Jesus in a new chapter of evangelisation for the Church in Australia.
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At Pentecost, the call will be issued for ‘local animators’ in each of our Broken Bay parishes and church communities, each Catholic primary and secondary school, CatholicCare centre and network, religious order and ecclesial movement to assist in coordinating and encouraging dialogue sessions in their local community or network.
Daniel Ang is the Director, Office for Evangelisation, Diocese of Broken Bay and a member of the Executive Committee, Plenary Council 2020. Email: plenarycouncil@bbcatholic.org.au
CCD Newsletter Term 2, 2018 | Vol 23 Issue 2
CCD training and formation opportunities serve those involved in the mission of Special Religious Education (SRE) in our State Schools. This coming term, training will focus on Prayer in the Classroom and Listening and Questioning skills. Workshops will also be offered in Classroom Management and Safeguarding Children.
Term 2 Training and Formation offerings Central Coast Region Location: Lecture Room, Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, The Entrance (Parking entry via Ashton Avenue)
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training schedule
Morning Tea Provided, BYO Lunch Date: Friday 18 May 2018 Time: 9:30am – 2:30pm RSVP: By Friday 11 May 2018
Northern Beaches Region Location: Our Lady of Good Counsel, 9 Currie Road, Frenchs Forest Morning Tea Provided, BYO Lunch Date: Friday 25 May 2018 Time: 9:30am – 2:30pm RSVP: By Friday 18 May 2018
A one day workshop
Classroom Skills Teaching Strategies • Prayer in the Classroom • Listening and Questioning
North Shore & Hornsby Region Location: Caroline Chisholm Centre, Building 2, 423 Pennant Hills Road, Pennant Hills Morning Tea Provided, BYO Lunch Date: Friday 1 June 2018 Time: 9:30am – 2:30pm RSVP: By Friday 25 May 2018
All Catechists are welcome to attend CCD Newsletter Term 2, 2018 | Vol 23 Issue 2
REMINDERS CCD SERVICE AWARDS: It is time to submit the application to receive a Service Award for years of service as a catechist, a witness of the CCD ministry, echoing God’s word to the world: STEP 1: APPLYING FOR A SERVICE AWARD Complete the application form available from your Parish Coordinator or on the CCD website. Closing date of Friday 1 June 2018. Do not be concerned if you cannot remember full details of your service. STEP 2: Give the application form to your Parish CCD Coordinator who will ensure it is signed by your Parish Priest and sent to the CCD Diocesan Office by the closing date. RETURNING CURRICULUM WALKING WITH JESUS EVALUATION FORMS: This year sees the beginning of a three year process of reviewing the Walking with Jesus K-6 curriculum into a third edition. We would like to hear from you about how the curriculum material is working for you, or not. Are you using music with your lessons. Are you using the SmartBoard USB resource. We also want to know about the variety of teaching strategies you use, e.g. storytelling, drama and others. If there are specific lessons that you have found to be effective and engaging or other lessons that you find mediocre and miss the point, we want to hear about them. You will find an evaluation form on the CCD website. If you have not already done so, we encourage you to complete this form and return it to us via email to your Parish Coordinator or post to CCD, PO Box 340 Pennant Hills NSW 1715
Central Coast CCD Office and resource Centre The Department of Education requires all SRE teachers (catechists) and helpers to undertake ongoing training in the areas of Child Protection and Classroom Management. It is compulsory for catechists and helpers to update this training every three years. In-service days are available in three separate venues across the diocese to allow all catechists easy access to this important training. Central Coast Region
In-service In all 3 regions
Safeguarding Children (Child Protection)
Classroom Management Venue: St Kieran’s Parish Centre, North Harbour, 2 King Street, Manly Vale Morning Tea Provided, BYO Lunch Date: Monday 16 July 2018 Time: 9:30am – 2:30pm Register by: Monday 9 July 2018
North Shore & Hornsby Region Venue:
Caroline Chisholm Centre, Building 2, 423 Pennant Hills Road, Pennant Hills Morning Tea Provided, BYO Lunch Date: Wednesday 18 July 2018 Time: 9:30am – 2:30pm Register by: Friday 11 July 2018
Registration for CCD training and events: CCD staff are always striving to make training and formation an enjoyable experience. To assist our staff with this goal, it is essential that you register with Colleen at our registration desk by phone or by email to register your attendance at any of our training or events. Some venues have a limited seating capacity and it is important that we adhere to recommended venue numbers. Our course handouts are prepared in advance, so for printing and catering purposes we must know correct numbers. If you inadvertently miss the RSVP date, still feel free to give us a call because we may be able to take late registrations up to the day before.
12 Ashton Ave, The Entrance (behind OLR Church) Resource Borrowing: Monday to Friday 9am—1pm (Please phone Colleen or Michael to make an alternate time to visit outside of these hours.) Resource Deliveries: We deliver to all Central Coast Parishes. Orders to be received by 4pm each Monday to ensure prompt end of week delivery. (Contact Colleen for more information) Visiting Resource Centre: If you are making a special trip to visit the CCD Resource Centre, we suggest phoning ahead to confirm that the office is opened, as at times the CCD staff are required elsewhere in the diocese. Smartboard: We offer the use of the interactive smartboard to assist with the preparation of lessons for catechists who have been trained in the use of the smartboard. (Bookings are essential to use the interactive smartboard)
PH: 4334 3367 or 8379 1642 Email: ccdcc@bbcatholic.org.au
Minute Meditation: Take five minutes when you get home from your class to think about what worked and what didn’t. Relive the lesson in your mind and note the highlights and low points.
training & resources
Northern Beaches Region
A one day
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Venue: Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, 239-243 The Entrance Road, The Entrance Morning Tea Provided, BYO Lunch Date: Friday 20 July 2018 Time: 9:30am - 2:30pm Register by: Friday 13 July 2018
Look for God’s presence in both and pray the Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Phone: 8379 1642 or 4334 3367 Email: registrations@bbcatholic.org.au CCD Newsletter Term 2, 2018 | Vol 23 Issue 2
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Interactive Whiteboards: Tips and Handy Hints
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technology in the classroom
Interactive Whiteboards can be extremely helpful and engaging in the classroom, but only if they are used to their full advantage. Interactive Whiteboards are Effective! The best way to engage students is to get them relating with the subject matter on the Interactive Whiteboard. By touching it and trying it themselves, the students retain more information and increase their desire to learn more. Here are a few ideas to make best use of a great resource. • Give students the ability to interact with the subject matter. With the classroom teacher’s (or the school’s) permission, let them write on it, draw on it, move it with their hands and fingers, or manipulate it in other ways. A simple drag and drop activity where multiple students come to the Board one-by-one gets the children out of their seats to interact with the subject matter. • Lighting: Make sure that light is not affecting visibility on the board – you may need to close blinds or turn off direct overhead lights. • Always have a back-up plan in case the technology is not working that day or there is a problem with your class teacher’s computer. • Remember: The Board is simply another resource to help with your lessons. It does not take the place of the SRE Teacher as the visible witness of God’s love for the children. CCD will provide training and follow up support for catechists who wish to use Interactive Whiteboards. This will assist as an additional resource with the Walking with Jesus Curriculum in the primary schools. CCD Newsletter Term 2, 2018 | Vol 23 Issue 2
These sessions will include hands on activities with an interactive whiteboard located at various venues to suit most parishes. CCD has recently purchased IT equipment which will turn an ordinary whiteboard into an interactive one. This will enable training to take place in parish venues and is not limited to public schools after hours where “SmartBoards” are available. Because of the restrictions involved with participants “having a go” using hands on exercises, the numbers will need to be limited per session to make them most effective. Knowledge of basic computer skills will be a minimum requirement for understanding this training All the resources are recorded on a thumb drive (USB memory stick) and one of these will be provided for each catechist who has participated in a training session – these will remain the property of the Diocese of Broken Bay and will be updated from time to time as more resources are generated. Further information about Interactive Whiteboard training will be made available in Connections magazine at the beginning of each school term as venues and dates are confirmed. We would like to hear from SRE Teachers who are using Interactive White Boards in the classroom. The Walking with Jesus curriculum is currently under review and we welcome any information which will help improve the resources. If you have enquiries or wish to share any tips or handy hints of your own, please contact Joe Pulis on 8379 1639 or joe.pulis@bbcatholic.org.au
Frenchs Forest CCD Parish Coordinator Fran van Schie 35 Years as Catechist evolving into CCD Parish Coordinator, how does God work in your life as a wife, a mother and a grandmother and as a Catechist in your community.
Fran van Schie and her family with Bishop Peter Comensoli The Feast Day of Our Lady Mary Help of Christians has been celebrated in Australia since 1844 but the history to this day, dates back to the start of the 1800’s at a time when Napoleon Bonaparte had gaoled Pius VI (who also died in gaol). And later, when Pope Pius VII was elected he too was gaoled by Bonaparte, who kept him prisoner at Fontainebleau. The Holy Father vowed to God that if he were restored to the Roman See, he would institute a special feast in honour of Mary. The military eventually forced Bonaparte to release the Pope and on 24 May, 1814 Pius VII returned in triumph to Rome. Twelve months later the Pope decreed that the Feast of Our Lady Mary Help of Christians be kept on 24 May. The infant church in Australia had a special reason for turning to Mary. No priests were sent to the colony in its early days and Mass was not allowed except for one brief year until 1820. It was largely the Rosary in those early days that kept the faith alive.
Australia also became the first country to have a cathedral dedicated in Our Lady, Mary’s name. St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney was dedicated in her honour by the Irish pioneer priest, Fr John Therry who arrived in Sydney in 1820. Image - Use with permission @ https://www.columban.org.au/media-and-publications/articles/features/2012/feast-day-24-may-our-ladymary-help-of-christians
around the diocese
The Australian Catholic community remained faithful to Mary and Australia was the first nation to choose her under the title, ‘Mary Help of Christians’ as principle Patroness.
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I have been a Catechist for 35 years, well actually longer, as I prepared my first group of children for their First Holy Communion when I was in my final year of High School. My Catholic Faith has always been a big part of who I am. I have not only taught SRE in State Schools but also taught and coordinated Sacramental Programs for as long as I can remember. Our eldest son is 43 this year and I prepared his group for the Sacraments! When I began teaching, we lived in South Africa. We were not permitted to go into schools, but the parents either brought the children to the Parish center or to our homes for Catechist Lessons. I can hardly believe that I sat teaching children about God as I breastfed my, then, youngest son. I have learnt so much from all the courses that I have attended as a Catechist. Being a Catechist Coordinator has given me both management and inter personal skills, and has taught me so much about others and myself. I have been a Catechist and Catechist Coordinator in Parishes in South Africa, New Zealand and now Sydney. The very day I arrived in Sydney, the Parish secretary who was also the Catechist Coordinator asked me if I was a Catechist and I started teaching the next week. Before long she handed over the coordinator role to me! When I go shopping, to the movies, for a walk around the Lake, a visit to the beach … anywhere, I meet people who know that they can trust me and ask me questions about their child’s faith journey, how they can know God better and how they can complete their Sacraments. I feel privileged to be able to answer their questions and direct them on the right path. I would say being a Catechist is who I am. My husband and children know how important this ministry is to me and have always supported me in the work that I do. Recently I was fortunate to receive a Service Award for 35 years’ service to this Ministry. My husband and I attended the Diocesan Mass and whilst I felt privileged to be receiving the award, I did not feel like it was a big deal. I did mention it to my children, but only in passing. You can imagine my surprise on the day, when going to communion during Mass I saw our Son, who is currently living in New Zealand, across the church. He had flown into Sydney that morning to surprise me and attend the Mass as he said to “honour” the work that I had done thus far. Recently our eldest Granddaughter said to me “what work do you do Nanny?” Before I could answer her, she said, “oh I know, you teach children about how much God loves them!” What a wonderful “job” I have!!!!!
Contact Details for CCD staff have changed Diocesan Offices
Regional Offices
Sharon da Roza Diocesan CCD Admin Colleen Smith Central Coast CCD Admin Alison Newell Diocesan Coordinator Joe Pulis North Shore Hornsby Katya Polimeni Northern Beaches Michael Tebbutt Central Coast
www.bbcatholic.org.au/ccd
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sharon.daroza@bbcatholic.org.au colleen.smith@bbcatholic.org.au alison.newell@bbcatholic.org.au joe.pulis@bbcatholic.org.au kataya.polimeni@bbcatholic.org.au michael.tebbutt@bbcatholic.org.au
CCD Newsletter Term 2, 2018 | Vol 23 Issue 2
‘Sweeter than honey…’
Catechists are invited to attend!
The ‘Sweeter than honey’ Teaching Scripture Summit will be held from Wednesday 25 July 2018 to Thursday 26 July 2018 at the Northside Conference Centre, St Leonards.
The Catholic Schools Office (CSO) in the Diocese of Broken Bay is offering a Teaching Scripture Summit for primary and secondary RE Teachers and SRE Catechists. This wonderful professional learning initiative will focus on the teaching of Scripture. Participants will learn skills to engage students in a critical, creative and prayerful encounter with the Word of God. The keynote speaker is Fr Nicholas King sj (University of Oxford). A number of large workshops and 15 practical workshops are on offer during the course of the summit. CSO has very generously offered to subsidise the attendance of Broken Bay Catechists to attend the two-day Summit. For the very low cost of $50 per day, Catechists can be inspired with skills and strategies for teaching Scripture in the SRE classroom. Attendance can be for one or two days. For more information about the Summit, go to : https://sweeterthanhoney.dbbcso.org/ Registration and selection of workshops will be available after Tuesday 2 May at the following site : https://www.trybooking.com/bookevent?eid+368423& If you would like a copy of the brochure, contact CCD : Sharon da Roza on 8379 1638 or sharon.daroza@bbcatholic.org.au OR Colleen Smith on 4334 3367 or colleen.smith@bbcatholic.org.au
ST PAUL
PREACHER WITH REV NICHOLAS KING SJ, Dr Catherine Playoust AND MOST REV DAVID WALKER
27 – 28 July 2018 the heritage function centre, West Ryde NSW Register at www.trybooking.com/UFJU or contact faith.formation@bbcatholic.org.au or 8379 1627