CCD Newsletter
CONNECTIONS
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Diocese of Broken Bay
pired me to paint re class at school ins ith Going to my scriptu myself and having fa out me believing in this picture. It's ab God is always my mind to because t se I g hin yt an do that I can there to support me
Catechist Sunday
Alexis Krenich Grade 3, Epping North PS Highly Commended Bishop David Walker Student Religious Art Prize 2014
inserts in this issue:dar
15 February 2015 From the Director/ Events Reflections: Training & Formation 2014 From the Diocesan CCD Coordinator Catechist Formation: Joy of the Gospel Part 3 Catechist Profiles For the Classroom (Primary & Secondary ideas) From the Classroom Noticeboard, Training Dates & CCD Directory
Volume 20 Issue 1 Term One 2015
3 2, 5 & 11 4 6&7 7&8 9 10 12
2015 Annual CCD Calen e Application for Servic Awards 2015 Creating a Safe Environment with Children Dos & Don’ts Understanding the Old r Testament programme flye e en Nic the g Understandin Creed programme flyer Faith & Families flyer
CONTENTS
celebrating the work of catechists
Congratulations to our 2014 Awardees Training Awards
Retired Coordinators (cont.)
Level 3 Diploma
Trish Harrison
Epping & Carlingford Marjorie Garvey
Toukley
Sandra Corben Excelsa Glinoga Karen Hardie John Hurrell Marie-Eve Mallett
The Entrance Lindfield & Killara Wyong Chatswood Terrigal
Ricki Hayes Bev Howie Sharon Kavallaris Mavis Tarr Dolly Too
North Harbour St Ives Frenchs Forest Warringah Warringah
Epping & Carlingford Warnervale Chatswood Pittwater
Barbara McCarthy Judith Saunders Sarah Singleton Rove Varman
Gosford Terrigal Kincumber Wyong
40 years of Service
Micheline Yardin
The Entrance
Eilish McCann Maureen Mulheron Toni Vuoso Judith Woodward
10 years of Service Christine Beasley Lisa Beasly Doreen Carlson Rina Cipri
Epping & Carlingford Frenchs Forest Frenchs Forest North Harbour
35 years of Service
Laila Dussek
Terrigal
Level 2 Certificate
Colleen Appino
Arcadia
Mary Evans
The Entrance
Lynette Beglin Amanda Carrigan Sandra Corben
Gosford Toukley The Entrance
Leonie Monteleone Angela Ormesher
Pittwater Kincumber
Cynthia Gilbertson Patricia Grabham
Ku-Ring-Gai Chase The Entrance
Sr Margaret Tisch
Wahroonga
Rose Granata
Arcadia
Karen Hardie
Wyong
Bishop Patrick Murphy Award
Pauline Larkins
Chatswood
Terrigal Kincumber The Entrance Wyong The Entrance
(30 years of Service)
25 years of Service
Dudley Winston Smith Angela Spencer Sandra Staines Coral Thaddeus Doris Turner
Terrigal Frenchs Forest Kincumber Ku-Ring-Gai Chase The Entrance
Level 1 Certificate
Cheryl Barany
Gosford
Alicen van Bokhoven
The Lakes
Leticia Bradstreet Gosford Amanda Carrigan Toukley
Anne Cartwright Patricia Davis
Kincumber Kincumber
Sandra Vrandich North Harbour Louise Michelle Wareham Manly Freshwater
Defita Cattanach
Gosford
John Quirk
Lindfield & Killara
5 years of Service
Sandra Corben
The Entrance
Papal Blessing (20 years of Service)
Bronwyn Ballesty
Frenchs Forest
Anita Das Karen Hardie Gillian Hawkins Erika Hien
Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Wyong Chatswood Epping & Carlingford
John Hurrell Joan Kearney
Chatswood Terrigal
Kevin Begaud Gayle Caulfield Deacon James Caulfield Geraldine Czerkesow Ricki Hayes Bede Hickey
Warringah Warnervale Warnervale Terrigal North Harbour Terrigal
Adora Barbacetto Catherine Cahill Angela Chang Phillip Cooney Natalie Kazzi Sara Kelli-Butterworth
Pittwater Warringah Pennant Hills North Harbour Arcadia Warnervale
Tim Kearney
Terrigal
Felicity Macdonald
Epping & Carlingford Raffaela Perri
Manly Freshwater
Lorette Kelty
Warnervale
Thelma McFarlane Susan Peninton Yvonne Rein Maria Sfirse Vivien Sterrantino Robyn Tuite Gay Walker Bruce Walsh Margaret Winter
Kincumber Terrigal North Harbour Arcadia Pittwater Pittwater Terrigal Frenchs Forest Kincumber
Pittwater Warnervale Warnervale Manly Freshwater Chatswood Manly Freshwater
Marie-Eve Mallett Sarah Singleton Doris Turner Rove Varman Micheline Yardin
Marie-Eve Mallett Terrigal Helen Murawski Frenchs Forest Barbara North Frenchs Forest Marion Pahalawatta Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Lynette Parks Manly Freshwater Anne Perry Terrigal Joes Sahaya Pennant Hills Sarah Singleton Kincumber Rove Varman Wyong
Betty Brown Carmen Chetcuti Justine Hayes
Paul Malone Nancy Page Mary Richards
Manly Freshwater
Service Awards
Term One 2015
Terrigal Toukley Terrigal
Terrigal The Lakes Hornsby
15 years of Service
Geraldine Baxter George Boersma Carmel Burton Retired Coordinators Luigi Bruni George Boersma Terrigal Marina Cooney Lyn Coroneos Lower North Shore Dorothy Daniels Daniela Da Silva Epping & Carlingford Jo Fiore John Wilson
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15 years of Service (cont.)
Woy Woy Terrigal Terrigal The Entrance North Harbour Toukley Frenchs Forest
Sandra Slattery Colleen Speight Peter Speight William Tango Eng Poh (EP) Wee Richard Bruce Whittet
Appreciation Certificates Certificates of Appreciation were presented to students from the following high schools who assisted catechists in the classroom: MacKillop Catholic College, Warnervale Marist College, Eastwood Mercy Catholic College, Chatswood St Edward’s Christian Brothers College, Gosford St Joseph’s Catholic College , Gosford St Leo’s Catholic College , Wahroonga St Paul’s Catholic College, Manly
from the director
Welcome back to a new school year! I hope you have had the opportunity to have a rest and reenergise, as I am sure the year ahead is going to be an exciting one! It is great to see again, our catechists who continue to so generously give of their time and talent and a special warm welcome those who have joined us for the first time in this ministry of faith-sharing. I am sure you will find your being part of this ministry extremely fulfilling. The number of catechists who received awards on reaching significant milestones in their exercise of the CCD ministry is a testament to that. I know that you will also be joining me in welcoming Bishop Peter Comensoli as our third Bishop of Broken Bay. Bishop Peter has visited a few parishes around the Diocese since his Installation before Christmas, and some of you may have already had the opportunity to meet him. If not, I am sure there will be many occasions when you will be able to in the future.
SRE classes compared to the year before. It is wonderful to see these young people wanting to share their faith, and we are expecting the numbers to remain high. The Parish Support Unit offers various Biblical and other Adult Faith Formation opportunities. Some of the workshops and seminars can be counted towards your Levels 1, 2 and 3, so be sure you ask at the time of registration if the seminar / workshop you intend to attend could provide you with an exemption. A reminder that all catechists need to submit their Working with Children Check numbers for validation by your parish by 31 March, so if you have not done so already, and need assistance, please see your CCD Coordinator as soon as possible.
I may not know some of you personally, but I do look forward to the small opportunities to meet with as many of you as possible throughout the year. I also encourage you to get to know your fellow catechists both from your own parish as well as neighbouring parishes so that we can build new friendships and I am delighted to inform you of some of the plans that we have for support each other as the need arises. Some of the parishes on the CCD ministry in 2015. the Peninsula already share catechists. With the successful launch of the third release of the Wishing you every blessing and thanking you again in anticipation interactive digital resources in 2014 for the primary of your service to the CCD ministry this coming year. curriculum, we now focus at developing more resources God Bless for our secondary classes. Some of the CCD training and formation units will be Carole Gan, available on-line in 2015, making it easier for catechists to Director, Parish Support Unit undertake training and formation. In 2014 we saw a huge increase in the number of students from Catholic high schools taking on primary
Term One 2015 Week 1 (25 Jan) Ordinary Time
MEETINGS AND EVENTS
TERM 1 2015
January 27 TERM 1 COMMENCES February 2 CC: Parish Coordinators Meeting 10:00am - 1:00pm 2 MWP: Parish Coordinators Meeting 9:45am - 12:00pm 2 MWP: Secondary Catechists Meeting 12:30pm - 2:30pm 6 NSH: Parish Coordinators Meeting 10:00am - 12:00pm 9 NSH: Smart Board Training 10:00am - 12:30pm 9,16,23 CC: CCDMI/ Level 1 (Units 1-6) 9:30am - 2:30pm 13,20,27 NSH: CCDMI / Level 1 (Units 1-6) 9:30am - 2:30pm 15 Catechist Sunday 17, 24 MWP: CCDMI / Level 1 (Units 1-2) 12:30pm - 2:30pm 18 Ash Wednesday 25 NSH: CCDMI (Unit 1) 7:00pm - 9:00pm March 2,9,16,23 CC: CCDMI/ Level 1 (Units 7-14) 9:30am - 2:30pm 3,10,17,24,31 MWP: CCDMI / Level 1 (Units 3-7) 12:30pm - 2:30pm 4,11,18,25 NSH: CCDMI (Units 2-5) 7:00pm - 9:00pm 6,13,20 NSH: CCDMI/Level 1 (Units 7-12) 9:30pm -2:30pm 20 Deadline for submitting articles for Connections Term 2 27 Parish Coordinators’ Workshop Day 9:00am - 2:30pm April 1 NSH: CCDMI (Unit 6) 7:00pm - 9:00pm 2 TERM 1 CONCLUDES
Week 2 (1 Feb) Ordinary Time
The Presentation of the Lord Week 3 (8 Feb) Ordinary Time
The Entrance Manly Vale Manly Vale CCC W Pymble East Gosford CCC Forestville
Week 4 (15 Feb) Ordinary Time
Ash Wednesday
Week 5 (22 Feb) First Sunday of Lent Week 6 (1 March) Second Sunday of Lent
Carlingford
Week 7 (8 March) Third Sunday of Lent
East Gosford Forestville Carlingford CCC
Week 8 (15 March) Fourth Sunday of Lent
CCC Carlingford
17 March—St Patrick 19 March—St Joseph Week 9 (22 March) Fifth Sunday of Lent
25 March - The Annunciation of the Lord Week 10 (29 March) Palm Sunday
CCC – Caroline Chisholm Centre (Pennant Hills); CC – Central Coast; MWP – Peninsula; NSH – North Shore & Hornsby
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from the Diocesan Coordinator, CCD
Welcome back to another year of teaching SRE to the Catholic children and young people in the public schools of the Diocese of Broken Bay. A special warm welcome to all new catechists and catechist helpers who have joined our ministry. I pray that you will be abundantly blessed as you share your faith with the children you teach.
God; the month of August would be ideal to teach the children about Mary MacKillop and in October each year Catholic Mission resources complement Mission Sunday. Please see your Parish Coordinator or Regional CCD Office for extra authorised curriculum material.
Child protection is something which is very important to all of us. We all share in the responsibility of protecting children and young people. CCD in Broken Bay promotes the As the year begins, I would like to creation of a safe working commend to you the CCD training and environment in the SRE classroom formation program. If you are new or which is good for children and haven’t trained for a while, I highly catechists alike. In this edition of recommend that you check out our Connections, you will find a quick and training program for 2015 and avail easy check list of do’s and don’ts to yourself of some of the offerings. The help make your classroom a friendly Department of Education now and safe working space. It is a guide requires that catechists undertake and a summary only, so we strongly initial and ongoing training in the recommend that you attend child areas of child protection and protection training which is regularly classroom management. CCD has offered by CCD. Quality child added additional training sessions in protection training assists you to take these important areas to make up your responsibility in the training accessible for you. These protection of children and young sessions will also be available online people. If you have any questions or in 2015. Details of training and concerns at any time please call me on contact details of CCD staff if you have 0419 123 096. any enquiries are available on the Also in this issue of Connections you back page of Connections. will find flyers of upcoming To get the best out of the Walking with Jesus curriculum material, why not undertake some of our Level 1 training. You would be aware that we must use the authorised curriculum when teaching SRE. Our Level 1 training program helps you to use the authorised material creatively so that you can bring the lessons to life in the classroom. Creative workshops in prayer, music, storytelling, drama and the use of the interactive SmartBoard can assist you to joyfully share your faith with the children. If the children witness you radiating joy as you teach them, they are much more likely to develop a relationship with Jesus.
Every edition of Connections provides you with ideas to use in the classroom. Additionally, at special times of the year, we can provide extra authorised resources, e.g. during Lent, ageappropriate Caritas Project Compassion* resources are available; during the month of May we can provide lessons on Mary the Mother of 4
Term One 2015
STOP PRESS NSW WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK ALL catechists and catechist helpers, new and existing, MUST have provided their NSW Working with Children Check clearance number to their parish office for verification before 31 March 2015. Catechists and catechist helpers will not be able to go into schools in Term 2 without having done so. If you need assistance please urgently contact your Parish Coordinator or Sharon da Roza, on 9847 0492.
workshops and training opportunities being offered by the Parish Support Unit of the Diocese. Catechists will be given credits towards Level 1, 2 or 3 training if they take up any of these offerings. Please note the Faith and Families program which is being Rebecca Bishop, CCD Regional Support offered in three locations across the Coordinator, receiving an award from the Diocese during March. Minister for Education, The Hon Adrian Piccoli for her work in the development of As you commence your teaching for multi-media SmartBoard resources to 2015, I would like to take this accompany the Walking with Jesus SRE opportunity to thank you for your curriculum. The award was presented at the ongoing commitment to teaching SRE. Multi-faith Celebration of SRE held in My prayers are with you and your Parliament House, Sydney in October 2014. families as you go about your work of spreading the Good News to the children and families of our Diocese. Alison Newell Diocesan Coordinator, CCD *To download Project
Compassion Resources from Caritas visit: http://www.caritas.org.au/ projectcompassion
training for catechists
Reflections on Formation and Training – 2014 In this article there are some excerpts from longer reflections that the new and experienced catechists have written after an incredible journey into the ministry of catechetics, learning how to be effective Ministers of the Word in the state schools in the Central Coast Deaneries of the Diocese of Broken Bay. Reasons for participating in the training and formation: I began as a catechist 30 years ago, and I always thought I would like to continue to study to improve my knowledge of my Faith but something always stood in the way, but it was there, this thought and so for the last two years I have been able to achive my dream… So with renewed confidence I then thought, why not Levels 2 and 3? I also know that it is not about me, it is about the children, who have a right to learn about God and His love for them. They need to understand who they are in order to live happy and contented lives, to make good decisions and live as good Christians and I have to adapt to their circumstances. On the topics: The content of the course has been really helpful to me as a new catechist. It was great to be shown how to use the teaching manual and I learned that there are so many resources available to make the classes interesting for the children. The initial set of lessons about classroom management, how children learn and develop and child protection definitely gave me more confidence in the classroom. It has been a fantastic and humbling learning experience; my own faith has been renewed, my spirit has been nurtured and the knowledge that has been taught about my religion overwhelming. I am so grateful and thankful to have been a part of these courses. As part of Level 3, we seemed to become part of the new evangelising spirit sweeping through the Church by studying, discussing and meditating on Pope Francis’ ‘Evangelii Gaudium’ On the presentations: The genuine goodwill and care that have gone into this programme are evident each week in the quality of the class materials, the preparation of the classroom the presentations and even the lovely morning and afternoon teas which are prepared for us (and which we look forward to!). We sometimes have guest teachers and they display the same knowledge and willingness to share that knowledge with us. It was not just sitting and taking notes. We were encouraged to participate and interact with the trainers. The use of music, poetry, drama and even mime made the lessons come alive.” On the times of prayer: We appreciated starting and ending all sessions with prayer and singing … as we are encouraged to do in our own classrooms. A different sacred space was set up at every session, each one symbolic of the contents of the lesson. We always enter the classroom, wondering what is in store for us and we usually start with sung prayer.
On the learning community: The different personalities and thoughts of the other members of the group I have had with me on this journey are wonderful. They are caring, happy, prayerful and listen to each other express thoughts… We always looked forward to the delicious morning or afternoon tea/coffee times (thanks for the real milk!!) as an extra bonus, a strong fellowship developed among those taking part in the course, something which will not be quickly forgotten. I feel really lucky to be part of this learning group. It is really a fun mix of personalities from different backgrounds and I genuinely look forward to seeing everyone each week. Advice to those thinking of training: To any other Catechists thinking of continuing on to do further levels, I say do so. It helps so many ways, and opens your eyes to many things and activities to use with your pupils. I never thought I’d continue on past the requisite Level 1 of this programme but it has been so interesting and enjoyable that I stayed on with our group for Level 2 and now Level 3. All in all, this has been a great programme and I’ve learned a lot, definitely grown from the experience and am grateful for the presenters’ care and patience. I feel very fortunate to have been able to participate in this programme. I recommend to you all to pick up this booklet (Evangelium Gaudium) … and spend a joyful time reading the true thoughts and feelings of Pope Francis about his flock and be inspired to revive yourselves and take on your true mission as disciples of Jesus in this present world. As the a member of The CCD team, it has been a pleasure and an honour working with this wonderful group of people throughout this year travelling with them, getting to know each one and seeing the joy in engaging in the various activities of Level 1, coming to a deeper understanding of the background to the many things Catholic in Level 2 and sharing in the lively discussion of Evangelii Gaudium and leading them in times of prayer and meditation which are the hallmarks of Level 3. The catechists who have contributed to this article are Sarah Singleton, Rove Varman, Michelline Yardin, Karen Hardie and Barbara McCarthy. Michael Tebbutt Senior Regional Co-ordinator CCD Check the inserts, The Noticeboard on p. 12 and with your Parish Coordinator for Training & Formation Opportunities in 2015
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Diocese of Broken Bay
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catechist spirituality
The Joy of the Gospel
Part 3 of 7
EVANGELII GAUDIUM APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION ON THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL IN TODAY’S WORLD human mind”. Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium calls us as community, not to be robbed of Hope. I came across this wonderful interview by Jesuit Fr Antonio Spadaro who asked Pope Francis about Hope in relation to when he was Cardinal of Buenos Aires. Spadaro said, “God is already living in the city, in the midst of all and united to each. It is another way, in my opinion, to say what St. Ignatius wrote in the Spiritual Exercises, that God “labors and works” in our world. So I ask: “Do we have to be optimistic? What are the signs of hope in today’s world? How can I be optimistic in a world in crisis?”
the dawn.” Pope Francis says “See, Christian hope is not a ghost and it does not deceive. It is a theological virtue and therefore, ultimately, a gift from God that cannot be reduced to optimism, which is only human. God does not mislead hope; God cannot deny himself. God is all promise.”¹ Rereading Pope Francis’ response, sit with some of these key phrases ~ a gift from God ~ cannot be reduced to optimism ~ God does not mislead hope ~ God is all promise
Now sit with the following 3 questions; Challenge 3: How is Hope a gift from God for me? Let us not allow ourselves to How can Hope provide me with fresh be robbed of hope! perspectives as a catechist? Pope Francis replied, “I do not like to How does Hope call me out of my Journeying forward from Connections use the word optimism because that is own life for others? last year, where the Joy of about a psychological attitude. I like In asking where the wellspring of Evangelisation was explored, the zeal to use the word hope instead, Hope can be drawn from, how does for sharing the Good News arose. To according to what we read in the Hope call me to meet Jesus? become more knowledgeable was not Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 11….. the intention, but having a positive Sit with the Gospel of Mark’s (6:45the fathers of the faith kept walking, outlook, being truly joyful authentic facing difficulties. And hope does not 52) account of the Storm at Sea, and witnesses in who we are, and the disappoint, as we read in the Letter to then ask yourself what does this ministry in which we evangelise was the Romans. Think instead of the first gospel account tell me about my own the intention. As Disciples, our life? riddle of Puccini’s opera spiritual journey is a continual ‘Turandot,’…..where hope is an In Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis learning curve. Sometimes the curve iridescent ghost that disappears with acknowledges the defeatism of Hope may be exponential whilst at other times it may plateau, so whilst on the In the gloomy night flies an iridescent ghost. journey it becomes imperative that It rises and opens its wings on the infinite black humanity. we embody Hope in order to keep The whole world invokes it and the whole world implores it. learning, to keep challenging But the ghost disappears with the dawn to be reborn in the heart. ourselves and to keep growing in our And every night it is born and every day it dies!” faith. For Hope is a gift from God. It is From Puccini's opera ,Turandot one of the three theological virtues, the others being faith and charity. When ‘Googling’ Hope, secular answers define it as “expectation of and desire of receiving; refraining from despair and capability of not giving up”. But for Christians, Hope offers “character qualities associated with salvation, resulting from the grace of God, which enlighten the
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Term One 2015
secondary ministry as a “serious temptation which stifles our zeal for sharing the Good News”. Pope Francis says, if we do not say “no”, it may “turn us into querulous and disillusioned pessimists, “sourpusses”². What an astounding choice of words for each of us and the Church of today. So apt a description, even for ourselves at times, when we are battling the storms of life and wonder where Jesus was or is when we need Him. We do come across those devoid of Hope, poisoned by bitterness, those who dilute the joy Pope Francis is calling us to be. Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of the hope!
As our catechetical New Year dawns, may the gift of Hope provide you with many fresh perspectives which call you out of your daily life to meet Jesus, the Jesus who came into the messy, complicated Palestine, the Jesus who dealt with the political power of Rome, the Jesus who calmed the storm, the risen Jesus who asked us to go to the ends of the World being the face of Christ. So meet the children where they are, answer their questions of Faith, Hope and Love and in so doing, you will be living the Gospel. I leave you with this prayer for yourself and the children you teach. Go well. Go
gently, calmly. Let there be Hope on earth, and let it begin in MY HEART Let there be Hope on earth, and let it begin in MY THOUGHTS Let there be Hope on earth, and let it begin how I LISTEN Let there be Hope on earth, and let it begin how I SEE Let there be Hope on earth, and let it begin how I SPEAK Blessings, Jennifer Skelly, Regional Support Coordinator CCD
¹Antonio Spadaro, S.J., http://www.americamagazine.org/pope-interview September 30, 2013, <accessed October 30, 2014. ²Vatican, Evanagelii Gaudium, Promulgated by Pope Francis 24 November, 2013. http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papafrancesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html (accessed 4 September, 2014), #85.
Sunday 15th February 2015 Catechist Sunday is an annual event originating in 1935 when the Vatican published a document On the Better Care and Promotion of Catechetical Education it acknowledged the importance of the Church’s teaching ministry and asked every country to honour those catechists who serve within their Christian communities. Your parish is asked to stop and think about the incredible work and dedication of volunteer catechists. It may choose any number of ways to recognise and celebrate this ministry, such as: ♦ Commissioning Service with Blessing ceremony; Inviting catechist prayer partners and the family of the catechist to join in blessing ceremony; ♦ Together reciting the catechist prayer. ♦ Inviting a catechist to highlight their vocation to the ministry; ♦ Offer catechist profiles in the parish bulletin; Catechist ministry display table; ♦ Joining together for morning tea and a chat after Mass. Jennifer Skelly, CCD
If you love children and you love God you can be a catechist Catechist Profile: Angela Ormesher Angela Ormesher Began teaching 1977 – Retired 2014 Angela has been a Catechist in our parish for over 35 years, and all this time she taught at Kincumber Primary School. When Angela first started she used to leave Gosford where she worked in the office for the local paper and travelled approximately 20 kms round trip in her lunch period to teach the children for 30 minutes. Angela started teaching Year 3, and over the years has taught from Kindergarten to Year 6. She has been the delegate at Kincumber P.S. for 20 years and has a great relationship with all the school principals, teachers and office staff, especially the current Principal - Mrs Trish Peters who she considers a friend. At last year’s end of year volunteers morning tea the school made a special presentation to Angela for her years of service. At our end of year Catechist lunch Angela was again given a special presentation from the parish. One thing that Angela is known for is her years of walking with the Year 3 and 4 children from the school (with school and parents approval) to her home, which was just down the street. Once there they celebrated with a Christmas play (all costumes hand made by Angela) and party. This has now ‘morphed’ into the Year 6 end of year Mass with Year 5 & 6 children being bused in from all our state schools for a Mass followed by a party.
Three years ago Angela stepped down from full time teaching but continued as delegate and relief teacher. Angela has been a great inspiration to many Catechists and those considering becoming involved in the Ministry. When asking people to become a Catechist she would simply say, ‘if you love children and love God you can be a Catechist’. Angela lived those words for 35 years. Ann Cartwright, Kincumber Parish
Angela and Fr. Michael cutting her cake at the Kincumber Catechists Christmas Lunch.
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catechist profile
A Road Much Travelled Catechist Profile: Bev Howie It was 1964. I had just arrived in Sydney, young, idealistic and with a great desire to help make this world a better place. My journey with CCD began when I found myself teaching at St. Charles’ School, Waverley in February, 1965. A young Franciscan priest became interested in the work of the newly formed CCD. He asked me if I would help him run a Retreat Day for the State School children in our region. I agreed and suggested we finish the day with a Children’s Mass, using readings and prayers the children could understand. I was told we would need Cardinal Gilroy’s permission, so I planned a liturgy “The Mass: A Family Meal”, and sent it to the Cardinal for his approval. No one was more surprised than the Parish Priest when the approval letter arrived! Soon after that the Parish Priest asked the Principal if I could be released
from my Year 3 class to teach a “Scripture” class at Waverley Public School. Permission was granted and two parents took my class for craft each week in my absence.
teaching of Public School children on Sundays in the 1950’s), catechetical formation and training, liaison with other faiths and religions and other dioceses, and most importantly, always teaching at both primary and As I had come from Victoria I was then secondary levels. asked to do the Catechists Training Course run by the recently formed What have I learnt? That catechists CCD so I could learn how we teach are the most amazing people – loyal, R.E. in Sydney! So began an almost loving and caring; whose aim is to fifty year journey alongside Frs. Tony serve, to be the face, hands, feet, and Doherty, Carol Grew and Richard voice of God as Jesus was, spreading Dixon, Mr. Peter Ivers, Sr. Mary Hugh the message as Jesus did. The focus and other dedicated religious and lay of our work is always the child. Our personnel who worked in CCD; challenging goal has always been to children in Public Schools and their evangelise, although in many places it Catechists in Sydney dioceses and has been and still is, predioceses across New South Wales. I evangelisation. The nuns who worked was fortunate to be part of every in the field until the late 1980’s were aspect of CCD in that time – writing called Motor Missioners. I believe that programmes (my salary paid for by the title is still a great description of the Theresians who pioneered the work of the catechist.
A number of these books are available for catechists to borrow from the Bishop David L. Walker Library. If you are looking for a book that they do not have, please ask the librarian as the item may be able to be purchased as an addition to their collection.
One of the most powerful tools I have always used in the classroom at all levels, is storytelling. Jesus was the great storyteller. He always answered a question with a story. In 1969, I found a book called Walter Fish, by Ed Sullivan. It is like a parable. I still read it in the Primary classroom to begin a discussion on Who is My Neighbour? Other books concern questions the children ask: Does God hear My Prayer? And Where Does God Live? By August Gold. The Three Questions (based on Tolstoy) by Jon J. Muth. Brother Sun, Sister Moon on prayer. My Little Grandmother Often Forgets by Reeve Lindbergh (around Grandparent’s Day). Lone Pine by Susie Brown (for Anzac Day). The Golden Rule by Ilene Cooper (What does it mean? How can we live by it? And Let There Be Light by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
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Please remember and pray for catechists who have recently died:
I am nearing the end of my journey – maybe next year? For the moment I am just beginning to slow down!
Bev. Howie, St Ives Parish
Term One 2015
Sandra Hayne ~ Pennant Hills Doreen (Babs) McKinnon ~ Toukley
ideas for the classroom
primary
Symbols of Lent for Years Kindergarten to 6 Sacred Space
The six weeks of Lent are an excellent opportunity for catechists to introduce the many symbols of our Catholic faith to the students. Use the sacred space as the focal point at the beginning of each lesson. Add to or change the display each week. Let the children recall what needs to go onto the Space. Letting the students do the adding to or changing the display is a reinforcement technique. Ideally, this should be done at the beginning of the lesson and take no more than 5 minutes of the lesson time. This activity does not replace the lesson material. Read the teachers pages in the WWJ manual for each year, there are some excellent suggestions.
Ash Wednesday 2015 is 18th February.
In week one begin creating the sacred space with purple us that Lent is a time of preparation and change.
cloth. Purple reminds
Ashes and old Palms can be added to the display (last year’s palms are burnt to make the ashes).
The Project Compassion Box can be added to remind us that we need to think of others. The children in Primary classes can write prayers or acts of kindness to place inside the box and refer to them during Lent. A purple
candle can then be added ( lighting our way during Lent). The final symbol is the Cross which ends Lent on Good Friday ( 3rd April 2015).
Our journey during Lent follows the journey of Christ and the story of the cross. Students can be introduced to different types and styles of crosses in the Primary and Secondary classes. Infant classes should only display plain crosses with no figure of Jesus on it. Crosses can be of any medium even purple paper or cardboard. To reinforce the symbols each week the catechist could play a quick guessing game to remind students what should be placed on the Sacred Space during Lent. Yvonne van den Berg Regional Support Co-ordinator, CCD
secondary
LENT
The Gospel of Mark – Some Lessons for Secondary School Students
For the secondary catechists who might be agonising over what to present each week this coming Lent, a unit of six lessons has been prepared, examining themes such as Call, Discipleship, the Ministry of Jesus and of course, the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. These themes are all explored through an examination of Mark’s Gospel, which are proclaimed a the Sunday Eucharist. The two aims of this unit are to: 1. Assist the students to prepare for the resurrection of Jesus through a close study of Mark’s Gospel 2. Uncover the joys and delights of being immersed in a Gospel. Unit Outline Lesson One: This lesson equips both the students and the teacher with background knowledge and some necessary tools needed to engage with the Word of God and to be able to discover the teaching of Jesus in a new and life giving manner. The Person of Mark, the historical background to the Gospel of Mark and a brief overview of the Gospel itself are also covered. Lesson Two: In the second lesson the theme of discipleship is explored. How does Mark present the calling of Jesus and what does responding to that call demand of the follower? This call to be a disciple of Jesus is also examined in the light of what it means for us as members of the Catholic Church in the 21st Century. Lesson Three: Having looked at what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, Lesson Three requires the students to read various passages of the Gospel and unpack the meaning through the use of a series of questions, small group discussion and a time of reflection in order to discover what ministry as a disciple of Jesus, means. Lesson Four: As Holy Week approaches, the unit turns to look at The Passion of Jesus. Beginning with the Last Supper and the Agony in the Garden right through to Jesus’ being nailed to the Cross, the students are encouraged to examine how Jesus responded to the difficulties and to discover they can be like Jesus in the midst of life’s difficulties. Lesson Five: For the students to understand how the followers of Jesus felt as he hung, dead on the cross and then was placed in the tomb and it was sealed, a quiet meditation on the scene at Calvary is presented, reflecting on who was there and where they were standing and what was said. The students are challenged to find their place in the scene on Calvary. Lesson Six: This lesson takes the form of a liturgy, celebrating the Good News of the New Life that Jesus won for all through his faith and trust in His and our Father. If you would like a copy of these lessons to use in your classroom please contact your regional CCD co-ordinator. Michael Tebbutt Senior Regional Coordinator, CCD Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Diocese of Broken Bay
9
stories from the classroom
The little things that remind catechists that their efforts are appreciated...
Term Two 2015 Week 1 (19 April) Third Sunday of Easter Week 2 (26 April) Fourth Sunday of Easter Week 3 (3 May) Fifth Sunday of Easter Week 4 (10 May) Sixth Sunday of Easter
A Year 4 student from Waitara PS overwhelmed catechist Marianna Kenderes with the amount of effort put into this thank you card.
Week 5 (17 May)
Ascension of the Lord Week 6 (24 May)
Pentecost Sunday Week 7 (31 May) Ordinary Time
Trinity Sunday
Week 8 (7 June) Ordinary Time
The Body & Blood of Christ 12 June—Sacred Heart Week 9 (14 June) Ordinary Time Week 10 (21 June) Ordinary Time
24 June—St John the Baptist
I have learnt so much in my first year as a Catechist and could almost fill a book with many of the priceless comments I've heard from the children. Here is one such comment that struck a chord with me: I have spent the year with a gorgeous Year 2 class. I often wonder if what we teach is in fact bringing the children closer to realizing Jesus walked among us, how relatable he is and how real our relationship with him can be. This particular week our lesson was about preparing for Jesus. We discussed Mary and Joseph making the journey to Bethlehem, how they might have felt and what they might have packed. We explored the more predictable answers such as food and blankets, when a little hand shot up refusing to be ignored. Without hesitation young Dylan announced...”I think they would have needed to take something to cut the umbilical cord with!”. You can’t get much more real than that and so there it was, without hesitation my question answered!!!
Hello! Antuanette Forbes I wanted to let the Diocese know Manly Village Public School that there are many reasons why I enjoy being a catechist. Apart from the soul food and keeping in touch with our world, there are times when classes and students are a joy to teach. It is rewarding and enjoyable. I have attached a photo with student permission because of the urge to show off just how interactive and involved students can be. I am proud of this year's class as they give it a go no matter what. The lesson was on community - local and religious. We drew our own map in class. I drew the roads and as the children named community facilities they drew their building. The lesson was well received and fun. I feel that John Purchase has done well by these students and were I a parent I would be very pleased with the attitude and behaviour shown. My thanks also for a lesson that can be understood and enjoyed. Kind regards,
Tina Higgins, Catechist, Pennant Hills
10
Term One 2015
from the regions
Bishop David Walker Student Religious Art Prize 2014 Thomas Hildebrandt Yr 2 Hornsby North PS
Lina Kim Yr 3 Willoughby PS
Please encourage your students to enter the Art Prize in 2015
Edwin Hong Yr 9 Killara High
CCD Training & Formation Across the Diocese in 2014
CCD Masses & Awards in 2014
ulations Congrat our to all s for Awardee
2014! Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Diocese of Broken Bay
11
notices and directory
Training & Formation Courses Term 1, 2015 Course Type
Location
Date
Time
Register by
Phone
CCDMI / Level 1
East Gosford (CC)
9 & 16 & 23 Feb; 2, 9, 16 & 23 March; (Mondays)
9:30am – 2:30pm
Wed 4 Feb
4332 9825
Tues 10 Feb
9847 0448
17, & 24 Feb; 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 March; 21 & 28 April; 5, 12, 19 & 26 May; 2 12:30pm – 2:30pm June (Tuesdays)
CCDMI / Level 1
Forestville (MWP)
CCDMI / Level 1
Pennant Hills (NSH)
13, 20 & 27 Feb; 6, 13 & 20 March; 24 April (Fridays)
9:30am – 2:30pm
Mon 9 Feb
9847 0448
CCDMI
Carlingford (NSH)
25 Feb; 4, 11, 18 & 25 March; 1 & 22 April (Wednesdays)
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Wed 18 Feb
9847 0448
All training is offered at no cost to the participants. Phone your local PSU Regional Office for enquiries or a full program. See below for further contact details. Please assist us in our planning for events and courses by replying by the advertised closing date. Registrations or Enquiries: Colleen Smith or Leanne McGill Call: 9847 0448 or 4332 9825 or Email: registrations@dbb.org.au
Bishop David L. Walker Student Religious Art Prize
2015
Students in all schools across the Diocese are invited to participate by submitting an artwork inspired by a Scriptural person, event, passage or theme. Prizes consist of Art Supplies and cash up to an amount of $300. Information on how to enter will be available through Connections, Parish CCD meetings and the Diocesan Website.
CCD DIRECTORY Current as at January 2015
Diocesan Office Caroline Chisholm Centre (CCC) Building 2, 423 Pennant Hills Rd Pennant Hills (Enter off City View Rd) Postal Address PO Box 340, Pennant Hills NSW 1715 Phone: (02) 9847 0492 Fax: (02) 9847 0481
Curriculum Orders Dina Leverett Phone: 9847 0442 Fax: (02) 9847 0481 E-mail: ccdresources@dbb.org.au North Shore & Hornsby Office (NSH) Caroline Chisholm Centre Postal Address PO Box 340, Pennant Hills NSW 1715 Phone: (02) 9847 0482 Fax: (02) 9847 0481 E-mail: psunorth@dbb.org.au
Central Coast (Wyong) Office (CCW) PSU Regional Centre Catholic Formation and Education Centre 12 Ashton Avenue, The Entrance Postal Address PO Box 390, The Entrance NSW 2261 Phone: (02) 4334 3367 Fax: (02) 4334 3230 E-mail: psucc@dbb.org.au Rebecca Bishop - (02) 4334 3367 E-mail: rebecca.bishop@dbb.org.au
Manly Warringah Peninsula Office (MWP) Caroline Chisholm Centre Postal Address PO Box 340, Pennant Hills NSW 1715 Diocesan CCD Coordinator Phone: (02) 9847 0516 Alison Newell Fax: (02) 9847 0481 Phone: (02) 4334 3367 Central Coast (Gosford) Office (CCG) E-mail: psumanly@dbb.org.au E-mail: alison.newell@dbb.org.au PSU Regional Centre Yvonne van den Berg - (02) 9847 0494 58 Victoria St, East Gosford NSW 2250 Diocesan Admin Assistant E-mail: yvonne.vandenberg@dbb.org.au Phone: (02) 4323 7090 Phone: (02) 9847 0492 Fax: (02) 4323 7097 Registrations E-mail: sharon.daroza@dbb.org.au E-mail: psucc@dbb.org.au Phone: (02) 9847 0448 or (02) 4332 9825 CCD Authorisations E-mail: registrations@dbb.org.au Michael Tebbutt - (02) 4323 7090 Contact your PSU Regional Centre E-mail: michael.tebbutt@dbb.org.au CCD WEBSITE www.dbb.org.au/ccd To submit an article or to make a suggestion for Connections please write to: ccdinfo@dbb.org.au or CCD, PO Box 340, Pennant Hills 1715 Closing date for the Term 2, 2015 issue is 20 March 2015 Director - PSU Carole Gan Phone: (02) 9847 0560
12
Term One 2015
Joe Pulis - (02) 9847 0228 E: joe.pulis@dbb.org.au Jennifer Skelly - (02) 9847 0488 E-mail: jennifer.skelly@dbb.org.au