Connections Magazine - Issue 1 2023

Happy New Year to all our coordinators and SRE catechists across the Diocese of Broken Bay.

Overthesummerbreak,ItooktheopportunitytoreadagainBishopAnthony Randazzo’sPastoralLettertothecommunityoftheChurchinBrokenBay, JesusChrist,ourbeginningandend Iwouldrecommendthatyou,too,revisit thisbeautifuldocumentthatcapturesBishopAnthony’svisionforthepeople ofGodinBrokenBay

IwasparticularlystruckbyBishop’swritinginChapter5AuthenticCatholic educationfortheflourishingofhumanandfaithdevelopment Inthis Chapter,BishopAnthonyaffirmstheroleofSRECatechistsbynamingthem alongsideCatholicschoolteachersaspeople“wholivetheirvocation educatingouryouthandaccompanyingtheminthefaith” Bishopgoesonto speakofa“personalwitnesstotheGospel”

Youwouldhaveheardmesaysomanytimesovertheyearsthatyour personalwitnesstotheGospelisthegreatestgiftwhichyousharewiththe children YouproclaimtheGospelinwordsbyteachingthemtheWordof GodthroughcorrectuseoftheauthorisedSREcurriculum,Walkingwith Jesus,PathwaysofDiscipleship.YourproclamationoftheGospelwillcome alivethoughthroughyourwitness,asyoupracticewhatyoupreachinthe classroom.ThereisasayingattributedtoStFrancisofAssisi–“Preachthe Gospelatalltimes;usewordsifnecessary”.

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CONFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE BROKEN BAY

Caroline Chisolm Centre

423PennantHillsrd PENNANTHILLSNSW2120

POBox340

PENNANTHILLSNSW1715

ALISON NEWELL

CCD Diocesan Coordinator

P:83791637

M:0424737911

E:alisonnewell@bbcatholicorgau

MARICEL MALAPIRA

Diocesan CCD Admin

P:83791638

E:maricelmalapira@bbcatholicorgau

KRISTY KOMADINA

North Shore Region

P:83791639

M:0400809644

E:kristykomadina@bbcatholicorgau

SUE-ANNE SHERWOOD

North Shore Region

P:83791639

M:0416141508

E:sueannesherwood@bbcatholicorgau

JOHN DONNELLY

Northern Beaches Region

P:83791640

M:0437964072

E:johndonnelly@bbcatholicorgau

Central Coast CCD Resource Centre

12AshtonAve

THEENTRACENSW2261 (BehindOLORChurch)

POBox390 THEENTRANCENSW2261

MICHAEL TEBBUTT

Central Coast Region

P:83791641

M:0407218677

E:michaeltebbutt@bbcatholicorgau

ALICIA KLEIN

Diocesan CCD Admin

P:83791642

E:aliciaklein@bbcatholicorgau

Registrations for CCD Training

P:83791643

E:registrations@bbcatholicorgau

WWJ Curriculum Resources

P:83791642

E:ccdresources@bbcatholicorgau

FROMTHEDIOCESANCOORDINATOR

AtCCD,weregularlyhearstoriesfromcatechistsaboutthemrunninginto formerstudentsyearslater,sometimesasadults,whowillstopthemand greetthemwiththewords“youusedtobemyScriptureteacher” Don’tever underestimatetheimpactyouarehavingonthelivesofchildrenandyoung peopleasyoucarryoutyourmissiontospreadtheGoodNewsoftheGospel InhispastoralletterBishopAnthonyalsoremindsusthat“Thescopeofthe Church’smissioninthefieldofeducationissuchastoembraceallpeople, withoutexception,accordingtothecommandofChrist,‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations’” AsyourespondtothecommandofChrist asanSRECatechist,rememberthatthechildrenandyoungpeopleweteach needhopemorethaneverbefore;thehopeoftheChristianbelieverthat“the goodnewsofJesusChrististheonlynewsthatisgoodforeveryone”

AsweleavetheChristmasseasonbehindus,weonceagainlookforwardto theupcomingSeasonofLent Lentprovidesuswiththeopportunitytoshare ourfaithinaparticularway.InAustralia,oftenreferredtoasalandofplenty,it isimportantthatchildrenbegintodevelopawarenessthattherearemanyin ourworldwhohaveverylittle–evenmanywithinAustraliaincludingsomeof ourownstudents,sobeconsciousofthisasyouteach.TheProject CompassionresourcesfromCaritasprovideacolourfulandhands-onaddition toourLentenlessons.Whilstwewouldn’tbecollectingmoneyintheSRE classroom,theProjectCompassionboxcanbeusedasaprayerboxduring LentandbecomepartofthesacredspaceforyourlessonsduringtheLenten season Childrencanbeinvitedtowriteaprayerintentiononasmallpieceof paperandpostitintheboxatanytimeacrosstheweeksofLent

Age-appropriatelessonsusingtheCaritasresourceshavebeendevelopedfor useintheclassroomandareavailableontheCCDwebsiteatthefollowing link:

https://www.bbcatholic.org.au/our-faith/evangelisation/ccd/resources (scrolldowntofindCaritasresources)

Prayer in the classroomisalwaysanimportantcomponentoftheworkwe do AfocusonprayerduringLentisagreatwaytohelpdevelopwithinthe childrenadailypracticeofprayer Ifwecanteachthechildrentoprayand growarelationshipwithJesus,thenwehavegiventhemthegreatestgiftto takeintotheirfuture Formalprayersaregood Itisalsoimportanttohavethe childrenunderstandthattheycansimplytalktoJesusasafriendandthenbe silenttoseewhat’shappeningintheirmindandtheirheart

Asyoupreparetoreturntotheclassroomin2023takesometimeto plan for the term ahead.Youmayliketobeginthispreparationbyprayingthe CatechistPrayer Youwillalsobeawarethatitisimportanttoplanyour lessonsinadvance RemembertousetheCONTENTS PAGEinyourWWJ teacher’s manual.NotethedateofAshWednesdayis22February2023so yourLentenlessonswouldbeginasclosetothisdateaspossible Always teachtotheAIMofthelessonplan Atyourfirstlesson,createawelcoming atmospherebygreetingthestudentsastheycomeintotheclassroom ConveyamessageofI’mhappytobehereandseeyou Setaprecedentfor therestoftheyearinthefirstfewlessons Beingfriendlydoesn’tmeanthat youshouldn’toutlineyourexpectationsforclassroombehaviourand management Ensurethestudentsknowwhatyouexpectofthemandhavea disciplinaryplaninplacetodealwithanychallenges Makesureyoufollow through Don’tmakebottomlessthreats Thestudentswillseestraight throughthis

TogetthebestoutoftheWalking with Jesus curriculummaterial,whynot undertakesomeofourLevel 1 training,whichisbeingheldatthebeginning ofTerm2;someunitswillbeofferedonZoomandsomewillbeface-to-face Youwouldbeawarethatwemustusetheauthorisedcurriculumwhen teachingSRE OurLevel1trainingprogramhelpsyoutousetheauthorised materialcreativelysothatyoucanbringthelessonstolifeintheclassroom Creativeworkshopsinprayer,music,storytelling,dramaandtheuseofthe curriculumPowerPointscanassistyoutojoyfullyshareyourfaithwiththe children Ifthechildrenwitnessyouradiatingjoyasyouteachthem,theyare muchmorelikelytodeveloparelationshipwithJesus Everyeditionof Connectionsprovidesyouwithideastouseintheclassroom Additionally,at specialtimesoftheyear,wecanprovideextraauthorisedresources,eg, duringLent,age-appropriateCaritasProjectCompassionresources;during themonthofMay,wecanprovidelessonsonMarytheMotherofGod;the monthofAugustwouldbeidealtoteachthechildrenaboutMaryMacKillop andinOctobereachyearCatholicMissionresourcescomplementMission Sunday.PleaseseeyourParishCoordinatororRegionalCCDOfficeforextra authorisedcurriculummaterial.

Child protectionissomethingwhichisveryimportanttoallofus.Weall shareintheresponsibilityofprotectingchildrenandyoungpeople.CCDin BrokenBaypromotesthecreationofasafeworkingenvironmentintheSRE classroomwhichisgoodforchildrenandcatechistsalike Inthiseditionof Connections,youwillfindalinktotheDiocesanRightsoftheChild FrameworkwhichoutlinestheDioceseofBrokenBay’scommitmentto ensuringthatourpeopleareeducatedandtrainedintheirobligationsand accountabilityinthisregard OurBishopAnthonyRandazzoremindsusthat “Upholdingandprotectingthedignityofchildrenwhohavebeenmadeinthe imageofGodisfoundationaltoourfaith,andnotsimplyamatterofcivil compliance” SRE catechists are required to update their Safeguarding/Child Protection training every three years. Ourquality CCDtrainingassistsyoutotakeupyourresponsibilityintheprotectionof childrenandyoungpeople,sopleaseavailyourselfofthetraining opportunitiesasrequired

Asyoucommenceyourteachingfor2023,Iwouldliketotakethisopportunity tothankyouforyourongoingcommitmenttoteachingSRE Myprayersare withyouandyourfamiliesasyougoaboutyourworkofspreadingtheGood NewstothechildrenandfamiliesofourDiocese

Wishingyoueveryblessingfortheyearahead

Kindnessisthenewcool

Sue-Anne Sherwood NorthShoreRegion

Happy2023fellowCatechists!Aren’tthosegreatresolutionsforthisyear,nomatterwhetherforourourselvesorourstudents Yes,Iwanttoberich,successful, wealthyandcoolinthiswayandtosharethiswithothers

Asyougoforththisyearintoyourclassrooms,Iinvite,challengeandencourageallofustoletChrist’swordsanddeedsshineoutthroughusinourevery interactionandespeciallyinourclassrooms.Smilemoreoften,listenforlonger,takeabreathandgiveyourlessonovertotheHolySpirit(obviouslywithgood preparation).You’vegotthisandGod’sgotyou.Let’screateimageryinourclassrooms,thesamewaythesewordshavespurredmyimagination:‘Goandsowthe seedoffaiththatgrowsintoatreeinwhichotherscanfindtheirhome;tendtheflameofdiscipleshipthattransformsthesoulandmakesitnew.' GodBlessyouallforyourgoodwork.

Kristy Komadina NorthShoreRegion

Maricel Malapira

ThisyearIamundertakingsomestudy Iamenrolledin theAreteFoundationsofMissionaryLeadershipProgram Ihavejustcomebackfrommyfirst4dayintensiveretreatwith60ofusstudentsrunby FrDrChrisRyanMGL

OurCCDteamsitswithintheEvangelisationteamastheworkthatwedowithchildren frompublicschoolsinourdioceseisanextraordinaryopportunityforevangelisationfor notonlychildren,buttheirfamiliesaswell

Iwasremindedofthisfactthispastintensiveweekendatmycourseoverandover againwhenIheardvarioustestimoniesofpeoplecomingtomorefullnessinfaith throughthepromptingofchildren

ImetaladywhowasbaptisedanAnglicanbutneverreallyputmuchthoughttoalifeof faithandwho'shusbandwasacradleCatholicandsimilarlivedafairlysecularlife It wasn'tuntiltheirsonbroughthomesomecraftthathehadmadeinanSREclass,and throughtheinsistenceoftheirsontopraytogetherthattheystartedtothinkabout theirfaithmoremeaningfully TosupporttheirsontheystartedcomingtoMass Before toolong,thehusbandwasanaltarserverandtheladyspoketoherpriestbecauseshe feltGod'sgraceworkinginherlifesomuchthatshewantedtobecomeaCatholic

Ayoungladywhowas26,spoketoourgroupaboutherfaithjourneyandmadeapoint tothankalltheCatechistsintheroomfortheintegralroletheyplayedinhelpingherto knowGod'slove.Absolutelyincredible.

AwomantoldusabeautifulstoryofGod'sgracethoughherloveofChristmasEve Masses.Ononeoccasionshewasmovedtotearsbyherdaughtersinging"OHoly Night".Quiteafewyearslater,herdaughter'ssonbeggedhertocometoChristmasEve FamilyVigilwiththembecausehewantedtobeaCatholiclikehisNanna.

Let'snotforgetourimpactonchildrenandinturntheirimpactonothers.TheHoly Spiritisworkinginamazingwaysthatweoftendon'tevenrealise!

CCDAdmin

Helloeveryone!IamMaricelMalapirawhowillbetakingtherole ofAdministrationAssistantservicingtheNorthShoreand NorthernBeachesregionsbasedintheCarolineChisholm Centre,PennantHills Weallknowthatnobodycanreplace Sharon Sheisirreplaceable!Theyarebigshoestofill,soplease prayformethatIwillbeabletoperformwhatisexpectedinthis role (Iamalreadyworkingonsomegoodmemes!)

ForanumberofyearsIwastheParishCoordinatoratChatswood ParishandIsupportedthecoordinatoratLindfieldKillaraParish forsometimelastyear.Iamsoexcitedtonowbeworkingfroma totallydifferentperspectivesupportingyouallfromourDiocesan office.IusedtoreceiveemailsandnotificationsfromSharonand NOW……Iwillbetheoneclickingthesendbuttontoallofyou.

Iamtakingtheopportunitytogettoknowtheins-and-outsof thisrole WhenIworkedataparishIonlysawasmallpartofwhat goesintokeepingthisministrygoing- justthetipoftheiceberg! Iamnowdiscoveringtherewasabiggerpartsubmergedbeneath thesurface Pleasebearwithmeinthetransitionstageanddo nothesitatetogivemeabuzzifyouhavequeries Ilovebeing connectedtoeachoneofyouandbuildingarelationships througheveryinteraction

Youcanreachmebyemailing:

MaricelMalapira@bbcatholicorgauorbyphone0283791638

Michael Tebbutt

CentralCoastRegion

Welcomebackeveryone!ThistimelastyearIwasbuoyedbythenumberof newpeoplewhohadenrolledintheCCDMIandwereexcitedlylooking forwardtobeginningteachingintheclassroomwiththeeagerstudents Iam pleasedtosayIamfeelingsimilarlythisyeartoo Itisgreattowelcomenew peopleintothisCCDfamily

Forthemoreexperiencedcatechistsamongyou,thankyouforonceagain frontinguptotakeJesus’GoodNewstothechildreninthestateschools Thisisaninvisibleministry,unseenbymanyofthepeoplewithwhomwe celebratetheEucharistbutitisonethatthechildrenappreciateandonefor whichtheparentsaretrulygrateful

Oneofthehighlightsformeisworkingwithyou,thecatechists,isinthe trainingarena.Lastyearwecombinedthe3veryinteractiveunitsofLevel

One–music,dramaandstorytelling–andonthedaysthisworkshopwas presented,therewasmuchlaughterandlightheartedness.Iamlooking forwardtomoreoftheseworkshopsagainthisyear,alongwithourreflection daysandofcoursespendingsometimewiththechildreninourSREclasses. ItwillbeabusyyearsomightIsuggestthatforthisthatwecallontheHoly Spirittoenergiseusinthisministryandguideusinourteaching.

Alicia Klein

CCDAdmin

Iwritethis,myveryfirstConnectionsarticle,withgreatpleasure!Ibeganwith theCCDofficeinapart-timecapacitylastNovemberwhileIwasalsoworking part-timewithToukleyParish,whereIhadbeenParishSecretaryforthepast twoyears Ihada7-weekpart-timetransitionintomyCCDrolebutIamnow extremelypleasedtobeworkingfull-timewiththeCCDteam Andwhata teamitis!AlreadyIfeelagreatsenseoffriendshipandcamaraderiewhich hasclearlycontributedtothelongevityandsuccessoftheCCDteamover manyyears Ilookforwardtocontributingtothisamazingteamandhelping ourCatechiststocontinuetoserveourcommunities

Onapersonalnote,IhavelivedontheCentralCoastmywholelife,apartfrom acoupleofyearsinmyearlyworkinglifewhenIlivedontheNorthern Beaches.IammarriedtoNick,andwehave3children;Siena,MaxandCiara whoallattendlocalCatholicschools.Weareactivelyinvolvedinourlocal parishofTheEntranceandIenjoyhelpingtoplanandrunour‘KidsClub’ activitiesforchildrenwhichweholdonSaturdayafternoonsonceamonth.I attendedprimaryschoolatOurLadyoftheRosary,backinthe1980’swhen theschoolwassharedbetweentwosites-TheEntranceandShellyBeach. TwoofmyprimaryschoolyearswerespentatTheEntrancesiteand, coincidently,partoftheCCDofficeissituatedinwhatusedtobemyYear4 classroom!Memories!

John Donnelly

NorthernBeachesRegion

Iamreallyexcitedtomeetourcatechistsandcoordinatorsinthecoming monthsandIhopeIcansupportyouaswellasColleendidoverthepast17 years Iwishyoueveryblessingforthecomingtermaswebeginanothernew schoolyear Pleasedon’thesitatetocontactmeforRegistration/Trainingand WWJResourceenquiries,orjusttosay‘Hi’ Ilookforwardtomeetingyouin personthroughouttheyear

BrendamywifeandIhavejustreturnedfromaweekattheAustralianOpenandwehavebeenconverted The‘festivaloftennis’asIliketocallit,isareal educationinhowtoenjoyandshareone’sloveofsomething Melbourneisabuzzwithtennis,signs,soundsandscreensalloverthecityproclaimingthegood newsthattennisishere!

Whetheryouareatennisfanornot,thereissomethingforyouattheAO Thefashion,thefoodthefunthereissomethingforeveryone Thefestivalhasappeal foralllevelsofinterestandawiderangeoftastes Afterallthisisaninternationaltournamentandtheorganisersgoallouttoensurewehaveagreat experience Infact,thatisthekeyandthatiswhatweasSRECatechistscanlearnfromthem Itisallabouttheexperience!

OurSRElessonscouldbeminifestivalsoffaithwhichprovideourstudentswithanexperienceofCatholicism Throughthesigns,symbols,wordsandgestures ofourgreattraditionwecanignite,reneworrestorethefaithoftheseyoungpeopleandtheirfamilies Let’susethisfirsttermtodrawthembackintoourparish communitiesatEastertime WhynotsetthisasourgoalasparishionersandcatechiststoensureourlocalcelebrationsonGoodFriday,EasterSaturdayand EasterSundayarepackedfullwithfamiliesfromthelocalgovernmentschools

Wearenottalkingaboutusingcoersion,manipulationorguilt-theyneverreallyworked Let’susetheclever toolsofpromotion,engagementandwelcome Thetoolsweneedarealreadyinourlessonsandfamily supplements GodsentHissonJesustosaveusfromourselves,sothatwemayenjoylifetothemax!Easter isthehighpointoftheJesusstoryandwecelebrateiteveryyear Whynottargetourstudentsrightfrom thestartoftheyearwithaninvitationfortheirfamiliestositwithusinchurchatEaster

The Psalms Through Lent

Lent,asweknowisaseasonofprayer,fasting,andalmsgiving,beginningon AshWednesdayandlastinguntilsunsetonHolyThursday Itisaseasonof preparationtocelebratetheLord'sResurrectionatEaster DuringLent,we seektheLordinprayerbyreadingSacredScripture;bygivingalms;and practicingself-controlthroughfasting Weareencouragedtogivethingsup andarecalledtoatrueconversionofheart Letusreflectonthepsalms, usedasaresponsetothefirstreadingatMass,todeepenthisconversionof heartthisLent

Alltoooften,allwerememberoftheResponsorialPsalmistheversefromthe psalmthatwerepeataftereachstanzathathasbeenreadbythelector In someparishes,thepsalmissungbythecantorandwerespondbysinging thesameversebutstill,weoftenmissthewonderandbeautythatis containedinthewordstothepsalm

PleasehaveyourBiblewithyouasyoureadthisarticlesoyoucanreadthe psalmsinordertocontemplatewhatthepsalmistiscommunicatingtous

TheResponsorialPsalmforAsh WednesdayandtheFirst Sunday of Lent is Psalm 51. Itisapoignantpsalmoflamentinwhichthepsalmistimplores ‘bemercifulOLord,forwehavesinned’

TaketimetoreadalltheversesofPsalm51 Thisisthemostfamousofthe penitentialpsalmsandyoumaywellrecallthewordsofthispsalmfromthe prayer,‘TheMiserere’

BeginningwithapleatoGodtohavemercybecauseofGod’sgoodness,the psalmistemphasiseshissinfulnessbyrepeatedlyaskingGodtobewashed cleanofallthewrongscommitted Thepsalmistthenstateshowitis impossibletoescapetheguilthebears

For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always:

Thinkofatimewhenthiswasyourprayer

Inthisfirstsection,thereisthepleaforforgiveness. Inthesecondhalfofthe psalm,youwillnotethatthetonechangestooneofseekingaclosenesswith God:

“Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me, Restore to me the joy of your salvation and sustain in me a willing spirit ”

IsnotthiswhatwelongforduringthistimeofLent?

Isnotawillingspiritwhatwewishtohaveinordertobeabletojoyfullyinform thechildrenoftheGoodNewsofJesus?

Whatisitthatyouwishtoseekforgivenessforandhowdoyouneedyour spirittoberefreshedandmadewilling?

The Responsorial Psalm for the Second Sunday of Lent is Psalm 33. We hearofAbram(Abraham)beingmissionedbytheLordtoleavehishomeland andtraveltoalandtheLordwillshowAbram Thereadingconcludeswith AbramdoingastheLorddirectedhim Suchapersonoffaith!

Inthefirsthalfofthispsalm,thepsalmistinvitesustopraisethegreatnessof Godwithsongsofjoy;topraisethegreatnessofGodexpressedinHis character,andincreationandtocallthewholeofcreationtobeinaweofthe Lord InthesecondhalfofthepsalmwelearnofthegreatnessofGod: God overallthenations;howstrongpeoplearenomatchforGodandGod’scare fortheindividual Itisfromthisideathatourresponseismade,

“Lord, let Your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you ”

InwhatareaofyourlifeisGodaskingyoutoplaceyourtrustinHim?

On the Third Sunday of Lent, in Psalm 95,thepsalmistinvitesustopraise andworshipGod;theGodwhoiskingofallcreaturesandalsotheloving kindlyshepherdwhocaresforeachsheepindividually Weareurgedtohear God’svoiceandlistentowhatGodissayingtous

AstheResponseverseurgesus,

“if today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.”

HowhasyourheartbeenhardenedagainstthemessageoftheLord,orina momentofpride,havedecidedthataparticularissueisnotyourconcern?

LetusbeopentoGod’smessage,evenifinthepastwehave‘hardenedour hearts’,donothardenthemtoday

"Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight"

The Fourth Sunday of Lenthasaverywell-knownpsalm, Psalm 23, The Lord is My Shepherd. This psalmisallaboutGod’slovingcareforHispeople TherightpathremindsusthatGodhassentusJesus toteachushowtoliveinawaythatispleasingtoHim Thefactthat Godwillsetatableforusinfrontof ourenemies,showsGod’sstrengthandpoweroverthosewhohateus Theproblemis,dowetrustGod enoughtorelyonthedirectionoftheHolySpiritwhenweencountertheseenemies,whethertheybe people,temptation,challengingsituationsatworkorevenourownnature?

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me ”

Mayourprayerforthisweekbethesaidresponseandletuspraythiswithconfidence.

“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”

OnThe Fifth Sunday of LentwehearinEzekiel 37,ofGod’spromisetothepeopleofIsraeltoopen theirgravesandputHisspiritinthemandsettlethemontheirland. Psalm 130 beginssimilarlytoPsalm 51butunlikePsalm51,itstonequicklychangestooneofhope.,realisingthatwiththeLordthereis forgiveness. Thisisfollowedwithastatementoffaith.

“I trust in the LORD; my soul trusts in his word More than sentinels wait for the dawn, let Israel wait for the LORD For with the LORD is kindness and with him is plenteous redemption; And he will redeem Israel from all their iniquities ”

Whatcomfortdoesthispsalmbringtoyou? KnowingthatdespitethetimeswehavefailedtoliveasGod wouldhaveuslive,ifweturntoGodandtrulyrepent,thereisforgivenessandmercyandfullnessof redemption

Takesometimenowtoreflectonanareaofyourlifeofwhichyouarenothappy Haveaconversation withGodaboutit Becarefulnottotalktoomuchthough Lettherebesilenceinyourconversationso youcanhearwiththeearofyourheart,whatGodhastosaytoyou

On the Sixth Sunday of Lent, Palm Sunday,wereadasectionof Psalm 22 Itsoundslike aprayerofdoom ForthemainpartitdescribesJesus’deathontheCrossingorydetail,but towardtheendofthepsalmthatisprayedintheLiturgyoftheWord,thetonebeginsto change ThelastthirdisaninvitationtopraiseGodandbecomesauniversalchorusof praise

ReadPsalm22:1–22

Takesometimetoreflectonwhenyouhavefeltasthoughyouhavebeenabandoned What wasyoursituation? Bywhomdidyoufeelabandoned? Howdidyoufeelphysically? Emotionally? Spiritually?

NowreadtherestofPsalm22

Dear Father in heaven,

Thankyou for those of faith who have gone before us and have recorded the Words of Your love for us.

May we truly prepare for Your Son’s resurrection this Lent through self-sacrifice, alms giving, penance and prayer. May we live as people of the Resurrection each day And boldly proclaim your Good News to the children You have given us to teach.

We make our prayer through Jesus, Your Son, In the unity of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Howwouldyoudescribethechangeinthepsalmist,writingthispartofthepsalm? Whathas happened?

Recallatimewhenyouhavefeltlikethis?

Whatledtothisfeelingofbeingmadenew?HowwasGodinvolved?

HowwillyoubethisfaithfilledpersonthisEaster? Whatvowswillyoufulfil?

WhatwillyouneedtodotocontinuetobethisEasterpersonthroughthecomingyear?

Use of Visual Art in Special Religious Education

Asamodeofcreativeexpression,communication,andself-definition,artis aprimordialfacetofhumanexistenceandconstitutivefactorinthe evolutionofreligion Throughvisibleexpressionandform,artimparts meaningandvaluetoanthropicaspirations,encounters,andnarratives, andsimultaneouslyorientsthehumanwithinthehorizonofacommunity, world,andcosmos Thereby,artrendersthehumansituation origin, existence,death,andafterlife comprehensiblethroughvisual representations -

https//wwwencyclopediacom/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/art-and-religion

Ourabilitytoexpressourselvesthroughcolour,pattern, textureandimageprecedesandoftenexceedsour expressionthroughspokenandwrittenwords However, allformsofexpressiondevelopwithmaturationand education

Whilstsomeformsofartisticexpressionseeminnate theycanbenurturedandoftenneedtobeencouraged OurtraininginChildandAdolescentDevelopment demonstratestheimportanceofvariousmodesof learningthroughtherecognitionofmultiple intelligences TheWalkingwithJesusprogramprovides manyopportunitiestomakeuseoftheartsinour CatholicSRElessons Thesegraphicartopportunitiesgo farbeyond‘colouringin’

RecentlyIaskedaYear5classtocolourandcompletea coverfortheBookoftheGospelsusingwhattheyhad learntaboutthefourevangelists Theywereaskedto createandgiveprominencetoasymbolforJesusasthe mainsubjectofthebooks

TheCycle3Bunit includesareflective artlessonwhichasks studentstoillustrate theirlearningabout theEucharistina mandala

Manyotherlessonsinvitestudentstopraythroughartandexpresstheirunderstandingofthe Gospelmessagegraphically Moststudentscherishthisformofexpression

Onthispageissomeoftheart mystudentshaveproducedlast year Ilookforwardtoseeing whattheycomeupwithin2023

Classroom Tips to Start a New Year

Aswereturntotheclassroomin2023taketimetoprepare Youmayliketo beginbydoingsowiththeprayeronthispage Youwillalsobeawarethatitis importanttoplanyourlessonsinadvance Beready!Remembertousethe CONTENTSPAGEinyourWalkingWithJesusteacher'smanual Notethedate ofAshWednesdayis22February(wowthat'sreallysoon!)BeginyourLenten lessonsclosetothisdate

Createawelcomingatmospherebygreetingthestudentsastheycomeinto theclassroom Conveyamessageof"I'mhappytobehereandseeyou"

Prepare the Sacred Space. This could be done before they arrive, however involving them in choosing the right cloth colour and adding the items themselves is a learning experience. You can even ask them to bring items from home on a roster system.

see each child's face. Be close to the students but also give yourself room to move among them. Infant students can begin the lesson by sitting on the floor in front of you. As they come into the room have them put their belongings on the desk ad come sit on the floor ready to learn and pray.

Remember to always include prayer in every lesson. These can be your prayers or the children can be encouraged to say their own. Arrange this on a roster so everyone gets a turn. Remember, there are age appropriate prayers printed at the beginning of the children's books.

Leaving the classroom should be orderly. Table by table to avoid a rush to the door. You may like to address each child as they leave, offering a blessing for their day or just smiling and thanking them for coming. Leave on a note of looking forward to seeing them next week.

CatechistSundayisanannualeventoriginatingin1935,whentheVaticanpublisheda documententitledOntheBetterCareandPromotionofCatecheticalEducation The documentacknowledgedtheimportanceoftheChurch’steachingministryandasked everycountrytohonourthosecatechistswhoservewithintheirChristiancommunities CatechistSundaywillbecelebratedthisyearSunday 19 Februarywhenyourparishis askedtostopandthinkabouttheincredibleworkanddedicationofvolunteercatechists

YourParishmaychooseanynumberofwaystorecogniseandcelebratetheMinistryof SRE:

CommissioningServicewithblessingritual Invitingcatechistprayerpartnersandthefamilyofthecatechisttojoininthe blessingritual

Togetherrecitingthecatechistprayer InvitingacatechisttohighlighttheirvocationtotheministryatMass

Writecatechistprofilesintheparishbulletin(overanumberofweeks)

DisplayofWalkingwithJesusresourcesoutsideMass MorningteaafterMass,hostedbytheParishcatechists

InadditiontoSREcatechists,someparisheschoosetocommissionallvolunteerswho workincatecheticalministriesonCatechistSunday,suchasSacramentalcatechists, Children’sLiturgyoftheWordcatechistsandRCIAcatechists.

Catholicschoolteachers alsoworkinateachingministry,sotheymaybeinvitedtobe commissionedaswell.

CatechistSundayresourcescanbefoundatthefollowinglinkontheCCDwebpage https://www.bbcatholic.org.au/our-faith/evangelisation/ccd/resources

Don't Miss a Recruitment Opportunity

CatechistSundayistheperfecttimetopromoteoursometimesinvisbleministry Inthe weeksleadinguptoCatechistSundayitisagoodopportunityforCatechiststogetupand giveashorttestimonyinfrontofthecongregationtellingthemwhytheybecamea Catechistandhowithaspositivelyimpactedtheirlives

Nothingbeatsapersonalinvitation!Ifeverycatechistinvitedjustonepersontobecomea catechisteachyearwewouldhaveaneverendingsupplyofapplicants Ofcourse,not everyonewillsayyes,youhavetoexpectthatyoucouldgetano Ifa"nothankyou"isthe worstoutcome,it'sdefinitelyworththerisk

OurparishCatechistCoordinatorsdosuchawonderfuljobbutifweleaverecruitmentto onlythem,it'sanunfairburdenthatcouldeasilybeshared Weneedtousethepowerof allournetworks -family,friends,adultchildren,neighbours,trustedcolleagues Ifwecast ournetswide,we'llcatchmorefish!

Challenge:oncethisyeareithergetupandspeakaboutbeingaCatechistwithacallto actionforthoselistening-or-askonepersonyouknowtobecomeaCatechist

Proclaim the Good News to All Creation!

Welcometo2023 Ihopethateachofyouenjoyedawell-earnedbreakand hadtheopportunitytospendqualitytimewithyourfamilyandlovedones duringtheChristmasseason ThispastChristmaswascertainlyverydifferent fromwhatweexperiencedthepreviousfewyears-withallthatCOVID-19 threwourway Whatadifferenceayearmakes!

TheworkofCCDisintegraltotheChurchMissionofEvangelisatonand BishopAnthony’spastoralpriorities,whichweplaceatthecenterofmission fortheDiocese Theworkthateachofyoudoinyourministry,fostersthe faithlifeofthousandsofstudentsthroughouttheDioceseofBrokenBayand opensyounglivesnotonlytotherichnessofourCatholicfaithbutthose treasuresastheyhavecometoreallife,inourdedicatedcatechists,whogive sogenerouslyoftheirtimeinfaithfulserviceoftheGospel.

TheGospelofMarkbothinvitesandremindsusto‘Goouttothewhole world;proclaimtheGoodNewstoallCreation’(Mk16:15).Aswebeginthis newyear,maywebeunitedinfaith,hope,andloveasweembarkonthisnew yeartogether!MayourearsbeopentohearingtheGoodNews.Asteachers offaith,IpraythatyoucontinuetospreadtheGoodNewswithyourfamily, community,andthestudentsthatyouteach.Ipray,andhope,thatthe experienceofsharingthisGoodNewsenrichesyourownspiritualpilgrimage withJesusasweapproachtheself-givingloveoftheCross,andthecauseof eternalhoperevealedtousintheemptytomb

OurChurchisalwaysenrichedbythosewhostepforwardsanewinfaith We invitetheHolySpirittocontinuetoinspireandsustainusinourmission As Catechists,pleasecontinuetoimpartyourpassion,andthegiftsthatyou haveforyourministrywiththeyoungpeopleinyourlifeandthosetowhom youminister

Inthis,aWorldYouthDayyear,Iinviteyoutokeepouryoungpeopleinyour prayers,astheycontinuetheirpreparationsfortheWorldYouthDay PilgrimagetoPortugalthisJuly MaytheHolySpiritbewiththem,asthey continueplanningandpreparingforthelife-changingexperiencetheywill encounter,withPopeFrancis,amongstandwithhundredsofthousandsof otheryoungadultsfromaroundtheworld

Iwisheachofyouajoyful,andsafestarttothenewschoolyear,andonce again,thankyouforgivingofyourtime,yourexpertise,andyourwillingness toshareyourgiftswiththosethatyouvisitwithinschoolsandclassrooms acrossourDiocese.Ilookforwardtomeetingwithyouthroughouttheyear andhearingofthewaysthatyouspreadthestoryoftheGoodNewstothose youjourneywith,andalongside!

Continuedblessingstoeachofyou!

TwoofourCCDBrokenBayRegionalCoordinatorshavebeenrecognisedfor theircontributiontoSpecialReligiousEducationduringthepandemicatthe CelebrationofSREheldatParliamentHouseonMonday,28November2022

Michael Tebbutt,RegionalCoordinatorCentralCoastDeanery,wasawarded foroutstandingservicetoSREandstudentwellbeingduringthepandemic Hedevelopedmulti-medialearning-from-homelessonsthatwereaccessed bychildrenandtheirparentsacrossNSWviatheDepartmentofEducation portalforSREproviders LessonswereprovidedduringbothCOVID-19 lockdownperiodsin2020and2021

Kristy Komadina,RegionalCoordinatorNorthShoreDeanery,wasawarded foroutstandingservicetoSREandstudentwellbeingduringthepandemic Shedevelopedamulti-mediaAdventandChristmasresourcewhichwas sharedwithfamiliesofCatholicstudentsinpublicschoolsacrossNSW,via localparishandpublic-schoolnewsletters,thepurposebeingtoconnect familieswiththeirparishcommunityfollowingthelongsecondCOVID lockdownin2021andtowishfamilieseveryblessingforthe

Advent/Christmasseason SpecialReligiousEducationinpublicschoolsis enshrinedintheNSWEducationActandissupportedbybothmajorpolitical partiesasachoiceforparents/carerssothattheirchildrencanbeeducated inthefaithtraditionoftheirfamilies

Forthepast10years,theministryofSREhasbeencelebratedbienniallyat ParliamentHouseinSydneyandawardsofexcellencehavebeenpresented toSREcatechistsandcoordinatorsfortheirroleinthisvitalworkinour schools

Thepastthreeyearshavebeenchallengingfortheeducationsector Schools havebeenlockeddownduetoCOVIDanddisruptionstoschoolingdueto illnesshavecreatedfurtherdifficultiesforteachers,families,andvolunteers alike However,thesedisruptionsledtoinnovativenewwaystospreadthe GoodNewstoCatholicstudentswhoattendthepublicschoolsofour parishes WethankMichaelandKristyfortheirinnovativeworkintheservice ofCatholicstudentswhoattendpublicschoolsandtheirfamilies

Caritas Lessons For Lent Available Now!

EachyearwepresentthegoodworkofCaritastothestudentsinourclasses. ThisyearwearesuggestingasinglelessonusingthestoryofTereesa.

https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/a-day-with-tereesa/ Tereesa,aproudGamilaroiwoman,isnowanartist,studyingatTAFEand workingatBaabayanAboriginalCorporation.TereesagrewupinWestern Sydney,bornandraisedonDarugland Amotheroffouryoungchildren,she foundithardtofindastablehomeandprovideforthemonherown Seeking abetterfutureforherchildren,Tereesafoundthesupportshewaslookingfor whenshejoinedtheBaabaynAboriginalCorporation’sYoungMumsand BubsGroup,supportedbyCaritasAustralia Baabayn(whichmeans‘Ancestral Woman’inGumbaynggirrlanguage)wasfoundedbyfiveElderswhowanted tocreateacommunityandwelcomingenvironmentforFirstNations Australianfamiliesandindividuals

AsalwaysCaritashasproducedanumberofgreatresourcessuitableforour SREclasses Theseincludedbooklets,photostories,videosandlearning activities Wehaveselectedafewoftheseanddesignedasimplelessonplan forCatechiststofollow Youcanfindthison theResourcesPageonour website

Therearethreedifferentlessons–oneforStage1,oneforStages2&3,and oneforStages4&5 Theyeachincludethestory,opportunityforstudentsto processtheinformationandrespondappropriatelyasdisciples

TheyallconcludewithaprayerforTereesa

LentisagoodtimetoremindstudentsoftheworkofCaritasAustralia perhapsyoucouldshowthevideoCompassioninActiontohighschool studentsandencouragethemtosupportthischarity Wecouldalsoinviteall studentstopray,fastorgivealms

Safeguarding is Everyone's Responsibility

Asvolunteerswhoworkcloselywithchildrenintheschoolenvironment,each andeveryCatechistisrequiredtoreceivemandatorytraininginsafeguarding onacontinuousbasis CCDBrokenBayprovidesinitialandongoingtraining toallourCatechistsevery3yearsasthelegislationisconstantlyevolvingand theresponsibilityofkeepingchildrensafebelongstoeverybody

InourdiocesewehaveadedicatedSafeguardingteamwhoarethereto developacultureandpracticeofsafeguardingamongststaff,volunteers,the clergyandparishestoprotectchildren,youngpeopleandvulnerableadults

TheyworkwithCCDtodevelopourtrainingresourcesbaseduponthemost up-to-dateinformation TheSafeguardingteamalsodevelopexcellent resourcesforthewidercommunitytoaccessviatheirwebsiteandYoutube channel Weencourageyoutoexploretheirexcellentresources!

PleasecheckouttheSafeguardingpagehere: https://www.bbcatholic.org.au/about/diocesan-safeguarding

Clickonthe posterto downloada biggerversion

'Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable'.

Latest in Training and Formation

WearecurrentlytakingregistrationsforCCDMinistry InductionfornewCatechists,forpeopleonyellowcards whoneedtocompletemissingunitsinordertogettheir GreenCardorforanyCatechistwhowouldlikea refresher

Wehavetwotimesavailable:Mondaysat10amor Tuesdaysat6:30pm

CCDMIiscompulsorytrainingthatmustbecompleted within12monthsofauthorisation Wewillbeoffering CCDMIagaininthesecondhalfoftheyearsoifyoucan't makeeverysessionthistime,youwillbeabletomake themupwithinthe12months

AllthesessionsareonZoomwhichwehavefoundtobe themostconvenientwayformostpeopletofittrainingin theirbusylives Therearedifferentpresenterseachweek soyouwillnotbebored!

ToregisterforCCDMIpleaseemailAliciaatthe registrationsdesk: registrations@bbcatholicorgau

WALKING WITH JESUS WALKING WITH JESUS POWERPOINTS POWERPOINTS

Did you know that we have prepared powerpoint presentations for every lesson in our Walking With Jesus curriculum?

Simply download your lesson from our website: https://www bbcatholic org au/ourfaith/evangelisation/ccd/curriculum/ walking-with-jesus-powerpoint

FAMILY SUPPLEMENTS FAMILY SUPPLEMENTS

Don't forget that for many of our lessons there is a family supplement available on our website: https://www bbcatholic org au/ourfaith/evangelisation/ccd/curriculum/ classroom-family-resources

Great for those kids who need a bit extra and a way to stay connected with our families

Catechists Celebrated and Acknowledged

The major awards that were handed out

On Saturday 5th Nov friends and families fr gathered at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara to come together in celebration of the Eucharist and of the achievements of some very special people

We honoured those Catechists who have passed away since our last Mass with a white rose, processed into the church by a loved-one

After the Mass concluded, Bishop Anthony presented the awards to Catechists who achieved between 15 - 50 years service in the ministry

Catechists receiving 5 and 10 year awards received those at their Parish Masses the following day

DONT MISS OUT ON YOUR CHANCE TO APPLY FOR A

Service Award

What are Service Awards?

Service awards are presented to catechists, assistants and other persons in the Diocese of Broken Bay to acknowledge the contributions made to the Ministry of Special Religious Education.

Why Apply for a Service Award?

An application may mark a significant milestone in your involvement in the SRE ministry It marks not only individual achievement, but also that of the support of your family and friends and members of your local parish communities.

When do you receive the Award?

Five- and ten-year service awards are to be presented at your local Parish Masses in Term 4 each year Fifteen-year, Papal Blessings (20 years) and the other awards for longer service are presented at the Diocesan Mass held at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral at Waitara (usually) in November each year.

How do I apply for a Service Award?

Go to the resources page on our website and download the form titled 2023 Service Award Application Form.

Fill out the form and get it signed and email or scan to:

ccdadmin@bbcatholic.org au or mail to:

Maricel Malapira, CCD Diocesan Office PO Box 340 Pennant Hills NSW 1715