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"Be there for me"

Catechists take the message of the Gospel to children and young people in public schools every week. It is a message of love, service and hope for them and their families especially in difficult times. There are 1,000 Catechists in the Diocese of Broken Bay and there are about 90 needing temporary relief during this term.

The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine team in Broken Bay has the "Be there for me" program to find volunteers able to help out in classrooms in our public schools while some of our more vulnerable or older volunteers stay home due to health concerns relating to the coronavirus.

Almost every parish is looking for relief teachers to fill in for Catechists who are temporarily standing aside. Relief Special Religious Education teachers are required to do the usual Working with Children screening and a minimal amount of training including Safeguarding and Child Protection. There are also special pre-packaged lessons to allow new teachers to deliver quality faith education in an age appropriate and sensitive manner. This means no compromise in the standards schools, families and their children have come to expect from Catholic Special Religious Education lessons.

In dealing with the coronavirus environment, schools are reporting that children and their families are in need of reassurance, routine and resilience. Recent research has indicated that religion and spirituality can be formative in delivering these wellbeing outcomes. Could you make a difference to just one child or young person who is asking "Be there for me?"

If you would like to volunteer and help our wonderful Catechists at this time, please contact the Parish office and ask how you can become a temporary Special Religious Education teacher.

More information is also available from the Broken Bay Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.

"Be there for me" program video overview