2015 Connections Term 3

CCD Newsletter Volume 20 Issue 3 Term Three 2015

CONNECTIONS

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Diocese of Broken Bay

©Susan Daily

Breaking open the Word Exploring Sacred Scripture in the SRE Classroom From the Director/ Events From the Diocesan CCD Coordinator From the Classroom Adult Faith Formation Journeying through the Bible Catechist Spirituality Joy of the Gospel Part 5 of 7 Technology in the Classroom Online Training and SmartBoard version 3.1 Ideas for the Classroom Breaking open the Word for Secondary Bible Crossword for Primary Bible Resources from the Diocese Noticeboard, Training Dates & CCD Directory

2 3 4 5 6&7 8

July Journey through the Bible The Entrance Pennant Hills Manly Vale (details page5)

August “The Writing of St Paul” (CCD Level 3) Terrey Hills The Entrance (details page12)

9 10 11 12

CONTENTS

September Broken Bay Bible Conference Pennant Hills (details page5)

from the director

Welcome back! I hope you have had a chance to get a bit of a break after a busy Term 2.

The Parish Support Unit has been offering a number of opportunities to break open the Scriptures, not least of which is the 2015 Broken Bay Bible Conference from 18-19 September. A number of resources In recent weeks, we have seen unprecedented are available to celebrate Bible Sunday on 26 July and don’t forget world-wide response to a papal encyclical - Pope how great a gift a bible can be, especially when they are available at Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si’ (Praise be to you) subsidised rates. See www.dbb.org.au/bible for more information on on the care for our common home. So what is this these and other Bible related events and resources. “greenie” document about, and why is the Pope getting himself involved with this issue? The truth is, Laudato Si’ looks at more than We have all been called to evangelise, to proclaim the Good News and just climate change; it is about our interconnectedness with God, with be conduits through which one is drawn to God. One great opportunity each other and the rest of creation. Whilst economics and corporate to do this is through preparing children and adults for the Sacraments. responsibility may seem to be subjects that will go over the heads of My last plug for this edition is the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults the little ones with whom we are sharing our faith, it is the lessons in (RCIA) NSW/ACT State Conference that the Diocese of Broken Bay the everyday examples of how we live the Gospel values, sharing, not will be hosting from 28-30 August. Whilst the RCIA is the process wasting, concern for the poor and for creation, etc. that we need to which is generally used in the preparation of the adults to receive the impart. Laudato Si’ and related resources can be downloaded from the Sacraments at Easter, more and more upper primary and secondary Diocesan website www.dbb.org.au. students seeking baptism. The keynotes and some of the workshops As with all encyclicals, exhortations and the like, the basis of this latest being offered are a great way to learn more about making disciples.

Details of the conference can be found on www.dbb.org.au/liturgy document is Scripture and Catholic Tradition which leads us to the theme of this edition of Connections – the Bible!

Lastly, as we celebrate the Feast of St Mary MacKillop and the 18 Nov 2015 will be the 50th Anniversary of the promulgation of the Vatican II document, Dei Verbum (Word of God). Biblical scholarship was until then, much the domain of our Protestant brothers and sisters.

Catholic biblical scholarship tended to be done outside historical contexts, and Dei Verbum allowed Catholic scripture scholars to read the Bible within particular social and cultural contexts. It is the vision of Popes John XXIII and Paul VI in Dei Verbum that has encouraged us to keep looking at the Scriptures with new eyes.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary this term, may we take them as example, remaining open to God’s call to further the Gospel message.

God Bless

Carole Gan, Director, Parish Support Unit

Term Three 2015 Week 1 (12 July) Ordinary Time Week 2 (19 July) Ordinary Time Week 3 (26 July) Ordinary Time Week 4 (2 Aug) Ordinary Time

8 Aug—Feast Day of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop Week 5 (9 Aug) Ordinary Time

15 Aug—Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Week 6 (16 Aug) Ordinary Time Week 7 (23 Aug) Ordinary Time Week 8 (30 Aug) Ordinary Time Week 9 (6 Sept) Ordinary Time Week 10 (13 Sept) Ordinary Time

MEETINGS AND EVENTS

TERM 3 2015

July 1 2 3 13 13 13 17 20

CC: Wkshop: Class Management & Creative Teaching MWP: Wkshop: Class Management & Creative Teaching NSH: Wkshop: Class Management & Creative Teaching TERM 3 COMMENCES MWP: Parish Coordinators Meeting MWP: Secondary Catechists Meeting NSH: Parish Coordinators Meeting CC: Parish Coordinators Meeting

9:30am -12:30pm 9:30am -12:30pm 9:30am -12:30pm

East Gosford North Harbour Pennant Hills

9:45am - 12:00pm 12:30pm - 2:30pm 10:00am - 12:00pm 10:00am - 1:00pm

Manly Vale Manly Vale CCC The Entrance

August 7 14,21,28 10 17,24,31

MWP & NSH: Level 3 (Units 1-2) MWP & NSH: Level 3 (Units 3-5) CC: Level 3 (Units 1-2) CC: Level 3 (Units 3-5)

9:30am - 2:30pm 12:30pm - 2:30pm 9:30am - 2:30pm 12:30pm - 2:30pm

Terrey Hills Terrey Hills The Entrance The Entrance

September 2 4 4,11,18 7,14 18

Yr 10 Social Justice Day Deadline for submitting articles for Connections Term 4 MWP & NSH: Level 3 (Units 6-8) CC: Level 3 (Units 6-7) TERM 3 CONCLUDES

12:30pm - 2:30pm 12:30pm - 2:30pm

Terrey Hills The Entrance

Please Note: Craft Workshops that were originally scheduled for Term 3 have been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances CCC – Caroline Chisholm Centre (Pennant Hills); CC – Central Coast; MWP – Peninsula; NSH – North Shore & Hornsby

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Term Three 2015

from the Diocesan Coordinator, CCD

Welcome back from a well-earned winter break and to another term of joyfully proclaiming the Gospel message to our Catholic students in public schools.

Sunday 26 July is Bible Sunday. The Walking with Jesus: Pathways of Discipleship curriculum is based on Sacred Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The fundamental premise behind the curriculum design is that the end goal is the discipleship response of participants in the program. The program is designed for catechists, students and their families.

The elements of the curriculum design are expressed in verbs in order that catechists be mindful of the ongoing process of conversion which lies at the heart of each Christian’s journey of faith.

The six elements are: Relate – the Christian story: Sacred Scripture Respect – the Catholic Christian vision through tradition and teaching Reflect – upon the Church’s story and vision and/ or one’s life experience Recognise – the students’ life experience of the topic or issue Rejoice – in a celebration worship often linked to the other elements Respond-ing – as a disciple is the challenge to the students

be formed in their knowledge and understanding of Sacred Scripture and to pray with the Scriptures regularly. Our own prayerful contemplation of the Scriptures forms and enables us to nurture the children’s relationship with Jesus through the use of Scripture and prayer…. and can lead them to the Sacraments.

During Term 3, a number of opportunities are available to explore the Scriptures and I encourage all catechists to become involved: ♦ CCD Level 3 course – A Study of the Writings of St Paul ♦ Journey Through the Bible ♦ Broken Bay Bible Conference – God in Narrative & Poetry: Genesis and Psalms Details of all three offerings are available in this issue of Connections.

Review of SRE Enclosed with this issue of Connections please find a flyer outlining details of the Review of SRE/SEE which is currently being conducted by the Department of Education.

It is vital that members of our faith communities do not miss the opportunity to highlight why SRE is a strength of Public Education, and to give insights as to how it might be made even better.

Please note: You don’t need to be an SRE teacher to take part. There are surveys for parents/carers and other interested parties as well as SRE teachers. So please read the flyer, become involved, and pass it on.

The user-friendly resources provide a step-by-step process through each lesson plan. The above curriculum elements are written into the lesson plans Wishing you every blessing for Term 3. and are blended throughout. The lessons are divided into units of work, each unit focusing on a particular theme, e.g. Sacraments, Easter, Prayer. Every unit has additional background notes to assist catechists in the preparation of lessons. Quality student activity books consolidate the learning for each lesson. Additional resources include a Music for Discipleship CD and an Interactive SmartBoard resource which complement the lessons. Take home family supplements are provided.

These are designed to prompt discussion and activities within the family unit about topics covered in SRE.

Alison

Reflection Days

I encourage all catechists to engage in opportunities to

You never get to the end of Christ's words. There is something in them always behind. They pass into proverbs — they pass into laws — they pass into doctrines — they pass into consolations; but they never pass away, and, after all the use that is made of them, they are still not exhausted.

Arthur Penrhyn Stanley (1815-1881)

My Words will never pass away Mark 13:31

Winter reflection days were held recently at Terrey Hills and Woy Woy. Dr Sandi Carroll facilitated three sessions on the New Evangelisation; Parables and Miracles and Mary, Mother of Evangelisation. Participants enjoyed Sandi’s down-to-earth style of presenting and the opportunity to gather and be nourished by the presence of each other.

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Diocese of Broken Bay

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from the classroom

OLOR Parish, The Entrance having to say…. “I’m not really a nun” All the school children were very (from term 3, 2014) Great scripture attentive and Margaret had written out lessons were held this week at Brooke a series of questions to enhance the Ave, Bateau Bay, Killarney Vale and The lessons. Different children were given Entrance primary schools. Margaret the questions to ask St Mary. Margaret Kirkham, one of our catechists dressed answered the questions in great detail up as Saint Mary MacKillop and graced so all the children were very interested the school halls. We all pretended that and involved. I asked one of the boys the halls were radio stations and who was sitting away from the rest of George Robinson interviewed Mary the children what did he think, his reply extensively. The week prior all the was “Its great, better than other catechists across the school spectrum scripture lessons” instructed their scripture classes about At another school a Year 3 student St Mary of the Cross, so the day was the came up to me and said “tell that lady climax, celebrating the Feast Day on the she is beautiful”, so a great day was had 8th August. by all.

Margaret had researched Marys history Hopefully now the children will know very well and was very convincing of who Mary MacKillop was and as her portrayal to such an extent people scripture teachers attending each were addressing her as Sister, much to performance we will never forget Margaret’s embarrassment, she kept Mary’s contribution to education in

A Beautiful Lady

Frenchs Forest Parish, MWP where 2 or 3 are gathered….

Fr Jose celebrated a school Mass at Kambora PS and kept the children fascinated during the Mass, in fact so much so, that when at the end of the Mass he told the children he was Fr Jose from India, a little boy in Year 1 was quite crestfallen, and loudly exclaimed to him "Oh, I thought you were God".

We all thought that was so funny, and Fr Jose was highly amused. It really made the day.

...there I am in the midst of them.

The following recalls a dream that a student from Mimosa Public School shared with me. She explained how she had been having some personal problems and that she found this dream comforting. I found her story touching.

Megan’s Jesus Story: It was a dark room but then a splinter of light burst through. Then I saw this man; straight away I knew it was Jesus. He gave me a hug and then whispered, “It will be okay”. The room became white and Jesus wiped my tears away. When I woke up from this dream, I could feel the tears on my face.

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It’s wonderful to see how Jesus is truly alive today and shows his love for us as individuals. We learnt about this in our class and students had been asked to make a postcard for someone in their lives whose qualities they admired.

They were asked to write a short letter explaining what they found special about that person. They chose one word to write on the front of the postcard that showed the presence of Jesus in in their special person:

Australia.

Finally a quote from Father Bill Stevens, Parish Priest at Our Lady of the Rosary: May she rest in peace but continue to intercede for Australia and Australians.

Sandra Corben, Catechist The Entrance

I also wanted to share these Mandalas that the students created over Easter, they show the care and pride that they put into their work in Scripture.

Frenchs Forest Parish Catechists, MWP Region We love to receive your stories from the Classroom or Parishes to include in Connections. If you would like to submit an article please do so. It can be as little as a few lines on a good lesson; a story; a resource you’ve found; or a special event in the parish or school. If there’s something you’d like to see us cover in future editions, please let us know that too!

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 4 issue is

4 September 2015

adult faith formation

God, contains a store of sublime teachings about God, sound wisdom about human life, and a wonderful treasury of prayers. In them the mystery of our salvation is present in a hidden way.” (Dei Verbum § 15) Scratching the surface of the text reveals inexhaustible beauty and depth and truth. Indeed, the Hebrew people In April two groups began a twelve-week introduction to have a word, dabar, which represents the word as the Old Testament course at the Caroline Chisholm dynamic, alive, and present. What a gift it is to Centre, Pennant Hills, and at Our Lady of the Rosary appreciate that God is present to us in the Scriptures in Parish, The Entrance. Meeting weekly over 2 hours, the the here and now - in the Old and in the New. It’s been a groups began with an overview of the Old Testament challenging but wonderful journey for us, thanks be to and then traced the development of the Hebrew Bible God! over the centuries by unpacking the rich history and literature of the Hebrew people. Each week the participants watch and discuss a Yale University Old Testament lecture by Professor Christine Hayes, using Fr Lawrence Boadt’s “Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction” as a helpful reference.

As catechists, and personally, you may be interested in an upcoming one-day course, “Journey Through the There’s enthusiasm and energy within both groups as well as a lot of goodwill and openness in discussing the Bible,” offered to coincide with Bible Sunday.

Understanding the story of the whole Bible and how the lectures. While the lectures are fast books fit together can be a daunting task. paced and full of interesting By using the “Bible Timeline” (from The information and connection, they are Great Adventure series), we will journey not without their challenge. New through the timeline of the whole Bible, insights can be difficult to assimilate, stopping at selected texts along the way. but there is life-giving promise of This day will help participants get their growth through reflection and bearings and become more familiar and engaging in the group discussion. The confident with the Bible.

Old Testament is a lively story of a It will run from 9:00 am – 2:30 pm at 3 journey in faith of God’s chosen locations: Friday 24 July at The Entrance; people; it is also our story.

Saturday 25 July at the Caroline Chisholm An important aim of the course is to Centre; Monday 3 August at Manly Vale. give background and understanding All are warmly invited. Please visit to Jesus’ Jewish faith. The Old www.dbb.org.au/bible for more details, Testament is an integral part of our or contact 9847 0448.

Christian Scriptures; it has never been David Patterson, revoked (Catechism of the Catholic Adult Faith Formation, Diocese of Broken Church § 121). The Old Testament Bay “gives expression to a lively sense of

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Diocese of Broken Bay

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catechist spirituality

The Joy of the Gospel

part 5 of 7

EVANGELII GAUDIUM

APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION ON THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL IN TODAY’S WORLD Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of the Gospel!

The beautiful mystic Evelyn Underhill, wrote “The riches of the spiritual landscape are not disclosed to us in order that we may sit in the sun parlour, be grateful for the excellent hospitality, and contemplate the glorious view...Our place is not the auditorium but the stage of the world—or, as the case may be, the field, the workshop, the study, the laboratory—because we ourselves form part of the creative apparatus of God.”¹ Some 75 years later, Pope Francis cautions us of this ‘auditorium’, wound up in ‘spiritual worldliness’ which is robbing us of the gospel.

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Pope Francis describes spiritual worldliness as something which “hides behind the appearance of piety and even love for the Church,”² subtly seeking one’s “own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” (Phil 2:21) He explains how it can seep into “a purely subjective faith whose only interest is a certain experience or a set of ideas and bits of information which are meant to console and enlighten, but which ultimately keep one imprisoned in his or her own thoughts and feelings.”² Pope Francis goes on to explain how spiritual worldliness can ultimately seep into trusting one’s “own powers and feel superior to others because they observe certain rules or remain intransigently faithful to a particular Catholic style from the past, so instead of evangelising, one analyses and classifies others, and instead of opening the door to grace, one exhausts his or her energies in inspecting and verifying.”²

to manage practical affairs, or an obsession with programs of self-help and self-realization”² is not for God’s people. We may know of elitists who form “an ostentatious preoccupation for the liturgy, for doctrine and for the Church’s prestige”⁴ and on the outside, these facets may appear to be ‘the stage of the world’ as Underhill describes, but in all honesty these facets are self-indulgent, they are the ‘auditorium’ Underhill refers to serving only institutions, not God. Pope Francis describes this as “turning the life of the Church into a museum piece, without concern that the Gospel has a real impact on God’s faithful people and the concrete needs of the present time.”⁴ We are cautioned not to form our own spirituality as if we are above God, "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof,"(2 Tim #:5) but to ask God to “save us from a worldly Church with superficial spiritual and pastoral trappings!”⁵

We have probably all encountered those who want to be seen, in a “social life full of appearances, meetings, dinners … receptions.”² When the “business mentality…” is so “caught up with management, statistics, plans and evaluations”² in which fascinations “with social and political gain, or pride in one’s ability

To be molded or fashioned into what Underhill so eloquently describes as “part of the creative apparatus of God”¹, integral to the Church in the 21st Century, wherever we work, rest and play from Underhill’s ‘field, workshop, study or laboratory’, or Pope Francis’ reference to the Church being like “a field hospital”,

Term Three 2015

means being “bruised, hurting and dirty because it (the Church) has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security”³. Where “the mark of Christ, incarnate, crucified and risen, is not present”², we are asked to carry the cross, proclaiming a crucified Christ.

We are urged to constantly go out from ourselves, to be missionary, focused on Jesus, on commitment to the poor, cleaning, bandaging and healing wounds with invitations to the Gospel and sacraments of the Church. Pope Francis wrote,"so many people need their wounds healed!

This is the mission of the Church: to heal the wounds of the heart, to open doors, to free people, to say that God is good, God forgives all, God is the Father, God is affectionate, God always waits for us”.⁴ Let us not be robbed of the Gospel; let us partake in God’s mission, on Earth’s ‘stage’, in our world, in this our Diocese of Broken Bay, in our neighbourhoods, in our homes and above all in our hearts. Missionary to the core, inhaling the Holy Spirit to purify us from self-centeredness, so with each breath we are witnesses to the Gospel. For in the words of Pope Paul VI "Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to

catechist spirituality

teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses." ⁵ By returning to our Diocesan mission statement, let us live as willing witnesses to the gospel by –  Proclaiming…the Good News of Jesus in our words and actions  Responding personally…to God’s unique love for each of us  Loving each other…Living with each other in the love of Jesus  Celebrating…and sharing our Catholic faith and life experience  Educating…our people in our Catholic story and beliefs and their implications for our lives  Serving…each other, the community and all creation injustice and love  Seeking unity…with our fellow Christians and meaningful dialogue with people of all faiths.⁶ As Catechists, where is Underhill’s stage of the world for us today?

It is of course, the classroom, the children. But it is also our witness inside the school, to staff, to members of other faiths and denominations at the gate, at the sign in book or in discussions for upcoming combined services. It is in the preparation you do and afterwards the ‘good news’ stories that one focus’ on and tells others of.

That is evangelising! Always mindful of what Pope Francis calls pastoral and worldly trappings, catechists are challenged to become people of Christian hope in our classrooms, more often today filled with children in need of the New Evangelization.

We are called to embrace spiritual

practices that have been and still should be central to our Catholic identity, not seeing Church as a smorgasbord to pick and choose what suits. We are asked to moisturise our spirituality, to refresh it, bring it up to speed, so as to reflect within and on our rapidly changing world, with its’ abundant economic, scientific and technological advances.

I invite you now to stop for a moment, to take some time to nourish your heart, to open your door by opening the gospel to the blind man in John 9:1-41. To ponder the blind man’s extraordinary encounter, to stretch yourself to discover the paradox beneath; the “blind man…as the one who sees while the seeing ones are entombed in their own darkness” (be that, spiritual worldliness). To challenge yourself to really look and to ‘see’ God at work in our world today, little miracles every day, sharing life and light. The English poet William Blake wrote:-

and that “means our hearts must not just be on fire, but also enlightened by the fullness of revelation and by the path travelled by God’s word in the heart of the Church and our faithful people throughout history.

This Christian identity, as the baptismal embrace which the Father gave us when we were little ones, makes us desire, as prodigal children – and favourite children in Mary – yet another embrace, that of the merciful Father who awaits us in glory.

Helping our people to feel that they live in the midst of these two embraces is the difficult but beautiful task of one who preaches the Gospel.”³ As the early American writer, theologian Carl Frederick Buechner said “the children may not always remember what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel”. Wherever ‘the stage of the world’ is, be mindful of God’s presence there first, in creation, in all of life, in the joy, in the pain and in the struggles.

“To see the world in a grain of sand, And Heaven in a wild flower, Hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour”

To conclude, I wish to share with you a stanza from another Irish poet, John O’Donohue, unveiled to me by Sr Edith Prendergast at the opening ceremony at the RE Congress I attended in March in Los Angeles:

When we teach the children in our neighbouring State schools, we are called as Jesus’ disciples, as His witnesses, speaking from the heart

May you know that encouragement of the appreciative gaze May you have a mind that loves frontiers So that you can evoke the bright fields That lie beyond the view of the regular eye.

As catechists let us not be robbed of the gospel, let us not lose hope but seek beyond the view of the regular eye.

¹Evelyn Underhill, The Spiritual Life (Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse Publishers, 1937), 74. ²Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium. 24 Nov 2013, #93. #94 #95.#97 ³Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium. 24 Nov 2013, #49.#144 ⁴Pope Francis, Homily at Casa Santa Marta, Rome, www.romereports.com, <2nd May, 2015>. ⁵Pope Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi. 8 December 1975, #67. ⁶Diocese of Broken Bay: Our vision and mission, www.dbb.org.au, <15th June, 2015>.

Jennifer Skelly Regional Support Coordinator, CCD

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Diocese of Broken Bay

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technology in the classroom

Online Training Update The topic on Child Protection Training has proven to be the most accessed session on the CCRESS online training site since it started at the beginning of Term 2 this year. The next most popular session has been The SRE Teacher in the Parish and School followed closely by Introduction to the Bible.

Despite some minor technical glitches at the start, the overall feedback from catechists has been very complimentary and the number of requests for access to online training is growing steadily each week.

Remember that all new catechists are required to complete the CCD Ministry Induction training which is made up of seven topics including the three mentioned above plus The Mission and Ministry of the Catechist; Development of the Child and Adolescent; Classroom

Skills: Behaviour Management.

Catechists may enrol for all these sessions online or attending group face to face sessions when scheduled at different times of the year. The topic entitled: Using an Authorised Curriculum for Planning has to be attended in person with a face to face group regardless of completing it on line.

A few CCD Parish Coordinators with many years of training and formation behind them have registered to trial the online training site in order to undertake

Smar tboard USB version 3.1 How do SRE teachers benefit from the integration of technology into all aspects of their role and enhance the learning experience of children and young people?

The 21st century teacher of religious education has a vision for technology as a motivator and enabler for developing learning skills in SRE. They see technology as one tool among many, but increasingly at the hub of 21st century learning.

Some of the feedback during training sessions for Using Interactive Whiteboard Resources this year has been very positive and supportive. Catechists have indicated an excitement and enthusiasm about the latest version of the USB because of the ease of a user friendly index to locate an SRE resource by year, unit and lesson number. This makes it quicker to navigate between contents in the decision to choose whether to use a particular resource, activity, music etc. or not. This depends on what the catechist considers fitting for that lesson and makes allowance for the variation in teaching techniques/styles. This can enhance teaching and learning by using a range of technologies to cater for different learning styles of students.

When deciding to use different resources, keep in mind that today’s students pay greater attention to audio/visual techniques that assist in the elements of the learning process used in the Walking with Jesus Pathways of Discipleship

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some sessions and recommend it to catechists in their parish. They sought the advantage of having “hands on” experience before endorsing it to others, especially those catechists with little or no familiarity with internet access who needed support with the program.

Anyone wishing to explore the opportunities of doing the same need only contact Joe Pulis on 98470228 or joe.pulis@dbb.org.au

curriculum. You may remember the 6 Rs from the Teaching for Discipleship section at the introduction of each year’s Teachers’ Manual: RECOGNISE students’ life experiences of the topic or issue RELATE the Christian Story (Sacred Scripture) RESPECT the Christian/Catholic Vision (Tradition and Teaching) REFLECT upon one’s life experience and/or Church’s Story and Vision RESPONDing as a disciple is the challenge to students REJOICE in a celebration worship often linked to other elements The USB resources assist in holding the attention span of students to think with pictures and videos to heighten the above components.

These resources are not designed to replace the SRE teacher or the Teacher’s Manual nor the God given gifts of each individual. They are intended to extend these skills and compliment what each catechist brings to help the children and their families experience a deeper relationship with Christ.

ideas for the

secondary classroom

Breaking Open the Word with Secondary Students (Charpentier’s Method) This process is an ideal method for students to learn and to employ when studying a passage of Scripture that is integral to their current unit of work. It will open the Scriptures allowing them to be applied to their own lives, as well as developing a skill which will be valuable in their own “prayer tool kit” assisting them throughout their lives.

Jesus is Questioned about Fasting (Matt 9:14 – 17) John’s disciples came and asked Jesus, “How is that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”

Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast.” “No one sews a patch of unshrunken cloth on an old garment, making the tear worse. Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

Step 1: Read the Passage. When you read the passage, note your reactions.

What do you find puzzling or unusual? Is there something you find attractive or comforting?

What I find interesting in this passage is that Jesus does not answer John’s disciples directly. He in fact replies with another question. He gets them to reflect. He then uses every day examples of tasks with which those asking the question would be familiar. Even today, if we are patching a beloved shirt or skirt, the person mending would be sure that the patch would be a material that would not shrink when washed.

Step 2: Study The Passage More Closely. Ask the students what do they see as happening and who is active?

Help them to identify the attitude that Jesus or God is portrayed as having and any changes that have occurred between the beginning and the end of the passage?

In this passage, John’s disciples set the scene but then we hear no more of them. Jesus answers the question and we are left to imagine them pondering the response or wandering away shaking their heads, not understanding what they hear. Jesus plays the main role in this passage.

Jesus is shown to be concerned with the old and the new. This Gospel was formed during the time of persecution of those who followed Jesus’ way and those who stayed faithful to the Jewish way. Jesus is portrayed as not wanting to cause further troubles but rather respect for the old and the new.

Step 3: Who, or what, brings about the change? To break open the meaning of the Scriptures with the students, you, the teacher, need to consider what went on before this particular passage and have the students discover this too.

If you go back to Chapter 3 of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus has been baptised by John and then disappears into the wilderness. Now he reappears and begins teaching. This section is part of the Sermon on the Mount. John’s disciples would undoubtedly be curious about Jesus and this maybe the first chance they have to speak with him.

His response to John’s disciples is typical of the Jewish way of teaching, answering a question with a wisdom that requires reflection. Matthew has told the audience that Jesus is the wise teacher, the rabbi. At this point, you may like to consult a commentary on Matthew’s Gospel.

Step 4: Read the passage again as the living Word of God. When you and your students have gained as much as you can from the reading and the study of the text, it is time to take this to prayer and reflection. To start this, it is advisable to have the students gather around the sacred space if possible, and to allow themselves to become still, as they listen to some quiet music or a simple mantra or chant. The following questions would be suitable for the students’ reflection: What does it say to you today? How does it challenge your living of your faith? How does it help you live? At this point the students would be encouraged to journal their answers and if it is appropriate, share them with the class.

Michael Tebbutt, Senior Regional Coordinator, CCD Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Diocese of Broken Bay

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ideas for the primary classroom

BIBLE SUNDAY PUZZLE Sunday 26 July 2015

WHEN WAS BASEBALL FIRST PLAYED IN THE BIBLE?

Complete the puzzle and read down the highlighted column to find the answer.

ANSWER:

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Clues

1. The people Isaac went to (Gen 26:1) 2. What came after evening? (Gen 1:5) 3. Where was Jacob asked to go? (Gen 35:1) 4. The fourth river (Gen 2:14) 5. The name of Isaac’s wife (Gen 24:15) 6. Who did God say would have many descendants? (Gen 17:9) 7. Where was Joseph in this passage? (Gen 39:20) 8. There was only one of these in all the earth (Gen 11:1) 9. The name of Abraham’s son (Gen 21:3) 10. Abraham was the father of many of these (Gen 17:5) 11. Which day did God bless? (Gen 2:3) 12. The name of Rachel’s son (Gen 35:18) 13. The river named in this passage (Gen 41:1) 14. Where Abraham went because of the famine (Gen 12:10)

This puzzle uses the book of Genesis.

Artwork: www.phillipmartin.info 10

Term Three 2015

bibles for everyone

The Bible

July 26 is Bible Sunday, an opportunity to place a special focus on the Bible. Whilst Scripture underpins the whole curriculum, some ideas for celebrating this occasion in the classroom include: Creating a sacred space for the Bible, with cloth, candles Using drama to act out a scripture story Retelling the story using a felt board and pieces Using the Bible Sunday word puzzle (included with Connections) The David Walker Library on Level 4 at the Caroline Chisholm Centre has many resources, including felt boards / pieces, big books of biblical stories, large laminated maps, as well as the extra-large book “The Bible - God's Great Book of Books” which can provide a colourful and engaging focus for biblical teaching.

Biblical resources are also available at the two Central Coast regional resource centres at The Entrance and Gosford.

The Diocese of Broken Bay subsidises a number of Bibles as part of the Fr Harry David estate which are suitable for use in the classroom:

The Encyclopaedia Bible includes 232 pages of full-colour Biblical information including pictures, charts and maps which can be useful to the catechist or Secondary student.

For the catechist, a Study Bible is also offered, which includes additional notes and references on every page.

A number of parishes give their Year 6 students a Bible as a gift at the end of the year. This is wonderful gesture, in a practical way, of indicating to students that they now take the Bible and their faith with them into the rest of their lives. The Catholic Gift Bible is an optimal low-cost choice, at only $10. Please order these early to ensure that Term Four 2015 the quantity required will be Week 1 (4 October) available. Bibles Ordinary Time come in a black or Week 2 (11 October) white cover.

Ordinary Time Week 3 (18 October) Ordinary Time

Mission Sunday

The Holy Bible is a complete Bible, translated using easier language for children. It contains colour picture panels, and is especially suited to Primary school.

Week 4 (25 October) Ordinary Time Week 5 (1 November)

1 Nov—All Saints’ Day 2 Nov—All Souls’ Day Week 6 (8 November) Ordinary Time

The Children’s Illustrated Bible includes dynamic retellings of Bible stories with full colour pictures on each page, as well as additional snippets of information that add interest and aid understanding.

Week 7 (15 November) Ordinary Time Week 8 (22 November)

Christ the King

Week 9 (29 November) First Sunday of Advent

New Liturgical Year begins: Sunday cycle C, weekday cycle 2 Week 10 (6 December) Second Sunday of Advent

All Bible orders can be placed with Dina Leverett on 9847 0442 or dina.leverett@dbb.org.au.

Week 11 (13 December) Third Sunday of Advent

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Diocese of Broken Bay

11

notices and directory

Training & Formation Courses Term 3 & 4, 2015 Course Type

Location

Level 3

Terrey Hills (MWP/NSH)

Level 3

The Entrance (CC)

Date

Time

7, 14, 21 & 28 August; 4, 11 & 18 September; 16, 23 & 30 October (Fridays) 10, 17, 24 & 31 August; 7 & 14 September; 19&26 October; 2 & 9 November (Mondays)

9:30am – 2:30pm (7 Aug & 30 Oct only) 12:30pm – 2:30pm (all other dates) 9:30am – 2:30pm (10 Aug & 9 Nov only) 12:30pm – 2:30pm (all other dates)

14, 21 & 28 October 4, 11, 18 & 25 November (Wednesdays)

CCDMI

TBA (MWP)

CCDMI

Pennant Hills (NSH)

CCDMI

The Entrance (CC)

20 & 27 October 10, 17 & 24 November; 1 & 8 December (Tuesdays) 23 & 30 October; 6 & 13 November (Fridays)

Register by

Phone

Fri 31 July

9847 0448

Mon 3 August

4332 9825

Wed 7 Oct

9847 0448

TBA

7:00pm – 9:00pm

Tues 13 Oct

9:30am – 2:30pm (concludes at 12:00pm on 13 Nov)

Fri 16 Oct

9847 0448

4332 9825

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

Call: 9847 0448 or 4332 9825 or Email: registrations@dbb.org.au

CCD L3 “The Writings of St Paul” August - November 2015 2015 courses held in Terrey Hills and The Entrance

CCD DIRECTORY Current as of June 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 4, 2015 issue is 4 September 2015 Director - PSU Carole Gan Phone: (02) 9847 0560

12

Term Three 2015

Joe Pulis - (02) 9847 0228 E: joe.pulis@dbb.org.au Jennifer Skelly - (02) 9847 0488 E-mail: jennifer.skelly@dbb.org.au