2016 Connections Term 2

Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay

Connections

Seek Unity • Educate • Proclaim • Celebrate • Serve • Respond Personally • Love Each Other

CCD Newsletter Term 2, 2016 Vol 21 Issue 2

Our Lady of the Rosary Church, The Entrance Parish Holy Door.

Artist - Michael de la Motte

Receive the Holy Spirit

Inside this Edition:

From the Director of the Office for Evangelisation The Spirit of Pentecost for secondary students Term 2 Training and Formation Mary: Mother and Disciple

Page 2 Page 4 & 5 Page 6 & 7 Page 11

Special Religious Education Ask Someone to Volunteer Today!

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Seek Unity - Educate - Proclaim - Celebrate - Serve - Respond Personally - Love Each Other

CCD Newsletter Term 2, 2016 Vol 21 Issue 2

Page 1

Director, Office for Evangelisation - Daniel Ang

Mary, Disciple and Symbol of the Church In the past weeks it has been a great joy to meet many parish coordinators and catechists across the Diocese as the work of the Office for Evangelisation ‘goes forth’ in the spirit of Pope Francis. As Christians and catechists the month of May brings our collective focus to the person of Mary, the mother of God, as well as the beginnings of the Church at Pentecost which we celebrate on the 15th May. Through the eyes of faith we can recognise a significant and intimate connection between Mary and the Church which can inspire our work in Special Religious Education.

Firstly, in the example of Mary the whole Church is called forth to ‘give birth’ to Christ in the world. It does so, as the Second Vatican Council notes, through receiving the word of God faithfully, “The Church . . . by receiving the word of God in faith becomes herself a mother” (Lumen Gentium 64). We receive this living Word and are compelled to share it with others, making Christ known and ‘doing whatever he tells us’ as Mary herself invites us (Jn 2:5).

As well, Mary models the way of holiness for all Christians by her receptivity to the working of divine grace in her life. She bears fruit not out of her own resources but on account of her docility to the Holy Spirit, on account of the gift of God alone who gives life.

This receptivity and holiness of Mary calls the community of disciples, the Church, each of us, to allow the Spirit to bring about real fruit in our lives and ministry. In this way the motherhood of Mary anticipates and models our bringing forth of Christ in the Spirit for the joy of others, the very goal of our work as teachers and witnesses of the faith.

both Mary and the Church produce a multitude of the faithful unified in the one body of Christ. As the French theologian Henri de Lubac SJ observed some generations ago, “though the Church bears multitudes, she makes of all her children the members of one body and that similarly, just as our Lady became the mother of many through the birth of One, so also the Church, by bringing to birth many, becomes the ‘mother of unity’ (De Lubac, The Splendor of the Church, 325). In our outreach to the baptised in our schools as well as parishes, we build up the body of Christ in its variety and difference and in the unity of the one Catholic faith.

Receiving and sharing the word of God, the call to holiness and the cultivation of an abundant and catholic unity are the foundations of our work as catechists of the Diocese of Broken Bay. May the person of Mary and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost inspire our courage and faithfulness as we proclaim the Gospel, the Good News, as disciples of Mary’s Son. With every good wish,

Daniel Ang Director, Office for Evangelisation Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay Email: evangelisation@dbb.org.au

Also relevant to our work as catechists is this perspective – through their motherhood and fruitfulness,

Bishop’s Art Prize 2016

Post Cards will be available to distribute to students outlining details of the competition soon.

For Futher information contact: Sharon da Roza on 02 9847 0492 or Your Parish Coordinator for full details.

L ETS

GET CREATIVE

Seek Unity - Educate - Proclaim - Celebrate - Serve - Respond Personally - Love Each Other

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CCD Newsletter Term 2, 2016 Vol 21 Issue 2

CCD Diocesan Coordinator - Alison Newell

Called to Ministry Recruiting Volunteers for SRE

Easter Greetings to you and your families. May your homes and classrooms be filled with the joy of the risen Christ! Term 1 is always a very busy one as we welcome and train new volunteers into the ministry of Special Religious Education.

Training was well attended across all three regions of the Diocese during the first term. Just after Easter we held our annual training and formation day for the wonderful group of people who coordinate the ministry at a local parish level.

The CCD Parish Coordinators Day this year focused on Recruitment, Training and Retention of Volunteers.

Recruitment is an ongoing component of any voluntary organisation and is certainly the case in our ministry.

Thousands of volunteers have served as catechists in the Diocese of Broken Bay since its inception 30 years ago.

The main quality that catechists bring to this ministry is the desire to share their faith with others. Catechists can’t help themselves. They simply must spread the Good News.

Inspired by their Baptismal call to holiness many respond to the call with joy, knowing that the Holy Spirit will guide them and often with some trepidation, unsure of their ability to carry out the work.

I would like to suggest that recruitment of catechists is a shared responsibility in parishes. It is not simply the Parish Priest and the Parish Coordinator who recruit. Every person in the CCD community at a parish level, whether a catechist in the classroom, a prayer partner or a parent of a student in a public school, can play a part in the recruitment of catechists.

Prayer is vital for the success of any ministry and so is the personal approach.

When we recruit people for ministry, it is important that we invite them to join a vibrant and energetic community within the parish. My experience of working with catechists is that they are happy and committed to the work of teaching SRE in the local schools of their parishes. This is the face of the ministry that we should be sharing with others in order to invite more volunteers to join the ranks. People often volunteer in order to give something back to the community, in this case the Catholic community that has nurtured their faith over a lifetime. New volunteers may also be looking for what the ministry has to offer them. As well as discovering their own self-worth, many find much more when they join a group of like-minded people who love their faith. It is vital that we invite them into something that is life-giving for both the children and themselves.

Research has shown that the number one reason people volunteer is because “someone asked me!”. So I encourage you all to ask, ask, ask!! Simply providing written information or telling people about volunteering for the SRE ministry is not asking them, it is informing them. Whilst this is important, be confident about asking others to join the ministry. There is no substitute for asking the direct question.

‘Would you like to volunteer to help teach religion to Catholic

children in public schools?

The CCD training program is designed to provide skills and confidence to people, both initially and ongoing.

Volunteers in all walks of life need and deserve quality training to support them in their voluntary roles. Journeying together in a training program with other people of faith might be a huge attraction to many who come forward. Faceto-face training invites people to become part of a small faith learning community. It provides the opportunity for people to grow in their knowledge and understanding of their faith and empowers them with the tools they need to be the best they can be in ministry. Training provides knowledge and confidence and may well awaken a gift that has laid dormant for many years.

When recruiting, never approach people with the ‘we are desperate’ plea!! We don’t want people joining this ministry

The number one reason people volunteer is because “someone asked me!” out of desperation. If we make SRE sound like a chore that needs to be completed rather than a vibrant, formative experience for both children and catechists, we could risk giving the wrong impression to prospective and new recruits.

It actually could drive them away. Be positive! This is a wonderful ministry; we want our prospective and new recruits to sense this from the way we behave.

Remember to ask, ask, ask. If someone says they are not able to help “at the moment”, don’t be afraid to ask again in the future. They may well be waiting for you to do so.

People of all ages have become catechists in your parish because someone asked them. Young parents, retirees, university students and working people of all ages. Some people work full time, but organise with their employer to have time off to attend their SRE class. Busy people may be involved in other voluntary organisations. Most volunteers actually provide their services to more than one organisation or ministry. Try to avoid making decisions for people. Let them speak for themselves. We never know who God is calling to this ministry. If you decide someone is too busy to ask, that person may not hear God’s call.

Remember the number one reason people volunteer is because someone asked them. So, my challenge to you is to ask yourself “Who can I ask?”

I wish you a happy and joyful time in the SRE classroom during Term 2. As always, my prayers go with you.

Alison

Seek Unity - Educate - Proclaim - Celebrate - Serve - Respond Personally - Love Each Other

CCD Newsletter Term 2, 2016 Vol 21 Issue 2

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The Spirit of Pentecost for Secondary Students

The Gifts and Fruits of the Spirit

This article looks at some teaching strategies that will enable the students to realise how the Holy Spirit is alive in the world and in their lives today. In particular, the gifts and the fruits of the Spirit will be explored.

We first hear of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in Isaiah, when Isaiah is proclaiming the coming Messiah: “But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord” (Is 11:1-3).

These are truly gifts because the Holy Spirit gives them to us. They are not for use only in an emergency but rather, these gifts are present to the person as long as he/she remains in a state of sanctifying grace. We first receive them at our Baptism and are especially brought to fullness at our Confirmation.

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are gifts which are necessary for our salvation, remembering that in the foretelling of the Messiah, Isaiah attributed to the Christ these gifts.

Therefore, each baptized and confirmed person needs to pray that the Holy Spirit keeps these gifts alive in his or her heart.

There is a second group of gifts from the Holy Spirit.

These are known as the Charismatic Gifts or as the manifestations of the Spirit. We learn of these gifts in

1 Cor 12:8–11. The Spirit gives one person a message full of wisdom, while to another person, the same Spirit gives a message full of knowledge. One and the same Spirit gives faith to one person. While to another he gives the power to heal. The Spirit gives one the power to work miracles; to another the gift of God’s message; and to yet another the ability to tell the difference between gifts that come from the Spirit and those that do not. To one person he gives the ability to speak in strange tongues and to another the ability to interpret what is said. But it is one and the same Spirit who does all this; as he wishes, he gives a different gift to each person.

These gifts were common in the early communities of the Church and were very useful in strengthening the faith of the believers. The teaching strategies suggested will not be dealing with these gifts but only with those we all receive through the Sacraments.

The Fruits of the Spirit are observable behaviours in a person who lives in a state of grace and allows the Holy Spirit to be his or her guide. These fruits include: Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Modesty, SelfControl, Chastity. These fruits are neither habits nor permanent qualities but they are acts which are carried out “joyfully and with peace of the soul.” (St Thomas, 1 11.7.2)

The Gifts of the Spirit EFFECT

GIFT The Gift of Wisdom

The Gift of Understanding The Gift of Counsel The Gift of Fortitude The Gift of Knowledge The Gift of Piety The Gift of Fear

•

• Courage to overcome the obstacles arising in the practice of our religious duties.

• Enables us to see and choose correctly • Makes us relish and love only the things of heaven.

• Helps us to grasp the truths of religion • Makes us joyfully undertake serving God. • Fills us with a sovereign respect for God • Points out to us the path to follow to reach heaven.

In the above table, the gift in the left column needs to be matched with its effect in the right with a connecting line.

Seek Unity - Educate - Proclaim - Celebrate - Serve - Respond Personally - Love Each Other

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CCD Newsletter Term 2, 2016 Vol 21 Issue 2

The Spirit of Pentecost for Secondary Students

The Fruits of the Spirit

Have the students read Matthew 7:17 – 20 A Tree and its Fruit. Discuss the meaning of this passage in light of the definition of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit and then complete these sentences by writing the correct word to complete each sentence.

This is the deep and constant gladness in the Lord that circumstances cannot destroy. It comes from a good relationship with God and others.

J__ A disciple faithful to God’s will is serene, not overly anxious or upset. This comes from knowing God is with us.

P____ We are confronted with difficulties on a daily basis. Someone who has this fruit can endure difficulties and routine. It means not giving up in difficult situations.

P_______ This fruit helps you to reachout to others in love, who need your help.

C______ This Fruit of the Holy Spirit flows from God’s great love. It is a sign that you love all people without exception and do good to them.

G_______ When you act in this way, you meet the needs of others even if it means sacrificing something of your own.

G_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ With this Fruit of the Spirit, you can be in charge of your emotions and desires instead of the other way around.

S_ _ _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ These are people who are compassionate and considerate and try to see the best in others. They have the fruit of

K_ _ _ _ _ _ _.

When you keep your promises and are loyal to God and to those whom you love and care for, you have the fruit of

F_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ When you employ this fruit, you give credit to God for your talents and successes.

M_ _ _ _ _ _ A person filled with this fruit is strong but peaceful and gracious and has the power to forgive instead of being angry.

G_________ This fruit helps you regard your own body and those of others as temple of the Holy Spirit C_ _ _ _ _ _ _

Word Bank:

Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Modesty, Self-Control, Chastity

Seek Unity - Educate - Proclaim - Celebrate - Serve - Respond Personally - Love Each Other

CCD Newsletter Term 2, 2016 Vol 21 Issue 2

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Training and Formation CCD Ministry Course Level 2 - North Shore Hornsby Region St Gerard Majella Parish, Carlingford 7:00pm - 9:00pm (One Session Per Date) Wednesday 27/4/2016 Catechist Spirituality Wednesday 04/5/2016 Vatican II and Renewal in the Church Wednesday 11/5/2016 The Development of the Child and Adolescent II Wednesday 18/5/2016 Sacraments of Initiation Wednesday 25/5/2016 Tools for Catechesis - Catechism & General Directory for Catechesis Wednesday 01/6/2016 Natural World and Religion Wednesday 08/6/2016 The Old Testament: Exodus, Sinai Wednesday 15/6/2016 The History of Liturgy Wednesday 22/6/2016 The New Testament: Jesus and the New Covenant Wednesday 29/6/2016 Catholic Social Teaching Wednesday 20/7/2016 Interfaith Dialogue & Ecumenism Wednesday 27/7/2016 Australian Perspective on World Religions

CCD Ministry Course Level 2 - Manly Warringah Peninsular Region Frenchs Forest Parish, Forestville 9:30am - 2:30pm (Two Sessions Per Date) Friday 20/5/2016

Catechist Spirituality Vatican II and Renewal in the Church

Friday 27/5/2016 The Development of the Child and Adolescent II Sacraments of Initiation Friday 03/6/2016

Tools for Catechesis - Catechism & General Directory for Catechesis Natural World and Religion

Friday 10/6/2016

The Old Testament: Exodus, Sinai The History of Liturgy

Friday 17/6/2016 The New Testament: Jesus and the New Covenant Catholic Social Teaching Friday 24/6/2016

Interfaith Dialogue & Ecumenism Australian Perspective on World Religions

CCD Ministry Course Level 2 - Central Coast Region CCD Regional Office, The Entrance 9:30am - 2:30pm (Two Sessions Per Date) Friday13/5/2016

Catechist Spirituality Vatican II and Renewal in the Church

Friday20/5/2016 The Development of the Child and Adolescent II Sacraments of Initiation Friday 27/5/2016

Tools for Catechesis - Catechism & General Directory for Catechesis Natural World and Religion

Friday 03/6/2016

The Old Testament: Exodus, Sinai The History of Liturgy

Friday 10/6/2016 The New Testament: Jesus and the New Covenant Catholic Social Teaching Friday 17/6/2016

Interfaith Dialogue & Ecumenism Australian Perspective on World Religions

Seek Unity - Educate - Proclaim - Celebrate - Serve - Respond Personally - Love Each Other

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CCD Newsletter Term 2, 2016 Vol 21 Issue 2

Cath

Training and Formation Muisc in the SRE Classroom: Presented by Andrew Chinn Friday 6/5/2016

9:30am - 2:30pm

Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, The Entrance

CCD Child Protection & Integrity in Service of the Church Workshop Saturday 14/5/2016

10:00am - 12:30pm

Caroline Chisholm Centre, Pennant Hills

Registration is essential to ensure adequate resources and seating are available.

Please assist us in our planning by registering no later than 4 working days prior to the advertised training date: Colleen Smith or Leanne McGill: ph: 02 9847 0448 ph: 02 4332 9825 or email: registrations@dbb.org.au All Training is offered at no cost to the participant.

Please contact your regional office for any training enquires Catholic Life & Faith Formation - ENCOUNTER 2016 Catechists who attend one or more sessions of the Encounter Short Formation Course will receive credits towards the CCD Level 2 training course. See flyer with this edition of Connections for full details of Encounter courses.

Enquiries to Alison Newell alison.newell@dbb.org.au

catholic life & faith formation

ENCOUNTER Short Formation Courses 2016 Catholic Life & Faith Formation, a ministry of the Office for Evangelisation, is delighted to offer a series of catechetical and spiritual short courses throughout the Diocese of Broken Bay to support the mission of evangelisation in our parishes, faith communities and our personal lives. called and chosen: our Baptismal mission 5 & 12 April Pennant Hills; 15 & 22 April The Entrance; 21 & 28 April Manly Vale Presenter: Rev Dr John Frauenfelder

the christian life: morality, relationships & faith 3 August The Entrance; 10 August Waitara Presenters: Dr Dan Fleming & Dr Nigel Zimmermann

evangelising Parishes 18 May Pennant Hills; 24 May Manly Vale; 26 May South Kincumber Presenters: Mr Daniel Ang & Mr David Patterson

christian Spirituality: awakening the Deep 20 October Forestville; 27 October South Kincumber; 28 October Wahroonga Presenter:Very Rev Dr David Ranson VG

Jesus the christ 7 July The Entrance; 8 July Waitara Presenter: Most Rev Dr Peter A Comensoli Please visit www.dbb.org.au for further details, or register at registrations@dbb.org.au or 9847 0448 / 4332 9825.

Enquiries: David Patterson david.patterson@dbb.org.au 9847 0514

Reminder: 2016 Service Award Applications will be closing on Friday 27th May 2016 Seek Unity - Educate - Proclaim - Celebrate - Serve - Respond Personally - Love Each Other

CCD Newsletter Term 2, 2016 Vol 21 Issue 2

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CCD Training - Joe Pulis

Quality Teaching Skills

To provide Special Religious Education (SRE) Teachers (catechists) with the greatest chance of success in their chosen ministry, they need to have completed a CCD Ministry Induction program that provides them with knowledge, experience and guidance. When this does not happen, we not only risk SRE Teachers leaving the ministry quickly, but more importantly, we risk the faith education of entire classes of students.

Ministry Induction Training helps prepare SRE Teachers for the challenges they might face in the classroom.

While teacher training and student teaching experience won’t completely prepare new teachers for every issue they will face, it can help them feel more confident about many common problems that arise for teachers each week in their SRE class.

Effective CCD training programs will address the concerns associated with “not being a trained teacher” and the embarrassment of “I haven’t attended any courses since I left school”. Teacher training programs that focus on particular subject areas such as classroom management and lesson planning can help teachers learn about different ways in which student’s interest and attention can be effectively engaged and how the subject matter can be presented.

New SRE Teachers might present lessons in a way that may not lead to the results they were expecting.

However, teacher training programs can help new teachers understand how to find and apply effective expectations for student achievement.

When it comes to teaching SRE, reading a book is not enough. Even hearing experienced SRE teachers talk about teaching methods is not enough. New teachers need practice teaching, combined with effective mentoring in order to help them understand what is required from them in their new position. This happens through new SRE Teachers initially being placed as assistants (helpers) in the classroom setting. However, it is imperative that new SRE Teachers are placed in appropriate classes that meet their interests. Further experienced SRE teachers should be involved and provide feedback each week to help new teachers learn.

Teachers without training often try things that do not work in the classroom. This experimenting comes at a cost in terms of student learning. As most experienced teachers know, it is very easy to lose your students at the beginning of a term. If you do not exhibit competence, fairness and consistency from the beginning, you risk losing respect and interest. The ultimate cost of this failure is in what the student will not achieve in learning about our faith. Training will equip them with successful teaching strategies and ideas.

Recruiting the Right People: Attracting the right people to teach SRE is essential. The focus should always be on the suitability of volunteers to work with children in the state school classrooms. It has been discovered while training SRE Teachers that not everyone is suited to the Ministry and it might be better for some to seek other ways of fulfilling their Baptismal call.

Preparing SRE Teachers with the Right Skills: New teachers can develop skills to provide quality teaching methods for use in the classroom. A lack of training might leave teachers without the core subject knowledge and pedagogical skills to deliver the best possible Religious Education for every child. The minimum level of teacher training required for SRE teachers is the current CCD Ministry Induction (CCDMI) Course provided by CCD in the Diocese of Broken Bay. The course covers the mission and ministry of the SRE Teacher, classroom management, child protection, child/adolescent development, the Scriptures, lesson planning and knowledge about SRE in State schools.

CCD Ministry Training and Formation Program: This comprises a three level Certificate Course designed to assist the SRE Teacher in the development of the knowledge, skills and understanding required to teach SRE in government schools in the diocese. Level One which includes the CCDMI is entitled ‘Tools for Ministry’ and consists of fourteen 2-hour units. Level Two entitled ‘Church in the Third Millennium’ and Level Three entitled ‘Faith in Ministry’ consists of twelve 2-hour units. A certificate is awarded on successful completion of Levels One and Two and a Diploma on the completion of Level Three.

Department of Education Requirements: From 2014 the NSW Department of Education requires that all SRE Teachers undertake accredited initial and ongoing training in Child Protection and Classroom Management. In-services are offered to help the SRE

Seek Unity - Educate - Proclaim - Celebrate - Serve - Respond Personally - Love Each Other

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CCD Newsletter Term 2, 2016 Vol 21 Issue 2

CCD Training - Joe Pulis

Teacher in specific skills. Details regarding training and faith formation dates can be obtained from your Parish Catechist Co-ordinator or, for more information visit the diocesan website and search for Upcoming Events under www.dbb.org.au/ccd Motivating Teachers to do their job effectively: Attracting suitable SRE Teachers happens through creative recruitment in parishes. Feedback from various parish recruitment drives has indicated that prospective volunteers are not motivated by lisenting to imploring appeals to fill gaps in state school SRE classes. Parishes have reported successful recruitment drives when the emphasis is about “what the CCD Ministry can do for me”. This more positive approach of learning about and being formed in one’s faith because of the training and experience provided has proven to be far more effective. These factors are important in sustaining SRE teachers’ professional identities, their volunteering satisfaction, and commitment to their faith.

Modes of Training: Online training for CCD Ministry Induction has been highly promoted lately and the number of registered online users has exceeded all expectations. This is attractive and useful for those who are time poor and have work and family commitments. Feedback from some online learners who have also attended face to

face sessions has highlighted a preference for the face to face model or a combination of online and face to face.

The main reason for this is that the face to face model provides the opportunity to share ideas, questions and discussions about the topic with the trainer and other teachers attending the course.

Through the enduring fulfilment which volunteering can bring, the CCD ministry brings likeminded people together to share their faith, skills, expertise and knowledge. It is well placed to be at the forefront of spreading the good news to Catholic children in our state schools. The goal of quality faith education for all our children is achievable but the parish members and faith communities can only do this by working positively together and encouraging the training freely provided by the Diocese of Broken Bay. Some CCD Parish Coordinators advise a potential SRE Teacher to attend a training course topic (e.g. Mission and Ministry) to help decide if the CCD Ministry is the one she or he wishes to pursue. Training can be used as a useful recruitment resource.

There is more information within this publication about offers for short catechetical and spiritual formation opportunities to support the mission of evangelisation in our parishes, faith communities and our personal lives. We look forward to welcoming you at one of the upcoming CCD Courses and/or ENCOUNTER formation courses in our Diocese.

From the Classroom

Easter Celebrations at Kincumber Parish State Schools.

This year the Catholic SRE classes at our 5 state schools in our parish put on the Easter Combined Christian Ceremony.

With the help of Michael Tebbutt from the CCD Regional Office we were given a working script for the children to act out the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. The actors were picked from Year 4, 5 and 6 to act out the play which began with Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey

(wooden one supplied by the CCD centre) to the Last Supper (which the children really threw themselves into, even to the point of always consuming the bread), the arrest of Jesus in the garden and the death of Jesus on the cross (the cross supplied by our parish church), and the rising from the dead.

The play was interspersed with songs from the WWJ year 4 and year 6 CD, which the children sang along with as the words were on the screen and we had also organised actions to go along with each song. The service finished with some prayers of the faithful being recited which we asked one of the joint denominational SRE teachers to read and a wonderful Alleluia song to end on a high.

The children really seemed to enjoy it and get involved with singing and actions and enjoy their involvement in the story of Easter.

Sarah Singleton (Kincumber Catechist) Ann Cartwright (Kincumber Catechist Co-Ordinator).

Seek Unity - Educate - Proclaim - Celebrate - Serve - Respond Personally - Love Each Other

CCD Newsletter Term 2, 2016 Vol 21 Issue 2

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Mary: Mother and Disciple - Michael Tebbutt

Mary: Mother and Disciple

she informs Jesus that the wine has run out. To our ears, Jesus’ reply may sound a little curt yet in spite of His time not having yet arrived, Mary faithfully turns to the servants and tells them to do as He says. (Jn 2:5) May is Mary’s month and is also the month in which we remember our mothers for the love and care that they lavish This can be seen as another example of Mary’s trust in God. on their children. Mary, the Mother of God, is the example It is in this way that we are called to live our lives – trusting held up to us as the pinnacle of motherhood and discipleship. God in all things.

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church Mary has the dual Mary’s trust and faithfulness of course, were tested ultimately at the passion and death of her Son. (Jn 19:25 – 27) Jesus title as the Mother of Christ and the Mother of the Church. gave the beloved disciple to Mary as son and to the disciple, In the Gospels, Mary is acknowledged as the mother of Jesus. Mary as Mother.

At the Annunciation, the Angel Gabriel greats her, saying, And after Jesus resurrection, Mary was there. She did not “Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with you.” Her disappear into the back ground, hidden away by John who kinswoman, Elizabeth greets her as ‘the mother of my Lord’. had been charged with her care. Luke writes in The Acts (Lk 1:28) of the Apostles how Mary was there at the beginning of the Mary’s faith in God enabled her to become the mother of Church in the days leading up to the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus. Mary responded in faith, certain that nothing is Mary gathered frequently in Jerusalem with the apostles impossible for God. and the women to pray and to discern the meaning of these Because Mary was totally faithful to the will of the Father and events and undoubtedly all that had happened, while they to the saving work of her Son, as well as being totally in tune awaited the descent of the Holy Spirit at the Jewish festival of with the promptings of the Holy Spirit, Mary is acclaimed as Pentecost or Shavuot. This feast celebrated Moses receiving the Law on Mt Sinai. the model of faith that we, the Church, all strive to be.

In this setting, we see Mary being mother to the infant church, praying for the outpouring of the gifts on all those who have followed her Son. Mary the faithful disciple and the ever attentive mother seen here is today still held up to us for us to imitate, not in the way she lived 2000 years ago but in how she had absolute trust in God: Father, Son and Spirit.

Mary is our challenge. We are called to be faithful as Mary was faithful; to be attentive to the needs of our family, friends “Thus she is a “pre-eminent and . . . wholly unique member and all our neighbours as Mary was attentive. Let us keep in of the Church”; indeed, she is the “exemplary realisation” of mind Mary’s faithfulness next time we ask her to pray with us the Church.” (CCC 967) and for us and imitate her trust in God that God will care for First, the Virgin Mary has always been proposed to the faithful us and answer our prayers in the most unexpected way. by the Church as an example to be imitated, not precisely in the type of life she led, and much less for the socio-cultural background in which she lived and which today scarcely exists anywhere. She is held up as an example to the faithful rather for the way in which, in her own particular life, she fully and responsibly accepted the will of God (cf. Lk. 1:38), because she heard the word of God and acted on it, and because charity and a spirit of service were the driving force of her actions.

She is worthy of imitation because she was the first and the most perfect of Christ’s disciples. All of this has a permanent and universal exemplary value. (Marialis Cultus 35) When Jesus was lost and then subsequently found in the Temple discussing with the doctors of the law, imagine the range of emotions that Mary would have experienced. (Lk 2:41-50). Her trust in God did not negate her humanity. Mary would have felt great fear and anguish not knowing where Jesus was or how he was. But like any good mother tells her children when they lose something “Retrace your steps.”

That is what Mary and Joseph did and there they found their Son, in the temple with the learned men of the Jewish faith.

Another concrete example of Mary’s trust and faith in the Father and being open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit can be seen in the scene at the Wedding feast of Cana, when

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be [done] to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38)

Seek Unity - Educate - Proclaim - Celebrate - Serve - Respond Personally - Love Each Other

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CCD Newsletter Term 2, 2016 Vol 21 Issue 2

Activity for the Classroom

Mary and Jesus in the Gospels

This activity will require you to photocopy and enlarge the map, borrow 4 pictures from the resource centre (Jesus’ birth, The Wedding Feast at Cana, the Holy Family at home in Nazareth and Pentecost) and ask the students questions about each picture so they can construct the Scripture stories concerning each one. When each story is constructed by the students, have them follow the directions with the map exercise, e.g. Having shown the picture of the birth of Jesus and the children have told you it was set in Bethlehem and Jesus was born in a stable where he was visited by shepherds, have them find Bethlehem on the map and underline ‘Bethlehem’ in blue For the younger students, have them examine the pictures, telling you what they can see. When they have identified as much as they can, tell the students the story relating to each picture. After telling each story, have the students complete the exercise with the map.

1.On this map circle the town in yellow where Mary and Joseph lived when Jesus was growing up.

2.Underline the town in blue where Mary gave birth to Jesus.

3.Shade the town green where Jesus turned the water into wine when Mary asked Jesus to help the bride and groom.

4.Circle in red the name of the city where the Apostles and Mary were at Pentecost.

‘Hail Mary’

Inspirational Art for the Contemporary Home.

Jen Norton artist has beautiful contemporary hand-made Catholic-inspired art products.

Paintings and illustrations that celebrate faith, family and everyday moments.

View the ‘Hail Mary’ work and many of Jen’s amazing gifts online at: www.JenNortonArtStudio.com ‘Hail Mary’ © Jen Norton. Used with permission. www.JenNortonArtStudio.com

Seek Unity - Educate - Proclaim - Celebrate - Serve - Respond Personally - Love Each Other

CCD Newsletter Term 2, 2016 Vol 21 Issue 2

Page 11

N aT i o N a l C o N f e r e N C e o N T H e N e W e va N g e l i S aT i o N

P R O C L A I M 2 0 1 6

On aMission ofMercy: Evangelising Parishes 2016

1-3

THE

CONCOURSE CHATSWOOD

SEPTEMBER

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

REGISTRATIONS

NOW OPEN!

 PROCLAIM 2016 will bring together over 500 Catholics over a period of three days in Sydney.  A conference for people who are interested in the new evangelisation in parishes.  Includes workshops for parish life, liturgies, panel discussions, social media, a night of praise and worship open to youth and young adults.  For clergy, religious, diocesan and parish staff and volunteers in parish ministry, married and single people, young and old.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Cardinal Donald Wuerl is the Archbishop of Washington and was elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2010. He serves on a number of Vatican Congregations, Councils and Commissions including those for the Doctrine of the Faith and for Bishops.

Bishop Nicholas Hudson was ordained Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Westminster in 2014, with responsibility for the pastoral care of Central and East London. He has oversight of the Agency for Evangelisation.

Dr Susan Timoney is the Assistant Secretary for Pastoral Ministry and Social Concerns for the Archdiocese of Washington, USA. Dr Timoney’s visit to Australia is hosted and sponsored by the Archdiocese of Melbourne

PROCLAIM 2016 conference is organised on behalf of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference by the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay.

For more information proclaim2016@dbb.org.au

Natalie (02) 9847 0504

w w w. p r o c l a i m c o n f e r e n c e . c o m . a u

Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay