TERM 4 CONNECTIONS MAGAZINE - 2022

From The Diocesan Coordinator

Welcome back to the final term of 2022

IhavebeenreflectingontheinterruptionstoSREteaching overthepastcoupleofyearsandamgrateful thatwehavehadalmostafullyearinourschoolsin2022 Ican’t thankyouenoughforyourongoingcommitmenttotheMinistry overthesepastfewyears;withallthechallengeswehavefaced, yourdedicationisinspiring Ourchildrenandyoungpeopleneed toreceiveamessageofloveandhopemorethaneverandthat’s whatyoubringtothemeverytimeyougointoaclassroom Assomeofyouareaware,thistermwebidfarewelltoourtwo belovedCCDAdministrationAssistants,SharondaRozaand ColleenSmith.SharonandColleenhavegivenalmost40yearsof servicetotheMinistryofSREbetweenthem Theirdedicationto ourMinistryhasservedParishCatechistCoordinatorsand catechistsinsomanywaysandtheirfriendlycheerfulapproach totheirworkhasbrightenedthedayofmanyoverthoseyears Wewillbesadtoseethemleaveus,butwewishthembothwell forthefuture Sharonisretiringandlookingforward,shetells me,tocraftdaysandcatchingupwithfriends.Colleenistaking uparoleinTheEntranceParish,coordinatingchildren’sand catecheticalministries Hergiftednessinthisareawillbea blessingtotheparishandwecertainlywishColleenandthe familiessheministerstoeveryblessing

ThisterminSRE,wewillcelebratetheliturgicalseasonsof AdventandChristmas.Theseliturgicalseasonspresentuswith wonderfulopportunitiestodosomecraftactivitieswiththe childrenintheclassrooms ActivitiessuchasanAdventwreath, aJessetreeoraChristmascardcanhelptobringtheseseasons tolifeintheclassroom Ifyou’veneverdonesomethinglikethis before,Iencouragetoyoutoattemptacraftactivityinthe classroom You’llneedtobepreparedbuttherewardscanbe real.InthisissueofConnections,youwillfindsomewonderful activitiesthataresimpleandeasytopreparewhichcanbeso muchfunforthestudents Italsogivesthechildrensomething totakehomeandplaceinaprominentpositionintheirhomes, andwhichhasthecapacitytodrawthefamilytogetherfor conversation,reflectionoraprayerfulmoment. Icanseefamiliesgatheredaround

theAdventwreath lightingacandleand sayingasimpleprayer astheypreparefor thecomingofBaby JesusatChristmas.

Youareinvitedtojoin

ustowardstheendoftheyearforacoupleofhoursofspiritual reflectiononAdventandacupofteatofinishtheyear Youwill findaninvitationtoourAdventReflectionmorningsonpage14 ofthisedition.Wehavetwospecialguestpresentersfrom CatholicSchoolsBrokenBay,JoSpekandKerryPower Whynot bringafewpeoplefromyourparishandjoinus.We’dlovetosee you

ForthosewhoareyettocompletetheirongoingSafeguarding trainingtobeeligiblefortheirnewauthorisationcardin2023,we arerunningafewextrasessionsforgreencardholdersonZoom inNovemberandDecembersothatyoudon’tmissout The datesareFriday18Novemberfrom11am 1pm;Tuesday29 Novemberfrom6:30pm 8:30pmandThursday8Decemberfrom 1:30pm 3:30pm (SeeflyerinthiseditionofConnections) ContactourRegistrationsDeskat registrations@bbcatholic.org.auorcall02 8379 1643tobook intooneofthesesessions.PleasecheckwithyourParish Coordinatorifyouareunsureaboutyourcurrencywiththis training,whichisrequiredtobeupdatedevery3years.

OurAnnualCCDMassandPresentationofAwardsisbeingheld atOurLadyoftheRosaryCathedralatWaitaraonSaturday5 Novemberat11:30am Aroseceremonywillimmediatelyprecede theMassat11:25tohonourdeceasedcatechists.

Finally,I’dliketotakethisopportunitytowishyouandyour familiesaveryhappyandholyAdventandChristmasseason MayGodblessyouandyour familiesrichly

AlisonNewell

Update From the CCD Team

Kristy Komadina

North Shore Region

AheartfeltthankyoutoallourCatechistsfor anothergreatyearinthismostblessedministry. Ihaveenjoyedmeetingsomanyofyouin

personthisyearthroughtrainingandothereventsandprayfor moreofthesamein2023

Therearen'tenoughwordstodescribetheincredibleholethat willbeleftbythedepartureofourAdminAssistantsColleenand Sharonafter17and19yearsintheirrolesrespectively Theyare boththebackbonesofourteamandthegluethatkeepsus together!Theirknowledgeandexperienceofourministrycan neverbereplaced

Iwanttowishthemboththeverybestforthisnextstageintheir journeys.Iwillmissthembothdearly!

Havearestfulbreakoverthesummerandwewillseeyouinthe newyearrefreshedandrenewedwithenergy!

Michael Tebbutt

Well,Term3isover Ithasbeenabusyoneas

usualanditisgreattobeabletowelcomenewcatechistson boardastheytaketheirfirststepsinthisministryor,asinsome cases,takeupwheretheyleftoff.

AhighlightformethistermwaspresentingtheLevelOneunits onmusic,dramaandstorytellingasaworkshopday,ratherthan 3twohourtrainingsessions Ineachofthevenueswherethis workshopwaspresented,therewasmuchlaughterandmany smiles TheCCDteamisplanningtopresentthisworkshop againatvariouslocationsintheDiocesein2023.

Asthistermgetsunderway,Iamlookingforwardtoexploringthe PsalmsinLevel3,continuingtoupgradetheWWJPowerPoints for2024andmeetingthewonderfulkidsweteachinourclasses eachweek.

WhatIamnotlookingforwardtoissayingfarewelltoColleen andSharon Itisagreatlossforallofusthattheyaremovingon andIamsureyouwilljoinwithmetosaythankyouandseeyou soon

Sue-Anne Sherwood

North Shore Region

AswedrawtotheendofanerawithourbelovedColleenand Sharonleavingus,Iwonderwhowillkeepussmilingwithalltheir smarts,fun,memesandendlesspatience Bothsuchintelligent andcaringwoman Yoursareverybigshoestofill. Youareboth angelsandhavebeentheheartkeepingtheCCDofficemoving andshaking Youaresolovedandweallwishyouallthebestin yourretirementandnewendeavours.

Withtravelbackonthecards,Ihopeyou’reallabletovisitall thespecialpeopleinyourlives MydaughterandItravelledto OberammergauinGermanytomeetmyMotherthereforThe PassionPlay(IknowafewotherCatechistshavebeenthisyear too whatanexperience!)andotherGrandmaiscurrently visitingfromSouthAfrica.

WishingyouallablessedChristmas Unwind,relax,enjoy!We areprayingforyourintentionsthisseason

John Donnelly Northern Beaches Region

WhilegreatlyenjoyingteachingatMonaValeandAvalonPublic Schoolsithasbeenabitirregular.Theschoolswerefrequently understaffed,studentattendanceduringwinterwaslowand sometimesIwasunabletoattendduetoworkcommitmentsor sickness. Thenthereweretheusualdisruptionsofcampsand carnivalsaswellastheunusualoneofaschoolbuilding program.

Onecanonlyhopeandpraythatthroughallthischaosthe studentshaveheardandrespondedtotheGospelcalltobe disciplesofJesus Attimeslikethese,itisworthremembering thattheHolySpirit'sworkdoesnotneedeverythingtobe smoothandcalm,inordertoinspireustoloveGodandfollow Jesus.Infactthescripturesportrayaverydifferentimpressionof theworkoftheSpirit

GivensomestudentswillhavenotheardtheChristmasstory fromusinafewyears let’smakeaspecialeffortthisyearto proclaimthegoodnewsofthebirthofbabyJesusinawaythat impactsnotjustourstudentsbutalsotheirfamilies

Central Coast Region

Sharon da Roza

Thisismyfinal‘snippet’in‘Connections’,asafteralmost19years ofworkingwiththeConfraternityofChristianDoctrine.Who wouldhavebelievedwaybackinFebruary2004,thatIwouldbe clockingonwithCCDuntilDecember2022?Notme!!

Myjobhasevolvedsomuchovertheyears;fromtworather sedatedaysaweek,tothefive daysaweekatamuchbusier pace Myjobtitlehasalmoststayedthesame,butnotthejob Thereisreallynothingsimilaraboutitatall,andinfactIfeelI havedoneaboutatleastsixdifferentjobssinceIstarted The worldofcompliancethatwenowliveindidnotexistthen.The DiocesedidnotissuetheCCDauthorisationcards,therewere noidentificationchecks,nolegallyrequiredmandatorytraining, etc,etc.Infact,manydeclinedtosharetheirbirthdateforour records,astheyconsideredthisinformationfartooprivatetobe sharedwithus!Howtimeshavechanged,andallforthebetter whenitcomestosafeguardingourchildren

Ihaveworkedwithsomanypeopleovertheseyears,bothinthe CCDteam,thewiderDiocesanteams,andnotforgettingallthe manyincrediblydedicatedparishcoordinatorsandcatechists outthereintheparishes However,atthecoreovermostof theseyearstherehavebeencertainCCDcolleagues;my wonderous,grace filledmanagerAlison(bestbossever!!),along withMichael,Colleen,John(andnottobeforgotten,Joe).We haveallworkedtogetherforsolong,theyreallyaremy‘other family’

Manyotherpeoplewhohavewormedtheirwayintomyheart duringtheseyearshavealsobeenpastandpresentCCD teammatesandothercolleaguesfromtheChancery Ihave retainedstrongfriendshipswithsomanyofthesepeople,they willbeanintegralpartofmyretirement Iwon’tnamethem,but theseamazingpeopleallknowwhoImean

AttimesIhavehadsomuchfunandfrivolity(allwhilsttoiling away,Imightadd)andyoujustlookedforwardtocomingtowork eachday However,theloveandpastoralcarefromco workers alsomakesthisplaceaspecialplacetofindyourselfworkingin.

Retiringismaybeabitlikewhenyoufirstleavehome It’swhat yourheartdesires.Butyouknowyouwillmissyourusualdaily life,seeingthesamefaceseachday,etc So,Iamfullyexpecting tobehomesickabitafirstandmayhavetopopinfortheodd visit,buteventuallyIwillbehavingsomuchfunIwillforgetto phone‘home’andwhenIdoremember,Iwillnottellthem everythingthatIhavebeenupto!Theymaywanttojoinmeand thenwhowillbelefttoworkintheCCD?

ThankyoutoeveryoneIhaveworkedwithovertheyears Thanks fortoleratingmycraziness,thanksforthefriendships,forthe love,forthelaughswehavehad,thetearsthatwehaveshared andthewonderfulsenseofcamaraderiethatIfeelsofortunate tohaveexperiencedduringthistime Iwillmissyouall.

Thisisaveryhardfarewellmessagetowrite By thetimeyougettoreadthis,IwillhaveleftCCD andhavestartedinmynewroleasPastoral SupportWorkerandFamilyFaithSupportwith OurLadyoftheRosaryParish,TheEntrance

Colleen Smith

IstartedwithCCDinOctober2005afterhavingworked5+years asAdminSupportwithCentacare(nowCathoilcCare)Central CoastFamilyCentresandParishSecretaryatWyongParish. DuringmytimewithCCD,Icontinuedtoofferadminsupportto CatholicCareduringtheschoolholidaysforapproximately10 years

WhenIfirststartedwithCCD,Iworked15hrsaweekandhad schoolholidaysoffwhichwasanabsolutebonusbeingthemum oftwoyoungboysaged2and4andahusbandthatworksshift workasaparamedic 17yearslaterandmyboysarenow19and 21,andadultsthattakecareofthemselves,myhusband continueshisworkasaparamedicwhichintoday’sworldis challenging

IhaveenjoyedmytimewithCCDimmenselyandhavelearned somuchalongthewayandmetmanypeoplewhohavetouched mylife Notonlyworkcolleaguesbutalsothemanycatechists, parishcoordinators,andclergythatIhaveinteractedwithon manyoccasions Knowthatyouareallveryspecialpeople

DuringmytimewithCCDIhavewitnessedmanychanges,not onlywithstaffbutalsowiththeintroductionofthenew curriculum,‘WalkingwithJesus’thatreplaced‘JoyforLiving’, thereviewofSREinstateschoolsbytheDepartmentof Educationwhichsawtheintroductionofmanyofthe compliancesthatwenowhaveinplacearoundsafeguarding training,classroommanagement,etc

In2016myemploymentchangedtofull-time,andthistookon anotherlevelofinvolvementandallowedmethetimeto becomemoreengagedinsomeofthe‘behindthescenes’ administrationtasksonebeingtheintroductionofournew databaseandinvitationstoengageinotherareasoftheOffice forEvangelisationteamministries

SomeofthememorablehighlightsthatIhavebeeninvolvedin duringthesepast17yearsare:

IntroductionofthenewSREcurriculum,‘WalkingwithJesus’ ·2007WorldYouthDay,theJourneyoftheCross,andIcon visitingCentralCoastStateschools

·2008DaysintheDioceseforWorldYouthDay

2011 2012providingadministrationsupporttotheDiocesan Synodcoordinator

AttendingtheInstallationoftwoBishopstoourdiocese.(Ihave beenprivilegedtoworkwith3ofthe4BishopsoftheDiocese)

·AttendingandfacilitatinggroupsessionsatProclaim2016 SydneyConferenceatChatswood

·InterimTeamLeaderfortheLifeMarriageandFamilyministry

Coordinatingseveralofthemassesforpeoplewithspecial needs,nowknownastheMassofInclusion

TherehavebeenmanyCCDeventswherewehavehadgreat presentersandsometimesrepresentativesfromotherdioceses whichwasalsoagreatwaytomeetandshareresources. AndlastbutnotleasttheopportunitytoteachSREinourstate schools

Continued on page 15...

The Psalms of Advent: A Guide for Living as Jesus Asks.

WhenwethinkabouttheScripturereadingsoftheAdvent liturgies,weoftenthinkofthemessageofIsaiahorMatthew’s genealogyofJesusandJohnasthevoicecryingoutinthe wilderness,proclaimingtheimminentarrivaloftheSaviour,so greatthathe,John,isunfittocarryhissandals

WhatdothepsalmssaytousintheseasonofAdvent? Often,allwerememberofthepsalmsafterthefirstreadingisthe antiphonwerepeataftereachverse

Whenyoureadthispsalm,readitslowlyandsavourtheimages thatarise Letthemfillyourimaginationofarulersopowerful andyetsolovingandjust Herescuesthepooratthefirstsign ofneed.Hemakesroomforthosewhoaredestituteinhisheart. Thisisanimageoftheperfectking

Thefollowingweek,wehearechoesofJesus’missionstatement fromLuke’sGospelwhenJesusreadfromthescrollofthe prophetIsaiahinthesynagogueinNazareth

Ps 146:6-7,

8-9

The LORD God keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets captives free. The LORD gives sight to the blind; the LORD raises up those who were bowed down. The LORD loves the just; the LORD protects strangers.

Week3ofAdventcontinuesthepromiseofjusticethatwas announcedinPsalm72 Thepsalmistherecontinuesa marvellousdescriptionofYahwehasaGodofpower,care, justice,andcompassion ThepsalmistdescribesYahwehinHis greatworksofloveandpower.

InWeek4ofAdvent,Psalm24isaconfidentstatementofthe mightandpowerofGodandaskeswhocanascenttotheHouse oftheLord Theanswerissimple

Psalm 24: 4

One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. What does this mean for us?

AswetravelthroughAdventtocelebratethebirthoftheKing’s Son,theonewhowillrulewithjusticeandwithloveandconcern forthepoorandtheafflicted,wemustbringaboutthepeaceof theLordandtrulyrejoiceonourjourney Wehavespeltoutfor uswhattheLordwilldoforthepoorandthestranger,the hungryandtheimprisoned

ThequestionIaskishowcanwebeinvolved?Whatcanwedo?

Ifyouarelikemeandwanttoreachouttoallthosepoorandafflicted,theblindandtheoppressed,thewidowsandtheorphans,and helpthemoutbutyouwillprobablyfindthatthejobiswaytoobigandthereisnowaythatyoucandoit Butremember!Wehave beengivenacodeforliving.LetusstartwithourselvesandusethesePsalmsandthisAdventasatimeforreflectionanddiscover whatimprisonsus Whatitisforwhichwehunger Inwhatwaysareweblindorboweddown?

LetusturntotheLordandallowourselvestobemadewholebyHismercifullove

MaywepreparewellforcelebratingthebirthoftheKing’sson;tobringabouttheReignofGodinourhomes,amongourcircleof friendsandintheclassroomsinwhichwebringtheGoodNewsoftheSonandmayweexperiencethepeaceofthereignofGod’s Love.

Tebbutt

Regional Coordinator

Michael

Connecting with Catechists in Chatswood

Chatswoodisauniqueplaceinourdiocese.HometoOur Lady of Dolours Parish,whohavegiventhemselvesthetitleof "Church in the City".Thechurchandparishcentrearesituated intheheartofthebusinessandshoppingdistrictinChatswood, fullyimmersedinthehustleandbustleofaburgeoning multiculturalcity.

Tuckedawayinacorneroftheparishoffice,workingincredibly hardisMaricel Malapira whoistheParishCCDCoordinator Maricellooksafter6schoolsinthelocalareaandhasavery healthycohortofvolunteercatechistsandhelpersthatprovide SRElessonseachweekattheseschools

Sincethattimelatein2018,Maricelhasbuiltanincredibleteam whogenuinelylovetospendtimewitheachother Maricelsays thatmanyofthecatechistsmeetweeklyaftertheirclassesfora coffeetodebriefandlearnfromeachother "Itisareliefknowing thatyouarenotalonehavingthosechallengesinclassroom managementandgettingsomegoodadvicefromthosewho havebeendoingitforyears Anewbiecanlearnfromthe seasonedcatechistsandviceversa."

During2020and2021withschoolsbeingclosedduringCOVID lockdownsandbeyond,theChatswoodcatechistscontinuedto meetonlinetomaintaintheconnectionwitheachother The teamsfromeachschoolmetweeklyonZoomatthesametime thattheirclasseswouldnormallyrun Eachgroupranalittle differently.Somebecameasimpleopportunitytoconnect sociallywhilstothersusedthetimetolearnnewskills AsMaricel putsit,"Itkeptourpassiononfiretocontinueinourministry"

Oneoftheirothersecretstosuccessisundoubtedlythesupport theyreceivefromtheclergyintheirparish.FrDavidRanson recognisedthehugerolethattheSREministryplaysinreaching outtofamiliesacrosstheparishthatheappointedFrMarek WoldanastheChaplainofCCDinChatswood

MyselfandJohnDonnellyrecentlyvisitedtheChatswood based catechiststorunatrainingsessionintheirwell-equippedrooms onsiteandwhatweobservedwasagroupthatweretrulyateam andthatwerededicatedwholeheartedlytotheministryofSRE

Withoutadoubtoneofthesecretstotheirsuccessistheway thatMaricelbringspeopletogetherandfostersarealsenseof communityamongstallthecatechists Maricelcametotherole in2018whenthepreviouscoordinatorsteppeddown Shehad onlybeenpartoftheministryfor6monthsorsoandhadn'teven taughtaclassyet,howeverothersrecognisedatalentwithinher andshewassoonappointedtotherole.

FrMarekhasanextensivebackgroundincatechesisandisthere tosupportthecatechistsinanywaythathecan Heisabright andbubblypresenceattheirmeetingsandistheretoprovide faithformationbothinformallyandviaregularretreatsthathave beenverywellreceivedbyall,helpingtoboostmoraleandto furthercementthetogethernessofthegroup

"It kept our passion on fire to continue in our ministry."

OneofthecurrentinitiativesthattheChatswoodcatechistsareundertakingistogive asmallgifttoeachofthestudentsinallsixschoolstocelebratethereturntoSRE classesthisyearaftertwoyearsofdisruptions Maricelhasorganisedavarietyofgifts accordingtotheclassgroup.Maricelexplains,"ForKindy,Year1andYear2,agroup ofcatechistsarepreparingahandmadeChristmasornament FortheYears3,4and5 theywillgetawoodencrossofnativity.Weboughtthemfrom https://wwwarksuppliescomau/whentheyhadaclearance ForYear6,Ihavemade acrochetcrossbookmarkthattheycanusefortheirBibleswhichisalsoourgiftfor them."

Maricelhasalsomadeitaprioritytoreachoutandengagewiththefamiliesofthe studentswhoparticipateinSRE Shesendsoutaninformativenewslettereachterm sothatfamilieswhomaynotalreadyhavemuchtodowiththeparishknowabout whatisgoingonandhavetheopportunitytocomeandsee Theyregularlyhave classMasseswhereMaricelandCatechistsintroducethemselvestofamiliesandget toknowthembetter.Maricelalsolikestosupportthestudentsandtheirfamilies throughthesacramentalprogramwhichisanotheropportunityforconnection

IhavebeensoimpressedbywhatisbeingachievedatChatswoodinourministry Theirsuccessisatestamenttothehardworkofeachandeverypersonwhogivesof theirtimeandtalents TheyareagroupwithstrongleadershipfromMaricelandare boostedbytheunwaveringsupportoftheirpriests

Kristy Komadina

RegionalCoordinator

Teaching Student a Catechist in 4 Schools!

CameronDrakeisacurrentteachingstudentfromAustralianCatholicUniversity specialisinginMusicandDramawhohappenstoalsofitinteachingSREatfour schoolsintheHornsbyregion Cameron'sstudiesrequirehimtoundertakevolunteer communityengagementandhisSREteachingisarecognisedcomponentofhis degree

WhenCamerongraduateshehopestobecomeahighschoolteacherbutinthe meantime,havingsomuchhandsonclassroomexperienceisinvaluabletoCameron AtthesametimehegetstosharehisloveofGodwithsomanystudentseachweek.

CatechistcoordinatorCynthiaGilbertsonabsolutelyloveshavingCameronteaching intheschools Shefindsthatthestudentsrespondsowelltoanotheryoungperson

Cynthiaalsorecognisesthatmoreyoungpeoplewhoarestudyingteaching,particularlyatourCatholicuniversitieswouldbea boostforourministry "Wewouldlovemorestudents,likeCameron,whoaretrainingtobeteacherstocomealongandhelpus CatechiststeachSRE,asweareveryshortofCatechists Itissucharewardingministryandyes,thestudentsdoenjoywhatthey aretaught.Moreimportantlytheyenjoyhavingtheyoungerladiesandgentlemencomeintoteachthem."

Age Appropriate and Sensitive Teaching of the Christmas Story

Whatcouldpossiblycauseoffenseinbeautifullessonsabout thebirthofBabyJesus?

Whatcouldbemorecute wisemen,lambs,angels,theholy family,shepherds,donkeys?Surelythisstoryisinnocence personified Wellsowethoughtuntilweaskedgroupsof experiencedcatechistsatrecenttrainingsessions

GivenwepresentChristmaseveryyearourlessonsinthe WalkingwithJesusprogramaredesignedtotakeupdifferent aspectsofthestoryaswedevelopstudents’knowledge, understandingandappreciationofitmeaningandsignificance. Intheinfantyear(K,1&2)weintroducestudentstothevarious charactersandtheirroles Angelsaremessengers,Maryand JosephsayyestoGod,Wisemenrecogniseandrespectthe newbornking,Herodisthevillain Olderstudentsarechallenged tounderstandthesignificanceofJesusbeingthepromised Messiahasweguidethemtoadeeperappreciatethe significanceoftheincarnationandsalvation.Throughoutthe programstudentsareconstantlychallengedtofollowthe exampleofthesecharactersandrespondasdisciples Well that’sthetheorybutsometimesit’shardnottobedistracted fromthekeymessage

Catechiststellusthatstudentsaskaboutbeingmarriedornot, beingavirginandhavingababy.Thenthereisthebiblical language ‘betrothed’,‘nothavingrelations’and‘beingfound withchild’ Andwhataboutallthecontextualdetails Roman Empire,YearofCaesarAugustus,Palestine,BethleheminJudea nottomentionthedifferentnamesforthechildsuchas Emmanuel.

AttherecenttrainingsessionsonAgeAppropriateandSensitive TeachingfromtheAuthorisedCurriculum,catechistpracticed presentingtheChristmasstorysensitivelytostudentswhomay berecentrefugeesormigrants,liveinnon traditionalfamilies Catechistsalsoexploredcreativewaystoengagemultiple intelligenceswhilepresentingthestorytodifferentkindsof learners

Herearesomeoftheirideas:

DressingupandactingouttheChristmasstory

JesusinaCribasthesacredspace

Rapandhiphoptocarols

Reflectonthestoryfromthepointofviewofdifferentcharacters Discusshoweachcharactermayhavefeltatdifferentpointsof thenarrative.

CreateChristmasCardswithimagesandscenesfromthebible storyandreligiousmessages.

Playwithmodelsofthenativity

HoweverwedecidetopresentChristmasthisyear,itisour privilegeandhonourasCatechiststobesharingtheGospel storyofthebirthofbabyJesusandwhatitmeanstous Amidall thecelebrating,commercialismandconfusionlet’sremindour studentsandtheirfamiliesthat

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.

John Donnelly Regional Coordinator

Christmas Story Cloze Passage

Hey Kids! It's time for you to have some fun

Fill in the missing words!

One day an ..................................... came to ................................... and told her that she would have a special baby. ................................. was to name the baby

and

had to travel to Bethlehem.

even rode on a ....................................! While they were there in Bethlehem was born! and couldn't find room at the inn so was born in a stable There were in the nearby fields taking care of their

An

had been born. The

came to tell the

went to see

that

praised God and hurried to tell everyone about the Saviour's birth.

and they were amazed! The

Mary Jospeh

Jesus

Angel

Angels Shepherds sheep

donkey

C h r i s t m a s A c t i v i t y S h e e t

Christmas Craft BUILD YOUR OWN ADVENT WREATH

YOU'LL NEED...

Paper or cardboard 5 cardboard rolls paper plate green card or dried leaves glue/tape

Cut out the candles being careful not to chop off the flames.

Wrap the paper around each cardboard roll, securing with glue or tape.

Use the link above to download the free printable advent wreath template.

Once you ' ve downloaded the template print onto some strong white paper or card.

Colour all the parts (love, hope & peace in purple, joy in pink and Christ leave white )

HOW TO BUILD YOUR WREATH IN PICTURES

Using scissors or a sharp craft knife, cut 4 'X' slits around the plate and a circle in the centre. Push the candles through the 'X's to secure in place

Finish decorating with paper leaves or even dried leaves from the garden

Set up your wreath in a prominent part of your hom Fold down all the 'flames' a each Sunday in advent, lift one of the flames.

In the WWJ curriculum there are different aspects of the Advent and Christmas seasons which have been developed with sensitivity and appropriate language for the age of the children we teach

Craft activities can be found in:

• Kindy student manual WWJ K 9 4 Jesse Tree

• WWJ 1.9.3 Get Ready “Advent Candles” craft activity

• WWJ 2.9.1 Joyful preparation Advent Star and Wreaths craft activity

Add "Christ's" candle to the centre of the wreath on Christmas day!

Upcoming Training and Reflection Day

TheCCDBrokenBayteamiscommittedtotheprotectionand safeguardingofallthechildrenthatwecomeintocontactwith throughourministryinpublicschools Wehaveanongoing legalrequirementthatmeansevery3yearssafeguardingtraining mustberenewedbyeveryCatechist Sometimeschild protectionlawsandpracticescanbeupdatedandthisisjust oneofthereasonsthatregulartrainingisessential.

IfyouareaCatechistonaGREEN CARD andthelasttimeyou completedSafeguardingwaslate2018orearly2019youwillbe duefortherefresher.

It'sveryimportanttonote:anycatechistwhoisnotuptodate withtheirsafeguardingtrainingwillnotbegivenagreencardat thestartofnextyearandwillthereforenotbeabletoenterinto aclassroomuntilitiscompleted. Attheendoftheyear,itcanbewonderfultotakeastepoutof ourbusylivesandtakesometimetoreflectinaprayerfuland engagingenvironment ThisDecemberwearehostingtworeflectionmorningswith specialguestpresentersJoSpekandKerryPowerwhocometo usfromCatholicSchoolsBrokenBay

DuringCOVID,asweworkedremotelyfromhome,Iwas confrontedwithhowtokeepintouchwitheveryoneand connectwithour,catechists,students,andfamilies Throughthe creationoftheWWJPowerPoints,weproducedtheLearning fromHomelessonswhichwerethensharedwiththeCCRESS (CatholicConferenceofReligiousEducatorsinStateSchools NSW&ACT)networkontheirwebsitewhereIhadthepleasure ofworkingcollaborativelywithSydneyArchdioceseIT department.WealsostartedofferingtrainingonZoomand havingmanyofourmeetingsonZoomnotonlywithour CoordinatorsbutwithourChancerycolleagues.Thiswasagreat experiencetolearntheworkingsofZoomusingbreakoutrooms etc.IalsocreatedthefirstdigitalversionofCONNECTIONS whichKristyKomadinahasnowtakentoanewlevel.

IhaveexperiencedmanychangesandgrowthsinceIfirst startedwithCCDin2005whereIhadto‘dialin’toaccessthe internet(whoremembersthat?),tonow,wherewearetraining catechistswiththeuseofZoom

MydecisiontoleaveCCDwasnoteasyandtookmanymonths ofdiscernment,intheend,Ifeltthecallfromabovetotakeup thisnewpositionandtherewasnodecisiontomakeasIfeltit wasmadeforme.Thisisnotgoodbye,justfarewellfornowasI amsurethatIwillstillseemanyofyouatSacramentalmeetings etc.

Lastly,mysincerethankstothewonderfulCCDteammembers (past&present),theworkthatwehavedoneovertheyearshas beenamazingandtherespectwehaveforeachotherissecond tonone.Ihaveneverexperiencedworkingwithsuchagifted andtalentedteam Averyspecialacknowledgmentofgratitude toAlisonNewellforherextraordinaryleadership,Iwillbeforever thankfultoyouall.

IamverynervousandexcitedtostartmynewroleandIwilltruly missyouall.IhopethatasyoucontinueintheCCDministryyou willkeepmeinyourprayersandkeepsharingyourfaithand spreadingtheGospeltoourCatholicstudentsinourstate schools. Blessingsandfarewell,

JOHN DONNELLY Northern Beaches Region P:83791640 M:0437964072 E:johndonnelly@bbcatholicorgau

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