Mission... At the heart of catechesis, we find, in essence, a person, the Person of Jesus of Nazareth, "the only son of the Father... full of grace and truth," who suffered and died for us and who now, after rising, is living with us forever".
We must therefore say that, in catechesis, it is Christ, the Incarnate Word and Son of God, who was taught -- everything else is taught with reference to him -- and it is Christ alone, who teaches... (Apostolic Exhortation Catechesis Tradendae, p. 8-10)
What is our Religious Education Program about?
Each of us working in Catholic schools is called to be Christ's spokesperson, enabling Him to be present through us! The role of the Religious Education Consultant is to support all the stakeholders in our school division to fulfil this mission. In Catholic schools, we work together with the family and parish to help young people mature into disciples of Christ.
For someone new to the Catholic school system, an understandable question is what makes the schools Catholic? There is much that distinguishes Catholic schools, which students and their families can readily observe.
Religion classes - we are using the program Growing in Faith; Growing in Christ (eics99/Student99)
Prayer services (liturgies of the word and mass) at key points in the school year
Liturgical Calendar - here
Religious symbols, posters, icons, artwork and more
School names, that tie into our faith, tradition and understanding.
Prayer at key times and events - over the intercom or in the classroom.
One-day or overnight retreats that supplement what is taught in religion classes.
Faith-related professional development days, which may be district-wide or school-based.
Chaplains and chapel - we have teaching chaplains and we have a chapel in our school
A full-time Religious Education Consultant.
A well-funded faith formation program for all staff to take courses focused mostly on Catholic theology, scripture, and morality.
In addition to the above items are the following critically important dimensions of Catholic schools:
Teachers strive to integrate their faith with their teaching and interactions with everyone.
A faith conviction that each child and person's dignity comes from being created in the image of God, is promoted throughout Catholic schools.
Our school Division's vision statement of "Seeing Christ in Everyone" challenges us to embrace every person as someone of immense worth and potential.
The Biblical values of respect for the common good and justice for all are guiding principles that those working in our schools are encouraged to adopt.
Teachers work towards giving witness to their Christian faith by sharing their faith journeys and leading students in prayer and a life directed to the needs of those who are oppressed or destitute.
God, who we meet most fully in Christ, is proclaimed in word and deed according to the ability of each person working in our division to do so.
Schools actively work at connecting with the parishes by attending mass at the church or having parish priests visit the schools.
Many of the schools support the sacramental preparation done at home and through the parishes by having retreats on themes related to reconciliation and confirmation.
All of our schools examine how they can improve the way they live out and give expression to their Catholic identity.
We see our homes, schools, and parishes as interconnected entities working together to teach, live, and celebrate the good news of Jesus Christ.
The school system, then, needs the children enrolled in our schools and their families to support the Catholic values, beliefs and activities mentioned in this document.
Our publicly funded Catholic schools are an immense treasure: they support our children on their faith journeys and help their families and parishes lead them with and to
Christ.
