CSW 18

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CSW 18 
Catholic Schools: Called to be a Family of Families
 
 
From 21-26 August 2018, families and others from all over the world will gather in Dublin to celebrate their lives together, to share their experiences from different parts of the world, to reflect on the different challenges they face and to grow together in faith. This event presents a special opportunity for school families to not only celebrate the fact that parents are the primary educators of their children, but also the vital role that Catholic schools play in assisting parents in their duty to raise their children.
In partnership with World Meeting of Families 2018, the Catholic Schools Week Steering Committee has developed a one year catechetical programme for Catholic primary and post-primary schools. The theme for this programme is Catholic Schools: Called to be a Family of Families. The programme invites Catholic schools to reflect on and to celebrate the relationship that exists between home, school and parish through participation in four sub-themed catechetical moments.  Catholic Schools Week 2018 will run in the same format as previous years but there is one important distinction. In 2018, Catholic Schools Week will be the high point of the primary and post-primary school catechetical programme.   The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2018 is Catholic Schools: Families of Faith.  As usual, School Resources will be made available in due course via: www.catholicschools.ie
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Download the attached pdf file with details of the way this theme has been chosen for CSW 18

A2 RELIGIOUS STUDIES. OCTOBER 5Th

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Keeping you all in the picture  🎇

 

CCEA have posted details of their in-service event for A2 Religious Studies through Eventbrite on their website. It is on the 5th October in Newry Banqueting & Conference Centre on the Mall and each teacher needs to book their place.

There is also a support meeting on Tuesday 3rd October in the Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown 12.30-3.30PM too.

 

Follow the link below:

http://ccea.org.uk/events?page=1

http://www.newrycbc.com/

TEACHERS ……  you need to get booking!

 

 

 

MESSENGER RE LINK RESOURCE

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The Messenger magazine has a monthly resource for religious education teachers.  Most Parish Churches have copies for sale.

Each issue offers resources on a different topic.  The August issue has its focus on the Sacraments.

To view this donload the attached pdf.

RELINK August 17

Visit their page using this link   http://relink.messenger.ie/

There is a library of all the past relink resources available there to consult in planning lessons.

 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CONGRESS

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The National Religious Education Congress has now become an annual event. Its aim is to provide an opportunity for religious educators to come together to find inspiration for their work and to avail of the opportunity for personal renewal and growth.

The Congress, organised by a voluntary committee, is a not-for-profit event. This year the members of the committee are Vivek da Silva (Chairperson), Patricia O’Sullivan, Maura Hyland, Brendan O’Regan, Fr Turlough Baxter, Ciaran Coll, Anna Maloney, Pamela McLoughlin and Sr Patricia Lynott.

This year’s Congress will take place on Saturday, 7 October 2017 at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.

The theme for the Congress is Voices that Challenge. We live in a society that is increasingly pluralistic and diverse. It is diverse in its social values, religious beliefs, political affiliations and cultural ethnicity. It is in this context that there is, in Ireland today, a robust debate about the nature of Religious Education, and in particular about its place in schools.

This year’s keynote speaker is Dr Leonardo Franchi from the University of Glasgow. He will address the topic Religious Education and Intercultural Dialogue in the Contemporary Church.

There will be a number of workshops that will focus on the concerns of both primary and post-primary teachers. The workshop presenters are Dr Leonardo Franchi, Ms Kate Liffey, Ms Maura Hyland, Mr Steve Warner, Sr Bernadette Purcell, Dr Patricia Kieran, Ms Brenda Drumm and Br Richard Hendrick.

 

Download full details and booking form below

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Voices that challenge

 

 

New Resources for Religious Education from the group LOVING SISTER EARTH

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CELEBRATING CREATION

The season of creation takes place between the World Day of Prayer for Creation on September 1st and the Feast of St. Francis, October 4th.  Thousands of Christians will be coming together around the world to pray and care for creation. Maybe you could bring together your school community to pray for creation?

Below is a service for a formal church setting. For other purposes you may wish to shorten this one or adapt it to suit your circumstances.

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SERVICE FOR SEASON OF CREATION

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Hopefully, you will pray this Prayer for Creation in your school over the coming weeks.

PRAYER FOR CREATION

God of the universe,

We thank you for your many good gifts –

For the beauty of creation and its rich and varied fruits,

For clean water and fresh air, for food and shelter, animals and plants.

Forgive us for the times we have taken the earth’s resources for granted.

Transform our hearts and minds so that we will care for our earth and shares its resources.

Help us to touch the earth with gentleness and with love, respecting all living things.

We pray for all those who suffer as a result of our waste, greed and indifference.

Help us to respect the rights of all people and all species.

And help us to willingly share your gifts today and always.

Amen

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POSTERS FOR PROJECTION

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World Meeting for Families Dublin & Amoris Laetitiae

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A specially commissioned WMOF2018 icon of the Holy Family was unveiled and anointed on the 21st August 2017, during the launch of the one-year programme of preparation at the National Novena in Knock, Ireland.

The icon was unveiled and anointed on the 21st August 2017, during the launch of the one-year programme of preparation at the National Novena in Knock, Ireland. It has now started to travel to each diocese in Ireland to encourage reflection and prayer as part of the journey of preparations to WMOF2018. The icon is accompanied by petition boxes, where families can write their intentions and prayer. Contemplative communities around Ireland will pray for the intentions collected during the coming year.

This icon takes the form of a triptych which looks, from the outside, somewhat like a house with front doors. On these outside doors, we are presented with the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, who carry with them the desire of God to protect. Their heads are bowed in adoration and service of God, the Holy One. On the base is the inscription “Amoris Laetitia”, ‘The Joy of Love’, the title of Pope Francis’ post-Synodal exhortation on love in the family, the source of our reflections during the World Meeting of Families 2018.

When the doors of this icon are opened we see in the centre the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph seated at table, sharing a meal and sharing their faith. Their faith was celebrated in their home. It is in our home that the reality of God-with-us is communicated and passed on to future generations. Their gathering around the table is reminiscent of the Three Angels in the famous 15th century Icon of the Holy Trinity by Andrei Rublev. Christian Marriage is sometimes compared with the Holy Trinity, as a communion of the giving and receiving of love that is life-giving. Indeed, the family is called to be the “living icon” of the Most Holy Trinity.

Similarly to the icon above, the Holy Family have a place at their table for us. They invite us to join them. They are no strangers to the trials of family life. They themselves have been refugees, fleeing the violence of Herod. They have known great anxiety. Hence the radishes and bitter herbs of the Passover meal represent the sorrows and trials of the people of Israel in their slavery also represent for us the trials and sacrifices of patience and love experienced in every family. The presence of the unleavened bread and cup of wine on their table call to mind the Eucharist for us.

Flanking the Holy Family icon are those two Gospel narratives: the Raising of Jairus’ Daughter and the Wedding Feast of Cana. Passages in the Gospels in which we see Jesus’ deep compassion and concern for marriage and for those living with the burdens of family life.

THEME for World Meeting :
The theme for each World Meeting of Families is chosen by the Pope. In choosing The Gospel of the Family: Joy for the World, as the theme for the ninth World Meeting of Families in Dublin, Ireland, Pope Francis invites us to reflect on a theme that was central to the Synodal process that led to his post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia: On Love in the Family.
“A Joy for all the World” is the official hymn for World Meeting of Families 2018 and was composed by young Irish composer Ephrem Feeley. The hymn found its inspiration in the document Amoris Laetitia – the Joy of Love, written in 2016 by Pope Francis following the Synods on the Family held over the preceding two years.
Official Hymn for World Meeting of Families 2018

Composed by Ephrem Feeley

 
Intro

Love bears all things, endures all things
Love longs for all things good, love never ends

Love is patient, and love is kind.
Love is not resentful; it is not rude.
Love is not arrogant, nor boastful, nor jealous,
but love rejoices, rejoices in the truth
Refrain
The joy, of love, a joy for all God’s family,
The joy of love transcending time and space.
Our Love for each other mirrors God the Father’s love.
The joy of love: a joy for all the earth.
Here in Gods family all find their home.
All can find salvation troubled souls find peace.
Here is found tenderness, compassion and justice
Here God reaches down to us and touches us with grace.
Refrain
Love is our origin, our constant calling.
Love is our fulfilment, in God’s dwelling place.
Love is the mystery of Father, Son and Spirit,
Love is communion of blessed Trinity.
Refrain
This is what God asks of us, to act with justice,
to love with tenderness, to walk humbly with God,
to give our lives in service to others.
The joy of the Gospel is the joyful love of Christ!
Refrain
Love bears all things, endures all things
love longs for all things good, love never ends.
Amoris Logo
Amoris Laetitia  
Senior RE Classes may like to explore the teachings and issues raised by Pope Francis in his recent exhortation.  A parish based exploration with full video and notes can be accessed using the link below. 
Amoris: Let’s Talk Family! Let’s be Family! programme

Access to Amoris Materials here: Opens in new window  http://www.amoris.ie

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LENT 2017

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Hard to believe but as February as flashes past we are rapidly approaching the season of Lent once more.

Pope Francis has already issued his Message for Lent 2017

He writes

“Lent is a new beginning, a path leading to the certain goal of Easter, Christ’s victory over death. This season urgently calls us to conversion. Christians are asked to return to God “with all their hearts” (Joel 2:12), to refuse to settle for mediocrity and to grow in friendship with the Lord. Jesus is the faithful friend who never abandons us. Even when we sin, he patiently awaits our return; by that patient expectation, he shows us his readiness to forgive (cf. Homily, 8 January 2016).”
You can read his beautiful message by downloading it here.  It is a fantastic resource for persoanl and group reflection
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Trocaire have their annual postprimary resource and video in place.
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See also ……
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Donna sent me this Ppt File on Lent.  Would work well for a year group assembly.Also for worhip and prayer themes in GCSE and Jun Cert.
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Short Play for Holy Week.
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Some teachers use the Lenten Sunday Gospels for prayer reflections with senior students. I have attached the 6 sundays here in one pdf file to download.
Another set of lectio resources for group or personal prayer
See this video to start our reflection on Lent and working for a just and equal world..

The Allegory of the Long Spoons.  

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Based on an ancient story about hunger and sharing, this animated video is part of Caritas’ “One Human Family, Food for All” campaign. The “allegory of the long spoons” teaches us that when we struggle to feed only ourselves, everyone goes hungry. But when we focus on our

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Louise kindly shared this resource in video for Ash Wednesday
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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2017

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Catholic Schools; working with Pope Francis to care for our common home.

Launch of week for the  Archdiocese of Armagh  ( Mainly Northern Schools)  will be at St John The Baptist Church Drumcree, Portadown on Tuesday 31st January.  Gather for 11.00 am start.   This will be a para-liturgy exploring Pope Francis and his message about caring for the Earth and all its wonderful resources.  Teachers and students from all our schools are most welcome to attend.

On Thursday February  2nd. Seinn will host the Annual Gathering for CSW in the Redeemer Church, Ard Easmuin, Dundalk mainly for Co Louth Schools. This will be at 12.30 during lunch break. Seinn will engage the students through music and singing, images and prayer and again we hope as many schools in Co Louth and South Armagh will travel to take part.

To mark Catholic Schools Week, Dromore Diocese will celebrate a special Mass in St Peter’s Parish Church in Lurgan on Wednesday 1st February 2017 at 10.30am.  The celebrant will be Bishop John McAreavey and there will be representation from all the primary and post primary schools in the diocese.

Organising teams have been meeting to prepare the liturgies and suitable resources for our own celebrations.

National Resources for 2017:

a2poster_ok

csw2017_ppflier_web

csw_juniorcycle-2017_

csw_senior-cycle-2017_

csw17_pp_bom_

SHUSAKU ENDO’S SILENCE An exciting new film arrives.

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Shusaku Endo’s Silence

Martin Scorcese’s 2016 film, based on Shusaku Endo’s celebrated novel Silence, raises a wide range of faith-related questions. The story follows Fr. Sebastian Rodrigues, a seventeenth-century Jesuit priest from Portugal who sneaks into Japan in a time when Christians were brutally persecuted there.

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Seventeenth-century Japan: Two Portuguese Jesuit priests travel to a country hostile to their religion, where feudal lords force the faithful to publicly renounce their beliefs. Eventually captured and forced to watch their Japanese Christian brothers lay down their lives for their faith, the priests bear witness to unimaginable cruelties that test their own beliefs. Shusaku Endois one of the most celebrated and well-known Japanese fiction writers of the twentieth century, and Silence is widely considered to be his great masterpiece.

ADVENT and CHRISTMAS 2016

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ADVENT 2016
 
As Catholic Christians, we too spend our lives waiting. But we are waiting for something much bigger than a trip, bigger even than retirement or a wedding: We are waiting for the return of Jesus in glory. Advent heightens this sense of waiting, because it marks not only our anticipation of Jesus’ final coming, but also our remembrance of his arrival into our world more than 2,000 years ago.
Overwhelmed by the demands of the season, we can wait for Jesus in a state of anxiety, or cynicism, or harried indifference toward the miracle that is upon us. Or we can take our cue from the prayer we hear every Sunday and “wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.” Welcoming Jesus into our homes and our hearts, full of hope and joy, prepares us to properly celebrate Jesus’ birth and anticipate his return.
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Please download some of our resources to use school
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Lectio from Prof  Seamus O’Connell
Really love the CAFOD Advent Calander this year … just so engaging and full of depth and challenge
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Other resources
An Assembly :
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Wonderful new Assembly Susan has written.  Suitable for senior class students.
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New Christmas Prayer to the Holy Family
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 Jesus, Mary and Joseph, 

in you we contemplate 
the splendor of true love; 
to you we turn with trust. 

Holy Family of Nazareth, 
grant that our families too
may be places of communion and prayer, 
authentic schools of the Gospel
and small domestic churches.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
may families never again experience
violence, rejection and division;
may all who have been hurt or scandalized
find ready comfort and healing.

Holy Family of Nazareth, 
make us once more mindful 
of the sacredness and inviolability of the family, 
and its beauty in God’s plan. 

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
graciously hear our prayer.

Amen.