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RE Classrooms?

As you are aware, this week students in Year 7, 8 and 9 have been learning about the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy; key teachings of the Catholic Church

At the heart of the Catholic Church is service -providing compassion and mercy to those in need through acts and deeds - most famously outlined in Matthew 25. This idea of ‘mercy’ is an English word translated from the Latin ‘misericordia’ and one which Pope Francis touches on frequently. In his announcement that 2016 was to be the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis led his announcement with the reminder that “Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy,” the heart that shares another’s misery in his. The Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy are firstly God’s acts of mercy towards us. In our offering these interior and exterior ‘works’ to others, God uses us to channel his mercy to others. That is, God expresses his ‘loving kindness’ to the world through us– especially to the poor and oppressed.

To demonstrate this understanding and to live out Pope Francis’ message of “being the face of God’s mercy”, junior students have been asked to complete acts of service around the house. During our Zooms, it has been great to hear about all the wonderful acts of service occurring in your households during this difficult time!

Next week, students will be asked to continue to complete acts of service, recording them in their “Service Diary” which can be found on their RE Google Classroom. The focus of next week moves to the Cardinal and Theological Virtues of the Church. As part of their classwork/Zooms, students will learn about the four Cardinal Virtues and the three Theological Virtues. They will then demonstrate this understanding by explaining how their act of service lives out a Cardinal or Theological Virtues.

Want to know more? Watch this 5 minute clip on the Virtues of the Catholic Church

In Week 8, our focus will then shift to the Season of Creation, commencing on September the 1st. Catholic Earthcare Australia has recently launched a campaign encouraging Catholics to embrace the Church’s Season of Creation next month by taking photos of their actions for the environment and publishing them online. The campaign is inspired by the Church’s Laudato Si’ “action goals” and in support of the Australian Catholic bishops’ latest Social Justice Statement, Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor. The “action goals” include:

• Pray for and with creation;
• Live more simply;
• Advocate to protect our common home.

If you want to know more about the Season of Creation, commencing next month, watch this 1-minute clip wherePope Francis Ask Us to Pray for Creation.

Finally, a reminder to parents and guardians; your child’s act of service cannot be part of their usual chore list nor should they receive pocket money or incentives. Good luck!

Caitlin Fahey | Religious Education Coordinator