Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome back to Term Four!

Each year in our parishes, parents are supported in their responsibility as the first educators in the faith of their children. It is first and foremost in the home that children understand what it is to be a Christian and to call themselves a follower of Christ. Our schools and parishes are there to assist in the faith formation and development of our children but can never replace the role of parents.This year has been a challenge to the way in which our parishes have been able to support the sacramental life and catechesis of our parish children.

It seems clear now that we will not be able to run an outside school Parish Catechists program for children preparing for the sacraments in 2020. Given that our churches are still closed, and that after that we are likely to be limited to small congregations, we will need to postpone the celebration of Confirmation and Reconciliation until 2021. Hopefully this will bring some certainty to families who have been seeking information around our Sacramental Programs for this year.

The postponement of the celebration of the Sacraments does not mean that we will postpone the ongoing education in faith of our children. In fact, this creates new opportunities and challenges for us. Those children in the parish primary schools of St Bede's, St Anne’s and St Bridget’s – will continue with a program of religious education that has included the Sacrament of Confirmation and Reconciliation. They will be well prepared for the reception of the Sacraments in 2021.

For these students and for students in other schools in our local area our parish will continue to provide our weekly resources designed for families to use on a Sunday to listen to the readings of the Sunday Mass, reflect on them together and pray. Why not allocate half an hour over the weekend to turn off electronic devices and explore some of these readings and faith topics together?

Thank you to all teachers, catechists and parents who continue to hand on the faith to their children. Please know that your Parish Priests and staff are here to assist you and always welcome your contact. Please let us know if we can support you in any way. In the meantime, let’s continue to support our children, pray with them, encourage their questions and wonderings about all things to do with faith and life and trust that God will do the rest.

Bernadette, Brian and Fr. John

I have listed below the understandings that each year level are working towards with their class in Religious Education, Term Four

By the end of the term we want the students to understand that:

Prep

Family is an important part of our faith life.

Jesus had a family.

Families are a gift from God.

Year 1/2

We can identify and recognise the historical perspective of stories from the New Testament

e.g The Infancy Narratives of Luke and Matthew's Gospel and Parable of the Good Samaritan.

We can make connections from New Testament texts to our world today.

We can apply the perspective of Catholic Social Teaching to our own lives.

Year 3/4

Reconciliation can't happen without forgiveness.

All people have freedom to make choices.

People have different perspectives about the same idea.

The choices made can help people to grow in their relationship with God and others.

Jesus teaches us about healing , forgiveness and reconciliation.

When we are sorry about bad choices, Jesus understands, forgives us and invites us to a new way of living.

Advent is a time for preparing for new changes.

Year 5/6

There are ways to build just and compassionate relationships

Imagery, plot, setting and author's purpose contribute to the meaning of a scripture text.

We can make connections from New Testament to experiences, feelings and beliefs.

We have a role in the mission of the Church and the Kingdom of God.

Advent is a time for preparing for new changes.

Week Four

Please note in Week Four we celebrate all Saints Day.

The Year 5/6 classes will lead us in Assembly on Friday 30th October

Reflection