R.E Report
Marriage and Family Week.
Week 1 of Term 3, O'Connor as part of the whole Armidale Diocese celebrates Marriage and Family Week. As part of the Marriage and Family Week resources provided by the CSO, the following gives some back ground information.
The family is the basic unit of society and of the Church. It is within the family that each person’s religious sensitivities are first called to life. Love, trust, wonder, reassurance, belonging, gratitude, a growing sense of responsibility and commitment – all of these set the foundations for experiencing God and growing in relationship with God and others.
We are all born into a family that has its own story. Members of a family belong to each other and are connected to each other in a special way. Understandings about ‘family’ can be related to the Catholic belief that all are part of God’s family, also connected to each other in a special way. As members of God’s family we all share in the continuing story of the people of God.
The story of the people of God begins a new chapter in the person of Jesus. Born into a Jewish family, descended from Abraham and Sarah, Jesus is the fulfilment of God’s promise. As the Son of God made human, Jesus was born into a family, into a particular society and culture, and lived in a certain geographical location, at a precise time in history. In this lesson it is important that students have opportunities to wonder about Jesus as a child and about his family, Mary and Joseph. As young children construct their images of Jesus, it is important that they identify with Jesus as someone who grew up in a family and experienced needs similar to their own.
In exploring the stories of Jesus’ childhood, foundations are laid for students to discover that God is with them in all places and at all times. God is revealed in a unique way in the person of Jesus.
As part of this program, O'Connor students will be;
1. Involved in Explore Program, where married couples will answer questions from year 11s regarding their experience of marriage.
2. Having specific prayers for marriage and families in the morning notices for PAC.
3. Using the Catholic Schools Office resources for devoted lessons to Marriage and Family Week in Religious Education classes.
Marriage and Family Week culminates with a family mass at the Cathedral at 10.00am on July 29. It would be terrific to see as many of O'Connors families there for mass and some morning tea after.
When I meet someone, who is getting married I say to them, “You are the ones who have courage!” Because it is not easy to form a family, not easy to commit your lives forever; it takes courage. And I am proud that you are courageous. (Pope Francis)
Founders Day
We welcome Brother Pat McCarthy, the second principal of O'Connor Catholic College to help us celebrate Founders Day on July 6. What a day it will be! In the morning our own Youth Ministers Olivia and Isaac will be educating students about history and founders in a fun interactive way, this will be followed by Mass in the chapel. Thank you Father Francis for celebrating mass with us. After Break A students will be treated to a concert performed by our talented, musicians, drama students and dancers. Finally after Break B the traditional Spiller Cup, where houses compete in a huge game of capture the flag.
Damian Roff
R.E Coordinator