R.E. News

Catholic Education Week: 'The Way of the Gospel'

Catholic Education Week 13–20 March 2022

This year, all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne will celebrate Catholic Education Week 2022 from 13 to 20 March. The theme for Catholic Education Week 2022 is ‘The Way of the Gospel’. 

There are 335 Catholic primary and secondary schools across Melbourne, enrolling more than 150,000 students and employing approximately 17,000 staff. Catholic schools provide high-quality education in a faith-centred environment. This annual event is held to promote the special ethos of Catholic schools and to highlight the great things that take place in Catholic schools every day.  

As Andrew stated in the Principal post: Our Vision statement implores us to live the message of Christ and says in part  'We Walk with Families in Faith and Knowledge' and  'we aim to inspire our students to learn and flourish in our contemporary world'. 

Some of our students have suggested the ways we are living out the 'Way of the Gospel'.

Some of our 5/6 students reflected on how we can follow the 'Way of the Gospel' in our R.E. lessons and church visits:

• Emily: We pray each morning.
• Keziah: We listen to the gospel, learn lessons and act on it.
• Karissa: By going to church. We see everyone as equal.
• Tenuli: It is a way to grow close to God and Jesus. 
• Ian: We listen to the stories of Jesus and try to follow in his footsteps, by helping others. 
• Damanpreet: We donate money to Caritas. We also have mini Vinnies
• Sofia: We follow the Gospel by doing the right things and being generous. Not just money but time, effort, kindness and thinking of others.

The 3/4 students reflected on how we live out the 'Way of the Gospel' in our lives:

• Navair: We pay respect to every person we pass, we say 'hello' and 'how are you?'. 
• Krishay: We sacrifice things for others. We give time to others.
• Raveesha: We help others in the classroom. 
• Cristina: We care for each other by helping others when they are hurt. 
• Ellie: We smile at someone and give them a compliment.
• Nethuli: We show respect for others.
• Viraj: we help people when they are struggling a little bit. 
• Tiana: We follow the rules.
• Justin: We are kind to others. 
• Antonia: We do random acts of kindness.
• Liam: We are generous and giving.

The 1/2 Students reflected on how we show 'The Way of the Gospel' by looking after others: 

• Heidi: We donate to a good cause like Caritas. 
• Penny: When we are raising money for Caritas, we do what Jesus told us to do and that is to look after people.

The second week of Lent: 'The Transfiguration' 

The Transfiguration occurs on a mountain in the presence of just three of Jesus' disciples – Peter, James and John. These are among the first disciples that Jesus called in Luke's Gospel. We do not know which mountain but, in general, mountains in Scripture are holy places, places where God is especially felt to be present. Jesus appears with Moses and Elijah, who represent the two principal components of the Old Testament: the Law and the Prophets. Moses was the giver of the Law, and Elijah was considered the greatest of the prophets. These two figures ‘spoke of Jesus’ departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem’, and show that the Law and the Prophets point forward to the Messiah and his sufferings.

Prayer for the second week of Lent: 

Loving God, you promise to be with us always. 

Give us hope when we despair, give us faith when we doubt, 

give us courage when we falter and 

give us the confidence to trust in you always. 

May we always turn to you in times of trouble and 

rejoice with you when times are good. 

We ask this prayer through Jesus, your Son. 

Amen.