R.E. News

We will be starting the school year with our Mass celebration next week, focusing on the theme of “knowing God and knowing others” and praying for our families and all those who make up our school community. During the year, we will have the opportunity to celebrate Liturgies, including the Sacraments in our class levels, so ask your children or check the newsletter for the dates of these and other special events and celebrations.

Our introductory topics in Religious Education will be around setting up a prayer space in the classroom and learning how we can communicate with God through prayer. Prayer is an essential part of the Christian tradition. It is listening and talking to God. Prayer is a way children can build a friendship with God. There are different ways to communicate with God through prayer: vocal prayer, meditation and prayers of intercession. Each day children have a quiet time for Christian Meditation – a time for stillness and silence.

Prayer Focus Questions: 

F / 1: How do I talk to God?

YR 2: How do we experience God through prayer?

YR 3/4: How, when and Why do we pray?

YR 5/6: How are we invited to pray in the Catholic tradition? 

Our Sacramental Program this year will involve a commitment to the Sacrament your child will be receiving. The commitment includes: completing the home program, the attendance at a family night and the receiving of the Sacrament. We will be sending a note home with children who will be receiving one / two of the Sacraments this year. The proposed dates for the Sacraments are listed below. These dates may change depending on the current situation.

Eucharist

Sacrament of Eucharist (Year 4 and Year 5): Sunday 2nd May at 10.00am (Sunday Parish Mass). There will be no Family Night for this Sacrament.

Confirmation

Sacrament of Confirmation (Year 6): Wednesday 14th July at 7pm

Reconciliation

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Year 4): Thursday 11th March during school time. (There will be no Family Night for this Sacrament)

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Year 3): Thursday 21st October (Time to be confirmed for both the Sacrament and Family Night closer to the date)

Prayer for the coming year:

We pray together as the community of St Martin de Porres. As we begin this new school year we offer our prayers, hopes and dreams to you as we journey together in our learning. Help us to get to know you and one another as we build and work within our community. We look ahead and hope for the best times this coming year. May we support one another in our mission to show love and service to all. Help us to know you, and to build relationships so we get to know and care for others. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Margaret Cronin

Religious Education Leader