Spreading the Good News

No 89 Term 4 2013

Spreading the Good News

Jesus said, “my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.

He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in him.”

John 6:55-56

Dear SRE Teachers, Helpers and Members of the Clergy, As I begin to write this letter it is raining very heavily and has been raining since early morning. There will be a number of happy farmers in our communities. It sounds as though the rain has fallen in the northern area on NSW so gives hope to the many families who have been watching their crops starting to show the need for a good watering. Last week in Dubbo the stock sale yards had the biggest sale of sheep and cattle they had seen for many years. Stock from up north being brought down for sale as there was not enough feed. We continue to pray for rain to revitalise the dry land out beyond Nyngan and Bourke and further west.

Vicki and I have been privileged to visit you in your classrooms. Each of you need to be commended on the way you prepare your lessons. We can see that you put a lot of prayer and time into following the guidelines from the curriculum and planning what is best for your group. The variety of activities help to engage the children and reinforces what you teach.

ST RAPHAEL’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL COWRA During the last two terms Vicki and I have been introducing the Year Nine students at St Raphael’s to the Special Religious Education (SRE) Ministry. Two students decided to take on the role of Students Catechist Helpers and did the Introduction, Classroom and Child Protection training. Both girls have started at Mulyan Public school with two SRE Teachers.

LA SALLE ACADEMY CATHOLIC SCHOOL LITHGOW

SRE RETURN FORM Included in this mail out will be the SRE Return form for each SRE Teacher to fill in and return to me by the end of October, 2013 please. This information is important for the Diocese as well for the CCRESS Conference early next year.

CHRISTIAN SRE BROCHURES These brochures will be distributed to the State schools as a means of informing Parents/Caregivers and communities of the contribution that Special Religious Education makes in the New South Wales State schools. There is a need to present this information in an accurate and concise means so families can make good choices for their children. A brochure has been sent to the Coordinators. If you haven’t seen one ask your coordinator or contact me. We hope to have them in all the schools early next term.

YEAR OF FAITH The Year of Faith is coming to a close. The 29th September will be dedicated to A Day for Catechists on the 20th Anniversary of the Publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Catechists from all over the world will gather in Rome for the celebration.

This is a day to remember all Catechists – Catholic Education, and other parish ministries – RCIA, Sacramental Programs, Children Liturgy. On the 13th October the focus will be on Mary the Mother of Jesus, in the Church. The 24th November will be the closing celebration of the Year of Faith.

It is a time to congratulate the two Students from La Salle whose SCH;; commitment to the SRE attendance of lessons continues. I’m sure the two SRE Teachers who attend Lithgow Primary would endorse this comment.

Vicki and I will be attending La Salle again, in October to present to this year’s Year 9 Students an outline of the SRE Ministry. This outline will give students an idea of what is involved as a Helper in the classroom and hopefully some might like to support as Helpers in the State school.

SRE UPDATE The SRE Update has been included with this newsletter.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK (WWCC The Working With Children Check (WWCC) began on the 15th June 2013. For all Special Religious Education Volunteers who have face to face contact with children, registration will be 1st January 2014 – 31st December 2014. It cannot be lodge beforehand. No fees will be applicable for Volunteer Special Religious Education Teachers/Helpers. New Teacher/Helper Engagement Forms will be sent out with this Newsletter. I suggest

the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-10), and the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24) Both stories encourage us to repentance and portrays God’s forgiveness, love and mercy. Also this term the children are encouraged to pray through the formal prayers, and importantly to pray spontaneously. The last couple of weeks of the SRE Term we prepare for the Christmas Season through the weeks of Advent. The liturgical Cycle is Year A. The readings are from Matthew’s Gospel.

you wait until about April to register. All new people need to register before they start in the schools. www.newcheck.kids.nsw.gov.au Any questions please email me or ring me.

0407001196 SUNDAY SCRIPTURES ALIVE CEO Christchurch NZ

SAFE CHURCH AWARENESS WORKSHOPS DUBBO : Sunday 30th November at Christian Outreach Centre, 51 Thompson St, 9.30am – 3.30pm Presenter: Michael Farbridge 07 34571089 Online registration: www.coc.org.au then go to events page.

This term is focused on Luke’s Gospel Chapters 17 – 23, asking Jesus to increase our faith. This requires a close personal relationship with God. The path of the Gospel encourages and leads us to a spirituality with God through faith. Faith helps to build trust. Jesus tells the stories recorded in Luke’s gospel to show us that every day activities, if we are committed and recognise our relationship with God, will develop our faith for which we give thanks and praise.

As for the Colal program the Advent readings are from Matthew’s Gospel.

CONNECT TERM FOUR OVERVIEW OF CURRICULUMS CHRIST OUR LIGHT AND LIFE (COLAL) Archdiocese of Sydney 2010

Some children throughout the Diocese will be preparing to receive the Sacrament of Penance through the Rite of Reconciliation. Through this Sacrament we ask for and receive God’s forgiveness. For the Stages 2 & 3 it is a time to reflect on the Sacraments they have received. It is a time to reflect on the Bible stories of

CEP Connect Works Cycle C2 2011

The reference is “Living in God’s Kingdom.” The Gospel stories come from 1 & 2 Timothy, Matthew, Luke, Ephesians and 2 Corinthians. The Children will be involved in reading the Bible, prayer, giving thanks and being joyful. While looking at how Kingdom Kids live we ask “How might knowing that Jesus is God, and will rule as King forever, affect the way we live?” p151

GODSPACE Burst Christian Resources 2011

Mega Theme – God’s People. Listening and responding to God. How we as children can make a difference - Miriam. How we do great things with God – David. The story of Josiah – 2 Chronicles 33 – 34.

The Christmas Story TERM DATES

TERM 4 2013 Tuesday 8th October 2013 to th Friday 20 December 2013

TERM 1 2014 th

Tuesday 28 January 2014 Eastern Division Tuesday 4th February 2014 Western Division to th Friday 11 April 2014 EASTER 2014 Good Friday 18th April Easter Sunday 20th April TERM 2 commences 28th April 2014 LENT TO OR MISPLACED I have lent or misplaced a copy of “JUST IMAGINE 1” Creative ways of presenting Scripture. CD ROM from Mount joy Enterprises. Written by Rina Wintour. It has my name on the front of it.

BIBLES I have been given a number of Bibles for use in the schools. If you would like some for your class use in Stage 3, Years 5 & 6 let me know. Phone: 0407001196

CHURCH CALENDARS DATES NOVEMBER 1st 2nd 21st 22nd 24th 30th

All Saints All Souls Presentation of the Bl Virgin Mary St Cecilia Christ the King St Andrew, Apostle

DECEMBER 1st 3rd 8th 9th 15th 22nd 25th 26th 27th 28th 29th

1st Sunday of Advent St Francis Xavier 2nd Sunday of Advent The Immaculate Conception 3rd Sunday of Advent 4th Sunday of Advent Christmas Day St Stephen St James, Apostle & Evangelist The Holy Innocents Holy Family

JANUARY 2014 1st Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God 5th The Epiphany th 12 The Baptism of the Lord th 19 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time 21st St Agnes th 24 St Francis de Sales th 25 Conversion of St Paul, the Apostle th 26 Australia Day th 28 St Thomas Aquinas st 31 St John Bosco

CATHOLIC RESOURCE CENTRE A multi-media lending library operated by the Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Bathurst.

Tel: (02) 6338 3022 - If phone diverts to voicemail, pleases DO leave a message and your call will be returned as soon as possible.

Email recentre@bth.catholic.edu.au Fax: (02) 6338 3001 P O Box 725 Bathurst NSW 2795 Gilmour Street Kelso NSW 2795 ONLINE CATALOGUE: http://library.bth.catholic.edu.au/ HOURS: TERM 4 – 2013: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 9 am – 12 noon & 1 pm – 5 pm Tuesdays: 2 pm – 5pm

- Outside these hours by appointment.

- There are odd, unscheduled times when the Centre may be closed during standard hours.

It is strongly recommended to telephone the Centre in advance to ensure staff availability, especially if coming from a distance.

Presented are a sample of resources and teaching aids pertinent to Term 4, 2013 lessons. The four programs used in SRE as relevant are referenced after resource information in bold using abbreviations of: ‘Christ our Light and Life’ - COLAL ‘Sunday Scripture Alive’ - SSA ‘Connect’ - CON ‘Godspace’ - GODS Advent ABCs : a reproducible activity book [book] written and illustrated by Janie Gustafson. 28 p.

Includes copy masters. GENERAL Forgive Us Our Debts [DVD] (Series: Animated Stories from the New Testament ; 3) In this animated version of two Bible stories, Jesus teaches his disciple, Peter, about debt and forgiveness. Peter catches a fish with a coin inside its mouth sufficient to repay Peter's debt. Jesus tells a parable of a man forgiven by his king of an enormous debt who does not offer the same mercy to his debtor, instead sending the man to prison.

"To receive forgiveness we must also forgive"-Container. "Nest Complete Learning System". GODS Forgiveness [DVD] (Series: Brother Francis presents)

In this presentation, Brother Francis reminds old and young alike about the great gift of God’s forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Four parts on the DVD are: ‘The Parable of the Tax Collector’ – animated depiction of Jesus’ teaching about repentance; ‘How to make a good confession’; ‘God is a Loving Father’ – a musical reminder that in His perfect love, God only wants to help us; ‘Praise God, I’m Forgiven’ – a visualised song celebrating the gift of God’s mercy and forgiveness’. COLAL / SSA / It all begins with Jesus [DVD] (The celebrating church ; disc 1) Series: produced by Suzanne Powell ; directed by Madeline Powell. Lesson notes. GODS The Jesus movie [DVD] / producer, Charles Meyer ; written & directed by Wayne Zeitner. On cover : Experience the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Back cover : ... transports children to Nazareth for the story of Jesus' birth, follows his life and miracles along the shores of Lake Galilee and ends in Jerusalem with his arrest, crucifixion and resurrection...simple, straightforward narrative.Animated. SSA King David [Big Book] writer, Paul Taouk ; illustrator, Niel [sic] Curtis. Included : God chooses David ; David and Goliath. GODS Listen : 2 programmes for children on the bible : Schema : Stories Jesus told [DVD] Episodes from the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and ten Parables from the New Testament including ‘The Lost Sheep’, ‘The Good Samaritan’ and ‘The Pharisee and the Tax Collector’. COLAL / SSA Parables Jesus told [Big Book] writers, Catherine Blythe, Sue Moffat, Tricia Murray ; illustrators, Geoff Cook ... [and others]. Contents : The Prodigal Son ; The Sower and the seeds ; The Good Samaritan.

COLAL Parables of the Kingdom [Big Book] writers, Catherine Blythe ... [and others] ; illustrator, Betty Greenhatch. Included : the mustard seed ; the yeast ; the treasure and the pearl. CON Prayer with young people [DVD] Contains four programs covering prayers of praise, prayers of asking, centering prayer and where, when, how and what do

we pray. Each part is between 10 to 13 minutes long.

COLAL

To live as Jesus did [DVD] Three programs presented

by Gaynell Cronin : The Wall (gossip) ; The Kickball Game (swearing) ; The Candy Store (stealing).

Colourful illustrations and live action are used to explore these themes. GODS

The Centre holds a wide range of picture sets, children’s Bible stories, DVDs and can suggest web sites for classroom stories and activities using Interactive White Boards. Contact the Centre for assistance or resource suggestions for your SRE lessons.

The vineyard and the wedding: 4 stories of God's kingdom.[Big Book] (Storyteller series) by Dina Strong with pictures by Allan Eitzen. Large picture book features: 'First, Middle, Last [The Workers in the Vineyard]'; 'The Two Sons'; 'Come to the Feast! [The Wedding Feast ]'; and 'Ten Girls [The Wise and Foolish Virgins]'. SSA / CON The vineyard and the wedding storyteller's kit. [Kit] Contents: 1 session guide, 1 game board and pieces, 4 story cards, 3 feasts and celebration cards, 2 posters.

This kit is intended for use in conjunction with the big book 'The vineyard and the wedding : 4 stories of God's kingdom' which is also held in Centre's lending collection. SSA / CON Information about the centre, resources, contact form and more can be found at the ‘REgathering’ site.

DIRECTORY Helen C Ryan P O Box 720 DUBBO NSW 2830 HOME: 02 6884 5848 MOBILE: 0407001196 Email: hcryan@nsw.chariot.net.au

Hours of opening and advance notice of any changes are at http://regathering.weebly.com/ Topical information about resources and web sites for Christian education are discussed in the blog which is searchable by a number of subject tags is located at http://regathering.weebly.com/resources.html A wide range of music CDs are available related to Jesus’ life, the Bible. Advent, Christmas and more.

Mrs Vicki Mair 73 Freeman Circuit BATHURST NSW 2795 HOME: 02 6332 2835