A rationale for teaching Reconciliation in the Catholic Primary School
" Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
1 Corinthians: 13
1 Corinthians: 13
Teaching reconciliation in the Catholic Primary School is of extreme benefit and necessity for the nurturing of ones spiritual and religious development as well strengthening the intricate relationship between a school and parish community.
Students have participated in their first reconciliation in Year 2 however many lessons are learnt and circumstances in life change as they progress further into their middle and upper primary education. Providing students in stage two with a journey to strengthen their understanding, and personal connection to the celebration of Penance as a sacrament of healing, will allow them to form a closer relationship with God and those around them.
It is stated clearly in the Pastoral Letter of the Bishops of NSW in 'catholic schools at a crossroads' that as educators within Catholic Schools we have a responsibility to be the centre of the New Evangelisation. 'Faith like a seed newly planted in the human heart needs water and light.. our schools must deepen and instruct the faith once received.' Reconciliation is essentially, healing and deepening our relationship with God and those around us, broken down due to the sins we commit. As an educator of Religious Education I truly believe that children will benefit greatly in preparing for their Sacrament of Confirmation in year 6 by having a deeper understanding of how and why we need to heal our relationships through reconciliation. As supported CEO Sydney, (2012) 'the sacrament of penance is, in one respect, the renewal of our Baptism and allows us the freedom to live the Christian life, to be the people God made us to be.'
The Pastoral Letter of the Bishops of NSW also stresses that if Catholic schools are to succeed in passing on the Catholic faith to the next generation we must ensure 'Students will be brought to a knowledge and, as far as possible, love of the person, life and teachings of Christ and of the Trinitarian God of Love.' As Catholics we believe that Jesus is the Son of an all knowing and loving God and that through Christ's death and resurrection, for our sins we are gifted with the forgiveness of God. This may be a hard concept for children to grasp so therefore an element of this resource portfolio will focus on the teachings of Jesus Christ in particular his Golden Rule, 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' What better way to teach children in our Catholic Schools that through the sacrament of penance we are granted forgiveness by God, so we must also be willing to, in turn extend this forgiveness toward others. Strengthening the Students relationship with God, their community, class mates and family around them.
Students have participated in their first reconciliation in Year 2 however many lessons are learnt and circumstances in life change as they progress further into their middle and upper primary education. Providing students in stage two with a journey to strengthen their understanding, and personal connection to the celebration of Penance as a sacrament of healing, will allow them to form a closer relationship with God and those around them.
It is stated clearly in the Pastoral Letter of the Bishops of NSW in 'catholic schools at a crossroads' that as educators within Catholic Schools we have a responsibility to be the centre of the New Evangelisation. 'Faith like a seed newly planted in the human heart needs water and light.. our schools must deepen and instruct the faith once received.' Reconciliation is essentially, healing and deepening our relationship with God and those around us, broken down due to the sins we commit. As an educator of Religious Education I truly believe that children will benefit greatly in preparing for their Sacrament of Confirmation in year 6 by having a deeper understanding of how and why we need to heal our relationships through reconciliation. As supported CEO Sydney, (2012) 'the sacrament of penance is, in one respect, the renewal of our Baptism and allows us the freedom to live the Christian life, to be the people God made us to be.'
The Pastoral Letter of the Bishops of NSW also stresses that if Catholic schools are to succeed in passing on the Catholic faith to the next generation we must ensure 'Students will be brought to a knowledge and, as far as possible, love of the person, life and teachings of Christ and of the Trinitarian God of Love.' As Catholics we believe that Jesus is the Son of an all knowing and loving God and that through Christ's death and resurrection, for our sins we are gifted with the forgiveness of God. This may be a hard concept for children to grasp so therefore an element of this resource portfolio will focus on the teachings of Jesus Christ in particular his Golden Rule, 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' What better way to teach children in our Catholic Schools that through the sacrament of penance we are granted forgiveness by God, so we must also be willing to, in turn extend this forgiveness toward others. Strengthening the Students relationship with God, their community, class mates and family around them.