No 82 Term 1 2012

Spreading Good News

Welcome people …………..Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many giftsto be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.If you have the gift of speaking, preach God’s message.If you have the gift of helping others, do it with the strength that God supplies.Everything should be done in a way that will bring honour to God because of JesusChrist, who is glorious and powerful forever. Amen

1Peter 4:9-11

My dear SRE Teachers and Assistants,As we begin another year in ministry tostudents in State schools, I would like to saywelcome to each of you who so generouslygive of you time as Catechists to go intoclassrooms to share your knowledge of God’slove for each child. May the Lord bless ourwork in His vineyard with abundant, ifunseen success. As a group of volunteers whocarry the gospel message to the students inour State schools, I am sure the messagegiven to the students, will help them tounderstand the meaning for their lives andinspire attitudes of a disciple of Jesus Christ.

CATECHIST SUNDAYCatechist Sunday will be celebrated in theDiocese of Bathurst on Sunday 26th February.If you have anything, e g photos or storiesthat could be used for the Observer, wouldyou forward them toobserver@bathurst.catholic.org.au before the3rd March. Any Easter pictures from last yearwould be acceptable.

Catechist Sunday is a celebration for thegenerous volunteers who go to the Stateschools. It is an opportunity for SRE Teachers/Assistants to promote the work they doeach week for Scripture lessons in SpecialReligious Education. (SRE)

Coordinators , could you meet with yourParish Priest to discuss the Liturgy plan forthat weekend.

YEAR OF GRACEThe Year of Grace is the Australian Bishops’gift to the Church to celebrate and renew ourfaith and life as Catholics. Catholic people ofAustralia have been called to a Year of Gracewhich will span the time from Pentecost

2012 to Pentecost 2013. It is an exhortationfrom the Bishops of Australia to commitourselves to start afresh from Christ.More information on the Diocese ofBathurst website.

CODE OF CONDUCTInteraction with the Students*Behaviour that may cause psychologicalharm to a student:*Targeted and sustained criticism, belittlingor teasing;*Excessive or unreasonable demands;*Hostility; verbal abuse, rejection orscapegoating;*Using inappropriate locations or socialisolation, outside of school’s discipline policy,as punishment;

SRE Teachers/Assistants must always treatstudents in a consistent manner withoutinappropriate or spending ‘special time’with any student.

Some indicative behaviours that maysuggest a student is not being treated in aconsistent manner could include:

*Giving gifts to a child (for example givingbirthday gift to a particular student whenthis is not the practice with other students,or asking the student to keep the gift as asecret from others ;)*Showing special favours;*Allowing a student to over-step rules, exceptwhere it is clearly articulated in a student’sIndividual Education Plan or IndividualBehaviour Management Plan;*Sharing secrets with a student;*Inconsistent consequences or allowances;

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ANDCOMMUNITIES

Requirements of all SRE Teachers &Assistants, by the DEC is that we have on

record all Volunteers who go into theschools, have signed a NSW Working withChildren Check – Volunteer/ StudentDeclaration as required under theCommission for Children and Young PeopleAct 1998. The Catholic Diocese of Bathursthas in place a process where the formssigned by you are kept at the Chancery Officeand I have to sign an Authorisation ofTeachers of Special Religious Education Form2012 for the DEC to say I have on record yoursigned form before you go to the schools.The revised Policies and ProceduresDocuments are on the DEC website.

FORMSAgain we need to fill in the SRE Return forms.I’d like these forms to be sent to me byMARCH 5TH , please.

AUTHORISATION CARDAll SRE Teachers and Assistants ensure thatyou have a current ( purple ) Authorisationcard signed by your Parish Priest. Carry thiscard each time you go to your class. ThePrincipal of the school may ask to see yourcard.

TRAINING DAYSBATHURST 1st FebruaryVenue Christian Life Centre

Corner Gilmore & Hereford StTopics -Classroom Management

-Craft-Stage Groups preparations ofLessons

Contact & registrationMr Steve Howes 6331 5251

ORANGE 15th FebruaryContact person Rose Cooke

RYSTONE 9th March

WARREN 12th March

TERM ONE OVERVIEW of PROGRAMSCEP CONNECT PROGRAM CYCLE B1The question is asked ‘Who is Jesus?’ Thefocus is on Luke’s Gospel. Growing with God– beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus callspeople, has power to forgive and to heal.The Easter story. Jesus’ power over life anddeath. His Resurrection and Ascension.The SRE Teachers who work with SundayScriptures Alive follow the Sundayreadings, Year B, Mark’s Gospel Ch 1 – 9.The third, fourth & fifth Sunday Gospelreadings of Lent are from John’s Gospel.Included in the sheets are appropriateworksheets for each stage.

WALKING WITH JESUS – PATHWAYSOF DISCIPLESHIP

Diocese of Broken Bay 2006The first lessons focus on God’s love in theworld and His love for all creation. TheTeachers will work with the students toencourage responsibility in their actions incaring for God’s creation. The students listen toand recount some stories of Jesus life, HisDeath and Resurrection.

CHRIST OUR LIGHT AND LIFEArchdiocese of Sydney 2010

People are God’s special creation. We allmake choices – good and bad. Lent &Prayer. Stories of events leading up to HolyWeek. The signs of Jesus’ love for each oneof us.

GODSPACEBeginning the term with an introduction forthe students about God, Jesus and the Bible.Continuing with the Creation story.To give an insight into who Jesus is, and hisclose friends. Jesus’ model of prayer using theLord’s Prayer.Also the story of Joseph, one who trustedGod.Easter.

CRE PROGRAMWhat is made reveals something about themaker. The Bible is the best source ofinformation about God. Jesus chose others tohelp him. Everyone is specialJesus put care of others first. Jesus actionshelp us to know who He is.Easter.

SAFE CHURCH AWARENESSWORKSHOPS 9.30am – 3.30pmORANGE FRIDAY 10TH FEBRUARYContact: EMMA PARR 82674290Venue: Uniting Church Hall

DUBBO SATURDAY 11TH FEBRUARYContact: EMMA PARR 82674290Venue: Wesley House

(Dubbo Uniting Church Hall)64 Church Street, Dubbo

A requirement of Volunteers teaching SpecialReligious Education is Child ProtectionAwareness. Participants are asked to contribute$15.00 per person to attend the workshop.This helps cover the cost of course materials.Please bring own lunch.

CROSS AUTHORISATION FORMIt’s important for this form to be filled in by allChurch groups, all SRE Teachers and Assistantsand signed by the Church authority withwhom they are affiliated. This form is to beCopied, kept at the parish office and the originalhanded to the school.

SRE CELEBRATION AT PARLIAMENTHOUSE SYDNEY

I’ve included a flyer with information aboutthe celebration at Parliament House for SRETeachers/Assistants to recognise the generouswork you do in Special Religious Education.

CHURCH CALENDAR2nd February Presentation of The Lord

11th February Our Lady of Lourdes22nd February Ash Wednesday26th February 1st Sunday of Lent17th March St Patrick19th March St Joseph26th March The Annunciation of the Lord1st April Passion Sunday5th April Holy Thursday6th April Good Friday8th April Easter Sunday

15th April Divine Mercy Sunday25th April Anzac Day26th April St Mark, Evangelist

DIRECTORYHelen C RyanCCD SREP O BOX 720DUBBO NSW 2830

Home: 02 6884 5848Mob: 0407 001 196Email: hcryan@nsw.chariot.net.au

Mrs Vicki Mair73 Freeman CircuitLianarthBATHURST NSW 2795

Home: 02 6332 2835

CATHOLIC RESOURCE CENTREA multi-media lending library operated

by the Catholic Education Office,Diocese of Bathurst

PO BOX 725 BATHURST NSW 2795GILMOUR STREET KELSO NSW 2795

Information, resources and services tosupport SRE are available from theCatholic Resource Centre.Telephone: (02) 6338 3022- If Centre is busy or unattended, pleaseDO leave a message and we will returnyour call as soon as possible.Fax: (02) 6338 3001Email: recentre@bth.catholic.edu.au

Hours – Term 1 – 2012:Monday, Wednesday, Thursday andFriday : 9 am – noon & 1 pm – 5 pmTuesday: 2pm – 5pm- Outside these hours by appointment.-Since there are odd, unscheduled timeswhen the Centre may be closed duringstandard hours, it is stronglyrecommended that if you plan to visit theCentre, especially if coming from adistance, to telephone in advance toensure staff availability.

PO BOX 725BATHURST NSW 2795

GILMOUR STREET KELSO NSW 2795Telephone: 02 6338 3022

Fax: 02 6338 3001Email: recentre@bth.catholic.edu.au

Online CatalogueBookmark / save to favourites the URLbelow for quick access to the Centre’sonline catalogue. A guide to using theonline catalogue is available from theCentre.http://library.bth.catholic.edu.au/

WEB RESOURCES -REsourcesBathurst has links to websites for the primary religiouseducation program used in Catholicschools in the diocese. Visit the linkbelow and insert a tag such as ‘easter’for a list of related links.

http://www.delicious.com/resourcesbathurst/

EASTER DVD’s – Selection availablefor loan

The Jesus movie [DVD]On cover : Experience the birth, life,death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.Back cover : ... transports children toNazareth for the story of Jesus' birth,follows his life and miracles along theshores of Lake Galilee and ends inJerusalem with his arrest, crucifixionand resurrection...simple,straightforward narrative. Animated.

The First Easter [DVD]A 3-D animation special telling thestory of Jesus Christ though the eyesof a child to teach children ages 4-10the meaining and significance of thecrucifixion and resurrection. MeetNate, a young street orphan, and hisfaithful companion, a loving, brave-hearted little dog named Bark.

Together they wander the streets ofJerusalem seeking food and shelteruntil one day they come face to facewith a man called Jesus. As Natewatches him suffer on the cross, hiseyes are opened for the first time towitness the Light of God. Join Nate onhis journey as he discovers a faith bornthrough his encounter with JesusChrist, whose resurrection foreverchanged the course of Nate's life... andhis heart.

TERM ONE PROGRAMSA few related resources, contact theCentre for more suggestions

In the beginning : based on Genesis 1-2:4 [Storybook + Compact Disc] /written by Andrew Chinn ; illustratedby Jacqui Brown.The Lord's Prayer [DVD]Main approx. 30 minutes. Bonusfeatures: Optional scripture referencesubtitles ; Adventure Quiz with 3 skilllevels ; Bible scriptures in King Jamesor NIV versions . Interactive for morefeatures online. Summary : After Jesus'resurrection and ascension intoHeaven, His disciples find their faithtested when Peter is arrested and castinto a Roman prison. As Herod plotsPeter's death, the believers gathertogether and follow the example thatJesus taught. Through faith andpersistent prayer, Peter's chains arebroken and the Angel of the Lord opensthe prison gates. --- Chapter index oninside cover.Ascension and Pentecost [Big Book]Included stories: Jesus returns to hisfather ; The spirit comes.You are special : a story about selfworth [Book +DVD]

This story is metaphor for theChristian understanding of each of usas special, created and loved by God.Based on the book: You are special /by Max Lucado ...Punchinello iscovered with the gray stickers....andcan't seem to earn even one gold star.When he meets a most unusualWemmick, Punchinello discovers thatthings can be different...and howspecial he is no matter what otherWemmicks think of him. Specialfeatures include an educationalvocabulary section and interactivegame. May need to use over twolessons as there is 60 minutes ofcontent on the DVD.

BIG BOOKS – Range of titles availablefor loan from the Catholic ResourceCentre.