Thank You
Thank you to the families who returned the community survey for the Catholic Character review and for those who were able to make it to the parent meeting.
Church Strand - Religious Education Program
Currently in Religious Education the learning focus is on the Church.
Year 0-1 learning:
Belonging. We belong to and participate and celebrate in communities such as our family-wha¯nau, our school and our parish. The Church is a community of Christ’s followers or disciples called together by the Holy Spirit to carry on Christ’s mission in life today.
Home learning ideas:
- attend a parish function as a family
- draw children’s attention to other people who belong to your parish
Year 2 learning:
Gathering, Celebrating, Living God’s Presence. Our local parish as it gathers, celebrates, lives and prays as a community, is a part of the Church which Jesus founded and is a sign which brings about God’s presence and love in the world. Belonging to a parish is both a privilege and a responsibility.
Home learning ideas:
- identify the people who live nearby who belong to your parish and introduce your children to them
- praise each other for responsible behaviour
Year 3 and 4 learning:
Called to be like Jesus. The Scriptures record how Jesus called his disciples and apostles to follow him. Those who have been initiated into the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist are also called to carry on the mission of Jesus. They do this by worshipping God and serving and loving others and always acting with tika and pono.
Called to Service. Through Baptism all are called to holiness, lived out through various vocations; single life, marriage, religious life or priesthood. As members of the Church, they are called to carry out its mission of service.
Home learning ideas:
- discuss the ways the Church carries on the mission of Jesus in the world today – caring, loving, helping, being with people in their times of need, showing respect for everyone especially those whose tapu has been violated or hurt
- have a box for family members to collect clothing, toys, etc which can be passed on to the St Vincent de Paul outlet
Year 5 and 6 learning:
The Church Celebrates. Central to the life of the Church is worship of God through prayer, proclamation of the Word and celebration of sacraments. Central to this worship is the weekly celebration of the Eucharist on the Lord’s Day.
The Church as a Pilgrim People. The Church is a Pilgrim People on a life journey – Te Wa towards God. Since the time of the early Church, Christians have used their different gifts to spread the Good News. Within the Church people follow different vocations such as the Religious Life, the Single Life or Marriage.
Home learning ideas:
- pray together that each member of your family will recognise and respond to God’s call
- include single people in your family or parish in your family celebrations
Father’s Day Prayer
God of Abraham, Moses and Aaron;
of Zachary, father of John the Baptist,
of Joseph, foster-father of Jesus,
listen to our prayer:
Bless all who ‘father’ and protect new life in any way,
these ‘fathers’ who teach and guide,
who encourage and lead.
Invite them to the table of your eternal feast,
these ‘fathers’ who work hard to provide for the life
that has been entrusted to them.
Embrace them warmly in the intimacy of your love,
these ‘fathers’ who lift up with strength
those who are helpless and dependent.
Bless them today with all good things:
with health, with laughter, with joy and with love,
with pride in their ‘children’
and with the support of many friends.
May all ‘fathers’ who have protected and guided the life of others be themselves held securely one day in your strong embrace, there, for all eternity, to rejoice with their families and friends.
Playgroup at St Mary Immaculate
Thursdays, 9am to 11am. Contact Anna 027 427 9921 or Pam 027 238 3092.
Bishop Denis’ Jubilee
Bishop Steve Lowe and the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton invite you to join us for the celebration of Mass on Friday, 8 September 2017 at 6.00 pm for the Most Rev Denis Browne, Bishop Emeritus of Hamilton as he reaches the combined milestones of his 80th birthday, 55 years ordained a priest and 40 years as Bishop to be held at the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Hamilton East. A light supper will be served in the church foyer after the Mass.
Maori Spirituality – He Rau Toroa Workshop
Tauranga 29 - 30 September & 13 - 14 October (2 Friday evenings and 2 Saturdays). For more information, phone Cynthia Piper: 07 856 6989, or 0800 217 411. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Teresa Rush
DRS
