Religion

Religious Education in our school comprises of two distinct but complementary dimensions, the classroom teaching and learning of Religion (Religion Curriculum P-12) and the religious life of the school (Religious Life of the School P-12). Teaching religion is an educational activity focused on the teaching and learning of religion. 2013 was a threshold moment for Religious Education in the Archdiocese of Brisbane with the launch of the Religion Curriculum P-12, which has now been granted the Imprimatur by Archbishop Mark Coleridge for use in all archdiocesan schools. Content for the classroom teaching and learning of religion is organised around four strands with three sub-strands for each. The strands and sub-strands are:

Sacred Texts (Old Testament; New Testament; Spiritual Writings and Wisdom)
Beliefs (God, Jesus, Spirit; Human Existence; Religions of the World)
Church (Liturgy and Sacraments; Communion and Community; Church History)
Christian Life (Moral Formation; Mission and Service; Prayer and Spirituality)

Teaching people to be religious is identified with the religious life of the school and is a faith development activity focused on nurturing the religious, spiritual and faith growth of students. The structure of the Religious Life of the School source document includes four components and three elements for each. They are:

Religious Identity and Culture (Ethos and Charism; Authentic Christian Community; Sense of the Sacred)
Prayer and Worship (Christian Prayer; Celebrating Liturgy and Sacraments; Ritualising Everyday Life)
Evangelisation and Faith Formation (Living the Gospel; Spiritual Formation; Witness to the Wider Community)
Social Action and Justice (Justice in the School Community; Action for Justice; Reflection on Action for Justice)

Liturgies and other celebrations of prayer and worship are a regular occurrence in our school. They are Christ-centred and strongly connected to the Cycles of the Liturgical Calendar. At Assembly a class leads the school in prayer. These Monday assemblies take place every second Friday at 1.40pm in the Multi-purpose hall and seating is provided for parents and relations who attend. All are most welcome to join us for liturgies, prayer assemblies and any other celebration. These are important school community celebrations but they are prayerful occasions, not performances. Please be aware of this and respectful as we pray together in our multipurpose hall and parish church.

Social justice initiatives are an integral part of our Christian vocation. Action for justice through caring for the environment, applying Catholic Social Teaching and also through service is based on the dream of Jesus to establish the Kingdom of God. Our school community acts with justice and demonstrates a commitment to the poor and marginalised through active service and fund-raising endeavours.

Witness to the wider community calls Christians to give witness to the beliefs and values of the Catholic tradition and proclaim the Good News of Christ. In doing so, we develop collaborative relationships within our school and also with the parish. The school is involved in parish 9am Sunday masses on a regular basis. The dignity and respect of each person is important and we have a commitment to support relationships within the St Dympna’s community.

Pastoral Care

A pastoral care program within the school ensures that community needs are met, through the Class/Parent Pastoral Representative system.

Parish Sacramental Program

Note on the Reception of Sacraments

In accordance with the Archdiocesan Sacramental Policy, the Parish is “responsible for and ultimately involved in the Sacramental preparation and presentation of children”. The children are supported in their preparations at school through the Religious Education Guidelines; however it is parents’ responsibility to enrol their children in the appropriate Parish Sacramental Program.

Please go onto the parish website for further information

http://www.ourladyandstdympnaparish.com/

Parish contacts are as follows:

Parish Office Ph: 3862 9402

Email: aspley@bne.catholic.net.au