evangelisation plan mother teresa catholic school … · 2 school vision school vision: mother...

EVANGELISATION PLAN

MOTHER TERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL BALDIVIS

2015-17

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School Vision

School Vision: Mother Teresa Catholic School is an inclusive learning community seeking to grow strong in faith and love. In living the Gospel values and inspired by Mother Teresa’s spirit of outreach and love for all human beings, we aim to

CHALLENGE our students and all in our school community to

CONNECT with learning about ourselves, one another and the wider world, and CONTRIBUTE with confidence, courage and creativity towards making the world a better place for all peoples

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CHRIST IS THE FOUNDATION

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A. THE PRIMARY PROCLAMATION (1) Sacred Focus

(Classroom prayer centre, chapel, crucifix etc

Reverence Sign (‘Etiquette’, an expression of reverence)

A Sense of the Sacred

Effectiveness Indicators

1. Classroom Prayer Space

2. Sacred Symbols

3. Sacred Etiquette

4. Church Etiquette

5. Ritual

6. Priority Awareness of God’s presence in … ~ creation ~ people

Maintain a prayer focus in a prominent position in classroom

Prayer focus reflects Unit of Work and/or liturgical season

Time is allocated to focus on the prayer table during class prayers & reflections

Teach the use of traditional Christian symbols during prayer (e.g. statues, crucifix, rosary beads)

Use symbols on prayer focus table & classroom; focus on these during prayer

Bowing before entering the sanctuary at church

Silence after Gospel reading, homily & communion

Treat Bible with respect compared to other books – storage, handling, etc.

Sitting quietly before Mass begins.

Walking reverently through the church.

Bow before receiving communion & blessings

Kneel quietly & upright during Eucharistic Prayer

Bless oneself with holy water upon entering& leaving the church and prayer times.

Genuflect (or bow) correctly before taking place in pew.

Cross three times before Gospel at Mass.

Taking more pride in the presentation of school grounds.

Establish new gardens ~ become part of creation!

Learning to give to missions without any gain (e.g. donate without free dress, etc.)

Understanding how to live the school rules when showing respect toward others & their property

Understanding that the school and its families are a part of the Parish.

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Staff Formation

Understanding the meaning behind Catholic symbols, etiquette and rituals.-

Opportunities for Professional and Faith Development ( CEO, Parish Priest)

Staff reflection and retreat days.

Encourage, support and provide opportunities for staff to undertake Accreditation studies.


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A. THE PRIMARY PROCLAMATION (2) The Liturgical Year

Theme When Proclaimed (Feast, event, etc)

How (Method)

Where (Assembly, newsletter, etc)


Renewal Salvation Preparation

Ash Wednesday

Lent

Holy Week

Ascension

Pentecost

Body & Blood of Christ

Assumption of Mary

Birth of Mary

Month of Rosary (October)

All Saints/Souls Days

Advent

Christmas

Mass/Liturgy with distribution of the ashes

Project Compassion

Do good deeds of kindness toward others

Mass or Prayer liturgy

Stations of the Cross

Acknowledge @ assembly

Mass/Liturgy for Pentecost

Celebrate FHC on this day

Emphasise Mary’s sainthood with celebratory day incl. prayer

School Mass

Prayer Service

Pray parts of the rosary during October. Distribute rosary beads

School Mass with reference to chosen Confirmation saints

Advent Wreath prayer service held each Monday in late Term 4

Nativity Scene becomes a prayer focus in each class

Nativity Play & carols remain a focus at End-of-Year Concert

Church

Through class

Create Lenten calendars

Church/school

School

School

Church with parish

Church with parish

School

School grounds

Assembly

Assembly/Daily gatherings

Church with parish

Assembly

Classroom

School Concert

Staff Formation

Promote understanding the story behind the feast days celebrated Develop understanding of and forms of prayer. Dedicated time within staff meetings for knowledge and faith development.


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B. Believing Community - An Apprenticeship The Creed

Select EXPERIENCES from……

Belief to be proclaimed

(Identify experience)

Feast / Event

Witness: Way the belief is to be proclaimed e.g. newsletter, school prayer, etc


God: The Father The Creator Jesus Christ: Incarnation The Paschal Mystery The Holy Spirit: The Spirit in the Church: Experiences of God Communion of Saints Baptism Forgiveness of sins Resurrection of the body

God created the universe

We are made in image of God

Jesus was born man

Jesus died and rose from the dead.

The Holy Spirit strengthens us with the gifts.

The Church acknowledges special people living as Jesus did

God wants us to be with Him as part of his Church

God loves us so much He will always forgive us

NAIDOC ~ link to land

Arbor Day or WA Week

Birth of a child.

Advent

Christmas

Easter

Pentecost Sunday

Confirmation

All Saints & Souls Day

Feast Day of Mother Teresa - Sept 5 Reconciliation

Penance

Nature walks

Establish new gardens around the school.

Acknowledge & celebrate new births in school community

Emphasise birth of Jesus by Mary & God by: 1) Pray Joyful Mysteries 2) Nativity plays & display sets in classroom

Empasise Jesus’ resurrection from death by: 1) Acting out Stations of the Cross (incl. 15th) 2) Pray Sorrowful & Glorious Mysteries

Celebrate Pentecost Sunday with the parish focusing on Church’s birthday

Celebrate annual Confirmation for Yr 6 as a school

Celebrate feast days liturgically & secularly

Emphasise the welcoming of new school community members

Celebrate the sacrament of Penance before sacraments & during seasons of Lent & Advent

Link to the Virtues programme.

Staff Formation

Staff participate in exploring the Apostles Creed and familiarisation of the Nicene Creed


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Staff PD on the Virtues. Staff training on Making Jesus Real

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B. CELEBRATING COMMUNITY - An Apprenticeship A Sacramental Life

Select EXPERIENCES

from……


Celebrating How will our school

promote the sense of the sacred in its

liturgies?

Witness How will our school help students to participate

actively?

Praying How will our school help

students to respond actively to the ritual?


Baptism

Confirmation Eucharist Eucharistic Devotion

Reconciliation Anointing Holy Orders Matrimony

Liturgies of the Word

Welcomed into God’s Family

We receive the gifts of the Spirit

Jesus is truly present

We are reconciled with God & his family

We are people of the Book

Use the Paschal Candle and Baptismal Font in appropriate liturgies.

Units of Work to show link to Sacraments being celebrated – across the school.

Focus each year on 2 gifts & fruits

Focus on attributes of saints during All Saints &Confirmation

Focus on rituals & etiquette for receiving communion

Sacrament of Penance offered during Lent in class as a Lenten liturgy

Use lectionaries & Book of Gospel rather

than copies.

Always reflect on the opportunity that is offered by Christ through each particular liturgy.

Reflect on what we have to offer God from this liturgy.

Use the water blessing as the penitential rite in school masses

Talk about gifts during Confirmation build up – how these make you more like Jesus (fruits)

Insist on silence & teach prayers to say before/after communion

Regular class and school liturgies/masses.

Pray Examinations of Conscience or the Examen more often at end of day/week

Process in with Lectionary or Book of Gospels at each Mass

Re-enact Baptisms or participate in real one whenever possible.

Focus on gifts/fruits during assembly prayer in lead up to Conf.

Periods of prayerful silence to show reverence

All masses use PPt to encourage participation

Teach with understanding the Act of Contrition & The Confiteor

Use books for practice & actual Mass readings

Treat Bible in classroom as a very special book.

Encourage attendance at weekend masses.

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Use these books at all masses for readings

Include prayer and/or the mass as a part of celebrations of school life.

Staff Formation

PD to develop: A stronger understanding of the Mass and how to participate. A clearer understanding of the Sacraments of Initiation.


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B. PRAYING COMMUNITY - An Apprenticeship

Prayer Formal Prayer

1. School Prayer 2. Lord’s Prayer 3. Hail Mary 4. Act of Contrition 5. Apostle’s Creed 6. Glory be … 7. Gloria 8. The Confiteor 9. Grace before meals 10. Angelus ( be aware of) 11. The Rosary 12. Special Occasion Prayers (e.g. Mother Teresa,

Mary MacKillop)

When integrated into the school day

Major assemblies

Daily gatherings

Class prayers – morning and afternoon

School & Class Mass & Prayer Services

Sacramental liturgies

Use sung versions if available During specific liturgical seasons


Informal Prayer

1. Prayers of the Faithful/Intercessions 2. Spontaneous 3. ‘Homemade’ prayers from students

When integrated into the school day

Daily gatherings

Class prayers

Within units of work - thematic

Staff Formation

Know difference between prayer (to/about God) & reflection (human journey) “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I..” Mt 18:20 Using Reflective prayer and the Examen


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B. CHRISTIAN LIVING COMMUNITY - An Apprenticeship Life of Christ

Select EXPERIENCES

from …

Aspects of Person


Understanding - values

Witness

Subjects supporting


Freedom

Moral Conscience

Growth in virtue

Sin/ God’s mercy

Human relationship with society

Social Justice

God’s love

The First Great Christian Commandment

(the first three)

The Second Great Christian Commandment (the other 7)

Harmony with God Harmony with Creation Harmony within Harmony with Others

To develop ever-deepening intimate relationships through Jesus Christ, the Son of God God created human nature to reflect the ‘mastery’ over creation of its Creator God created human nature as a physical & spiritual unity. True harmony grows as this unity develops in one’s thoughts, words & actions God created human nature to reflect its Creator who is Trinity, reflecting the communion of the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit

Each reflects God by … Seeking personal experiences of God made possible through Christ’s means instituted within the community worship and life of his Church To appreciate the good and the beautiful in creation Emotionally as one reflects God by moving people to express the spiritual within through selfless love & goodness – by recognising & understanding their emotions & choosing when & how to follow these Respect for every person – their equality & their differences

Critiquing & challenging current beliefs & values in context of the Bible Care for school grounds Take part in local community actions Making Jesus Real Programme Put teachings from RE units into daily practice at school, and assist children to do the same. Focus on charity for local needs without receiving anything in return Look after those in our community Practise ‘Wherever you see a need, do something about it’

Staff Formation

Using the example set by Mother Teresa, Saint Mary Mackillop of The Cross as foundation for staff retreat opportunities.


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APPENDICES

EVANGELISATION PLAN for STAFF & STUDENT FORMATION

A school Evangelisation Plan should be for three years, but reviewed annually. It cannot do everything: priorities have to be established based upon student needs, staff capacity and resources. What realistically can be achieved in three years needs to be borne in mind at all times. A student strategy may need to be delayed where prerequisite staff formation is needed lest staff not know what they need to do. Where the religious life of the school is concerned, the priority needs to be empowering students and staff to participate. This includes understanding the meaning of all rituals and prayers. Rationale An Evangelisation Plan is a deliberate means to make real in the practical daily life of the school the revelation of God’s will. It is an inventory of what the school is doing and what is going on to ensure that we are enhancing the Good News of Jesus. The plan articulates a sense of deliberate and conscious acts to spread the Good News of Jesus. The missionary mandate of the Church – and, therefore, the Catholic Primary School is to: “Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples. Baptise them in the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit.”

(Matthew 28:19). At Mother Teresa School, we work together with the parish to nurture our school family in the practice of their faith. Religious Education is a form of the ministry of the word in its own right. As part of the evangelisation process, we must endeavour to pass on the Christian Faith. Knowledge in the Religious sense is more than the acquisition of factual information. Religious Education seeks to help students:

To learn the teachings of the Gospel

To develop ‘a sense of the nature of Christianity’ and of ‘how Christians are trying to live their lives.’

(The Religious Dimension of Education in Catholic Schools # 69)

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Evangelisation (Capture the understanding and purpose within Faith, Culture and Life of the school community.)

Clarification of terms used:

Evangelisation

is spreading the Good News of Jesus; it is the mission of the Church, therefore it is everything we do that promotes, develops and gives witness to our faith at school

Christian Witness

is the first act of Evangelisation; being the Christ-like presence to others and giving Christ-like love

Religious Education

is the teaching and learning of knowledge and human experiences

Primary Proclamation

is a process in which one raises religious awareness to assist others to arrive at an initial belief in Jesus and prepare one to appreciate the promise of Christian Salvation

Catechesis

is the process for sharing our Christian experiences of God; handing on the belief in the teachings of Jesus (e.g. the Creed, the Sacraments, the Life of Christ & Prayer); and integrating these into one’s personal life experiences

New Evangelisation is the process to help disinterested or disengaged baptised to become open to the Holy

Spirit Sign of the Times is when and where we see God’s plan in action in our world School Vision is the dreams and hopes of a school of ultimately what it would like to be Revelation is how we sense God in our lives Faith, Life & Culture is how it is made relevant and real in our own lives

evangelisation plan mother teresa catholic school … · 2 school vision school vision: mother...

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