Catholic Education Office Sydney Archdiocese
As stated in the Year 3-6 Religious Education
Curriculum, the teaching of the Sacrament of Penance provides students with the
opportunity of reflecting upon, making sense of, celebrating and living more deeply
the traditions, beliefs and values/morals of their faith by examining the
element of forgiveness through God (CEO, 2006). During the implementation of
the Sacrament of Penance curriculum, students are exposed to the forgiving
nature of God as they learn about sins and the ramifications of the choices
they make (a vital lifelong skill to develop). It is therefore the role of
teachers to utilize the religious education curriculum as a source of reference
in directing their ability to plan and implement innovative and engaging learning
experiences, their ability to use pedagogical skills and approaches to cater to
the various needs of their students and their ability to present the
information in a stimulating manner which enhances the students’ knowledge (no
matter what religious demonization they are from) rather than enforcing the
information on them. The learning experiences embedded within classrooms is
driven by the outcomes of the syllabus which mirrors the church’s calendar and
teachings. Authentic and Constructive education helps Christians grown in faith
and directs their learning and knowledge of what penance is truly about.
Even though this resource package is targeted at Stage 3 (Year 5), the education of the sacraments begins from early stages of schooling. Therefore the information and resources found within this teacher resource can also be relevant to the teaching of the Sacrament of Penance for Stage 2 students. In Stage 2, students engage in learn about the human experiences of forgiveness. The various resources and biblical references listed such as the Prodigal Son can be useful in teaching the concepts of reconciliation and forgiveness, and of peace and community in the daily lives of students.
Unit 5.7 ‘We Celebrate the Sacraments (Part 1)’ provides students with the opportunity to enhance their prior learning and knowledge through gaining a more in-depth understanding about the Sacrament of Penance. This unit of work directs teachers in being able to assist their students in making meaning of the importance of this sacrament on their faith/beliefs but also on their daily lives. In relation to the Religious Education Stage 3 Curriculum, there are a number of outcomes which steers the learning and focuses on students learning about and demonstrating an understanding about:
Even though this resource package is targeted at Stage 3 (Year 5), the education of the sacraments begins from early stages of schooling. Therefore the information and resources found within this teacher resource can also be relevant to the teaching of the Sacrament of Penance for Stage 2 students. In Stage 2, students engage in learn about the human experiences of forgiveness. The various resources and biblical references listed such as the Prodigal Son can be useful in teaching the concepts of reconciliation and forgiveness, and of peace and community in the daily lives of students.
Unit 5.7 ‘We Celebrate the Sacraments (Part 1)’ provides students with the opportunity to enhance their prior learning and knowledge through gaining a more in-depth understanding about the Sacrament of Penance. This unit of work directs teachers in being able to assist their students in making meaning of the importance of this sacrament on their faith/beliefs but also on their daily lives. In relation to the Religious Education Stage 3 Curriculum, there are a number of outcomes which steers the learning and focuses on students learning about and demonstrating an understanding about:
* The importance of the Sacrament of Penance to
the beliefs and traditions of Christians
* The symbols and rituals associated with the sacrament and how it is celebrates
* The preparation involved in order to ensure that Christians are ready to receive the sacrament and the aftermath
* The concepts of sin, forgiveness and reconciliation embedded within the sacrament
* Background information and history of the sacrament and its association with other sacraments
* The symbols and rituals associated with the sacrament and how it is celebrates
* The preparation involved in order to ensure that Christians are ready to receive the sacrament and the aftermath
* The concepts of sin, forgiveness and reconciliation embedded within the sacrament
* Background information and history of the sacrament and its association with other sacraments
The
term ‘sin’ is used to describe the breaking or transgression of Christians’
relationship with God and His law (United Church of God, 2014). The Religious Education
Curriculum categorizes sin into two types, in which both affects the
relationship Christians have with God:
- Venial Sin which is usually committed daily
- Moral Sin which is more serious
- Venial Sin which is usually committed daily
- Moral Sin which is more serious
Teaching about
the history and importance of the sacrament, "...symbols and rituals of
the sacrament, review the three rites and deepen their understanding of the
concepts of sin and forgiveness" (CEO Sydney, p. 120).