The Religious Education curriculum and the Catholic
Church are inextricably connected. There is an evident relationship with the
curriculum, Catholic schools and community Parishes. For example, students are
involved in activities such as whole school masses and liturgies to celebrate
the sacraments of the Christian Faith. The Parish acknowledges the importance
of the Sacrament of Penance in the lives of Christians as they become more
evident and appreciate the loving and forgiving nature of God. The Parish
focuses more heavily on the positive outcomes of the Sacrament of Penance such
as forgiveness, absolution and a renewed relationship with God (rather than on
sin and guilt) which should be transferrable to the classroom. The Sacrament of
Penance has four elements in which the Parish holds closely in their teaching
of the Christian faith:
Contrition: Internal sorrow and repentance; being sorry for our sins and genuinely not wanting to commit them again
Confession: Voicing and taking responsibility for the sins committed in order to gain absolution
Absolution: Praying for forgiveness and receiving absolution for a priest
Satisfaction: The commitment to try not to sin again
Confession: Voicing and taking responsibility for the sins committed in order to gain absolution
Absolution: Praying for forgiveness and receiving absolution for a priest
Satisfaction: The commitment to try not to sin again
The Parish Sacramental Programs usually involve parties such as
the Parish Priest, parishioners, the Religious Education Coordinator and the
children wanting to receive the sacrament. It is a program by which all parties
work collaboratively in order to further educate the children about the
sacrament and prepare them to celebrate the receiving of the sacrament. It
focuses more on the Church’s beliefs and teaching of the Sacrament of Penance
in relation to the Christian traditions, history and values; whereas the
classroom implements more engaging activities to develop the students’
knowledge in a manner which accommodates to their needs and the diverse of
religious denominations.