EVANGELISATION PLAN MOTHER TERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL BALDIVIS 2015-17

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

Reverence Sign

(Classroom prayer centre, chapel, crucifix etc

1. Classroom Prayer Space

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2. Sacred Symbols

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(‘Etiquette’, an expression of reverence) A Sense of the Sacred 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

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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

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Bowing before entering the sanctuary at church Silence after Gospel reading, homily & communion Treat Bible with respect compared to other books – storage, handling, etc.

4. Church Etiquette

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Sitting quietly before Mass begins. Walking reverently through the church. Bow before receiving communion & blessings Kneel quietly & upright during Eucharistic Prayer

5. Ritual

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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.

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

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Taking more pride in the presentation of school grounds. Establish new gardens ~ become part of creation!

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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.

3. Sacred Etiquette

~ people

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Effectiveness Indicators

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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Effectiveness Indicators

A. THE PRIMARY PROCLAMATION (2) The Liturgical Year Theme

Renewal

Salvation

When Proclaimed

How

Where

(Feast, event, etc)

(Method)

(Assembly, newsletter, etc)

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Ash Wednesday Lent

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Holy Week

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Ascension Pentecost Body & Blood of Christ

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Assumption of Mary Birth of Mary Month of Rosary (October)

 Preparation 

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All Saints/Souls Days Advent

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Christmas   

Staff Formation

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

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Church Through class Create Lenten calendars Church/school

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School

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School Church with parish Church with parish School

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School grounds Assembly Assembly/Daily gatherings

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Church with parish Assembly

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

Classroom

School Concert

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. 6

Effectiveness Indicators

Effectiveness Indicators

B. Believing Community - An Apprenticeship The Creed Select EXPERIENCES from…… God: The Father The Creator

Jesus Christ: Incarnation The Paschal Mystery The Holy Spirit:

Belief to be proclaimed (Identify experience)

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The Spirit in the Church: Experiences of God Communion of Saints

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Baptism

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Forgiveness of sins Resurrection of the body

Staff Formation

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

Feast / Event   

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Advent Christmas

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Easter

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Pentecost Sunday Confirmation

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NAIDOC ~ link to land Arbor Day or WA Week Birth of a child.

All Saints & Souls Day Feast Day of Mother Teresa - Sept 5

Witness: Way the belief is to be proclaimed e.g. newsletter, school prayer, etc Nature walks Establish new gardens around the school. Acknowledge & celebrate new births in school community

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

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

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Celebrate Pentecost Sunday with the parish focusing on Church’s birthday Celebrate annual Confirmation for Yr 6 as a school

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Celebrate feast days liturgically & secularly

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Emphasise the welcoming of new school community members

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Celebrate the sacrament of Penance before sacraments & during seasons of Lent & Advent Link to the Virtues programme.

Effectiveness Indicators

Reconciliation 

God loves us so much He will always forgive us 

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Penance

Staff participate in exploring the Apostles Creed and familiarisation of the Nicene Creed 7

Effectiveness Indicators

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……

Belief to be proclaimed

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Welcomed into God’s Family

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We receive the gifts of the Spirit

Eucharist Eucharistic Devotion

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Jesus is truly present

Reconciliation

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We are reconciled with God & his family

Baptism

Confirmation

Celebrating How will our school promote the sense of the sacred in its liturgies? 

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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

Witness How will our school help students to participate actively? 

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

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

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

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

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Use the water blessing as the penitential rite in school masses

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Periods of prayerful silence to show reverence

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

All masses use PPt to encourage participation

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Teach with understanding the Act of Contrition & The Confiteor

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Use books for practice & actual Mass readings

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Treat Bible in classroom as a very special book.

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Encourage attendance at weekend masses.

Anointing  Holy Orders 

Matrimony

Liturgies of the Word

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We are people of the Book

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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.

Praying How will our school help students to respond actively to the ritual?

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

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Regular class and school liturgies/masses.

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

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Process in with Lectionary or Book of Gospels at each Mass 9

Effectiveness Indicators

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Staff Formation

Use these books at all masses for readings

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

Effectiveness Indicators

B. PRAYING COMMUNITY - An Apprenticeship Prayer Formal Prayer 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

School Prayer Lord’s Prayer Hail Mary Act of Contrition Apostle’s Creed Glory be … Gloria The Confiteor Grace before meals Angelus ( be aware of) The Rosary Special Occasion Prayers (e.g. Mother Teresa, Mary MacKillop)

When integrated into the school day       

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

Staff Formation

Effectiveness Indicators

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

When integrated into the school day   

Daily gatherings Class prayers Within units of work - thematic

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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Effectiveness Indicators

B. CHRISTIAN LIVING COMMUNITY - An Apprenticeship Life of Christ Select EXPERIENCES from … 

Moral Conscience

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Growth in virtue

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Sin/ God’s mercy

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Human relationship with society

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Harmony with God

Harmony with Creation

Social Justice

Harmony within The First Great Christian Commandment (the first three) The Second Great Christian Commandment (the other 7)

Understanding values

Witness

Subjects supporting

Effectiveness Indicators

Each reflects God by …

 God’s love 

Belief to be proclaimed

Freedom

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Aspects of Person

Harmony with Others

To develop everdeepening 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

Seeking personal experiences of God made possible through Christ’s means instituted within the community worship and life of his Church

Critiquing & challenging current beliefs & values in context of the Bible

To appreciate the good and the beautiful in creation

Care for school grounds Take part in local community actions

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

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. 12

Effectiveness Indicators

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

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