Religious Education at St Joseph’s comprises two main areas, as outlined in our curriculum from the Brisbane Education Guidelines which our teachers follow.
The focus is on teaching people religion and teaching people to be religious.
Teaching people religion is an educational activity focused on the teaching and learning of religion and utilising a range of learning processes and resources. In a school, teaching religion occurs in a classroom setting or other structured learning environments. The aim of teaching religion to students in a school is to assist them in developing their religious literacy so that they may be better able to participate in a critical and effective way in the life of their own faith communities and in the wider society. (Refer Syllabus, p18)
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.’ (Syllabus Religious Education – Guidelines for the Religious Life of the School p8)
The Sacramental Program at St Joseph’s is school-based. Parents are in-serviced to support their student at home with their activity book, which is written for parents to be involved. Whole class lessons for Year 4 students in the sacraments are a part of this program. There are also lessons given separately to the sacramental candidates. Each student in the sacramental program has a buddy class which prays for them and journeys with them in the sacraments, so the whole school community is involved with the program in some way.
Music is an important part of who we are at St Joseph’s and liturgical music that is uplifting and truly joyous is an integral feature of the Religious Education program. Age appropriate, upbeat music is a major factor in students experiencing a loving and joyous liturgical celebration.
Christian Meditation is a major focus to enhance wellbeing as well as support the spiritual development of the child.
‘The goal of meditation is the vision of God, in union with God and that is not an isolated experience… the purpose of meditation is to open up the whole of your life into a state of continuous mindfulness of continuous prayer, of a continuous and deepening sense and vision of the presence of God.’ (More information here)
As Laurence points out, the whole purpose of life wherever you are and whatever you’re doing is to seek God; in other words, to seek that wholeness and depth and fullness of being, for which we are created.
At St Joseph’s, the Religious Life of the School is about leading our students in seeking a full life as modelled by the life and teaching of Jesus Christ.
“Come follow me and be fishers of men..” Matthew 4:19
(Come follow me and have the fullness of life..)
