Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Philosophy/religion

Join our Philosophy forum to discuss religion and spirituality.

Flip

Original poster

Catholic Religious education - how?

19 replies

jaabaar · 26/05/2014 00:23

My dd did not get into any catholic school.
We are practising Catholics and it is important for me that she grows up learning and living our religion.

Teaching the rituals and traditions is very easy as she learns them by taking part in them. However the catholic teaching etc how can I teach her this in a structured way?

Do you know of any good books I can use? Or a curriculum to which catholic schools teach?

There is no Sunday school etc available except mass and children's liturgy.

Thanks for any guidance.

OP posts:

Guilianna · 26/05/2014 00:35

Our school curriculum is set by the Archdiocese, could you contact your local diocese for help? it largely follows the liturgical year, with sections on baptism, people of god etc as well. I would imagine your living example and engagement will provide the best possible foundation, in any event.

Original poster

jaabaar · 26/05/2014 00:39

Giuliana
Thank you that is a good idea.
If I have something I can use as a guidance it will definitely help.
I just don't know where to start and how to go about it.
Maybe if I contact them they can advise on any books as well.
I find it such a pity and shame that if you don't get into a catholic school there are no out of school ways to obtain the catholic teachings.

So many other religions offer this.

OP posts:

Guilianna · 26/05/2014 00:51

She will be learning by experiencing which is the most powerful way for young children to learn. Keep talking to her about your faith, and explain the significance of the artefacts and actions in church. Disclaimer - I am not a Catholic; not all teachers in Catholic schools are, we do share an ethos and a personal interest has led me to read and learn as much as I can. But your dd can learn very well from you and your church. Do you plan to put her on a waiting list for the future?

Original poster

jaabaar · 26/05/2014 01:18

Yes I will leave her on the waiting list for a catholic school which is however very oversubscribed. She is 12th on list at the moment.
Are you teaching religion at a catholic school??
If yes do you use certain books?
Thank you for sharing.

OP posts:

gingerdodger · 27/05/2014 08:12

I think the best way is by example, she will see the way you live your live through faith and this opens up all kinds of discussions about what certain rituals mean, why Catholics do certain things etc.

What happens with the First Holy Communion and Confirmation near you? These will be times when she will receive more formal instruction.

Also if there is children's liturgy you could talk to those who run it. They might have ideas and resources and you could build upon anything they teach there.

MaidOfStars · 27/05/2014 13:57

Teaching the rituals and traditions is very easy as she learns them by taking part in them. However the catholic teaching etc how can I teach her this in a structured way?

I attended a Catholic secondary school and it's not clear to me what you mean by "catholic teaching". Aside from the rituals/traditions, which you feel you have covered, the only "catholic teaching" I received was in RE, where we learned Bible stuff and how to apply it socially. Nothing else was taught from a "catholic" point of view - how do you teach maths in a Catholic way?

hopes OP isn't thinking of creationism instead of science

DioneTheDiabolist · 27/05/2014 18:12

Catholics don't teach creationism instead of science. Many notable Catholic scientists (Inc. clergy) have contributed to Evolutionary theory and a Catholic priest is known as the Father of the Big Bang theory.

MaidOfStars · 27/05/2014 18:17

Hmmm, perhaps a wink face would have worked for me there....

Trapper · 27/05/2014 18:17

Given the catholic church's track record with child abuse I am surprised they are allowed to run state funded schools at all to be honest.

Guilianna · 27/05/2014 18:23

Yes, I do teach RE - I plan from the syllabus set by the Archdiocese. I teach R so it is mainly practical rather than text oriented although we do use a children's Bible and I teach a range of prayers, encouraging children to add their own to our class prayer box.

Guilianna · 27/05/2014 18:24

Child abuse isn't confined to the Church - society as a whole has a grim track record there.

MaidOfStars · 27/05/2014 18:28

But I think it reasonable to hold in special contempt any particular group who have a record for child abuse that they, from the top down as an institution, attempt to hide from the relevant authorities by whatever means necessary?

Realitybitesyourbum · 27/05/2014 18:30

I take it you don't watch the BBC then?!

PotteringAlong · 27/05/2014 18:31

Most diocese will have an education officer - they might be able to help you if you contact them?

Trapper · 27/05/2014 18:42

I don't leave my children in the charge of the BBC, no. I don't think watching the BBC is quite the same. I would be happy for my children to watch a Catholic Church service too.

DioneTheDiabolist · 27/05/2014 19:09

I'm afraid that investigations into Social Services and the police are showing child abuse cover ups also.. It appears that where there has been children, there has been paedophilia and cover ups.

Realitybitesyourbum · 30/05/2014 13:44

I was talking to maidofstars!

Fink · 30/05/2014 14:09

Most larger parishes have an after-school catechesis programme for children who are attending non-Catholic schools. The exact age they cater for depends on the parish, but some will take them from Reception. If your parish doesn't offer this, maybe a neighbouring one does? Ditto children's liturgy on a Sunday. I'm not advocating parish-swapping for the sake of it, but if a nearby parish caters better for children, it may be time to consider it.

Mainly, it's about making the faith a central, living part of your lives as a family rather than a once a week event. Just explain everything as you go along together. Answer questions as they come up, if you are able, and if you don't know the answers, there are Catholic education sites (oe even the Catechism or something for your own reference) to consult. Celebrate all the traditions and festivals as much as you can, e.g. the best way to learn about the Rosary is to pray the Rosary together as a family.

I don't think there's any need to give structured teaching on the faith at this age in a formal way, just weave it in to your normal conversations. Reading Scripture together is a great way to raise the issues.

If you're interested, our school uses Here I Am as the RE programme. I don't rate it particularly highly but it might give you some ideas.

serin · 06/06/2014 22:38

The most devoutly Catholic family I know chose not to send their children to a Catholic school because they felt the school's teaching of RE actually diluted the faith.

I would contact the school that she is awaiting a place for and ask them if they can recommend some resources for you to work through together. But, don't despair, I think it is perfectly do-able to teach her the majority of what she needs to know at home.

Flip