Term 2: Religious Education

On Sunday 16th May we celebrate the Ascension of Our Lord. This is the name given to Chris’s going to heaven forty days after his Resurrection. Christ’s Ascension marks the completion of the stage of salvation history that started with Incarnation.  When the assembly gathers, God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is present. When we go into the church we make the Sign of the Cross, blessing ourselves with the Holy Water. Why? The Sign of the Cross helps us to recall our identity as baptised Christians. Every baptised person is signed with the cross as part of the rites of Christian Initiation. By the Sign of the Cross, Christians are claimed for Christ.

In the student’s study of the Holy Spirit, they will gain and apply knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to understand:

1. that the Holy Spirit is God – third person of the Trinity with the very Tapu – holiness and Mana – power of God

2. that the Holy Spirit enables them to grow in tapu and mana – holiness, through the gifts of grace, understanding and wisdom

3. the Holy Spirit’s presence and effect in family – whanau, Church, Scripture, Sacrament and the world

4. the titles and symbols of the Holy Spirit

5. the mission of the Holy Spirit is creating, sustaining and renewing the Church, bringing truth and liberation into people’s lives, uniting them with Jesus and continuing his work.

Below is a summary of the teaching that will happen in each class in term 2:

Ruma Korora/Kea: The Holy Spirit is in People’s Lives

We respond to the Holy Spirit at work in our lives, in many ways. Two important ways the Holy Spirit is at work in the church, the people of God, is through prayer and

Eucharist.

• When we believe in God, the Holy Spirit helps us to live with peace, joy and love, and to respond with prayer. (Lessons 1-7)

• The Holy Spirit brings about the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, and is present in the prayer of the Church. (Lessons 8-9)

Ruma Kakapo: Fruits of the Spirit

The fruits of the Holy Spirit are traditionally listed as; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It is God’s work through the Holy Spirit which enables people to exercise their mana and bear these fruits. It is again the Holy Spirit who helps us to recognise when we have violated tapu and have sinned; to forgive and be forgiven.

• Holy Trinity is God’s grace. This grace helps people to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit. (Lessons 1-4)

• The Fruits of the Spirit show God’s love (Lessons 5-6)

• Sin causes problems and hurts others, but he Holy Spirit helps us to forgive and be forgiven. (Lessons 7-8)

Ruma Piwakawaka/Ruru: Pentecost and Symbols of the Holy Spirit

The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost revealed the Trinity to the Church, and enables people to live like Jesus, and to know the Father. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus fulfilled his promise to be with his followers; through Church, Word and Sacrament.

• Holy Trinity is God’s grace. This grace helps people to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit. There are many symbols of the Holy Spirit and the children will be able to identify these.(Lessons 1-4)

• The Fruits of the Spirit show God’s love. The Holy Spirit as the bearer of grace, tapu - holiness and mana - power to all God’s people. (Lessons 5-6)

• Sin causes problems and hurts others, but the Holy Spirit helps us to forgive and be forgiven. (Lessons 7-8)

Ruma Tui /  Whio: Mission of the Holy Spirit in the Church and in the World.

The Holy Spirit opens people’s minds to the meaning of Jesus’ death & resurrection. The Holy Spirit enables the community to experience Christ and make his saving work through the sacraments. The Holy Spirit guides, sustains and renews the church, and leads people to live the way of the Gospel.

• The Holy Spirit opens people’s minds to the meaning of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection (Lesson 1)

• The Holy Spirit enables people to experience Jesus in the Sacraments so that they can carry on the Mission of the Christ. (Lesson 2)

• The Holy Spirit prepares people, cultures and religions for the Gospel of Jesus. (Lessons 3-4)

• The Holy Spirit guides, sustains and renews the Church. (Lesson 5).

• The Holy Spirit works in the world through people leading them to live with love aroha, peace rangimarie and justice tika. (Lesson 6)

The Family/Whanau book has a wealth of information that can assist families in supporting their children with religious education. It outlines things to talk about that are specific to the strand that is being taught, attitudes and behaviours to encourage and prayers to pray as a family.

Classroom teachers are happy to answer any queries or questions you may have in relation to the teaching of Religious Education.

God Bless

Pamela Gallagher

DRS