Aresourcebookfor‘IntheBeginning’

AtwoprogramofMissionFormationforteachersearlyintheircareer

Name:_______________________________________________________________________________

2

Acknowledgement of Country “I would like to pay my respect and acknowledge the traditional custodians of the Land on which we meet, and pay my respect to Elders past, present and future. I would also like to extend my respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people present here today.”

Course Introduction These two days are about you and your relationship with God and his Church. It’s about giving you some input and some ‘tools’ into how you might deepen that relationship. It’s about YOUR formation as a person – a spiritual person – and as a teacher in a Catholic school. It’s not aimed at giving you specific teaching skills to use with your students (though, hopefully, in some of the material and ideas presented here you will see a relevance and application possibilities for your students). More than that, we hope that in fostering and deepening your own spiritual awareness and engagement, you will become an example for your students to emulate. The aims of the program are Participants will:

• develop an increased spiritual awareness • engage with the person of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Scriptures • gain a deeper appreciation of the liturgical and sacramental practices

of the Catholic Faith Tradition • develop an understanding of the connection between faith and mission

in the service of others In the beginning of your teaching career you will be teaching others but also learning much about yourself. It is the beginning of, or a new chapter in a journey of self-discovery and it’s appropriate to ask such things as: Where am I … in my teaching situation? In my faith? In my life? Similarly, in your spiritual journey, there will be stages – strides forward, staggers backwards. In this Mission formation level, we are going to explore questions such as …

3

• Who am I … in my deepest self and in relation to God? • What is my purpose in life? • In what ways is God calling me?

These are questions that ordinary people like you and me have pondered throughout history. Even the greatest of the saints has grappled with the great mystery of his or her purpose in life, with their faith and their relationship to God and we will be looking at the story and the example of some of these saints. But our greatest example is Jesus Christ and he will be “our guide” as we look more deeply into the scriptures. In the Beginning is inspired by and structured around Edward Hahnenberg’s, Theology for Ministry – An Introduction for Lay Ministers’. Reflecting on the lived life of the Church, in particular, lay ministry, in light of our theological tradition he proposes and explains that we are ‘Called… by God… through Christ… in the Spirit… with others… for others’. Hahnenberg reminds us that a vocation always arises out of God’s initiative. Vocation draws us into relationship with the triune God. The love that accompanies any genuine vocation leads to personal transformation and always extends out in mission towards others. The three dimensions of vocation are themselves multifaceted – my identity (who God calls me to be), my state of life (how God calls me to live) and my ministry (what God calls me to do) Program Outline Day 1 9.00

Welcome Acknowledgement of Country Course Introduction, Outcomes and Outline

9.15

Personal Introductions (Time will vary according to the group size)

9.45

Prayer Lectio Divina Mark 1:1-20 (Edited)

Called by God through Christ 10.05

Use of journal

10.20

Morning Tea

10.50

Introduction to Rob Bell ‘Dust’ video: “You didn’t choose me I chose you”

4

Rob Bell ‘Dust’ video

11.10

Reflection questions for journal

11.15

Some time to share this with another person/s

Through Christ 11.30

Jesus the Teacher

1.00

Lunch

1.40

Jesus parables - Reading the parables in context: The Parable of the Lost Son

2.00

Lectio Divina Introduction and explanation of Lectio Divina Modelling use of Lectio Divina on selected parable

2.20

Practicising Lectio Divina on a chosen parable.

2.40

Playing with Scripture on a chosen parable (Lost Son or Good Samaritan)

3.00 An introduction to the Saints and overnight task

3.10 Finish Day 2 9.00

Welcome and Prayer Awareness Examen focussed on previous day

In the Holy Spirit 9.20

Landscapes of my journey in faith and life/vocational Journey

10.30 Morning Tea

With others 11.00

What does it mean to be Catholic?

For others 12.00

Participants share research into life and legacy, call and response, of saint as a person for others, as a disciple “covered with the dust of Jesus their Rabbi”.

5

1.00 Lunch

1.40

Teachers as ‘contemplatives in action’ The importance of a reflective and prayerful life The use of the Awareness Examen

2.15

Modelling use of the Awareness Examen Evaluation

2.35

Break and transition

2.40

Commitment Renewal Liturgy

3.10 Finish

6

In the Beginning (Mark 1:1-20 Edited) 1The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God….. 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” 12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” 16 As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” 18And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him. 21 They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

7

Use of journal Keeping a journal record is recommended as a way of noting and reflecting on insights and how they touch into your life and faith experience over the next two days. At some points it will be suggested that you might like to share some of the insights of your journal with others but, of course, the extent of this sharing is entirely up to you.

Keeping a Spiritual Journal

Keeping a spiritual journal is not a mysterious process. It is simply a way of paying attention to daily life, looking at what we and others do in order to understand what God may be saying to us and asking of us.

There is no right and wrong way to keep a journal. You may find that using one kind of notebook or another or using one kind of pen or another makes a difference in how easily you can write about your responses to life. Don’t let the tools distract you. If you are more comfortable with a computer than with pen and paper, write at the computer and put a password on your journal to keep it private. And remember that what you write is for you, not for others, so you don’t need to worry about grammar, punctuation, spelling, or other details that could keep you from your journal.

Writing about our life can move us from experience to meaning. The what and who of daily life are valuable and worth recording, but even more important is learning to see God in events and to hear God as we read scripture. God wants to speak to us.

If you feel like you don’t know what to write about, here are some questions you can use to get started:

8

To journal in response to scripture:

• What picture of God do I see in this passage? • What does this passage tell me about human nature? • What does this passage say to me about how God deals with us? • What does this passage say to me about what God wants for us? • What response do I want to make as I think about this passage? • How do I want to pray in light of its meaning to me?

To journal in response to daily life:

• Where did I see God at work in the people I met and the events of today?

• How was I part of God’s work? Where do I want to be more faithful and responsive tomorrow?

• Through whom and what did God reach out to me? • How did I express God’s care and compassion to others? • What words or stories from scripture came to mind, and why? • In light of today’s experiences, how do I want to pray?

You may want to paste these questions inside your journal.

Remember: Journaling is a way to listen to your life for God’s direction.

Source: http://devotional.upperroom.org/lent2013/journal

Short journal exercises

• What’s the next thing to do on your ‘Bucket list’? • What are you most grateful for in your life? • What things are you good at that you want to get even better at? • What’s one new positive habit you need to acquire? • What are you most proud of in your life? Why? • What are you most excited about in your life now? Why? • What’s your best teaching experience so far? • What’s the most important thing you’ve learnt this year? • What was the toughest thing you’ve had to overcome in your life?

• My favourite way to spend the day is… • If I could talk to my teenage self, the one thing I would say is… • The two moments I’ll never forget in my life are… Describe them in

great detail, and what makes them so unforgettable. • Make a list of 30 things that make you smile. • I couldn’t imagine living without…

The other questions and prompts to inspire journaling simply Google search, ‘Journaling ideas’ or ‘Spiritual journaling’

9

‘Dust’ Rob Bell Did anything surprise or challenge you in this video?

What do we learn about Jesus here? What does it say about following Jesus? Some other questions to ponder

• Whose dust covers you? • What people have inspired you in your life and vocation? What’s their

dust like – their values, principles, commitments? • What people or experiences led you to teaching? • Who has impressed you in the first Term/s of teaching and why? • How have your thoughts and feelings about teaching changed over the

last Term/s? • What’s the dust you hope will cover your students? • What intrigues you about Jesus? What’s your sense of who and what

Jesus is calling you to be and do in your life and ministry’ • Where does Jesus figure in your life and sense of vocation? What

questions, thoughts and feelings about following Jesus are real for you at this time in your life journey and vocation?

10

Jesus the Teacher Jesus was a teacher Of the ninety times Jesus is addressed directly in the gospels, sixty times he was called 'Rabbi' or Teacher. This was the word the multitudes used. When Nicodemus came to Jesus by night, he said, “We know that you are a teacher who has come from God” (John 3:2). This was how the disciples referred to him. More importantly, this is how Jesus thought of himself; “You call me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am” (John 13:13).

Jesus was an impressive teacher. Scottish theologian James Stuart once claimed, “The teaching of Jesus has had a power and an effect with which the influence of no other teacher can even for a moment be compared.” When Jesus had finished giving the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew tells us the crowds were so amazed at his teaching because “he taught as one

having authority, not as the teachers of the law” (Matthew 7:29). The rabbis quoted each other, but Jesus spoke the true and authoritative words of God.

Jesus' message... the Kingdom of God The presence and coming of the Kingdom or reign of God was the central message of Jesus' teaching. The Kingdom of God is both a present and 'as-yet' reality, a way of being and living together marked by peace and justice. Jesus' teaching was designed to show people how they might enter the Kingdom of God (Matt. 5:20; 7:21). His mighty works revealed that the Kingdom of God was already breaking into human history (Matt. 12: 28). His parables provided insights into the truth and mystery of the Kingdom of God (Matt. 13:11). And when he taught His followers to pray, at the heart of their petition were the words, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matt. 6:10). On the eve of his death, Jesus assured his disciples that he would share with them the happiness and the fellowship of the Kingdom (Luke 22:22-30). He promised that he come again in glory to bring the blessedness of the Kingdom to those for whom it was prepared (Matt. 25:31, 34).

11

Jesus' pedagogy When officers once were sent to arrest him, they returned to their superiors empty-handed, exclaiming: “Never before has anyone spoken like this one." (John 7:46). Jesus' methods of teaching deserve careful study. Jesus use of parables Jesus is probably best known for his parables. His use of various rhetorical forms drew from the longstanding Jewish tradition of meshalim, including proverbs, riddles, aphorisms, and allegories. Jesus' distinctive use of parables, short fictional narratives told in the third person , allowed him to teach in a style that provided for both "popular intelligibility and impressive pregnancy". He managed to draw from familiar, concrete, and accessible examples, while at the same time inviting rich and multiple interpretations. Whilst formal sermons were rare in Jesus' repertoire of teaching tools, there is, of course, the renowned Sermon on the Mount, in which he set forth principles for discipleship as well as dealing with a range of issues. Jesus was more of a conversationalist than an orator. He walked with people and talked with them. He sat and spoke of soul matters. He was interested in individuals, recognizing the value of each person. The nature of his mission and message was such that it was bound to ignite controversy—and certainly it did. Great truths come to light in these engagements between God’s Son and those, including the scribes and pharisees, who adopted the position of adversaries.

Teaching in and through deeds In 1975 Pope Paul VI made the powerful comment, People today listen more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if they do listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.

12

St Francis of Assisi is reported to have commissioned his brothers with the words, 'Preach the Gospel, and if necessary use words'.

From the first days of Pope Francis' pontificate, it was his actions more than his words that excited the people of the Church, indeed people across the world. In a break with tradition, on Holy Thursday night, he washed the feet of young prisoners, including women and Moslem prisoners.

Your most important and influential lessons as a teacher in a Catholic school will be your actions, your witness to God's love and truth as you interact with students in the classroom, on the playground and on the sports field. Jesus not only taught parables of God's merciful love, he embodied them. We can think of Jesus as a 'living parable' communicating the radical nature of God's merciful love for the poor, the sick and the outcast.

"In the school of Christian life, the supreme teacher is Christ. The only text book is the Gospel. The only examination is on how well we love one another. There is no graduation except the final one when we will hear the words, 'Whatever you did to one of these, the least of my brothers and sisters, that you did unto me.'" (Sr Hildegard’s Lectio for 23 June 2013)

13

Jesus the Teacher

Inspired by Visible Learning Routine 3-2-1: A routine for activating prior knowledge and making connections.

One

In your journal, jot down your initial responses to the topic, ‘Jesus the Teacher’.

Jot down

3 Key thoughts or ideas about the topic

2 Questions (Who, What, Where, Why…) inspired by the topic

1 Insight into a connection between the topic and your life and or vocation as a teacher

Two

Share these with colleagues in pairs, threes, small groups or as a larger group

Three

Explore the text, ‘A Friendly Guide to Jesus’.

Jot down

• New key thoughts, ideas. • Any answers, even if partial, to your

questions • Additional or new insights into the

connection between the topic and your life and or vocation as a teacher

14

Four

Inspired by the Visible Thinking Routine ‘Chalk Talk’. “Chalk Talk is a silent way to reflect generate ideas, check on learning, develop projects, or solve problems…. Because it is done completely in silence, it gives groups a change of pace and encourages thoughtful contemplation. It can be an unforgettable experience….Anyone may add to the chalk talk as they please. You can comment on other people’s ideas simply by drawing a connecting line to the comment…. The facilitator can stand back and let it unfold or expand thinking by:

_ circling other interesting ideas, thereby inviting comments to broaden.

_ writing questions about a participant comment adding his/her own reflections or ideas.

Post-It Poster Schemas Jesus the Teacher

• Teachings; central message • Pedagogy • Responses to Jesus the

Teacher

Jesus the Teacher

• Key thoughts or ideas about the topic • Questions

Jesus the Teacher

• Connections Catholic schools • Connections Teachers • Connections Teaching

Four

Debriefing

15

Jesus parables Jesus often used parables to teach people and to make a point. Parables are a Jewish style of storytelling. The stories are drawn from ordinary life. Parables usually contain some element that is strange or unusual, and they are used to illustrate or compare ideas. They do not define things precisely, but use comparisons to point us in the direction of an understanding of how God works. The meaning of parables is never too obvious, and indeed, the purpose of parables is not to settle issues, but to challenge us to think more deeply about the issues.

Because parables are drawn from everyday life, it would seem that Jesus used them in order to make it easier for his listeners to understand his message.

However, if you read Matthew 13:10-17 you will see that Jesus did not expect people to understand what he was saying. If you think you know what the parable means at first glance, chances are you missed the point. This is because parables are not as clear as you might expect. There is always some doubt about the exact point of the story, and the result is that the listener or reader wonders why the story is so strange or unsettling—“Hey, that's not supposed to happen that way!” You begin to think more deeply about the meaning of the parable. That is the goal—parables raise more questions than answers. They help us see beyond the obvious into the deeper meaning that Jesus had in mind. That is why the parables of Jesus continue to fascinate us two thousand years later. [When you consider a parable] take time to read and reread it. … Think about what Jesus might have had in mind when he was telling that parable. What was he trying to get across to his listeners? How did Jesus want them to think or act differently after hearing the parable? How does it encourage you to think or act differently? Talk to God in the quiet of your heart about the parable. Ask him to help shed some light on it for you.

16

Reading the Parables in Context

The parable of the Prodigal Son and his Brother (Luke 15:11-32)

11 Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living.

14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31 Then the father[d] said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is

17

mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”

What does this parable reveal about Jesus and his ministry?

1. What is the message or teaching Jesus intended in the telling of the Parable of the Lost Son?

2. What do you notice about the immediate literary context of the parable?

3. What questions come to mind, what do you wonder about, as you

examine the immediate literary context of the parable?

4. What is common to all three parables of the lost? 5. How is the parable of the Lost Son different from the other parables of

the lost? 6. What inspires Jesus, in the Gospel of Luke, to tell these three

parables?

7. How does the parable of the lost son function as a climax?

8. In the context of the Gospel of Luke, what’s the ‘sharp edge’ of the Parable of the Lost Son? How are the parables of the lost, and the parable of the lost son in particular, a response to the grumbling of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law?

18

The parable of the lost son (Luke 15:11-32) What does this parable reveal about Jesus and his ministry? What is most relevant to a study of this parable in its literary context? (C.f. Parable of the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10) and Parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7)) What is common to all three parables?

• A situation of plenty is described (one hundred sheep, ten silver coins, two sons)

• One from this store of plenty is lost • In two of the parables, the lost (sheep, coin) is actively searched for • When the lost is found, a celebration follows with friends and

neighbours • The parables of lost sheep and coin conclude with affirmation of

rejoicing in heaven How does the parable of the lost son function as a climax?

• It is placed last; it is the longest • The subject is the Father

How is the parable of the lost son different from the preceeding parables?

• The Father does not actively search for the lost, for being found is reliant upon the son coming to his senses. This leaves the question of who searches out the lost and dead

• The finding of the lost involves the restoration of a relationship of sonship (ring and sandels)

• The anger and resentment of the older brother who refuses to join in the celebration

What is the literary context for the parables of the lost?

• c.f. Luke 15: 1-3 • c.f. Luke 5: 27-35 also Jesus and his disciples contrasted with John

the Baptist and his disciples. • cf also 7:33-35 … a glutton and a drunkard • c.f. 7:36-47 the account of Jesus at the home of Simon the

Pharisee) How are the parables of the lost, and the parable of the lost son in particular, a response to the grumbling of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law

• Jesus does the work of the Father seeking the ‘lost’ and ‘dead’ • Celebrations indeed feasts, are an integral element in the process of

reconciliation with those sinned against and the community (family, friends and neighbours)

• The religious leaders, like the elder son, exclude themselves from the feast in the Kingdom of God (Luke 14:15)

19

What is relevant in the immediate literary context to an understanding of the parables of the lost?

• Instructions regarding feasts and dinners Luke 14:7-14 o Humility o Do not invite friends, brothers or rich neighbours, invite

the poor, the crippled the blind and the lame • The parable of the great feast (Luke 14:15-24)

o Those invited have other priorities (See parable following parable of the lost son, the parable of the shrewd manager which concludes ‘You cannot serve both God and money)

o God invites the poor, the crippled the blind and the lame and then everybody else.

How is this theme developed from the beginning of Jesus?

• See Jesus mission statement (Luke 4:16-30)

20

Listen with the ear of your heart

Communal Lectio Divina: One person who is familiar with this form of prayer is nominated as the group leader. We stop and recollect, preparing as a group, to receive God’s word. Breathe. 1. Choose a text of Scripture, the liturgical reading of the day or perhaps

one of the Readings from the Sunday liturgy. The leader reads aloud slowly from the beginning of the text. We listen for a word or phrase to strike us. We call this Lectio-Reading

2. The person who has read the scripture invites each person to share a

word or a phrase that has struck them as they listened to the reading. We do not comment on each person’s sharing. We just listen, allowing silence in between each contribution, going deeper, reflecting on the word or phrase.

3. The same passage is read again slowly by the same leader, or by

another person. After some quiet time, the leader invites each person to share their reflection on their word or phrase that initially struck them– to share their perception of the invitation to them present in that word or phrase. We call this Meditatio- Meditating

4. After some quiet time the leader invites each person to offer a prayer

that is based on the word or phrase that initially struck them. We call this Oratio- Praying

At the conclusion of our final reading we may say the ‘Our Father’ or ‘Glory Be’

21

The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

25 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus.[a] “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27 He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31

Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii,[b] gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

22

TheSaintsEverycommunityholdsitsheroesingreathonour.ThebelievingChristiancommunityisnoexception.ThewholeaimofourlivesistobeChristlike.Thesaintsinspireusbytheirexampletodothis.

Fr. Jim Martin's Introduction To "Who Cares About The Saints?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8WkZblkeNo Prepare a simple 5 or 6-minute presentation on the life of a chosen saint. The saint may share your Christian name or Confirmation name. It may be a saint after which your school or parish is named. It may be a saint you have taught about or read about. In your presentation, share

1. Some basic biographical information about the life and times of the saint

2. One story based on an incident from the life of the saint that impressed you or that for some reason struck you as remarkable.

3. A thought or two on how this saint’s words and actions can serve as an inspiration to Christians and model of Christian living.

The Web is a rich source of information. You may wish to select a saint featured in the video series by James Martin. Search on Youtube for ‘Fr James Martin saints’. For a listing of saints over 37 pages go to https://www.franciscanmedia.org/source/saint-of-the-day/?sort=alpha There are some interesting Webpages including ‘5 Catholic Saints With a Sinful Past’ at http://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/catholic/5-catholic-saints-with-a-sinful-past.aspx?p=2

23

Landmarks

From ‘Landmarks – An Ignatian Journey’ by Margaret Silf p.49 “You may find that some reflection on the relationship of your own life’s journey, using the metaphors of a river and the landscape/s through which it flows, will reveal much about who you really are, what influences are forming you, and what you welcome in your story and what you fight against, and, above all, what you dream of becoming as you widen and deepen towards your destination. This is the landscape of your circumstances, your origins, your family and friends, those people who have been important in your life, those events that have pointed out new directions to you, the difficulties you have had to negotiate and those aspects of the scene that have given you energy and joy.” (p.48) Some questions

• What do you know, and value, of your origins – where and who you come from

• What kind of landscape/s has your river flowed through so far? • What kinds of obstructions or hazards has it had to negotiate? • How has the landscape changed in your first year/s of teaching?

24

WhatdoesitmeantobeCatholic?Participantsselectanarticle/storeadandjigsawwithtwoothers.Whataresomekeyinsightsofthearticle/sintothequestion?

Being Catholic Today: Light to the Nations Father Robert Barron

Eight Good Reasons for Being Catholic Richard Rohr, O.F.M., and Joseph Martos

Nine Things That Make Us Catholic Thomas H. Groome

Seven Disciplines of Successful Catholics Matthew J. Hayes

Ten Reasons to Be Catholic Kathy Coffey

The Joy of Being Catholic Kathy Coffey

25

What It Means to Be Catholic Joseph M. Champlin

WhataretheimplicationsoftheseinsightsintobeingCatholicforaschoolcallingitselfaCatholicschool?WhatdoesthismeanforCatholiceducators?

26

THE AWARENESS EXAMEN

Sign of the Cross Stop and Breathe Dear God be with me as I honestly review my day

1. Recall the events of your day – how did your heart feel throughout this day?

2. What were the joyful and happy things which occurred today?

3. Say ‘thank you’ to God for these blessings.

4. Was there something which happened today that upset me or hurt my heart? Do I need to say ‘sorry’ to God about what I did and know that I am forgiven.

5. What particular grace or blessing do I ask God for so I can go forward tomorrow?

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end Amen. Sign of the Cross

27

AWARENESS EXAMEN This is a prayer that helps us to become more aware of God’s presence in our day. During it we reflect upon our experiences of the day, and ask for the Grace to be able to recognise God in them. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen Be still

Looking at my day

Thanking God

We ask for forgiveness

Looking to Tomorrow We conclude together with our prayer: Glory be, Our Father, Hail Mary In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen.

Please take 5 deep breathes in through your nose and out through your mouth to prepare yourself to pray. Perhaps you could close your eyes. Breathe and remember ‘Be still and know that I am God’

We look over the day and remember what we did as though we had a video camera. Start with breakfast and pace yourself through your day. How did your heart feel throughout your day?

As we look over our day we record the good things that have happened to us. We thank God for the goodness we experienced today. Perhaps it was a smile, a magnificent flower, a tasty meal or a hug.

As we review our day we notice there were times when we did not behave as well as we could. We were disappointed in our attitude or our behaviour. We ask God to forgive us this and to help us do better tomorrow.

Finally, as we look to tomorrow, we ask for God’s grace and help. Are there some attitudes in us that we would like Him to change? Ask for the grace you need to be fully alive in God.

28

In the Beginning… Renewing our vocation as teachers in the Diocese of Broken Bay

29

Christ be our light Longing for light, we wait in darkness. Longing for truth, we turn to you. Make us your own, your holy people, light for the world to see. Refrain Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness. Christ, be our light! Shine in your church gathered today. Longing for peace, our world is troubled. Longing for hope, many despair. Your word alone has pow’r to save us. Make us your living voice. Refrain

Christ Be Our Light © 1993, Bernadette Farrell.

Used with permission and useage reported.LicenSing Licence No 622794 Opening prayer Leader Let us pray … Opening Leader: Loving God, we have been given new life

through water and the Holy Spirit at our baptism.

In renewing our response to the call of our baptism we ask that you give us:

the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgement and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence. Fill us with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen

30

Renewal of Baptism Leader: I invite you now to renew your Baptisimal promises.

Do you believe in God the Father? All: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. Leader: Do you believe in God the Son? All: I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified, died and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Leader: Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? All: I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.

Leader: This is the faith of the Church. All: This is our faith in one God, Father Son and Holy Spirit

We are proud to profess it together Leader then sprinkles participants with the waters of Baptism. Gospel Reading (Matthew 4:18-22)

A reading from the holy gospel according to Matthew 18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. The Gospel of the Lord All: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

31

Reflection: Hear Jesus calling your name and commissioning you as a teacher. What is he calling you to ‘leave behind’? What is he promising you? As for the gift you most need as a teacher, as a person, at this time.

Renewal of commitment as teachers :Leader: We are all baptised by the one Spirit into one Body, and given gifts for a variety of ministries

for the well-being of those we are called to serve.

We invite you before God and this community to renew your commitment to a ministry of service and teaching in the Diocese of Broken Bay.

Leader: Will you, as long as you are engaged in this work,

perform it with diligence? Teachers: I will. Leader: Will you faithfully and reverently fulfill the duties of your ministry

of teaching to the honour of God, and the benefit of the children and youth you teach and those with whom you work?

Teachers: I will. Leader: Let us pray. God of all wisdom and knowledge, give your

blessing and guidance to all who teach and work in our Diocese, that by word and example they may lead those whom they teach and serve to the knowledge of and love for the Joy of the Gospel, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

Presentation of crosses Crosses will be presented to participants as a reminder of the one in whose dust they are covered, the Teacher who is the Way, the Truth and the Life who taught in word and deed, even unto death on a cross.

32

Prayer of Commitment All: We accept the cross of Christ, and will strive to allow that Christ to be

the source of inspiration in all we do, and we pray… Creator, you are the source of all Life, all Truth, and all Beauty. Bless me with FAITH,

for wisdom of self is rooted in faith and educated in mind.

Bless me with LOVE, a calling to be compassionate in heart to all those I encounter along the path.

Bless me with TRUTH,

the commitment to a justice won from truth and the courage to respond to an ever-changing world.

Bless me with PEACE, to witness the unfolding souls of my students as I accompany them along their way.

The Leader/s extends hands & prays over participants

Blessing May your vocation of teaching provide a pathway strewn with blessings. May your work be your love made visible. May you breathe upon the wounds of those you teach and those with whom you live and work. May your breath be the breath of God. May your own wounds feel the breath of God. May you honour the flame of love that burns inside you. May your voice be a voice of encouragement. May you own a grateful heart. May you have enough joy to give you hope, enough pain to make you wise. When you look into the window of your soul may you see the face of God. May the lamp of your life shine kindly upon all who cross your path. May you always be a good memory in your students’ lives. We ask this through Christ the Teacher, the Way, the Truth and the Life Concluding Hymn

33

Christ be our Light (beginning at Verse 3)