Dear R.E. Teacher / Chaplain,
Given the arctic conditions it’s hard to believe that today is the start of the Easter holidays. This term has seen some momentous occasions happening in the church from the resignation of Pope Benedict to the election of Pope Francis last week. I hope you have found the resources on our website helpful in engaging your students in these events and to paraphrase Pope Francis if we don’t confess Christ our schools are no more than compassionate educational establishments. In his Inauguration homily Pope Francis spoke of Joseph’s role as protector and how he exercised it ‘discreetly, humbly and silently’. The role you play in the life of your school and the lives of your students is I’m sure often characterised in this way too. I wish you every blessing this Easter and I look forward to continuing to support you in the important work you do in your schools.
RESOURCES/LINKS
- I have created a word cloud of Pope Francis’ inauguration homily and you can see it and read his homily here.
- Grainne McCarthy from Marian College has kindly shared an excellent Way of the Cross for Teens PowerPoint and you can view it and other Easter resources here.
- Details are attached about the Way of the Cross procession on Good Friday which starts at 12:00 p. m. at the Wellington Monument, Phoenix Park and will be led by Archbishop Martin.
- This is the twelfth year of the Diocesan Certification Programme for Religious Education. The programme offers students a Diocesan Certificate of Merit in completing a Religious Education course. Traditionally this has mainly been for Transition Year but the programme is also available to Junior Certificate Schools Completion Programme students and to students in 5th Year. This certificate is also available for Junior Cycle 3rd year students who have completed projects and a course of study but are not doing the state exam in June. Let me know if you would like to participate this year and for further details click here.
Kind regards,
Gary
Email: garyabrahamian@gmail.com