Everyone.

Not just the Catholics who attend Mass.

Not just the students and families in Catholic schools.

Everyone.

What about those who don’t know Christ? How are they able to hear and be moved by the Good News? Have you ever thought about the many children who are in state schools? How are they accompanied on their faith journey? Isn’t it our duty to share the Good News with them too? Are we not called to journey with all children as they enter into a personal relationship with Jesus through encounter, scripture, love and celebration?

Zofia, a teacher of Special Religious Education for some thirty-five years, remarks on the personal rewards and blessings she receives as an SRE teacher and notes the wonderful growth that the students have whilst they enter into a relationship with Christ:

 “It was lovely to see the children’s loving relationship with Jesus grow. They learnt to know and love that they were a beautiful creation of God’s hands and feet. I had a student in Year Five who was bold but intelligent. She was constantly questioning me, which is what we want. During a particular lesson, she stood up and said, ‘I get it!’ Her face was full of surprise and delight! She turned to the other students and said ’Don’t you see?’ Moments like that make your heart sing with joy and give reason for your calling into this ministry. I have always said that if you feel God calling you, pray about it and God will open the path for you. God won’t let you go if you are meant to do this.”

Bridget, a first-year teacher, remembers her calling into revealing her beliefs of Christ and following His command to share this with others:

“A written notice in the Parish newsletter, a verbal notice during regular weekend announcements at Mass, and an elbow in the side (quite literally!) from my mum who was a teacher herself... these were just a few of the ways God called me into teaching Special Religious Education. And as I cut the notice out of the bulletin and blu-tacked it to my whiteboard, the phone numbers seemed to scream my name. After some discernment, but mostly on impulse, I rang the number, and so, here I am, assisting in classes across Tenambit and Morpeth.”

Preema, another first-year teacher of Special Religious Education, recalls her yearning to go and make disciples:

“I felt a calling to combine my faith with service to the community. Driven by a profound desire to make a positive impact on the lives of children growing up in their faith, I decided to pursue this vocation. Through this role, I can share the teachings and values of my faith while fostering an inclusive environment where children can learn and grow spiritually. This opportunity allows me to live out my faith in a meaningful way and ensure that every child has the chance to experience the love and guidance of our faith community. Our involvement in SRE can significantly change and influence the spiritual growth of children”

 

Teachers are well supported by the diocese and fellow teachers as they learn a variety of creative strategies to equip them with successful, engaging lessons. Pauline, an experienced teacher of twenty years recalls:

“I always open my lesson with my imaginary intention basket. I say that it is always important to remember to pray for those who are sick or have died. I hold out my arms in a circular shape and invite the students to add anything to my basket. I recall a little boy who told me that his grandmother was sick, so we prayed for her. A few weeks later, the little boy’s mother came up to me in the playground and said ‘I don’t know what you’re teaching my son in class, but he came up to my mother and started praying and it was beautiful.’ That little boy became one of the best students in my class. Something changed in him. Remember that the students are there because they want to be there and their parents want them to be there too.”

Teachers gather from across the diocese on regular occasions for training and formation opportunities.  Bridget recalls joining others on her first SRE gathering:

“The room seemed to radiate with the joy, passion, and dedication of those teachers, some of whom, as I rather indelicately pointed out, have been teaching for longer than I have been alive! As I engaged with them and tapped into the knowledge of those much more experienced than myself, I started to see the depth of this calling. It is an utter joy to become part of such an important ministry. To those who are considering teaching SRE I would say this: if you think God is speaking to you, listen! Because he speaks, alright, sometimes when we least expect it. “

“Go into all the world,” said Jesus. “Preach the Good News to everyone.”

Listen to Him.

The truth is, God is talking to us all the time.

If you are feeling the call, call us.

In collaboration with Hunter SRE will be holding a free SRE Encouragement Day on Monday 16 September in  the Newcastle area from 9.30am-12.30pm. Morning tea provided. We would love you to join us. To register email admin@huntersre.com.au or ph 0490 130 576

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