From the Religious Education Coordinator
In our Church ……
ALL SAINTS DAY & ALL SOULS DAY
The Solemnity of All Saints Day and the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed
This week we celebrate two very important dates in the Catholic liturgical calendar: All Saints Day and All Souls Day. November 1st celebrates All Saints Day, the day dedicated to the saints of the Church. Based in the ancient practice of remembering a martyr’s death, usually at the place of martyrdom, All Saints Day reminds us of those people in the history of Christianity who have sought to emulate the example of Christ and in doing so have provided strong models of faithfulness and loving service and sacrifice for others to follow. While celebrated since the 7th Century, it was Pope Gregory III in the mid 8th Century who formally pronounced November 1st as the Feast of All Saints. This Feast is also celebrated in Eastern Catholic Churches and some Protestant Churches. The following day, November 2nd the Church celebrates All Souls Day, the day dedicated to all those who have died. While praying for the dead is another ancient practice of the Church, it wasn’t until the end of the 10th Century that it became a widespread ritual.
Cultural practices have influenced the practice of these days. For example, in the Philippines the festival of Undas is celebrated with the cleaning the tombs, the lighting up candles, the offering of flowers, and prayers for the souls of the departed. In Mexico the Day of the Dead, an affirmation of life in which song and dance, parades and parties are symbolic of love for the departed.
In memory of all those who gone before us, let us pray:
God of the living and the dead, through the power of Christ’s resurrection you have conquered sin and death forever. Each day is a step we take toward eternity. May we continue, day to day, until we step into your eternal presence. Then we shall be reunited with those we love and every tear shall be wiped away.
In our Curriculum….
On Tuesday, 10th October, every Year 8 and Year 10 student completed the Sydney Catholic Schools Religious Education (RE) Test. Every year, schools throughout the Archdiocese of Sydney, as well as dioceses throughout NSW complete this test. This test consists of 50 multiple choice questions designed to assess their skills and ability learnt through topics in Stage 4 (Year 7 and Year 8) and Stage 5 (Year 9 and Year 10). This year marks a significant milestone with the RE Test being delivered through an online platform.
We extend our gratitude to the dedicated teachers who have supported our students in Religious Education. The knowledge and wisdom they impart are invaluable in nurturing the faith and understanding of our community. We encourage our students to continue their exploration of faith and embrace the values that embody “Goodness Above All” in words and actions.
This article on College life meets The Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic Schools – Charter #1, #2
