Australian Catholics - Easter 2003



		NOTES FOR TEACHERS - EASTER 2003 Ever wondered what our students really think when they read Australian Catholics? Well now you know. Madeleine Connellan, a Year 10 student at Genazzano FCJ College recently completed work experience with Australian Catholics. I asked her to put together the following ‘Notes for Teachers’ based on the content of our Easter issue. I think she has done a great job, and has some excellent ideas for using the magazine in the classroom. Thanks Madeleine and Easter blessings to all. —Ed. Teach your children well Too often, students get caught up in their own schoolwork or social lives to pay any attention to anyone else, especially someone in need. James Lee, Victorian finalist for the 2003 Young Australian of the Year, has shown that initiating help means looking for a need and filling it. As founder and co-ordinator of the St Vincent De Paul Wednesday Night Tutoring Program, James has managed to establish a network that involves up to 45 tutors for the students housed in the Richmond commission flats. His work, while an extraordinary achievement for someone so young, can serve as inspiration for other young people. It is apparent that James receives as much in satisfaction as he gives in time and energy. James’ great initiative to set up a tutoring night is supported by St Vincent De Paul, not so much for financial but for moral support. Students may investigate the many aspects of service offered by St Vincent De Paul. Some questions that could be discussed with students include: James was involved in a tutoring program during his final year at Xavier College before establishing the St Vincent De Paul Wednesday Night Tutoring Program. What do you think would be the response from students at your school in regards to tutoring disadvantaged students? If you had the opportunity to set up an organisation or specific program for people in need, who would it be for and what would be the aim? Where would you seek support? If you were to be nominated for Young Australian of the Year, what would you say have been your achievements thus far worthy of nomination? A Passion for Politics Politics is not always influenced by religion. In fact, it often ignores religion and faith values. The people from the Political Ministry Network (PolMin) are involved in politics to campaign for change in society. They see this work as their religious duty. Nuns, in particular, are frustrated by a system of policies that block changes necessary for social justice. Using a three-pronged approach of lobbying, educating and organising, PolMin draws on a 200-strong membership base of religious orders, social justice committees and lay people to influence policy and achieve systemic change. Ask the students these questions: Do you think combining religion and politics is a good idea? Consider both sides to the arguments and explain your reasons. Can be done as a class discussion. How would you use the ‘three-pronged approach’ by lobbying, educating and organising, to campaign for an issue you are passionate about? (or a particular issue set by the teacher?) The whole class can write letters to MPs, arguing for or against a particular issue—or if interested, write to PolMin polmin@tpg.com.au asking for more information on what they do, their memberships, and what they are planning for the future. The people that are focused on in articles in Australian Catholics, are usually influenced by their faith and make a difference because they feel it is morally right. How much does faith influence your morals? How different is it for students who have not had a strong religious upbringing, or none at all? Does your religion influence you in what you do and what you would like to change? Do you think you must be influenced by religion, not necessarily Catholicism, to be passionate about something and make a difference? On a mission with God Sr Carmel Street has spent the last ten years travelling through north-western Queensland on a mission of spiritual direction. Meeting the needs of people across thousands of kilometres from Townsville to Mt Isa and back. It’s not just Catholics who benefit from her prayerful presence, ‘The west is automatically ecumenical or we wouldn’t survive’. For Sr Carmel, her role is to help people develop their own relationship with God as well as integrate it into their everyday life. She doesn’t do it alone, there are many other trained spiritual directors who share the load and help with the running of the ‘nuts and bolts’ like Mary Stark, a widow and grandmother of 13. Sr Carmel sees her role as a privilege being able to share in people’s lives. What do you think of when you hear the words ‘spiritual director’? Students need to realise that a spiritual director is not some weird, deeply religious, hippie who talks to God and tries to brainwash you, but a normal person who has the ability to talk to others and discuss their beliefs with them. They try to give people a better understanding of their own religion and hopefully make them happy and comfortable with discussing their beliefs and willing to learn more. Ask the students who they see as spiritual directors? Can they see a need for such a person for themselves? Around the school? Around their church? Around their community? Freedom from Slavery This year the focus for Project Compassion is the countless millions of people suffering around the world who are slaves of poverty and oppression. This is a time to stand in solidarity with these people and be challenged to make a change. This article can be used to raise awareness about Project Compassion and Caritas. Students can visit www.caritas.org.au to discover the many ways in which the money donated during Lent can help others. Using this year’s theme ‘Freedom from Slavery’ students should research an area or country in the world that could use help from Caritas or other similar organisations. What is the biggest problem facing people in this area? How would you feel if you were in that position and how would you manage? If you had the choice, would you go overseas during Lent to visit this area and work to change the problem with a hands-on approach, or would you stay at home, campaigning for change, donating to Caritas and raising awareness in Australia of the situation? What are the pros and cons of each action? What does being a ‘slave’ mean to you? Does it only mean working for somebody else for little or no pay, or can there be other meanings? Research what ‘slavery’ or being a ‘slave’ means to other people or in other areas of the world. When women talk to God The contributions of women have traditionally not been valued in discussions of belief. Loreto Sister, Christine Burke IBVM believes that the insights of women into the Christian story have been too long overlooked. But now we see a major change in society. The recent Ecclesia of Women in Asia (EWA) conference held in Bangkok raised important issues concerning not only women but the church as a whole. Christine says, ‘The place to start is in an honest conversation about why our Catholic churches in Australia are emptying at a rate of knots. Discussions need to be held, by men and women together, concerning the nurturing of children’s faith, building communities where people can belong and establishing a foundation of God in a world torn by war. It all begins with dialogue.’ As students what do you feel about the role of women in the church? How can you instigate dialogue concerning your feelings? Discuss the issue of the declining numbers of people attending Mass. What do you feel are the reasons? What do you see as possible solutions? To download a pdf of the Teachers Notes, right click here, and "Download File As ..." or "Save File As ..."

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