Rationale for the Involvement of the Sacraments
Catholic schools are built upon the teachings of the Catholic Church and encourage Catholic practices by sharing the knowledge, beliefs, values and ethos of the church (CEOM, 2010). According to the Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Sandhurst (2005), the Second Vatican Council “teaches that scripture and tradition are the two key avenues through which God’s divine revelation is passed on to every age” (p. 56). Tradition encompasses the sacraments, being the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church and a key source of revelation for our students on their faith journey. Hence, our curriculum is guided by the teachings of the Church, making the sacraments, which are "one of the four pillars found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church" vital to religious education (Hyde and Rymarz, 2009, p. 64).
Hyde and Rymarz (2008) confirm that, “catholic schools sacramental programs make up an important part of the religious education curriculum” (p. 107). According to the Catholic Education Office of Melbourne (2008), the catholic school is responsible for inviting all members “to search for God in the world and to live a life framed by the life and words of Jesus of Nazareth” (p. 1). The Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Sandhurst (2005), state that the sacraments “have their origin in the ministry of Jesus Christ and they celebrate key moments of our lives” (p. 68). They are an “experience of the living faith in our community” and their celebration is a vital contribution to our lives and a potential source of revelation or change for the entire community (CEOM, 2008). Religious education supports the development of our students’ in their sacramental faith journeys, as the educational outcomes provide understanding, knowledge and awareness to encourage a transformation within (Diocese of Ballarat, 2005). Teaching about the sacraments can act as a source of catechesis to encourage students to progress through their faith journey, or as a source of evangelization to invite others to understand the life of Jesus Christ and the catholic faith (Hyde & Rymarz, 2008). Hence, devotion to teaching the sacraments in our classrooms is key to supporting the work of the Church and the ethos of a Catholic school.
Hyde and Rymarz (2008) confirm that, “catholic schools sacramental programs make up an important part of the religious education curriculum” (p. 107). According to the Catholic Education Office of Melbourne (2008), the catholic school is responsible for inviting all members “to search for God in the world and to live a life framed by the life and words of Jesus of Nazareth” (p. 1). The Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Sandhurst (2005), state that the sacraments “have their origin in the ministry of Jesus Christ and they celebrate key moments of our lives” (p. 68). They are an “experience of the living faith in our community” and their celebration is a vital contribution to our lives and a potential source of revelation or change for the entire community (CEOM, 2008). Religious education supports the development of our students’ in their sacramental faith journeys, as the educational outcomes provide understanding, knowledge and awareness to encourage a transformation within (Diocese of Ballarat, 2005). Teaching about the sacraments can act as a source of catechesis to encourage students to progress through their faith journey, or as a source of evangelization to invite others to understand the life of Jesus Christ and the catholic faith (Hyde & Rymarz, 2008). Hence, devotion to teaching the sacraments in our classrooms is key to supporting the work of the Church and the ethos of a Catholic school.