Why should we teach about the Sacrament of Holy Communion?
Sacramentality is the core of Christian Life. Teaching about and preparing our students for the celebration of Eucharist or Holy Communion is a way in which the school can support the Church and families in educating students about their faith (CEOM, 2008). Providing knowledge and understanding of the workings of the Catholic faith and making sources of revelation meaningful, can lead to students responding in faith (CEOM, 2008). Hyde and Rymarz (2008), confirm that the educational aspect of the sacrament can be "a good way of consolidating and nurturing faith development" (p. 10). However, for those who are not of Catholic faith or have been disjointed from their faith can still participate in religious education. Teaching the sacrament of Holy Communion from an educational viewpoint can provide those students in this position with a sound knowledge of the catholic faith and an invitation to join in it’s values and beliefs (CEOM, 2008).
By the middle years of schooling, students have progressed from a literal understanding of the world to developing inferential levels of meaning (CEOM, 2008). From here students will be able to reflect on their own lives and evaluate the importance of God's actions in their world. Hence, teaching about the Eucharist at this time is valuable as it is the heart of Catholic life. This means it will provide students (both Catholics and not) with an understanding of the Catholic traditions and their purpose in the lives of oneself or others.
By the middle years of schooling, students have progressed from a literal understanding of the world to developing inferential levels of meaning (CEOM, 2008). From here students will be able to reflect on their own lives and evaluate the importance of God's actions in their world. Hence, teaching about the Eucharist at this time is valuable as it is the heart of Catholic life. This means it will provide students (both Catholics and not) with an understanding of the Catholic traditions and their purpose in the lives of oneself or others.