Post-Primary Diocesan Adviser R.E. News Blog March 2019/Márta 2019 Dear R.E Teacher/Chaplain, Welcome to March’s issue of the R.E blog! I hope you are all refreshed after the mid-term and ready for this new term. This month’s blog continues with a calendar of events for March with a selection of resources linked to important dates from international justice, peace and environmental calendars as well as important dates/feast days from religious calendars. There is also a variety of further resources on this website http://education.dublindiocese.ie/post-primary/ under classroom and general resources. As Lent begin this month, I have included a number of resources to help guide your students throughout the season in preparation for Easter. Pope Francis’ Lenten message for 2019 “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God” (Rom 8:19) is a great point to start the Lenten journey with your students. I hope the blog is proving to be of use to you in your planning and in engaging your students in the search for faith. I would welcome any feedback so that I can continue to improve the resources we offer. Irish resources will be available with the continued help of Sr. Mairéad Ni Bhuachalla. Le gach dea-ghuí, Lily Barry February 25th-10th March / Feabhra 25ú - Márta 10ú Fairtrade Fortnight Coicís tiomnaithe do Thrádáil Mhacánta Calling all chocolate fans! Join our campaign to ensure that cocoa farmers are paid fairly for their work and are able to live a dignified life. For two weeks each year, thousands of individuals, companies and groups across the UK come together to celebrate the people who grow our food, people who live in some of the poorest countries in the world and who are often exploited and badly paid. This year we are
Welcome to March’s issue of the R.E blog! I hope you are all refreshed after the mid-term and ready for this new term. This month’s blog continues with a calendar of events for March with a selection of resources linked to important dates from international justice, peace and environmental calendars as well as important dates/feast days from religious calendars. There is also a variety of further resources on this website http://education.dublindiocese.ie/post-primary/ under classroom and general resources.
As Lent begin this month, I have included a number of resources to help guide your students throughout the season in preparation for Easter. Pope Francis’ Lenten message for 2019 “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God” (Rom 8:19) is a great point to start the Lenten journey with your students. I hope the blog is proving to be of use to you in your planning and in engaging your students in the search for faith. I would welcome any feedback so that I can continue to improve the resources we offer. Irish resources will be available with the continued help of Sr. Mairéad Ni Bhuachalla.
Le gach dea-ghuí,
Lily Barry
February 25th-10th March / Feabhra 25ú - Márta 10úFairtrade Fortnight
Coicís tiomnaithe do Thrádáil MhacántaCalling all chocolate fans! Join our campaign to ensure that cocoa farmers are paid fairly for their
work and are able to live a dignified life.
For two weeks each year, thousands of individuals, companies and groups across the UK come together to celebrate the people who grow our food, people who live in some of the poorest countries in the world and who are often exploited and badly paid. This year we are focusing on the people – in particular the women – who grow the cocoa in the chocolate we love so much. It is easy to join in: use link below to see how you and your students can get involved.https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/
Lá Domhanda Urnaí“Come – Everything is Ready”/ “Tar- Tá gach rud ullamh”
World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement led by Christian women who welcome you to join in prayer and action for peace and justice. https://worlddayofprayer.net/index.html
March 6th - Pope’s Lenten Message calls for conversion
Teachtaireacht an Phápai dtaobh Aithreachais an Charghais“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God” (Rom 8:19)
Pope Francis is calling on the faithful not to let the Lenten season of grace pass in vain, and to live as children of God acknowledging and obeying His law, in particular in regards to our brothers and sisters and to creation. In this year’s Lenten message, the Pope invites believers to prepare to celebrate the paschal mystery with mind and heart renewed, warning that “Sin leads man to consider himself the god of creation, to see himself as its absolute master and to use it, not for the purpose willed by the Creator but for his own interests”. The full text of the Pope's Lenten Message can be found on the Vatican website:https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-02/pope-lenten-message-conversion.htmlLent begins on Ash Wednesday, 6 March, and will conclude on Holy Saturday, 20 April, the day before Easter.
March 6th - Ash Wednesday
Céadaoin an Luaithrigh
Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar. It opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer. Ash Wednesday takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday, and is chiefly observed by Catholics, although many other Christians observe it too. Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the wearing of ashes on the head. The ashes symbolize the dust from which God made us. As the priest applies the ashes to a person's forehead, he speaks the words: "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." Alternatively, the priest may speak the words, "Repent and believe in the Gospel." Ashes also symbolize grief, in this case, grief that we have sinned and caused separation from God. Writings from the Second-century Church refer to the wearing of ashes as a sign of penance. All are invited to accept the ashes as a visible symbol of penance. Even non-Christians and the excommunicated are welcome to receive the ashes. The ashes are made from blessed palm branches, taken from the previous year's Palm Sunday Mass.For short videos and resources see: http://www.catholic.org/lent/ashwed.php https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAuB3V46zk&list=PLfIV99jZo_dUf8qoGrv7zptxaers7xuSH&index=11 https://www.thereligionteacher.com/lent-activities/ https://cafod.org.uk/Pray/Lent-Calendarhttps://www.catholic.org/lent/ashwed.phphttp://education.dublindiocese.ie/2012/06/24/pplentenresources/
March 8th - St. John of God
Naomh Eoin le Dia
John was born in 1495 in Montemor O Novo, Portugal. He spent most of his life in Spain and worked as a shepherd, soldier and bookseller in many parts both of Spain and North Africa. He eventually settled in the city of Granada in the south of Spain. It was here that he met St. John of Avila whose preaching had a profound effect on him, and resulted in a dramatic conversion experience. This experience made him realise the depth of God's love for him and how little he had done to love God in return. This realisation caused him to have what we might term nowadays a 'nervous breakdown'. He ran through the streets calling on God to have mercy on him and tearing his clothes. Many people considered him mad and some people who knew him took him to the Royal Hospital in
Granada. This hospital housed those considered insane and the treatment meted out to them at that time was cruel and harsh. When John came to his senses he was determined that he would help those who were suffering so that they would never have to suffer what those in the Royal Hospital underwent. Before he was discharged he begged the hospital staff to treat the patients with humanity and compassion.Starting with a small porch where he brought those who were sick, poor or in any kind of need, John went on to set up shelters and eventually a hospital. Before he began his first hospital he went to work with the Jeremites, a religious order who also looked after the sick and there he received training in medicine and in nursing skills. He was very innovative in his treatment of the sick being one of the first to ensure that each sick person had a separate bed and going around washing and tending the patients himself. News of John's work spread far and wide. He began to attract others who wanted to help him to look after those in need.
John died on the 8th March 1550 aged 55. He was canonised in1690. A few years after his death those who were his followers were recognised as a religious order and called the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God. Today the work which John began in a porch in Granada continues in 52 countries in the world and covers a wide range of care for those with physical and learning disabilities, the homeless and poor, those with mental health problems and the elderly. http://www.stjohnofgodvocation.ie/index.php?id=59https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=68
March 13th - 6th Anniversary of Pope Francis to the Papacy
Cothrom lae a toghadh Proinsias ina phápa sé bliain ó shin.
On March 13 2018, we will celebrate six years since Pope Francis was first elected—six years of a papacy full of mercy, joy, and hope. Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio and is the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere. He is the first Jesuit pope and the first non-European pope since Pope Gregory III in 741. He chose his papal name to honour St. Francis of Assisi. He was inaugurated on 19 March 2013, and his motto became “Miserando atque Eligendo” or “lowly but chosen.” The motto was taken from the Venerable Bede on Saint Matthew’s Gospel.
On the anniversary of Pope Francis’ election, mass is normally held at the Vatican and Catholic churches throughout the area. During the mass, people pray for the pope’s continued health and well-being while asking God to guide him in his decisions for the Catholic Church. Loyola Press have produced lovely resources on their website including a poster on Pope Francis, which can be download and used as a classroom resource.https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/scripture-and-tradition/church-leadership/pope-francis . https://publicholidays.eu/vatican-city/anniversary-of-the-election-of-pope-francis/
St Patrick is one of Christianity’s best-known figures. Born in Britain to a wealthy family near the end of the fourth century, at the age of sixteen, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders. He was carried away to Ireland where he was held captive for more than six years. During his time as a slave, Patrick worked as a shepherd, attending the flocks of his master. Alone and homesick, Patrick prayed many times a day while in the pastures with the sheep.
In Patrick’s work, “Confessio”, he wrote: “the love of God and His fear increased in me more and more, and the faith grew in me, and the spirit was aroused, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers, and in the night nearly the same, so that whilst in the woods and on the mountain, even before the dawn, I was roused to prayer and felt no hurt from it, whether there was snow or ice or rain; nor was there any slothfulness in me such as I see now, because the spirit was then fervent within me.”
Later Patrick joined St. Martin’s monastery at Tours, learning the Christian life, which would help prepare him for his future ministry amongst the Irish. Patrick evangelized in Ireland for many years.St. Patrick used the shamrock, to illustrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity to the pre-Christian Irish. To this day, the shamrock is a well-known symbol of Ireland. He founded many churches in Ireland and continued looking after them until his death on March 17, 493. Every year, on March 17, millions of people celebrate this annual feast day that celebrates St. Patrick, a patron of Ireland.
For excellent resources on St. Patrick view/download from: https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtJiw53tHyZ_goEBz39CBbKljPbCcwThanks to Frank Brown, Parish Pastoral Worker, The Combined Catholic Parishes of Clondalkin.http://education.dublindiocese.ie/2012/02/21/saint-patrick/
March 19th - St. Joseph
Naomh Íosaf
St. Joseph was the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus. All we know about Joseph comes from the accounts of the nativity in the New Testament. He was a tradesman, commonly he is said to have been a carpenter, but it is possible he may have been a stone worker. He was said to have been a direct descendent of David, the great king of Israel. Since Joseph is not mentioned in any accounts of Jesus' public life, his crucifixion, or resurrection, it is thought that Joseph died before Jesus started preaching. St. Joseph is the patron saint of the Catholic Church, unborn children, fathers, immigrants, workers, Vietnam and the Philippines.For a short informational video and resources, see: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4
Holika Dahan is a great ritual of the Hindu religion while celebrating the Holi festival. The Holi festival commemorates the victory of good over evil. Information on this festival will help students who are studying Hinduism as part of their major world religions, Section C. for Junior Cert.https://www.tripsavvy.com/holi-festival-in-india-guide-1539289
March 21st - International Day of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Lá Idirnáisiúnta tiomnaithe do dhíothú Idirdhealú Ciníoch2019 Theme: Mitigating and countering rising nationalist populism
and extreme supremacist ideologies
Racist extremist movements based on ideologies that seek to promote populist, nationalist agendas are spreading in various parts of the world, fuelling racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, often targeting migrants and refugees as well as people of African descent.In its recent resolution on eliminating racism, the United Nations General Assembly reiterated that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and have the potential to contribute constructively to the development and well-being of their societies. The resolution also emphasized that any doctrine of racial superiority is scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous and must be rejected, together with theories that attempt to determine the existence of separate human races. Help fight racism!Learn about the International Decade for People of African Descent and Remember Slavery.Consult educational materials of the UN Outreach Programmes on the Holocaust and the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda#FightRacism http://www.un.org/en/events/racialdiscriminationday/
March 22nd - World Water Day Lá Domhanda Uisce
“Whoever you are, wherever you are, water is your human right”
The theme for World Water Day 2019 is ‘Leaving no one behind’. This is an adaptation of the central promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: as sustainable development progresses, everyone must benefit. Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water for all by 2030. By definition, this means leaving no one behind. Whoever you are, wherever you are, water is your human right. Access to water underpins public health and is therefore critical to sustainable development and a stable and prosperous world. We
cannot move forward as a global society while so many people are living without safe water. To ‘leave no one behind’, we must focus our efforts towards including people who have been marginalized or ignored. For further resources see: http://www.worldwaterday.org/theme/ http://education.dublindiocese.ie/2017/02/14/march-22-world-water-day/
March 24th - Oscar Romero
“We are workers, not master builders, ministers, not messiahs.We are prophets of a future not our own.”
Born on August 15th 1917, Oscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdamez was sent to study for the priesthood in Rome and was ordained in April 1942. He embraced a simple lifestyle; he was a popular preacher who responded with real compassion to the plight of the poor. He gave dedicated pastoral service to the diocese of San Miguel for 25 years. He was ordained Archbishop of San Salvador in 1977. Over the years, the social and political conflict in El Salvador intensified, and from his Cathedral pulpit, Archbishop Romero became the voice of the voiceless poor. There, in a society of cover-up and lies, he spoke the truth of what was happening in the countryside; he denounced the killings, the torture and the disappearances of community leaders; he demanded justice and recompense for the atrocities committed by the army and police and he set up legal aid projects and pastoral programmes to support the victims of the violence. He was assassinated on Monday March 24th 1980 as he was celebrating Mass in the chapel of the Divine Providence cancer hospital where he lived. Thirty-five years later, he was declared a martyr of the Church, killed out of hatred of the faith, and was beatified on May 23rd 2015.
A study of Oscar Romero can be used in a variety of ways for the Junior Cert Religion Syllabus. See http://education.dublindiocese.ie/oscar-romero/ for ideas and further resources. The Archbishop Romero Trust also have an excellent online resource bank of materials:http://www.romerotrust.org.uk/who-was-archbishop-oscar-romero
Trócaire Romero Award
The Romero Programme highlights the efforts of people in Ireland and across the world to raise awareness of human rights violations and support people who are experiencing hardship. Students can take part in Trócaire Awards Programmes, based on global justice issues. The Trócaire Romero Award is a student led awareness raising project that can be incorporated into a TY module, a CSPE project, or a RE topic. Prizes for most impressive entries and schools can find more details online at https://www.trocaire.org/getinvolved/education/school-projects or contact [email protected] for further details.
It helps now and then to step back and take the long view.The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificient enterprise that is God’s work.
Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No programme accomplishes the Church’s mission.No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about:We plant seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realising that.
This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.It may be incomplete, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s
grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are the workers, not master builders, ministers, not messiahs.We are prophets of a future not our own.
Oscar Romero
March 25th - Feast of the Annunciation / Teachtaireacht an Aingil
"I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be to me according to your Word."
A tradition, which has come down from the apostolic ages, tells us that the great mystery of the Incarnation was achieved on the twenty-fifth day of March. It was at the hour of midnight, when the most holy Virgin was alone and absorbed in prayer, that the Archangel Gabriel appeared before her, and asked her, in the name of the blessed Trinity, to consent to become the Mother of God. The feast of the Annunciation of the Lord celebrates Angel Gabriel's appearance to the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-38) and his announcement that she had been chosen to be the mother of the saviour of the world. Also being celebrated during this feast was Mary's fiat, which means "let it be" in Latin—her willing acceptance of the news. Mary, in her selflessness, was open to the angel´s visit. She recognized who was speaking. She listened, received and responded. In so doing, she shows us the way to respond to the Lord's call in our own lives. God initiates a relationship and we respond in surrender to Him. This dynamic, this heavenly road, leads to a dialogue, a conversation, a way of life. By saying Yes, through our own Fiat, we are set apart. Consecrated. Made holy. Mary shows us that way.The Annunciation, which means "the announcement," is observed almost universally throughout Christianity, especially within Orthodoxy, Anglicanism, Catholicism, and Lutheranism. For further teaching resources see: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2017-03-25 https://www.catholic.org/lent/story.php?id=40820http://education.dublindiocese.ie/2017/02/15/march-25-feast-of-the-annunciation/
March 31st - Mother’s Day/Laetare Sunday
Lá na Máithreacha/ Domhnaic an Áthais
As Christianity spread throughout Europe, Mother’s Day celebrations were held on the fourth Sunday of Lent – Laetare Sunday or ‘mid-Lent’ Sunday – the celebrations were adapted to honour the Virgin Mary and the ‘Mother Church’. Customs began to dictate that a person visit the church of his/her baptism on this day. People also attended the mother church of their parish, laden with offerings. For further resources see: http://education.dublindiocese.ie/2017/03/22/mothers-day-resources/ and you can download a variety of prayer cards and activities from Frank Browne Combined Parishes of Clondalkin at:https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AM9%5FQgWypYz2wnM&id=7F261FED9DC362D2%2132928&cid=7F261FED9DC362D2
Other Dates /Important Notices Dátaí Eile/ Fógraí Tábhachtacha
Trócaire: Until Love Conquers Fear 2019 Lenten Campaign
Remember to continue to support Trócaire in their Lenten campaign 2019. Learn about Trócaire’s work and the United Nations Global Goals for Sustainable Development. Activities for your classroom/youth group are available from https://www.trocaire.org/getinvolved/lent
March 4th-12th - Hearts on Fire! Youth Week and Novena
A youth festival for transition year students, aimed at engaging them in matters of faith, spirituality and social justice will take place from March 4 th-12th in Gardiner Street Parish Church. Any questions contact Seán O’Rourke on 01 8363411.
March 9th - RTAI / Cumann Múinteoirí Reiligiúin na hÉireann - National Conference
Please find attached the details for this year’s RTAI Conference, which will be held on Saturday, 9th March in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone. Places are strictly limited to 100 so please book early to avoid disappointment.
To reserve your place please email [email protected] stating your name, school name and TC number. Valerie Roe RTAI Chairperson https://www.rtai.ie/rtai-annual-conference-2019/
Further excellent resources for March, Lent and Easter are available from Frank Brown, Parish Pastoral Worker, from the combined parishes of Clondalkin. Free to use, lose, adapt, adopt or share. Hope these are useful and take what you need, like or find useful.You can download them from https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtJiw53tHyZ_gf8xBAgJ_TlcwJGN9A
Archdiocese of Dublin/Ard-Dheoise Bhaile Átha CliathSee the Archdiocese of Dublin website for information on events, which take place throughout the diocese. http://www.dublindiocese.ie/
April 27th - Archdiocese of Dublin Pilgrimage to Knock 2019/Cuireadh do scoláirí chun taispeánadh na Maighdine Muire ar Chnoc Mhuire a cheiliúradh
Knock 1879-2019: Celebrating 140 years of our National Marian Shrine
Our Dublin Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock, to be led by His Grace Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, will take place on Saturday, 27th April 2019. For queries, email: [email protected]
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Acmhainn i nGaeilge
Céadaoin an Luaithrigh
An chéad lá den Charghas, tréimse 40 lá ullmhúcháin don Cháisc, an fhéile is tábhachtaí i
bhféilire na hEaglaise.
Cloisimid faoi dhaoine a dhéanann “detox” chun a gcorp a ghlanadh amach, agus déanann
daoine mór-ghlanadh nuair a bhíonn siad ag déanamh athchóiriú ar sheomra nó ar theach.
Tugann an Carghas deis dúinn “detox” spioradálta a dhéanamh agus ár gcroí a
athnuachan.
Is siombail den “detox” spioradálta an luaithreach agus cuirtear ar an gclár éadain é mar
chomhartha aithrí i.e. go bhfuil beartaithe ag duine droch-nósanna a thréigean agus dea-
ghníomhartha a chleachtadh.
An Carghas seo, iompaigh ón bpeaca. Bíodh grá agat do Dhia agus do dhaoine eile.
AN CARGHASDéan ceann amháin de na rudaí seo gach lá i rith an Charghais
Ná bí ag gearán faoin aimsir.Déan iarracht dearcadh dhuine eile a thuiscint.Cuir duine ag gáire.Guigh ar feadh cúig nóiméad sula dtéann tú a chodladh.Mol duine go fírinneach.Abair ‘tá brón orm’ agus bí dáiríre faoi.Tabhair freagra an chéad uair a ghlaonn duine ort.Tabhair cuairt ar uaigheanna clainne nó cairde.Cabhraigh le duine a luach féin a bhaint amach.Daingnigh cairdeas.Déan iarracht gan aon rud a chur amú ar feadh lae amháin.Cuir glaoch ar dhuine atá uaigneach.Tabhair cabhair fiú nuair nach n-iarrtar ort.Déan iarracht gan a bheith ag tarraingt airde ort féin.Déan troscadh ar feadh an lae.Guigh ar feadh cúig nóiméad ar maidin.Tabhair cuairt ar dhuine atá tinn.Bí foighdeach le daoine eile.Ná bí ag béadán.Maith go héasca d’éinne a ghortaíonn tú.Buail isteach sa séipéal gach uair a théann tú thairis.Cuir glaoch ar sheanchara nach ndearna tú caidreamh leis/léi le fada.Má ghránn tú duine, abair é.Cuir ionadh ort féin.Tabhair d’aird ar fad do dhaoine eile.Gabh buíochas le Dia as bronntanas na beatha.Guigh ar son cara.Guigh ar son namhaid.Gníomhaigh mar Chríostaí.Staon ar feadh an lae ó bhia a thaitníonn leat. Tabhair fíormhaithiúnas do dhuine a ghortaigh tú.Déan do choinsias a iniúchadh.Bí i do cheann réitigh sa bhaile nó ag an scoil.Caith roinnt ama go ciúin leat féin.Diúltaigh breithiúnas a thabhairt ar dhaoine eile.Éist!Bí mar chomhartha dóchais do duine éigin.Aithin an fhírinne fút féin – is cuma cé chomh maith is atá sí! (an fhírinne!)Tabhair lámh chúnta sa bhaile.
