After a term’s break, the school children of Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains public schools are back to their Special Religious Education (SRE) lessons. Once again, they are actively exploring their faith in a safe environment.
Spiritual wellbeing, delivered by the SRE classes, is one of the five elements of the Department of Education’s Wellbeing Framework, alongside the cognitive, physical, emotional and social wellbeing of children and young people.
“While it’s been a welcome return, a few factors mean we need to encourage more parishioners to come forward as Catechists,” said Cecilia Zammit, Director, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Diocese of Parramatta.
“Our Catechist numbers are down by about half, due to various issues brought on by the pandemic. With 15,000 children and young people in 195 public schools wanting and needing the classes we provide, we are calling for more faith-filled parishioners to step forward.”
“It’s so rewarding!” explained Cecilia. “Our lessons give children room to encounter a loving God through a relationship with Jesus Christ. When you’re a Catechist, you bring hope and joy to the young people you teach, as well as playing a valuable role in their development.”
Training for Catechists can be done in person or online.
To find out more, contact Cecilia Zammit at cecilia.zammit@parracatholic.org.au or on (02) 8838 3486.
