Religion and Family Life
Families have access to the Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ religious education program with the Student and Home Website. Click on the photo of the book to access the website.
Lessons follow the liturgical calendar and fall into the following units:
Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ (GIFGIC)
Believing and Celebrating
Fully Alive
Created and Loved by God
GIFGIC
Living a Moral Life and Living in Communion
Fully Alive
Living in Relationship and Created Sexual: Male and Female
GIFGIC
Living in Solidarity and Prayer
Fully Alive
Growing in Commitment and Living in the World
In addition to the "Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ" and "Fully Alive" programs, I will also incorporate two practices that encourage mindfulness and prayer. These are "Christian Meditation" and "Praying in Colour".
You can use some of the listening tracks we use in class at home with your child or your family.
Meditation is about sitting silently in God's presence.
After a busy recess, excited bodies need time to regulate. Students say that these practices help them feel calm, peaceful, happy and relaxed.
Praying in Colour
Written by author Sybil MacBeth, "Praying in Colour" is a book and a concept that teaches children (and adults) that you can have a conversation with God while quieting the mind and freeing it of other distractions by keeping your hands busy doodling and drawing. No need to be a great artist. Lines and shapes and colours can fill the page along with the names of people you are praying for. It is a simple and fun way to pray by being mindful of only what you are focusing on and doing in the moment. At St. Cecilia, teachers often use praying in colour in the classroom, but we also sometimes do it as a whole school over the intercom with a little guidance from our principal or vice principal and some soft relaxing music. You can try it out as a family at home.
