Dear Families,
We are very excited to share with your our new Religion program. Using this link you will be able to listen to songs, watch videos and follow our program.
username: dpcdsb_student3
password: Student3
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Our
class is ready to begin the first unit in the Growing in
Faith, Growing in Christ program for Grade 3. Growing
in Faith, Growing in Christ follows the liturgical year of the Catholic
Church, and aligns with what is happening in our parish. This program will
provide a meaningful daily faith experience for your child, building a
knowledge of the faith with an emphasis on the importance
of family.
The
first unit, Our Catholic Community, is divided into four chapters. It will help
the children see themselves as members of the school, parish, and wider
community of the Catholic Church. This unit will take approximately 11 weeks.
During the unit, rooted in Ordinary Time, students will learn that
• Jesus
Himself was an example of how we are to live in community
• through
the Beatitudes, Jesus calls us to community in the service of others
• Mary,
as the Mother of the Church and first disciple, is a model for us in building
community, particularly through prayer
• the
lives of the saints—particularly St. John Paul II and the Canadian saints
André Bessette and Kateri Tekakwitha—reflect the teaching of Jesus and provide
us with examples of living in community
• we
have been given freedom and free will, and through our choices we can
help build community in the Church
• God’s
gifts of mercy and forgiveness are offered to us in the sacrament of
Reconciliation
• there
are three important feasts in Ordinary Time, celebrated in the fall: All
Saints’ Day (November 1), All Souls’ Day (November 2), and the Feast of Christ
the King (the last Sunday of Ordinary Time, before Advent begins)
Throughout
the program, there will be opportunities for you to join us at school and to
support your child through some activities at home. During this first week of
Unit 1, students are invited to bring an object from home to place on the
classroom Prayer Table. Encourage your child to select an object of special
significance that will connect him or her to God.
During
Week 2, students will learn about the life and work of Mother Teresa. Students
are encouraged to discuss with their families other people they may
be aware of who live out the Beatitudes, how they contribute, and why their
work is important.
During
Weeks 5 and 6, students are encouraged to discuss with you who
their guardian angel is and any special devotions your family has to a saint
or guardian. They will also be sharing stories about Mary with you and are
encouraged to bring to school any memorabilia or artifacts that show devotion
to Mary to add to a display near the classroom Prayer Centre. Please be sure
to label these items with your child’s name so they can be returned.
Please
talk with your child about what he or she is learning in the classroom
and share in these experiences with him or her through activities at home.
We
value the support you provide in nurturing the faith development of
your child.
