1. Teaching Sacraments in the classroom

2. What is a sacrament? μυστηριον (Greek) = mystery
sacramentum (Latin) = sacred oath (Roman); "a sign of the sacred” (Christian).
Visible signs and actions of the Church that make visible God’s presence.
‘Doors’ to the sacred (Icons > window to the soul)
Closely connected to significant events in a person’s life
Celebrated in a community.
A symbol of God’s care for us in Christ. (Joseph Martos)

3. What is a sacrament?
The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions.
(CCC. 1131)
Sign/symbol often used interchangeably
However, Church sees a difference.
Secular / religious sign red points to danger; thunder to a storm; full-stop to end of a sentence.
Symbol is an object that represents, stands for, or suggests an idea, belief or action. Can be a word, sound, gesture, image, e.g. red octagon means stop; = means equal; picture of a tent means campsite; dove means peace
Sacrament sign and symbol (both present) and lead to something deeper, i.e. God’s grace

4. - Sacraments are sacred actions of the Church through which God is present. In the Sacraments, words, actions and symbols are used to communicate God’s presence and action. - Sacraments are celebrations of Christian tradition, of Christian life and of Christian hope. They share the dimensions of past, present and future that give ordinary celebrations meaning.

5. A visible sign of a hidden reality of God’s grace.
Every sacrament is an encounter with Christ through the words, signs, actions and symbols proper to each.

6. What is a sign? What is a symbol?
Points to a reality beyond itself which is not the same as itself,
e.g. smoke fire
What is a symbol?
Not only points to a reality more than itself, but also makes reality present to our human experience, e.g. kiss/hug not only a sign of love, but can actually make that love present

7. 7 INITIATION HEALING SACRAMENTS SERVICE Baptism Confirmation
Eucharist
Reconciliation
Anointing of the Sick 7
SACRAMENTS
SERVICE
Holy Orders
Marriage

8. + All our (seven) sacraments have their ‘origins’ in scripture
+ Have not always had ‘seven’, but baptism, (confirmation) and eucharist from earliest times
- Protestant churches ‘two’
- Council of Trent 1547
+ Only adults baptised in early Church, baptism of children not part of church for first few centuries
+ Historically ‘why’ has changed

9. Sacraments and scripture
Sacraments celebrate the Christian story Each Sacrament has a foundation in the life and ministry of Jesus

10. Baptism – … of Jesus (Matthew, Mark and Luke)
Confirmation – … Coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts)
Eucharist – … Last Supper (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and 1Corinthians)
Reconciliation – … Jesus healing miracles
Anointing of the Sick – … Jesus’ among the sick (and Letter from James)
Marriage – … Wedding at Cana
Holy Orders – Jesus himself

11. Sacramental moments
We can experience God’s presence in sacramental moments such as,
in the wonders of creation
at significant family times like the birth of a new baby or a special gathering or occasion
at sad or anxious times
at times of safety after danger or upset
when things happen in a good way
in the experience of forgiveness and reconciliation
in quiet, gentle moments of peace
in the experience of being accepted, understood and loved.

12. Sacramental = finding God in all things
“God comes looking for us and we go looking for God through the ordinary and every day.”
(Thomas Groome)

13. Diocese of Toowoomba Guiding Principles in celebrating the Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation & Eucharist for Children
Diocesan Liturgical Commission Toowoomba 2015

14. 1. The celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation and Reconciliation are events of the local Church community. The preparation for these sacraments belongs primarily to the families of the candidates and to the community of the faithful.
2. Confirmation and First Holy Communion may be desirable for children of pre-school age who exhibit signs of readiness.
3. Families ought to be invited frequently to enrol with their children in the parish program to prepare for the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation and Reconciliation.
4. The celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance) normally precedes first Holy Communion. The first celebration of Reconciliation is usually separated from first Holy Communion by some months.
5. It seems desirable that children be introduced to the Sacrament of Reconciliation through the communal rite (second rite). Although the individual rite (first rite) of Reconciliation is usually deferred to a later age, the child (guided by family members) is always free to celebrate this form of the sacrament.

15. 6. The parish program of preparation for Initiation and Reconciliation involves not only the child, but also family members and, where possible, baptismal sponsors.
7. Every child is expected to be regular in attendance at an on-going program of catechesis which gradually unfolds the richness of the tradition to children at a level consonant with their age and ability.
8. The celebration of the Sacraments involves the whole community, but the particular way in which Sacraments are celebrated is also sensitive to, and respects, the varying situations, traditions and wishes of the families involved.
9. Lent is the most suitable season for catechising about and celebrating the Sacrament of Penance. The Easter Season provides the best setting for Confirmation.
10. Children with an intellectual disability are to prepare for and celebrate sacraments with suitable variations according to their disability (DMC#6).

16. 1. The celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation and Reconciliation are events of the local Church community. The preparation for these sacraments belongs primarily to the families of the candidates and to the community of the faithful.

17. The SCHOOL
that parents are the first and primary educators of the faith for their children.
The Parish

18. Lumen Gentium (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church) 1964.
Apostolicam Actuositatem (The Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity) 1965.
Gavissium Educationis (The Declaration on Christian Education) 1965.
Evangelii Nuntiandi (Evangelization in the Modern World) 1975.

19. Familiaris Consortio (The Role of the Christian Family in the Modern world) 1981.
Christifideles Laici (The Vocation of the Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and the World) 1989.
Catechism of the Catholic Church n. 1653, 1656, 2221 and 2223.

20. Parish Family School Parish Based
The parish is responsible for running the preparation and for the celebration of the Sacraments.
“In the Sunday Mass, those who have been initiated are continually formed by the word of God and affirmed in their belonging to the Church, the Body of Christ.”

21. Parish Family School Family Centred
Preparing children for sacraments is a “family affair”, parents and guardians are invited to share faith, prayer and fun activities with their children.
“The family is where the faith is learned and lived.”

22. Parish Family School School Supported
The parish primary school supports sacramental preparation through the religious life of the school and through curriculum content.
Children who do not attend the Catholic primary school need to be supported in other ways for their faith development.

23. Year 3 (precedes Eucharist by some months; 1st Rite later; LENT)
Christian
Initiation
For
CHILDREN
Baptism
Infants – 8 years old
Penance
Year 3 (precedes Eucharist by some months; 1st Rite later; LENT)
Confirmation
Year 4 (before Eucharist; Easter season)
Eucharist
Year 4