Assessment

Classroom Participation 10% + Short Reflections based on required reading 20% + Final Essay 70%

Module Aims

To introduce learners to the foundation, aims, and concepts of religious education, catechesis, and Catholic Education in furtherance of their education in pastoral ministry. The module will provide learners with a knowledge of the life and work of Irish primary schools under Catholic Patronage, while assisting them in understanding the spirituality of the child. This will be augmented with an understanding of the primary school religious education programme and how this integrates into the work of a chaplain, in particular the prayer-life and sacramental preparation and celebration of the class.

Indicative Syllabus

• Spirituality of the Child
• Religious Education & Catechesis
• Catholic Education
• Religious Education Curriculum and Programme
• Religious Education ad Special education Needs
• Prayer and Liturgical formation in the Classroom
• Sacrament and Sacramental Formation

Learning Outcomes

• — LO 1: understand the concepts of Catholic Education, religious education and catechesis as it has developed since the Second Vatican Council.
• — LO 2: locate the place of religious education in the contemporary Irish school and its implications for chaplaincy.
• — LO 3: examine the methodology, content and elements of the Grow in Love programme.
• — LO 4: explore the relationship between home, school and parish as partners in religious education and to consider how this relationship can be strengthened.
• — LO 5: investigate particular approaches to chaplaincy in the primary school and the resources necessary for success.
• — LO 6: display knowledge of the current themes and theories in the spirituality of the child to assist their ministry as school chaplains.

Bibliography

• — Groome, Thomas H, Will There be Faith? Depends on Every Christian, Dublin: Veritas, 2011.
• — O’Higgins Norman, James, ed., Education Matters – Readings in Pastoral Care for School Chaplains, Guidance Counsellors and Teachers, Dublin: Veritas, 2011.
• — Lane, Dermot A. Challenges Facing Religious Education in Contemporary Ireland, Dublin: Veritas, 2008.
• — Harmon, M. and Mahon, E. Prayer Assemblies for Primary Schools. Dublin: Veritas, 2012.
• — Irish Council for Catechetics (2015) Catholic Primary Schools in a Changing Ireland
• — Irish Council for Catechetics (2015) Grow in Love (Primary School Religious Education Programme)
• — Congregation for the Clergy (2022) General Catechetical Directory
• — Magisterial Documents from Second Vatican Council, the Congregation for Catholic Education, Council for New Evangelisation, Council for Catechetics of the Irish Episcopal Conference
• — Articles coming from Journals in the areas of Religious Education, Catechetics and Catholic Education
• — Mahon, M. and Delaney, M. Do This in Memory. Dublin: Veritas, 2009.
• — Mahon, M. You Shall Be My Witnesses. Dublin: Veritas, 2009