Church
Overview
The Church strand comprises three distinct yet interrelated sub-strands: Liturgy and Sacraments, People of God, and Church History.
Liturgy and Sacraments
Students in Archdiocesan schools grow in their understanding and appreciation of the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church. They develop an understanding of the many ways in which the Biblical story of God’s covenant relationship finds echoes in the lives of individuals and in their relationships with others. Students learn how liturgy can assist them to give authentic and creative expression to their own ongoing story, to their struggles and triumphs, successes and failures, sorrows and joys, and to all that lies deepest within them. Each student’s individual story is linked to the Christian story which is centred on the person of Jesus Christ, his life, death and resurrection. They explore the capacity of liturgy to express the cultural diversity of believers and encourage their active participation in worship.
Students develop an understanding of how Sacraments of the Church proclaim God’s presence in human life through words, actions and symbols. In exploring the historical development of Sacraments, students make connections between the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church and the life and ministry of Jesus.
People of God
Students in Archdiocesan schools grow in their understanding of the Church as both visible organisation and spiritual community; a human community in communion that reflects and witnesses to the loving communion of Father, Son and Spirit. The Church does not exist for itself but is empowered by the Spirit to be at the service of others. Students learn how the Church is called and challenged to be God’s pilgrim people and the expression of the continuing presence of Jesus Christ in the world. They learn that the Church has the right and responsibility of carrying on Christ’s mission and ministry through the power of the Spirit and that this is a shared mission between consecrated persons and the lay faithful.