At the centre of the Catholic community is the celebration of the Eucharist. It is from the Eucharist that we remember the life and message of Jesus, which nourishes the way in which each Christian lives this out in his or her own life.
Therefore the development of the value of prayer is an important part of educating young Christian people. This is easier to achieve when children experience prayer in the home environment as well. Care is taken to ensure that children will be encouraged and led to an appreciation and practice of prayer in such a way that they feel free to develop at their own rate and in their own particular way.
Within that general aim the school:-
- Teaches the formal prayers of the Church
- Encourages informal prayer (spontaneous)
- Makes provision for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Eucharist to be celebrated by the children
- Provides a quiet time each day for children
- Provides a regular prayer time each day
- Gives the example of staff praying together
- Ensures it prays for particular people or for particular events
- Follows a planned sequential program of formal Religious Education
- Sees religion as part of every facet of school life
- Involves pupils in planning their own liturgy for the Mass and for other forms of liturgical celebration
- Provides opportunities for whole school and class Masses
Religious Education
Formal Religious Education lessons are held regularly. They are aimed at helping children to come to a sound understanding of God, the Holy Spirit and the person of Jesus Christ. They also aim to give students knowledge of the Church’s tradition and teaching. These lessons are guided by the Brisbane Guidelines for teaching Religious Education.
Liturgy/Worship
Liturgies are advertised through the school newsletter. It is our expectation and a condition of enrolment that students participate in all activities. All parents and friends are warmly invited to share in these celebrations.
Sacraments
Students can particpate in the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Eucharist from year 4 onwards. Your child can be Baptised at any stage. It is the responsibility of parents to prepare their child for their Sacramental journey.
SEL
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies are prioritised, are deeply embedded into the school curriculum and are supported and complemented by our Religious Education program, school values, culture, rituals and practices.
Prayer
Prayer, as the raising of heart and mind to God, is a wonderful opportunity for students and staff to celebrate life and our identity as members of a worldwide Church. Our school prayer is said at the beginning of our weekly school assembly, led by our school leaders. Our school Formal Prayer Overview outlines Traditional and Liturgical Prayers and Responses and we draw on many other sources of inspiration including our links to Augustinian and Josephite Charism to nurture the prayer life of our school. Prayer may be used in classrooms to: begin and end each day, thank God for food and to recognise and celebrate God in our everyday life. Teaching staff are asked to prepare and lead Staff Prayer.
Social Justice Teachings
St Anthony’s School draws upon its Josephite traditions when it comes to social justice teachings. St Mary MacKillop said “never see a need without doing something about it.” Each term, students focus on one cause which becomes central to our fundraising efforts. Consideration is given to causes that have meaning to our school and its families and students are encouraged to think globally and act locally. Causes that have benefited in the past include:
- Caritas Australia
- Catholic Mission
- Mary MacKillop Foundation
- Rosies Outreach
- St Vincent De Paul
- Victims of Natural Disasters
- Cancer Council
- Leukaemia Foundation