Parent Information Night Notes

Slide 1-
• Welcoming parents

Slide 2-
• Acknowledgement of Country: We gather today in this special place to
continue our learning journey together. We acknowledge Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional custodians of the
land upon which we meet. We pay our respects to the Elders of the
past, present and future and acknowledge their spiritual connection to
Country.

Slide 3- Prayer intentions

Pick a ribbon and tie it to the tree, the colour represents an intention
• Those that are sick or hurt
• Friends, family or self
• Leaders
• Joy/thanksgiving
• Church
• needs

Slide 4-
Lord Jesus, be with us as we commence our year's work.
Help us to understand our importance in educating our children and bless our
parents and the teachers.
Guide us in our decisions and open our hearts in friendship to each other.
May we show particular care to those who are most in need.
May we welcome, especially, those who are shy and uncomfortable. And
may this meeting of ours result in many benefits for the children on whose
behalf we gather.
Amen

Slide 5-
Human Person Topic
• Religious Education unit begins with wondering at the human
experience of love (doing what is good for others).
• Its focus is upon love that empowers people to forgive those who hurt
or offend them.
 • Love also empowers people to seek forgiveness from those who they
may have offended or hurt.
People in tune with the power of love can wonder at the God who
created the power of love.
• They can celebrate what has been revealed about God: that God
always forgives.

1. People show love and forgiveness

a) People show love for others whenever they do what is good for
them
b) Saying ‘no’ can show love
c) Showing love can sometimes be unpleasant but for people’s own
good
d) People love others when they forgive those who have hurt them,
treated them badly or offended them.
e) People need to continue to show their mercy and love for others
even if they have been hurt or offended in some way
f) When people show mercy and forgive others, they make their own
and others’ lives more peaceful.

Jesus Topic

• The unit then explores ways in which Jesus showed powerful love by
forgiving those who harmed him.

2. God always forgives

a) Jesus showed he had the power to forgive sins
b) God forgives people as soon as they ask sincerely for forgiveness
c) No sin is too great for God to forgive.

3. Jesus forgives and shows mercy

a) Jesus taught his followers that God’s mercy can overcome everything
b) We can forgive others just as Jesus forgave us
c) We can ask for forgiveness through the Sacrament of Penance
d) There are steps taken to receive the Sacrament of Penance

4. Followers of Jesus focus on love, mercy and forgiveness during Lent

a) Lent is a time for people to reflect on how they have been merciful
and how they can show mercy to others
b) Jesus taught his followers how to show love and mercy to people
§
Church Topic
• The unit then introduces the children to stories Jesus told of how joyful
God is when forgiving sins, and that Catholics celebrate the powerful
love and forgiveness of Jesus during the events of Holy Week.
It focuses upon how Catholics celebrate Jesus’ forgiveness of sins
today through the Sacrament of Penance. Finally, the unit explores
ways in which Christians are called to love others (forgive those who
hurt or offend them).

5. Spiritual and corporal works of mercy make the world a better place
a) Mercy means choosing to help others and not hurt them.
b) During the forty days of Lent, Catholics remember God’s mercy
through the suffering and death of Jesus.
c) Lent is a traditional time of Mercy where we live out the Spiritual and
Corporal Works of Mercy.
d) The Spiritual Works of Mercy are kind acts by which people help others
with their everyday spiritual and emotional needs.
e) The Corporal Works of Mercy are kind acts by which people help others
with their everyday material and physical needs.

6. The Church focuses on the Crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday

a) The main focus for the Church on Good Friday is the Crucifixion of Jesus
b) The Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday
c) We can ‘take up our own crosses’ in a way that focuses on God’s love,
mercy and forgiveness

Slide 6-
• Talking with them about ways in which family members show love by
doing good for other family members
• Sharing with them how you feel when others forgive you
• Sharing with them stories about forgiveness (family, storybooks, media,
etc.)
• Wondering with them about God, who created within people the
power to love and forgive
• Attending the holy week celebrations in your parish, particularly the
Good Friday celebrations
• Taking advantage of opportunities for them to celebrate the
sacrament of penance
• Praying with them the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)
• Carrying out actions of self denial and helping others during Lent
Slide 7-
• What can you do to support your child’s knowledge and
understanding of the Lent/Easter period?

Slide 8-
• Contact details- email preferable to set meetings
• Questions- do you have any?
• Concerns- If you have any please let me know, I am more than happy
to help/ clarify.
• Ash Wednesday Mass- We would love you to join and participate