POLICY ON RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND FAITH DEVELOPMENT
Lios na Groi is a Catholic school under the patronage of the Bishop of Killaloe .Therefore it is inclusive and subject to the terms of the Enrolment Policy, enrolls children of other faiths and none and respects their beliefs and practices. Consultation with parents of all pupils takes place on enrolment. Parents are welcome to view the Religious programme taught – at its core is the commandment ‘Love God and love your neighbour’. The school models and promotes a philosophy of life inspired by belief in God and in the life of Jesus Christ.
It promotes Religious Education for the pupils in accordance with the doctrines, practices and traditions of the Catholic Church and promotes the formation of the pupils in the Catholic Faith. A Christian ethos permeates the school and the life of the school. There is a spirit of prayer in the school, not just imposed on the children, but it is seen to be a value for the teachers. Children of all faiths are encouraged to pray to God as they are taught by their parents to do so at home. Children of no faith are encouraged to respect prayer time and to use the quiet time for reflection. The staff and children learn about other religions through reading and listening to their peers. The school cannot undertake to educate children of other faiths in their own faith, nor can it provide supervision during the religious education period apart from within the class. However, the school has an obligation to nurture the spiritual and moral development of all its children. Children of other faiths and no faith are facilitated to work on their moral and spiritual development during religion time, mass preparation for sacraments and catholic celebrations.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMME
The Board of Management and the teachers have adopted the Alive –O Catechetical Programme approved and recommended by the Irish Hierarchy for use in Catholic Schools.
The programme incorporates the recommended approach to religious education for the reception of the sacraments of Penance, Holy Communion and Confirmation.
The programme is studied each day for one half-hour. A Christian ethos however permeates the school day and the life of the school.
WholeSchool Dimension
Meaningful pictures and artworks are on display throughout the school building.
The major Catholic and local feasts are celebrated. They are marked with the aid of signs and symbols displayed throughout the school
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Advent – the Advent wreath and Jesse tree
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Christmas – tree and crib
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Feast of St. Brigid – traditional crosses
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Feast of St. Patrick – depiction of story and shamrock
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Lent – symbols of repentance and ashes
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Easter – symbols of the new life of resurrection, the empty tomb
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Pentecost – artistic depiction of the coming of the Holy Spirit
Liturgical celebrations are held on some occasions e.g.
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The opening and closing of the school year
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Carol service at Christmas
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Times of trauma or crisis and for other occasions which from time to time are considered appropriate to celebrate or to mark.