pg. 1 E From the first moment that a student sets foot in a Catholic school, he or she ought to have the impression of entering a new environment, one illumined by the light of faith, and having its own unique characteristics. 1 Purpose of this document To assess the classroom environment for signs of Faith To provide support for teachers to incorporate faith into the physical environment of their classroom Implementation & Monitoring: The checklist will be used by teachers and administrators The frequency of use will be determined by the teacher and/or administrator Support and illustrated examples of expectations will be provided for each checklist point Prayer is an essential element of the religious education of children. Through prayer, children are able to express and deepen their relationship with God. It is the task of the religion teacher to assist students in the development of their prayer life 2 1 WILLIAM Cardinal BAUM; The Religious Dimension of Education in a Catholic School 2 Creating a prayer space intro; Holy Family Elementary Catholic Classrooms: The physical environment
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pg. 1
E
From the first moment that a student sets foot in a Catholic school, he or she ought to have
the impression of entering a new environment, one illumined by the light of faith, and
having its own unique characteristics.1
Purpose of this document
To assess the classroom environment for signs of Faith
To provide support for teachers to incorporate faith into the physical environment of
their classroom
Implementation & Monitoring:
The checklist will be used by teachers and administrators
The frequency of use will be determined by the teacher and/or administrator
Support and illustrated examples of expectations will be provided for each checklist
point
Prayer is an essential element of the religious education of children. Through prayer, children are able to express and deepen their relationship with God. It is the task of the
religion teacher to assist students in the development of their prayer life2
1 WILLIAM Cardinal BAUM; The Religious Dimension of Education in a Catholic School 2 Creating a prayer space intro; Holy Family
Appendix B: Prayer Table Elements According to Season
The seasons of the church change throughout the year. Our year begins with the Season of
Advent, moves into Christmas, then Ordinary time, then Lent, next comes the Triduum and
after that it is Easter, upon the end of Easter we move back into Ordinary time and there we
stay until the next Advent. The Prayer Table should reflect these changes in season; both in
colour and symbols. Below are some suggestions of items/pictures you may want to include on
your prayer table through the seasons of the church.
Ordinary Time
General Info: The longest liturgical season in the year. Happens twice in a year. A time when the
people of the Church meditate upon the whole mystery of Christ- his life, miracles and
teachings – in the light of his Resurrection6
Colour: Green (the colour of growth and hope)
Some Symbols:
The Chi-Rho is consists of the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ. The fusion of
these two letters into an abbreviation became a symbol for Christ.
Picture of footsteps, this is to symbolize how the season of Ordinary time is an open invitation
to walk with the Lord.
Green is a symbol of hope and life. Having a living green plant symbolizes this. It reminds us
that God's love, like the life flowing through this plant, is faithful.
A picture or map marking the ministry of Jesus. Ordinary
time is a time where we follow Jesus through his ministry.
Throughout this season we listen as the Gospels unfold
for us the
life and
preaching
of Jesus.
Pictures of the miracles of Jesus, such as the Wedding
Feast at Cana, that are explored during the season of
Ordinary time would also be great additions to the prayer
table.
6 Catholic Curlutre.org
pg. 13
Advent
General Info: The focus of Advent is on the coming of our Lord. However this is three-fold. We reflect
back and celebrate the Lord’s first coming into this world, we celebrate his coming among us today, and
we look forward to the second coming of Christ, when our Lord will come again to judge the living and
the dead. Advent is a period of quiet and meditation; a time inspired by anticipation rather than
penance; a season that acknowledges our incompleteness7
Colour: Purple (a sign of penance, sacrifice and preparation)
Some symbols
The Jesse Tree
The Jesse Tree is used in many classrooms as a way to teach the events leading us to
Jesus’s birth. We adorn the tree with illustrated ornaments that represent the
people, prophesies, and events leading up to the birth of Christ. The ornaments of
the Jesse Tree tell the story of God in the Old Testament, connecting the Advent
season with the faithfulness of God across four thousand years of history8
Advent Wreath:
This wreath is rich in symbols and traditions, and calls to mind the coming of the
Messiah. It is most often in the shape of a circle to symbolize eternal life. It holds four
candles, three purple and one pink, which throughout the four Sundays of Advent are
lit. These candles sometimes hold individual meaning which is explained below. The
wreath and the candles reflect the passage of the Advent season.
Advent Candles and Advent Sundays
Each Advent Sunday takes on a particular character as suggested by the Gospel reading and each Candle
holds a special meaning (the meanings attributed to the candles are cultural, not liturgical)
1st Sunday 2nd Sunday 3rd Sunday 4th Sunday
Hope Hope is like a light shining in a dark place. As we look at the light of this candle we celebrate the hope we have in Jesus Christ who is coming into our world
Peace
We light the candle of
peace to remind us that
Jesus is the Prince of
Peace and that in him
lasting peace is found.
Joy Reminds us that when Jesus is born again in us we have joy and that through him there will be everlasting joy on earth.
Love Love is like a light shining in a dark place. As we look at this candle we celebrate the love we find in Jesus Christ whose coming is
near.
Gospel & Weekday Readings The Lord’s coming in glory at the
end of time The readings of the first part of
Advent center on readings of the
prophet Isaiah, with gospel passages that reflect a sense of
fulfilment of the reading.
Gospel & Weekday Readings John the Baptist and his message of reparation and repentance
During the second & third weeks, the gospel readings introduce us
to John the Baptist as the one who prepares us for the coming of the Lord (at Christmas and at the end of time) through his message
of repentance
Gospel & Weekday
Readings Events that immediately
prepared for the Lord’s birth
The gospel readings from Matthew and Luke recount the
events that prepared for the
Lord’s birth.
7 Celebrating the Season of Advent Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops 8 Loyola Press
pg. 14
Christmas
General Info: Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. For Catholics, it is not just a
single day (Dec. 25), but an extended liturgical season of joy and celebration. Christmas season,
during which we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, includes the Feast of the Holy Family, the
Feast of the Mother of God and Epiphany.
Colour: White (the colour of purity and new life)
Some Symbols:
The Nativity
Nativity is the name we give to the occasion of someone’s birth. Since one aspect of the
season of Advent is recalling the events leading to the birth of Christ, it makes sense to
have something depicting the actual occasion. A statue or figurines depicting the
Nativity of our Lord is an excellent element to add to the prayer table during the season
of Advent. A picture showing the event is also welcome.
The Magi Frankincense Gold Myrrh
A picture or figurine depicting the Magi is another item you may want to include on the prayer table. As
well, samples of Frankincense, Gold and Myrrh, available to purchase at many stores, would be great
additions and would definitely engage students.
The Star of Bethlehem
Having a star on the prayer table is an opportunity to discuss with students the role of the
star in the Nativity story, and also to talk about what the stars teach us about God.
The Shepherds
The Shepherds in the Nativity story are of great interest to students, having a picture or
figurine to represent them is a great addition to the prayer table. It also opens the door to a
discussion about how Jesus is the Greatest Shepard of all!
The Angels
Angels are messengers, throughout the course of history they have been commissioned by
God for certain duties on earth. Angels play an important role in the events leading to and the
day of, the birth of Christ.
pg. 15
Lent
General Info: Lent is a time of prayer and penance, when Christ wants to lead us back to our
baptismal promises of dying to sin and of living for God. We prepare ourselves to enter once
again into Jesus’ Paschal mystery and to renew it in our lives.
Colour: Purple (Symbolizes repentance and penance)
Some Symbols:
The symbols of Lent are many, and change throughout the season. The following is a list of
symbols (not complete), one may have on their prayer table during the season of Lent. They are
listed in the order they would appear if following the liturgical Calendar.
1. Ashes (Ashes from the Ash Wednesday celebration)
2. Picture of Jesus in the desert
3. A large bowl of sand with rocks and twigs (symbolic of the desert)
4. Pictures depicting the three temptations of Christ
5. Palm Branches (to mark the triumphant entrance of Our Lord into Jerusalem)
6. Questions that are from an examination of Conscience
7. Picture/Figurine showing Last Supper
8. Bread (Symbol of the Last Supper)
9. Chalice (In remembrance of the last supper)
10. Crown of Thorns (reminds us of the upcoming season of Triduum and Christ’s passion
and death).
1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9 10
pg. 16
The Triduum
General Info: The summit of the Liturgical Year is the Easter Triduum— this three-day
observance begins on the evening of Holy Thursday with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and
ends on Saturday evening with the Easter Vigil. Though chronologically three days, they are
liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ's Paschal Mystery.
The single celebration of the Triduum marks the end of the Lenten season, and leads to the
Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil.
The liturgical services that take place during the Triduum are
o Mass of the Lord's Supper
o Good Friday of the Lord's Passion
o Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord
Colour: Red (Symbolizes both blood and fire)
In our hour of deepest sorrow, we can receive profound peace from the words of the angel that first
Easter morning – HE IS NOT HERE, FOR HE IS RISEN.
The Triduum falls on a time when
most students are not in school. For
this reason many of the symbols
related to the Triduum are included
in the symbols for Lent.
pg. 17
Easter
General Info: Fifty days of Easter joy will bring us to the feast of Pentecost. God’s gift of life is
complete in the sending of the Holy Spirit.
Colour: White (symbolizes purity, holiness, virtue, as well as respect and reverence)
Some Symbols:
Easter Lilies: the White blossoms symbolize the purity of Jesus. Lilies, emerging
from the earth in the spring.9
A stuffed lamb: Represents Jesus as, ‘The Lamb of God’.
Dove: A symbol of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit descended on the disciples at
Pentecost, which marks the end of the Easter season.
The Butterfly: It symbolizes the life of Jesus Christ. The first stage, is the
caterpillar, which stands for His life on Earth. Second phase begins from the
cocoon stage, portraying the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. The third and final
stage is the butterfly, representing His raising from the dead in a glorified body
and peace.
The Easter season is an invitation to live out the meaning of our baptism. Holy Water
reminds us of our baptism.
A picture showing the empty tomb would be a great addition to a prayer
table. It reminds us of the resurrection of Christ; Jesus’ triumphant reign
over death!
9 Immaculate Conception Parish
pg. 18
Appendix C: The Interactive Prayer Table
This portion of the document provides a small sampling of ideas for making the
classroom prayer area/table more interactive. It is split into two parts: General
Ideas and Ideas by Season,
General Ideas
Prayer Ribbon Wall10: Invite students to tie a ribbon as a symbol of their
prayer. Tell them to add their prayers amongst the many prayers and as
they tie the ribbon, to ask God to hear the prayers of those already tied
on the prayer wall.
Green Ribbon= prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving
Blue Ribbon= prayers of confession and forgiveness
Pink Ribbon= prayers of adoration and praise
Red= prayers for others, friends and family.
White= prayers for the world
Prayer Tree11: this Prayer tree is a great way to make your prayer table
interactive. Have students write prayers on the leaves. During intentions,
or at different times during the day, take off one of the leaves and read it
aloud. After you read a leaf, you can put it in a "prayer box."
Pray and Praise Bowl12: A way to be aware that God
answers prayers. Have an empty bowl, an assortment of
small colored rocks, and white and green beads. For every
answered prayer, drop in a stone, for every praise drop in
a green bead, for every blessing drop in a white bead.
Also have large beads for those ‘big’ things that blow us
away, the big blessings (like the birth of a child).
10 Taken from theresaecho.com 11 Danielle Carter: Pinterest 12 http://ravingrebecca.blogspot.ca/2011/01/prayer-praise-bowl.html
pg. 19
Ideas according to Season Ordinary Time
Ordinary time is a great time to look at the lives of Saints. As you
explore the different Saints, have a map in the prayer corner of
your room that shows the areas of the world that the saints are
from.
Throughout Ordinary time we look at the events of Jesus’ ministry.
As you explore the bible stories have students identify on the map
where the bible story took place.
Advent & Christmas
Each morning have a different student open the door and read
the Advent bible verse. Keep doors closed with a paper clip or
pushpin13
Preparing the Manger: Have an empty manger in the classroom (either real or a
picture of one). The gift students will give back is the gift of service. Every time
they do a good deed, or help someone, or do something kind, they may add a
piece of straw to the manger (an optional idea would be for them to write the
deed on the straw). The more kindness the class shows others the softer the
manger will be on Christmas Eve.
Lent:
The Act of Love jar has different things they can do each day such as
share a toy with a classmate or be extra nice to someone at school.
The Prayer Jar has a special intention for each day. The teacher leads
prayer and then students chose an act and prayer intention for the
next day. The morning of the following day the teacher reminds the
kids what our act of love and prayer intention is for that day.