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	Echoing the Word	29-04-2008
	Vol. 7 No. 2, 2008 Retreats-Nourishing the Spirit

Catholic Retreats in Primary School

Rachele Tullio explores the dynamics and depths of school retreats, the educational and practical issues involved in such experiences and the responses of students to retreats and also on their return home. Rachele is currently completing a doctorate at ACU on the influence of senior school retreats on the spiritual development of young people.

Editorial

Sr Joanna Coleiro, fsp
With World Youth Day 2008 just around the corner, Echoing the Word brings you an issue packed with ideas for your parish or school to enrich the spiritual experience of young people and help them to connect with themselves and God.

Theology

Retreats in 2008

Tony Densley reflects on the many dimensions of retreat, focusing on Jesus’ own encounter with the Father in silence and the opportunity retreats provide to focus in a new way on the life of Jesus and the call which his life makes to our own in this time and place.

Reviews & Resources

Children's Literature

Jan Grajczonek reviews three insightful and uplifting books that can be drawn on to nurture the spirit of children of different ages, foster their imagination and deepen their reflection on Christian ways of life, including love. Titles include Imagine a Night, The Next Place, and the Motherbridge of Love.

Resources for Religious Education

Paul Taouk reviews three religious education resources that teachers and students will find valuable in their spiritual development, including a book of prayers for young people, an excellent book on the Mass by Gerard Moore, and a comprehensive guide to helpful teacher resources called Learning Links to Jesus.

For the Catechist

Teaching Tip: Prayer Strategy

Guided Meditation

Ann Maree Whenman provides some tips on facilitating guided meditations, an often used practice for retreats which engages young people in the life of prayer.

The Retreat Experience

Meeting the Spiritual Needs of Children and Young People

Ann Maree Whenman reflects on some of the essential elements of retreat planning, including the catechist's understanding of the spiritual needs of the children they encounter and the importance of setting, whether that be parish, school or another setting.

Religious Literacy

Nurturing the Spirit in Early Years Settings

Jan Grajczonek looks at the way in which teachers can nurture children’s spirituality and assist them with the language to be able to articulate their experiences. Religious educators can provide a variety of experiences that cultivate their innate awareness sensing, mystery and valuing sensing giftedness.

Social Justice

A Climate of Solidarity

Peter Arndt looks at the possibilities of deepening student’s relationship with God through an appreciation of God’s creation, particularly on retreat in which they are often surrounded by the beautiful and the wondrous. Peter includes practical suggestions on how teachers might foster this awareness in the context of student retreats.

Website Reviews

Helpful Sites for Home & the Classroom

Daniel Ang reviews three useful websites for teachers and students, including an online audio retreat from the U.S., a fascinating website exploring a day in the life of a Cistercian monk and an expansive resource which features many of the symbols of Christian faith.

Featured Articles

42nd World Communications Day

Sunday, 4 May 2008

The theme of this year’s World Communications Day is “The Media: At the Crossroads between Self-Promotion and Service. Searching for the Truth in order to Share it with Others”. Pope Benedict XBI sheds light on the important role of the media in the life of individuals and society.

Scripture

Secret, Sacred Places of Prayer

The Gospel of Matthew

Antoinette Collins provides a reflection on Jesus’ invitation to prayer in the Gospel of Matthew, emphasising the need for silence as well as the importance of almsgiving and fasting.

Liturgies & Activities

A One Day Retreat at School

Clare Horan provides a program for a school-day retreat, offering eight thirty minute segments which include a variety of activities including clay modelling, ICT projects and reflective exercises which will engage students in prayer, community and faith in action.

Discovering Prayer

Margaret Carswell provides prayer activities that break open the gift and promise of prayer, connecting prayer with students’ sense of meaning and value, their connection with one another, and with discipleship in Jesus.

Make an Indigenous Message Stick

Beth Nolen offers a wonderful and timely activity on the Aboriginal message stick which forms an important part of this year’s World Youth Day celebrations. Students are encouraged to create their own message stick, reflecting on the community that God calls us to.

Prayer Pilgrimage

Beth Nolen invites students and teachers to plan and participate in their own prayer pilgrimage in their school or parish grounds, using a cross and stopping to pray at significant areas of focus within the school or parish.

Talking to God

Mark Beatty’s activity invites early years’ students to reflect on their experiences of talking to God and the places where they would like to pray, both on their own and with others.

World Youth Day 2008 Countdown

Mark Beatty provides an activity that encourages students to countdown to World Youth Day, encouraging them to find out about Pope Benedict XVI, the event itself and to collect newspaper articles on World Youth Day for a classroom display.