Mount Anville Secondary School

Religious Education

RELIGOUS EDUCATION: NURTURING A LIVING FAITH IN GOD

The aim of our Religious Education Programme is to educate our students in the Story, Traditions and Practice of our faith in order that each one may grow in her own faith in Jesus Christ. Our Faith Formation policy is grounded in the goals of Sacred Heart Education: A Living Faith in God, Personal Growth in an Atmosphere of Wise Freedom, A Deep Respect for Intellectual Values, Building Community as a Christian Value, and A Social Awareness which Impels to Action. (Heritage and Horizon)

We incorporate these into our programmes through course content in class, Liturgies, Prayer Services, Seasonal Services such as Carol Services, Penance Services, Meditations, Saint Vincent De Paul Conference, Faith Friends Programme, Retreats, Relevant Project Work and Presentations.


JUNIOR CYCLE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Our Religious Education Programme is informed and guided by the Irish Bishop’s Statements with regard to faith formation and exam syllabi. At Junior Certificate Level students pursue the Junior Certificate Religious Education Examination Syllabus over the course of three years:

Course Content: First Year
Communities of Faith and the relationship between them; Introduction to Advent and Christmas seasons; Organisation and Leadership within Communities of Faith; The foundations of Christianity, evidence of Jesus Christ, the person and His preaching; The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and development of Faith in Christ.

Course Content: Second Year
Introduction to Major World Religions; Islam – Context, Rituals, Tradition, Faith and Practice today; The Question of Faith – How Faith begins and grows; The ways in which we express our faith ; Celebrating Our Faith – The World of Ritual, The Experience of Worship, Sign and Symbol, the Sacraments, Prayer.

Course Content: Third Year
Introduction to Morality: Defining Morality, Formation of Morality, Values, Religion and Morality, Sources of Morality, Conscience, Moral Decision Making, Living Morality. Law and Morality; Sin and Forgiveness; The Dignity of the Human Person; Exploring Moral Issues; Exploring Issues of Justice.


TRANSITION YEAR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

The syllabus of the Religious Education programme is divided into modules
1.Social Justice
2.The Search for Meaning and Values
3.World Religions

The Social Justice module gives students an insight into the challenges in local and global communities today in creating a just and inclusive society. The Search for Meaning and Values gives students the opportunity to explore religious issues from a contemporary perspective. Students also receive the opportunity to go on retreat as part of their spiritual development. Examining world religions promotes understanding and tolerance of other faiths and their religious practices.


FIFTH YEAR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

In Fifth Year the programme covers main areas:
1.Moral Issues and Decision Making
2.Sacramental Theology
3.New Religious Movements
4.Justice in Action


Moral Issues and Decision Making
The students explore the area of morality in a more detailed way than at Junior Cycle. They focus on several moral issues and learn the importance of making informed decisions.
The role and authority of the Catholic Church in the decision making process is also explored in relation to a number of contemporary moral issues.


Sacramental Theology

The students explore the meaning and symbolism associated with the 7 sacraments. It provides students with the opportunity to develop their own personal faith and understanding of rites of passage.


New Religious Movements

The differences between the main stream “Religions” and “New Religious Movements” are examined through the study of the beliefs and practices of a number of these groups.
The students will learn about and evaluate the development of these traditions. Common characteristics and recruitment techniques of Cults are also dealt with in this module, as well as the dangers associated with joining such a group. Time is also given to learning about and celebrating liturgical feasts and seasons at the relevant times of the year.


Justice in Action

The students explore the meaning of the term justice and specific justice issues from a religious perspective. They are given the opportunity to reflect upon how to become agents of transformation.


SIXTH YEAR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

In Sixth Year the R.E. programme focuses on preparing the girls for the challenges to their faith in the modern world. In conjunction with the Goals of Sacred Heart Education, the witness of the Sacred Heart Order worldwide is also a central theme. We explore how the role and character of the Sacred Heart Nuns has developed in the face of the changes in social climate and changes in the role of women in modern society.

Sixth Years are also given the opportunity to become Children of Mary. This programme is rooted firmly in the tradition of the Sacred Heart and culminates in the giving of medals on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8th) each year.

Mount Anville Secondary School has a Faith Formation Policy. If you would like a copy please contact the secretary’s office.

LEAVING CERT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION EXAM

At Senior Certificate Level students pursue the Senior Certificate Religious Education Examination Syllabus over the course of two years. The course encourages the students to assume the roles of critical questioner and reflective searcher.

Students will explore the following topics. Coursework is completed as a journal and is 20% of the overall result.

  • Search for Meaning
  • Christianity: Origins and contemporary expressions
  • Moral Decision Making
  • World Religions
  • Religion and Gender
  • Issues of Justice and Peace
  • Worship, Prayer and Ritual
  • The Bible: Literature and Sacred Text
  • Religion: The Irish Experience
  • Religion and Science
Mount Anville Secondary School
Principal: Ms. Nolan
Deputy Principal: Ms. Kelly

Mount Anville Road, Dublin 14, D14 A8P3, Ireland

RCN: 20145095
Students Office
01 283 2373

Finance, Facilities & Operations
01 283 2373

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