This book explains how, in a modern world where Catholicism reworks and reconstructs its methodology in the interests of pastoral care, evangelism, and Christian Education, religious education is moving forward successfully to meet the needs of Australian families

In an era characterised by diversity, uncertainty, and numerous education reforms, Catholic school educators are faced with many challenges and also new opportunities. Teaching Religious Education in Catholic Schools has been written to address many of these challenges, as well as offering a fresh perspective and helpful guide which is informed by scholarly research and practical insights. This book models solutions for religious education teachers -- and pre-service teachers -- and will assist in planning and implementing a contemporary religious education program for students.

This book covers theoretical aspects of Catholic Religious Education in schools and examines them from multiple theoretical and contextual perspectives. It captures the contemporary academic and educational developments in the field of Religious Education while discussing in detail the challenges that Religious Educators face in different European, Asian, African, Australian, American and Latin American countries. The edited collection investigates how to pass on a Catholic heritage as a “living tradition” in diversely populated schools and communities. In this way it explores and asserts the proper identity of Catholic Religious Education in dialogue with Catechetics and with the wider discipline of Religious Education. As the different articles of this publication demonstrate - through a series of interesting and critical points of view - Catholic Religious Education is confronted with many challenges from the risk of marginalization to the confusion produced by a religious indifferentism leading to a strictly comparative or neutral method in the study of religions. It is essential to take into account in our research perspectives that Catholic Religious Education is not only a subject but also a mission in the light of the diakonia of truth in the midst of humanity H.E. Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, Prefect, Congregation for Catholic Education, Holy See, Vatican City Religious education teachers cannot by themselves overcome the ills of society, but religious education...can help to create better citizens of the world as some authors argue throughout this collection. could not ask more from such timely and provocative collection. It is a gift to the profession and to Catholic Religious Education. Prof. Gloria Durka, Fordham University, New York, NY, USA

Reasons for Living begins by exploring the development and psychological function of meaning, identity and spirituality in the lives of young people. This exploration can contribute significantly to the professional background of those engaged in the education and care of youth in various contexts. The book then focuses on what it means to educate young people in meaning, identity and spirituality. Implications are considered for three school contexts: the spiritual and moral dimension to the general curriculum in public and independent schools; religious education in religious schools; and state-based Religion Studies courses. Reasons for Living makes a much needed contribution to the philosophy of education by discussing the links between education and young people's spiritual and moral development. It also provides new insights and approaches to values education and religious education. Areas of fundamental importance in Australian education have long been held back not only by the gap between theory and practice, but also by the very complexities of young people's personal development in contemporary Western Culture. Reasons for Living offers a constructive and practical way forward.

Knowledge of Catholic educational scholarship and research has been largely confined to specific national settings. Now is the time to bring together this scholarship. This is the first international handbook on Catholic educational scholarship and research. The unifying theme of the Handbook is ‘Catholic Education: challenges and responses’ in a number of international settings. In addition to analyzing the largest faith-based educational system worldwide, the book also critically examines contemporary issues such as church-state relations and the impact of secularization and globalization.

Not Forgotten celebrates the lives of our forebears, the flesh and blood people who passionately believed that what they could bring to Australian children was worth the struggle.

If you are a principal, staff member, parent, parish leader or someone in the community who believes in the potential of Catholic education, this book seeks to explore the religious identity question that is so critical in our schools.

FIRST STEPS IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION is an interactive handbook designed to assist those preparing to teach religious education in early years' classrooms. It also provides a sound general introduction to religious education in the Catholic primary school context, with a focus on early years' settings. Both authors have been highly experienced and successful teachers of religious education in Catholic schools, and are effective teacher educators in the discipline. This book is infused with their experience and knowledge. Through a balance of theory and practice, the reader-participants are led to consider the nature and purpose of religious education, and to begin to develop a personal vision of themselves as teachers of religious education.