Religious Education Coordinators attend First Quarter Updating
-Sheryll Extra-Isoaimo
Sivarai Namona, Bomana: The Religious Education Coordinators of different elementary, primary, secondary and vocational Catholic Agency schools of the Archdiocese of Port Moresby had their first quarterly gathering on February 14-15, 2018 at the Sivarai Namona Pastoral Centre.
The updating, organized by the Catholic Religious Education Coordinator, Sr. Imelda Mission, OND, aimed to give formation, support and strength to the REC's as they fulfil the mission entrusted to them, as mandated by the Archdiocese, which is teaching religion to their pupils and students.
Twenty-three participants from 16 Catholic agency run schools attended the updating, some coming from as far as the Rigo district of Central Province. Starting with a brief evaluation of the recent Teachers' commissioning which the REC's organized, Sr. Imelda then facilitated a session and reflection focusing on "The Road to Emmaus" experience.
"The walk to Emmaus was a fitting topic for us in our journey with our students," said Mrs. Mikaela Dion from Sacred Heart Primary School, Hohola. "I saw the importance of communication and accompanying our students and discerning with them as Jesus did with the disciples."
Each REC was also asked to report on the best practices of religious education in their schools for 2017 and the RE program of activities for 2018. The next sessions then took the participants through the night until the following day.
Fr. Ambrose Pereira, SDB, CBC SOCOM Secretary, shared about Culture and Social Media, urging the participants to formulate and regularly update a Social Media Policy for their own schools, given the dangers and potential harm that new technologies can bring to the children.
"I feel that we really need this information," said Mrs. Joanna Wambriwari of St. John’s Primary School, Tokarara. "Children are getting into social media, but now I can see how damaging it is to spirituality," she said.
With renewed vigor, the REC's were ready to impart all that they have learned in their own schools. Celebrating the Holy Eucharist together, learning more about the effect of new technology and experiencing camaraderie with people with the same mission have truly been inspiring.
