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Religion

CATHOLIC IDENTITY AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AT ST GABRIEL’S 

Catholic Education Week 2024 - Mr Paul Velten, Director of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Sale

CATHOLIC IDENTITY

St Gabriel’s school is one of two schools of St Michael’s Catholic Parish, Traralgon. We are a Catholic community endeavouring to meet both the spiritual and educational needs of the growing child. Our Catholic Identity is at the heart of who we are and what we do, aiming to be a beacon of peace and compassion in our community as we live out Christian values, based on the life and teachings of Jesus.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Our Religious Education program follows the Diocese of Sale Religious Education Curriculum To Live in Christ Jesus and aims to promote the worth and dignity of each child, the expression of love and the development of healthy relationships. Through inquiry and dialogue, students come to a deeper understanding of themselves and their world and are invited to realise the beauty, power and love that faith in Jesus Christ can bring to their life. Religious Education invites students to grow in relationship with themselves, others and God and respond in whatever way is appropriate and feels right and good to them.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Students learn about Catholic Social Teaching principles of Preferential Option for the Poor, Human Dignity, Care for our Common Home, Subsidiarity and Participation, The Common Good and Solidarity and are encouraged to recognise their responsibility in caring for others and their world. As a school community, we continue Jesus’ mission to create a more just society through the support of aid organisations and initiatives such as:

  • Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion                                                                 
  • Catholic Mission’s Socktober
  • Traralgon Rotary’s Give A Damn Give a Can Appeal
  • St Vincent De Paul’s society local Christmas toy drive.     
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CELEBRATIONS OF FAITH

As a Catholic community, prayer and worship are important expressions of our faith. Students engage in prayer regularly throughout the day with their teachers and classmates. Special occasions are celebrated as a whole school with mass or a liturgy. Approximately five times a year we go to St Michael’s church for a whole school mass. Once a term, each year level celebrates mass together here at school with parishioners and family members welcome to attend

Students who are baptised are invited to celebrate the Sacraments of First Reconciliation (Year 3), First Communion (Year 4) and Confirmation (Year 6) with the St Michael’s Parish community. Sacraments are parish-based, family-centred and supported by the school.

The secretary of the Parish Sacramental Program is Jenifer Hanratty (ph 5174 2060 sacraments@smpt.org.au ). Please contact Jenifer with any inquiries regarding the celebration of Sacraments.