Order the following Catechist and Student Books that are used in conjunction with Seeking to live the Good News:  

• Preparing to Receive the Sacrament of Penance
• Preparing to Receive the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist
• Preparing to Receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

This program is offered as an aid in introducing children to the Sacrament of Penance. The elements of freedom to choose, life in community, recognising sin, seeking and accepting forgiveness, appreciating the presence and work of Jesus Christ, celebrating Sacraments, continuing to grow in the life of God, are addressed in the program in ways which are intended to help young children to prepare for this Sacrament. Their capacity to work readily with these faith concepts is limited to their ages and experiences. They will grow in their understanding of sin and experience of grace as they continue to grow in the life of the Church.

The Eucharist is at the heart of the life of the Church. The Eucharist is not on the fringes of our common life, it is its centre. It is the expression of who we are as the Church – the body of Christ. Since the Second Vatican Council we have referred to the celebration of the Eucharist, or Mass as the source and summit of the whole life of the Church.

This program of preparation for the Confirmation aims at leading young Christians toward a more intimate union with Christ and the life-giving action and gifts of the Holy Spirit. It seeks to awaken in them a sense of belonging to a parish community and the broader Catholic Church. This program aims at preparing the students to accept their responsibility as witnesses to Jesus Christ and encourage them to share more completely in his mission.

Guidelines prepared by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) providing support for people experiencing disabilities.

• Summary of PL for Parish Educators
• Engaging with Scripture - Pallotti
• Engaging with Scripture - Amberley
• Engaging with Prayer
• Engaging with Sacrament.

Catechists participating in all nine days of the above professional learning activities, in addition to the completion of one faith formation elective from Catholic Theological College, Yarra Theological Union or Australian Catholic University will be eligible to receive the Archbishop’s Catechist Certificate. This certificate will be conferred on successful participants during a celebratory Mass held at James Goold House. 

Contact the Catholic Leadership team via email cire@macs.vic.edu.au or ph: (03) 9267 0228 to register for one of the professional learning activities. 

• Summary of FF for Parish Educators

• Australian Catholic University
  Contact person: Dr. Joel Hodge, ACU
• Yarra Theological Union
  Contact person : Rev. Dr. Chris Monaghan, YTU
• Catholic Theological College
  Contact person: Assistant Dean John Bartholomeusz
• Heart of Life, Spirituality Centre, Box Hill
• Campion Spirituality Centre, Kew
• Wellsprings Spirituality Centre, Ashburton.

• Aboriginal Catholic Ministry 
• Australian Catholic Bishops Conference resources 
• Caritas
• Catholic Church in Australia
• Proclaim: The Office for Mission Renewal
• St Vincent de Paul Society

• RESource
  MACS online resource providing information on prayer, liturgy and worship.
• Liturgy Help
  Liturgy Help provides easy access for parishes, schools and other Catholic communities to the wealth of the Church’s liturgical texts; making it faster and easier to prepare materials for liturgy and prayer.
  Paid subscription.
• Ready, Set, Pray!
  Archdiocese of Melbourne Liturgy of the Word Home video series
• Diocese of Auckland Liturgy of the Word with Children resources
• Together at One Altar
  This resource is designed for Australian children Prep to Yr. 12 to develop their formation in the Eucharist and help assist in their full active and conscious participation in its celebration
• The Summit
  The Summit Online provides insightful commentaries on the seasons, ministries and pastoral celebration of the Church's liturgy and Children’s Liturgy of the Word; as well as liturgical notes for homilists, music suggestions and videos, and weekly reflections on the Sunday gospels. Free.
• Praying in colour
• This website offers ideas for leading workshops in this area and has many handouts to download for use. There is a particular emphasis on the liturgical seasons.
• Faithsing
  This website has a huge array of Christian music and songs to download for free.
• Liturgy Ritual prayer
  This website provides relevant and enriching resources for liturgy, ritual, prayer and meditation for children, youth and adults. It offers support and guidance to their members. Membership Fee: $350.00 per parish per year. 
• Sacramental Certificates
  Several options are available for purchase.
• The Emmaus Series
  A series of DVD presentations and reflections on the Sunday readings by Australian theologian Rev.Dr. John Thornhill for adult faith formation in the Catholic Church.
• Parish e-newsletter
  New weekly e newsletter to cater for people working in parishes. Produced by Jesuit communications, this resource offers support for their parish websites, newsletters and liturgies.

• Click to Pray
• Sacred Space: Daily prayer
• RESource
• World Christian Meditation Community
• 5 Minute Meditation
• Pray as You Go
• Audio Divina

• Catholic Worship Book for music and hymns 
• ZartArt
• Pauline Books and Media - has a range of suitable resources
• Garrett Publishing - has a range of suitable resources
• Liturgical Calendar 2021 for schools.

• Fr James Martin SJ and Richard Rohr OFM - Pope Francis 
• Fr Richard Leonard SJ. A series of presentations delivered by Australian Jesuit Richard Leonard talking on faith, prayer and spirituality.
• View Catholic Education Melbourne's film Time for the Sacred - Meditation in the Christian Tradition - four short videos on Christian Mediation for children and adolescents.

While Good News for Catechists is no longer produced, previous editions are available for reference online.  This publication contains articles on prayer, scripture, reflections on the liturgical season of the year and suggestions for Children’s Liturgy of the Word. 

Download previous editions from 2011–2015.

The Catholic Identity Unit personnel provide support to parish educators and catechists. Please feel free to contact staff via email or telephone on 9267 0228:

Kerrie-Anne Porreca
Education Officer: Religious Education 
kporreca@macs.vic.edu.au 

Lisa Hughes
Formation Officer, Catholic Identity
lhughes@macs.vic.edu.au