What did she see? What things did she have to bear?

October is the Month of the Rosary - the Rosary is a series of prayers said to remember the life of Jesus, but we also think about Mary and how she experienced the life of her Son. 

People often say no parent should have to watch their child die.  But Mary did.  She had to watch as her son, her boy was tortured, crucified and executed [killed]. Then she held His broken body in her arms.  It reminds me of how a lot of mothers must feel living in London, when the police comes to their door to tell them because of knife crime, gun crime or gang violence, that their child isn't coming home.  I think that there is a lot to be learnt from Mary.  Do you think there are other examples in Mary's life where she shows us what it means to obey God?

The Rosary gives Catholics a chance to contemplate - to really think about God, Jesus, Mary and what it means to be a good Catholic.  Can you think of any issues today that a good Catholic might want to think about when saying the Rosary?

Some Catholics like to use rosary beads to pray the Rosary, some wear it as a fashion item, when it isn't.  It's a prayer tool, something to use in prayer, like the Bible and we don't wear the Bible?! 

What are your thoughts about all things to do with the Rosary?

Think Big!

Ms K

Glory Be ... to who exactly?

Hello ladies ...
It's prayer time, we say them all the time but what exactly do they mean to us?  I know we learn them, we say them privately and as a class, but well why?  Do we even know what we're saying?

Look at the "Glory Be" - what does this prayer mean to you?  What beliefs about God is it trying to show?  Who is God the Father?  The Son?  Or even the Holy Spirit to you?  How can Christians experience these persons?  Do we experience them?  What do they do?

Reflect.
Think big.
Ms K

Do the 10 commandments mean anything to you?

So, Moses was apparently 120 years old when he was given the 10 commandments about 3,500 years ago, when the Israelites were wondering around in the wilderness!  Seriously, do they mean anything to us today?

Think, do you think these commandments are still important or are they out of date? Why?

What would be your new top 5 commandments of the 21st century?

Remember: Think big!
Give reasons for your opinions!
Happy blogging,

Ms K

Should we all just stick to the status quo?

Hello girlies,

So we're thinking about belonging ... in the words of High School Musical should we mess with the flow or just stick to the status quo?  There seem to be a lot of people in life who are prepared to just accept life as it is and not challenge situations just to fit in.  What do you think it means to fit in?  Should you change who you are to fit in?  What if being who you are means you feel alone?  Is it worth it?  So the question is it more important to fit in and belong?  Or be who you are?  What brings true happiness? 

Think big,  give examples ask me questions!

Happy blogging!

Ms K

Why is the Pope so important to Catholics?

Dear All,

Think.  Reflect.  Why is the Pope important to Catholics?  What is it about what he does?  Who he represents that is so important?  Express your opinions here. 

Ms K

Will going to see the Pope make you a good Catholic?

For Catholics the Pope is the spiritual head of the Catholic Church.  Pope Benedict is the 265th spiritual descendent of the first Pope, Peter.  By going to see him, Catholics making that journey are going on a pilgrimage ... a journey to bring them closer to God.  You are going to a place to meet with God.  Do you think every Catholic should try to go on a pilgrimage to a holy place?  It could be to see the Pope, or it could be to another place where something religious has happened.  Is going on a pilgrimage going to make you a good Catholic?  Why?  Why not?  Is there something else Catholics should do instead?

Think big!
Share your opinions,

Ms K

Guess who's coming to town!

Ok, so it's been a long time coming. I know you've had to wait a whole summer, but here is the first post of the new academic year and we start with big exciting news ... the Pope's UK visit from 16-19th September 2010.

Did you know that Pope Benedict XVI is the 265th Pope? Did you know he owns an I-Pod? Did you know he can fly a helicopter but not drive a car? Did you know his dad was a policeman...?  Did you know the Popemobile is made by Mercedes-Benz and can go from 0-60mph in 8 seconds???!

What interesting facts can you find out about the Pope? Post your interesting comments below!!!!

Get investigating!
Ms K

Looking deeper

Ladies

Religion is all about looking under the surface.  What is the truth?  What is the teaching?  What does it mean to me and my life.  Look at the death of Jesus - that event was so much more than a simple loss of life.  It is the central event in Christianity and was about sacrifice, love, relationships, forgiveness, reconciliation etc.  So today year 7s we're talking themes and what is the deeper meaning.  We've been looking at the story of Rama and Sita.  I want you to tell me what you think the deeper meaning is ... why is this story told?  What do Hindus learn from it?

Watch this sweet animation to remind yourself


Or go here to rewatch the story http://www.bl.uk/learning/cult/sacred/stories/

Remember as ever THINK BIG, write in proper english and respond to someone else's comment as well!

Happy blogging,

Ms K

Who is God to you..?

Vannakam

Thinking about names ... how do you understand God?  Who is He to you?  Look at the poll and look at this image and let me know... How do you think of God?

Happy blogging!

Ms K

What's in a name ... that which we call a rose [check out Shakespeare]

Parengal [Tamil for Listen!]


This week at school is Refugee Week - when we explore what it means to be a refugee and we focus on the positive contribution that Refugees make to society.  In PSHE and all your different subjects you've been exploring lots of different themes relating to Refugees. 

The most famous Christian Refugee was Jesus as His parents fled from Israel to Egypt looking to keep their son safe.  Jesus brought us freedom from sin, His birth and death allows us to have a relationship with God the Father, so He made an extremely important contribution to our lives.  Sometimes the word refugee can make people think all different types of bad stuff about a person. 

THINK BIG: What do you think?  Should we judge someone based on what we've heard?  Is this a good thing?  Is it human nature? 

Read this poem, what do you think it means?

So I have a new name – refugee.

Strange that a name should take away from me

My past, my personality and hope.

Strange refuge this.

So many seem to share this name – refugee

Yet we share so many differences.

I find no comfort in my new name.

I long to share my past, restore my pride,

To show, I too, in time, will offer more

Than I have borrowed.

For now the comfort that I seek

Resides in the old yet new name

I would choose – friend.

THINK BIG: Do you think it's ok to label people?  How can it make us feel being labelled? 

 
Happy blogging
Ms K!

What do you think of reincarnation?

Vanakkam

Hindus believe in reincarnation.  This is the belief that when a person's body dies, the soul - called the atman - moves onto another being.  This may be another person, a plant or an animal.  Hindus believe that the atman in everything is the same.  When a person dies their atman is reborn.  This happens over and over again, until the atman become completely pure [holy].  Then it can go back to being part of Brahman, where it began.  This is what Hindus aim for.


So look at the image above - death is the black figure and birth the white figure - they are almost combined into one being.  There is a connection, this idea of a cycle ... death leads into birth and animals into human.  Everything is connected - the atman [essence] in everything is the same. 

This Hindu belief means that everyone gets as many chances as they need ... it also means everyone goes back to Brahman [Absolute Spirit, God].  What do you think about this?  If atman comes from Brahman, what makes it 'dirty' when we have it?

In Christianity you are born, live life and then die ... you are judged based on your one life - there is no reincarnation in Christianity.  Do you like the idea of reincarnation why?  Do you think there are any issues with it?  What do you think?

Think big

Happy blogging!

Ms K

You only get one shot ...

Vanakkam [***Language of the Month]

Now don't get me wrong, I am in no way promoting Eminem ... but I do think some of his lyrics are relevant to life.  We do get one shot at life, it's about how we live this life ... do we live a life of Serviam or do we just talk the talk?

We don't get the chance to rewind.  How great would that be, make a mistake ... rewind and erase.  Think of all those things that have happened that make you cringe and think ***omg***!  But life is not a movie, it's not like Bewitched [which I watched this weekend on channel 5] ... Whatever happens good or bad we have to learn to deal with it and rise above it.  It's not always about focusing on the mistakes but how we carry on after we make a mistake - do we make the same mistake or do we learn from it?!

So the theme of this blog is there's a lesson in the lyrics ... You can pick any song you like, keep it clean and choose a lyric/ line that speaks to you ... something that you think is a real life lesson and you can share it with us!  Why did you pick it?  What does it mean to you?  Why is it important?

Think big!

Happy blogging!

Ms K

Long time no blog ...

Dear All,

Yay!  Exam season is almost behind us so we can get back on track with more big thinking and blogging!  We're going to be reflecting this half-term on lots of different issues.  Feel free to contribute to as many posts as you like, remember explain your ideas clearly so people can respond to you and we can have a virtual conversation.  Proper English!!!  Words which are found in dictionaries, please!

Think big

Happy blogging

Please have your say ... but do it in the right way.

Hello all,

Just a quick few points.  I'm happy for you to comment on any post, but you must remember the following

1.  Proper English [no textspeak.  Use the English language - words you find in the dictionary, used in the appropriate way!]
2. You must make it clear who you are, so when it comes to posting your comment, when selecting profile, pick "Name/ URL" but leave URL blank
3. When replying to others always be respectful

That's about it for now.

Think big,

Happy blogging

Ms K


PS If you have any RE-related issues you want to discuss, post as a comment to this blog and we'll see if we can fit it in!  See, co-constructing the virtual discussion!  Think big!

Just so you know! Become a follower of the RE Blogspot.

Dear All,

If you're loving the RE blogspot - then become a follower [look on the left-hand side, under the photo of the RE Dept].  Keep up-to-date with the new posts and comments, suggest post topics simply by setting up a profile and uploading an image.  Do it of your own free will, you know I'll probably set it for hw otherwise.  You know what to do!

Think big,

Happy blogging.

Have a safe and peaceful Easter.

Serviam,  RE Dept

Holy Week - the ultimate love story?

So the suffering and death of Jesus doesn't sound like the ideal love story, but when you start to unpeel it, wow ... you really see the love.  We all know that Jesus died on the cross for us, but how often do we take time to read those scriptures and really explore the human Jesus, who went through this suffering?  There was a reason He did it, not just because his Father told Him to. 

"For God so loved the world."  What a statement - God loved us so much, He sent Jesus to sacrifice Himself for us and God watched as His only beloved Son was tortured.  The love a Father has for His Son vs the love God has for all His children.

THINK: Is there any bigger challenge?  What would you do to save many people?  Is it worth the sacrifice of one?  Or is every life of equal value? 

Jesus' Passion for you all

Jesus thought you were worth the sacrifice. 

So really Jesus' sacrifice became a question of free will.  Jesus was unique fully divine and fully human, but He chose to die as a criminal [crucifixion was a criminal's death].  We too as humans have free will, we can choose to do right or wrong, but when we misuse our free will it can have disastruous consequences. 

THINK: Do you think we deserve free will?  Why did God give it to us?  Is our free will limited?  Should some people have it and others not?

THINK:  Where else do you think Holy Week teaches us about love?

There is lots here to think about!  Respond to the THINK questions, ask your own questions, reply to other people's comments.  Use proper English.  But most of all ...

Think big

Happy blogging!

Ms K

Building a house takes 6 months, God created the universe in 6 days!

Ok, so Genesis states that God created the world in 6 days.  We have a clear plan of God's purposeful creative activity - which suggests intelligent design because of it's order.  Genesis gives humans a purpose [for our existence] to have a relationship with God and shows us that creation was good.  Different Christians interpret Genesis slightly differently - some take it quite literally, exactly as it says, is exactly what they believe happened and others suggest Genesis contains more spiritual truths - it explains to us about God and humans, rather than being an accurate account of how the world came to be.

If God created everything out of nothing, then why ...why is there evil in the world?
Do you think Genesis literally happened as we read it?  Why?
Is Genesis meant to teach us something about humans and God?  What?


Evolution - a scientific explanation for the nature of the universe with Dr Vincent Grey

Science offers different ideas about how the world came to be - solutions that make "God" unnecessary.  Evolution, put forward by Charles Darwin, suggests that simple organisms evolved over time to become more complex and this is because of random chance and mutation, there was according to Darwin no guiding hand behind it.  So if every cause has an effect, what/ who started evolution?

The Big Bang - a scientific explanation for the origin of the universe

The Big Bang happened 13.7 billion years ago - the explosion of Space and Time.  There was no beginning before the Big Bang, it is the beginning of everything - it lasted 10‾43 seconds, which is miniscule!  So everything was really hot, but is cooling and expanding and then evolution billions of years later kicked in ...

 

So, do you think Science or Genesis is right?  Why?  Is there an alternative idea?  What?  Why?  Give evidence to support your responses.

Think big

Happy blogging

Ms K

Lying - should it really be one of the 10 commandments for the 21st century?

Sound familiar?

"Sorry Miss, printer ate my homework"

"Sorry, I can't come out tonight, Mum says I've got to stay in" [Lie, it's just you're already going out with better friends!]

"No, I didn't eat the last slice of cheesecake" [Yes you did in fact you're just swallowing it now!]
"Just tell them I'm not in and I can't come to the phone?!" [Erm, you're sitting right there!]

Ok so lying, very very tricky grey area - it clearly says "Thou shalt not lie" in the Bible. God said it, but somehow we manage to excuse ourselves with comments like "It's just a little one, it won't hurt anyone, no-one will ever find out etc etc" But can we really make excuses or is a little lie acceptable?

Do you think lying is lying - no matter how big or small? Does it depend? On what? Why?

Do you think lying is part of today's world and we shouldn't feel so bad about it?

What are your thoughts?

Think big

Happy blogging!

Ms Kerridge

What does the "Our Father" mean to you?

So, we say this prayer everyday. We know the words off by heart, probably learnt it when we were really young. But how much time do we spend really reflecting on this prayer?

Our Father, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

What does it mean?

Why do we say it?

What's the most important part of this prayer? Why?

It's a tough one. At the moment my favourite part of this prayer is "Give us this day our daily bread", because I feel that sometimes we take God for granted and don't always appreciated all the things He has given us and continues to do for us. So everytime I say that bit I remember all that He does and continues to do for me and I'm comforted because I remember He loves me so much He thinks of me everyday.

But what about you? What's your favourite bit, why? Why is this prayer so important?

Think big

Happy blogging

Ms K

PS My mum likes "Thy will be done" because it shows her that God has planned everything and He knows how things will turn out, so we can be happy knowing that if we follow His commands, He will guide our lives. Ask your family for their ideas. Comment on other peoples ideas.

Think big

Cheryl Cole - the most inspirational lady from 2000-2010?

So yesterday in a survey for doctors (surgeons) Cheryl Cole was voted the most inspirational lady from 2000-2010. Huh? I hear you ask. Doctors voted for Cheryl Cole from all the celeb ladies worldwide. Don't get me wrong, I love Cheryl Cole and dare I say it, some of Girls Aloud's tunes I love [Sound of the Underground. Yay!], but is she really the most inspirational lady? Dame Kelly Holmes, Michelle Obama, Dr Anne Turner, The Queen, maybe even Kylie Minogue, Sarah Brown etc etc

Do you think Cheryl deserves this title - X-factor judge, girl group member, married/ separated from Ashley etc ... is she really the most inspirational woman of 2000-2010? or is there another famous woman who did something from 2000-2010 to inspire you? Who? Why?

Don't forget to vote for who you think was the most inspirational lady from 2000-2010 from Michelle Obama, JK Rowling, Cheryl Cole or Oprah Winfrey!

You know what to do.

Think big, happy blogging

Ms K

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

Ladies,

Ok, so no-one's perfect [you might be thinking speak for yourself Ms Kerridge!], we all make mistakes but when we hurt someone close to us and have to say sorry - that's something that some of us find tough. But why? Why are those 5 little letters so difficult? Sorry. Then again we often say it without meaning it. Why bother?

Why is sorry so hard to say?

Why is sorry so important to say?

What does sorry actually mean?

Lots to think about there! Think big, happy blogging

Ms K

Go watch Blue http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvbQzRAi4wM

Oscar Romero - Saint, Prophet, Martyr or all of the above?

Wow! This Wednesday is the anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero who gave his life to bring peace to the people of his country, El Salvador.

“If I get killed I will rise in the Salvadorean people.” Oscar Romero

He knew that by speaking out against the corruption of the government, he would eventually be silenced like so many others, but he also understood that this was his mission, to be the voice of the voiceless.

As a disciple of Jesus, Romero was called to follow Christ's example and he became a figure of hope for those who had been hopeless. Romero recognised he could change the lives of many, but also that the poor had positively changed his life too.

Romero believed it was his duty to work to free the poor from injustice, because just as Christ had suffered, He had also triumphed and Romero believed that the poor should experience justice on earth and see the Kingdom of God in the now, not only as a future reward. This belief was big in South America and was know as Liberation Theology [Looking at the how the Christian God brings freedom]

Do you think Romero was a saint? Prophet? Or Martyr? Why?

Think big!
Happy blogging

Ms Kerridge

Maybe start your research here http://www.cafod.org.uk/secondary/romero

Watch the video as well.

Have you ever had a religious experience???!

Calling all Yr 13s! Do you know what happened to me last night? Me. Mr McCarthy? God came to me, He said I shouldn't be teaching you religious experience for your exam instead I should just let you colour in Jesus. Why? I hear you scream ... Well, I 'll tell you why! Because by colouring in Jesus you actually see Him and He's real, and He might talk to you, whereas learning about the academic religious experiences for an exam and from textbooks is really boring and a real waste of your time and mine. What do you think? Justify your response with evidence [from scholarly opinion or your colourings/ pictures of Jesus]

Happy blogging,

Mr McCarthy

PS Who said bribery is dead! Best answer gets an Easter Egg from ... WAITROSE!

Choosing to die with dignity?

So in Yr 11 we're looking at Euthanasia ... when someone who is terminally ill wants to put an end to their suffering and asks someone to help them die. Why is this such a controversial issue? Why is it illegal in this country? What do you think? It's legal to put animals to sleep to end their suffering but in the UK Euthanasia remains illegal. Why do people have to go to the Netherlands to get help with dying? What are you views?


Read about Dr Anne Turner http://www.dignityindying.org.uk/personal-stories/uk/south-west/bath/dr-anne-turner-story-9.html

Happy blogging

What does it mean to be a good leader?

So, they say we're all leaders? Sometimes that doesn't seem quite right? How can you be a leader when you get told what to do...? THINK. REFLECT. RESPOND.

So we can lead others by example? Even if we are told what to do, we can still be leaders based on how we follow instructions, we can inspire others through our actions. It all comes back to Serviam. Just as we serve God, we serve others and we inspire them ... so every member of St Angela's is a leader.

So what makes a good leader? Is it having the loudest voice? Being the bossiest person? What...? Well the best example I can think of as a leader is Jesus. But why?

That is your mission, year 7. Find me a story about Jesus, where He's being a good leader and tell me why. Can you include a picture?

Look forward to reading your replies. Happy blogging :)

Should Christians suffer?

We've been looking at the idea of sacrifice [giving up something important to you]. We've seen how Jesus' sacrifice reconciled (brought back together again) man and God after sin separated them. We've reflected on how truly terrible Jesus suffering was ... so

why then do Christians still suffer?

Take some time to reflect, post your response ... add an image, link etc as evidence to support your response.  Happy blogging yr 9

Serviam, RE Dept

Maybe have a look at this image to get thinking http://www.vsawis.org/CollExh/AAC/2005winners/images/Marcella%20Paliekara%20-%20Suffering%20Servant%20-%202005_jpg.jpg

or go watch a movie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKgOPlBfiWc