g) Parents

Catholic schools exist because of the wish of parents to have their children educated within a Catholic Christian context. Parents, therefore, are central to Catholic education. They are the first educators of their children; others in the school community - teachers and non-teaching staff - undertake their duties and responsibilities in partnership with parents.

In Religious Education parents have a particular role to play. For the majority of parents the task of educating and nurturing their children in the faith began with the Baptism of their children as infants. It was continued in the Catholic Primary School through the elements of the ‘Alive-O’ (Veritas) Religious Education programme. Parental involvement is essential to this programme, particularly in relation to sacramental preparation for first reception of the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation. These celebrations are undertaken also in collaboration with local parish communities.

As students enter Secondary School the active involvement of parents and the maintenance of links with parishes is vital to the success of Catholic Religious Education. While it is recognised that no celebration of first reception of sacraments will take place at Secondary level, nevertheless the rights of parents to be consulted and informed about - and actively involved in - the Religious Education of their children are to be respected; and initiatives designed to relate to local parishes and communities (e.g. through liturgical celebrations and community service) is to be encouraged. Parents can fulfil their role in their children’s Religious Education in the following ways:

• knowing what is taught in school and dicussing topics with their children at home
• encouraging family prayer
• encouraging active participation of their children in the parish community by word and example
• recognising that their children need to come to a personal adult response to God in faith, thus encouraging them to reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection for themselves in their everyday experience
• howing a real interest in the achievement and participation of their children in Religious Education e.g. by praising their children for their efforts in Religious Education, by attending Parents’ Evenings and class / school liturgical celebrations

Staff in schools, especially Religious Education staff, are encouraged to cooperate in the active involvement of parents in Religious Education by facilitating such initiatives as are outlined above. In this regard, meetings of Parent Teachers’ Associations and School Boards provide important forums for regular discussion of and support for Religious Education in the Catholic School.