The Australian Church
LI: I am learning to investigate experiences of different communities including the early Church communities in Australia (c. 1788 CE - c. 1850 CE) and contemporary Church communities to connect ideas about the significance of community for Christians.
SC: I can develop historical narratives about some key events and people’s experiences in the early Church in Australia (c.1788 CE - c.1850 CE) using appropriate historical terms.
Revise what is community (mind map) - link to health.
Students complete a family tree as an example of community. They share these with a small group.
Students include prayers of thanksgiving for the communities to which they belong in daily prayer time.
Students complete a family tree as an example of community. They share these with a small group.
- Students discuss: “What are the benefits of living in a community?” (remind students about the camp experience they enjoyed)
- Sharing ideas
- Working together
- Talking and sharing fun times with others
- Praying together
- You can have many teachers to help you learn
- Communities help people become the best they can be
Students include prayers of thanksgiving for the communities to which they belong in daily prayer time.
Early Australian Catholics
- Pose the question: “How did Catholics in Early Australia create community?”
- Let students know that we will be learning about how this came about.
- How does the story begin?
- Students imagine what it would be like to be on board a ship heading to Australia. They look at an image of an early ship and explore the conditions: lack of food, exercise, illness, fatigue, cramped quarters
- Students take turns expressing one feeling about their life on board.
- Students explore the feelings of fear that would have been felt by the Irish Catholics. The English captains would not have liked them as they were prisoners and from a different religion and culture. Who would they have looked for when they disembarked? (other Irish people) They would look to make a community with people who had similar ideas and background to them.
- Discuss different Australians and the various ways people came to be in Australia.
- Students listen to the hymn Land of the Southern Cross (Michael Mangan) and recognise that people who came to Australia needed to work together. The Irish Catholics would have been missing their climate, home, families, churches…They would come together for support as communities of people united.
- Tell the story of the Catholic Church in Australia using the resource “Significant Events Timeline”
- Students commence a timeline in their books with teacher guidance.
- Students examine resources from Stories of Hope to discuss life for early settlers – their houses, the lack of priests and no churches.
- Discuss the practices of early Catholics – wearing scapulars, not eating meat on Fridays, praying the rosary, teaching their children to pray… these practices helped them stay strong in faith and together as a community of believers. Even though they could not baptise their children until priests came, they still raised them in faith.
Timeline of Significant Events and Challenges
Early Catholic community 1788-1850 1788 First Fleet arrives in Australia White settlers from Britain begin a convict settlement in New South Wales. 10-15% of these were Catholics. Half of these Catholics were Irish.
1792 Catholic settlers petition the Governor for a priest. Even though this petition was made early in the colony, it was many years before a priest arrived. The governor refused, because of fears that the Irish would rebel.
1797 Catholics in Australia Most of the early Catholics were Irish convicts. While many did not practise their faith in the traditional ways, there are accounts of Catholics using their prayer beads and prayer books in the colonies before priests arrived.
1798 The first two priests arrive in Australia The first priests were convicts caught up in the Irish Rebellion of 1798 and were not allowed to celebrate mass.
1803 First mass allowed to be celebrated When the colony allowed the first mass, police watched everybody to make sure that they did not rebel. A second mass was not allowed for a further 16 years.
1817 First free priest arrived While Father O’Flynn was not a convict he was not approved by England but had been sent by the Pope. He was expelled from New South Wales in 1818.
1820 First official Catholic Priests arrive Fathers Connolly and Therry were the first official Catholic priests in Australia.
1828 Catholics in New South Wales By the late 1820s most of the Catholics were still convicts or ex-convicts.
1829 Emancipation Act in England This Act meant that Catholics were no longer persecuted and could hold important jobs.
1830 First Important Officials in New South Wales who were Catholics arrived The emancipation Act meant that powerful people in government in New South Wales could now be Catholics.
1835 Bishop Polding appointed New South Wales now had 20,000 Catholics so a Bishop was needed
1836 Church Act Equality granted to all religions in New South Wales
1838 Caroline Chisolm championed the cause of women and emigrants Caroline Chisolm was a very important female and a Catholic in the new colony.
1838 Myall Creek Massacres – white settlers killed a group of Aborigines at Myall Creek. Bishop Polding spoke against the treatment of Aborigines by the white settlers. He was especially concerned about the Myall Creek Massacres.
1842 Polding appointed Archbishop By 1839 there were 21,298 Catholics in the total population of 101,904 settlers. The Catholic Church was beginning to be a significant group in New South Wales.
1843 First priest arrives in Brisbane As the colony of Moreton Bay (where Brisbane is now) was part of the colony of New South Wales at this time, Polding was also the Archbishop of Moreton Bay.
The Rev. Samual Marsden arrived in Australia in 1800 as the Senior Anglican Minister in the New South Wales Colony. He, like many other English (Protestant) settlers in the colony had great concerns about the growing number of Catholics – the vast majority of convicts. Marsden identified through a number of letters to the Governor of the colony and British Government that should Catholicism continue, the British Empire would loose control of the New South Wales Colony. “…The colony would be lost to the British Empire in less than one year.” For Marsden and many others, this threat was real, and more distressingly, possible, due to the colony being made up of large numbers of Catholic convicts from the lower Irish class. They were repulsive people, uncivilized and mischievous. They were seen as a “…most wild, ignorant and savage race,” which had been brought up in a society of murder and crime and of which they had brought with them to Australia. Marsden believed that these Catholics were lacking “…of every principle of Religion and Morality”. They are a people who are dangerous to society governed only by “…the impulse of passion.” If they were allowed to assemble...they would do so not to celebrate mass but instead they would inflame one another’s minds with some wild scheme of Revenge.” Marsden identified that Catholic were “…extremely superstitious, artful and treacherous.” “They (Catholics) have no true concern whatsoever for any religion nor fear of the Supreme Being. They are instead more often involved in riot drunkenness.”
Father O’Flynn. After six months in hiding, performing Catholic masses, baptisms and marriages, O’Flynn was arrested on Macquarie’s order and deported back to England. According to Macquarie, should O’Flynn have remained in the colony he would “… do a great deal of mischief amongst the lower order Catholics.”
In 1800 the first Catholic Priests arrived in the colony – as convicts! One of these priests was James Dixon who was granted freedom and permission to say mass of the Catholics of the Colony (the vast majority of convicts). This continued until March 1804 when the Castle Hill rebellion alarmed the Governor (King) and Dixon’s privileges were withdrawn.
- Discuss with students: “Who were some key figures in the early Australian Catholic community?”
- Discuss with the children the significant people included on:
- Challenge and Change PPT
- Who am I? PPT
- Particularly note:
- First priest to serve in Australia – Fr James Dixon was Irish and a convict (political prisoner)
- Fr Therry, another early priest – many convicts wrote to him for help
- First Catholic school in Brisbane 1845 – Michael and Mary Bourke.
- First priest in Brisbane 1843 – Fr Hanly (Hanly room in St Stephen’s Cathedral precinct dedicated to him)
- Discuss how these people came to Australia and began to be leaders for the Catholic communities. It took many years for them to be able to help.
- Students work in groups to explore a famous early Australian who worked with the poor, Caroline Chisholm, and complete a concept map about her life and achievements.
- The first priests
Although many Irish convicts were merely nominal Catholics -- in fact, many were quite irreligious -- many others diligently and courageously kept their faith alive despite the fact that, for most of the next thirty years or so, priests were only sporadically available to provide them with the sacraments. According to the 1828 Census, out of a total Catholic population of about 10 000, there were 374 adults who had been born in Australia and raised in a totally lay environment, the Catholic faith passed on to them despite the absence of priests. It was not until 1800 that the first priests arrived in the colony -- as convicts! One of these, James Dixon, was granted conditional emancipation and permission to say Mass for the Catholics of Sydney, Liverpool and Parramatta on successive Sundays, a practice that continued from 1803 until March 1804, when the Castle Hill rebellion so alarmed Governor King that he withdrew Dixon's privileges. Dixon soon after returned to Ireland, and Mass was not legally celebrated again in the colony until Fathers John Joseph Therry and Philip Connolly, chaplains appointed by the Government in London, arrived in 1820. Their arrival can be regarded as the formal establishment of the Catholic Church in Australia. - Today's Catholic community
The outcome of all these changes in society and the Church is that today's Catholic community looks very different from that of the 1950s. Mass attendance rates have fallen; the number of priests, sisters and brothers is declining and their average age is increasing. The relationship between clergy and people has changed. Old forms of devotion like the Rosary have nearly disappeared but there has been a growth of interest in alternative forms of prayer borrowed from a variety of cultures and traditions. An array of leadership roles which were once the preserve of priests and religious -- in education, health care, parish life and many other fields -- has been filled by lay people, and lay people (by no means all Catholics) comprise virtually the entire staff at Catholic schools and the majority of students at Catholic theological colleges. Some Catholics see these changes as a tragedy which the bishops either have been powerless to stop or have conspired to promote, but most regard them as welcome evidence of a Church prepared to adapt to meet changing circumstances. Yet the changes that have taken place have primarily been changes in rules and practices. The Church's teachings have been re-interpreted in the light of modern understandings of history, sociology, the sciences and other fields of human endeavour, and then re-expressed in language more suitable for the times. By and large, however, the teachings themselves have not changed.
Websites
(Caroline Chisholm)
https://wiki.kidzsearch.com/wiki/Caroline_Chisholm
http://www.kidcyber.com.au/caroline-chisolm/
https://www.civicsandcitizenship.edu.au/cce/chisholm,9122.html
Videos
(Caroline Chisholm – BTN)
http://education.abc.net.au/home#!/media/521353/chisholm-confronts-gipps
http://education.abc.net.au/home#!/media/521375/-i-like-your-spirit-mrs-chisholm-
http://education.abc.net.au/home#!/media/521397/caroline-chisholm-s-unwelcome-companions
- Explore Sisters of Charity and Sisters of Mercy websites. Students investigate their actions and how they helped the early community with their hospitals, schools and visits to the sick and poor.
- Students discuss how these people would have helped the Catholic community to grow and become more established in Australia. At first people were suspicious of the Sisters of Charity and Sisters of Mercy but then they came to know of their good works.
- Students summarise the main points about the Catholic community in early Australia and the main characteristics of the early Catholics as a community of believers. They can choose to present this as a Prezi or as an art work with annotations.
Official recognition and toleration ushered in a new era for Catholics in Australia.
Catholic laity and clergy were among the first to recognise and respond to the impact of settlement and expansion on Aboriginal people
Summative Assessment
Students take on the role of a Catholic from early Australia. They speak to the audience about their experience of community (Optional – record on iPad)
Above – Students explain why it was important to remain in community with other Catholics despite a shortage of priests. (Community helps people to reach their full potential, the faith would not be forgotten, people gain strength from each other, tradition, i.e. what they understood was important from their parents.)
- Students reflect on the changes that have happened in Australia and the gifts that various people have contributed over the years so that they are now able to attend a Catholic school in Australia.
- Discuss what the modern Church looks like at Mary Immaculate – students look at Parish newsletter and make connections to the mission and ministry of Jesus
3: Advent and Christmas
- Discuss the question: “How does the Church prepare for Christmas?”
- Ask students if they know the name of the season before Christmas. Show the image of the colours that tell of the Church Seasons and identify Advent as purple (use Together at One Altar webpage)
- Students explore the traditions of Advent Wreaths, Advent Calendars and the Jesse Tree.
- Students discuss the four weeks of preparation and identify actions they might undertake during this time.
- Students examine the Advent Resource as a class and undertake relevant craft activities as appropriate.
- Discuss with students how there are two versions of the birth of Jesus.
- Students predict what words they will hear in the Christmas stories and make a list of these.
- As the teacher reads one version, they cross off the words. Which words are left? The teacher then reads the other version and they cross off more words. Are there any still left?
- Students compare the characters in each story – could use PPT of each version to assist with this
- Students examine commercial Christmas cards and see which characters are shown. Can they identify Luke’s and Matthew’s characters? Is the card only secular?
- Students make a Christmas card based on the scripture of Matthew or Luke.
- Each students shows their card and the class members tell which story is represented OR students draw a name of a class member and write a message on their card before giving it to them.
Students participate in prayers during Advent that reflect the work they have been completing – prayers about waiting, prayers for the poor, prayers for forgiveness, prayers of thanks. They reflect on what Christmas means for believers.
Sacred Texts (see appendices in New Curriculum for teacher background - page for each year level)
New testament - infancy narratives
miracles
Parables - Lost Sheep/Lost Coin/Two Sons
Old Testament - Genesis
- Moses
- Noah
- Psalms
Hannukah -
HANUKKAH (THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS)The history of Hannukah predates Christmas. Antiochus, the Greek King of Syria, outlawed Jewish rituals and ordered the Jews to worship Greek gods. Most Jews were angry and decided to fight back. In 165 B.C.E, the Jewish Maccabees managed to drive the Syrian army out of Jerusalem and reclaim their temple. Hanukkah is the celebration of this victory. In history, Hanukkah has been a minor holiday, only gaining in popularity since the late 1800's. In Hebrew, the word "Hanukkah" means "dedication."
HANNUKAH CELEBRATION DATESHanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights, starting on the 25th in the month of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. Since the Hebrew calendar is lunar rather than solar, Hanukkah falls on a different day each year, anywhere from November to early January on the standard calendar.
GIVING OF GIFTSAs part of the celebration, children received gelt (Yiddish term for "money") during each of the eight days in order for them to learn about charity. More recently, the tradition of children receiving a small gift each of the eight nights has become more popular. This gift giving is frequently associated with the Christian Christmas tradition of gift giving.
DREIDELSDuring Hanukkah, Jewish children enjoying playing with a toy called a dreidel, which is similar to a top. The dreidel has four sides and features the Hebrew letters nun, gimel, hay, and shin. These letters stand for the Hebrew phrase Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, "A great miracle happened there." The game is played with candy. The player who has all the candy in the end is the winner.
HANNUKAH FOODSFried foods are traditional during Hanukkah, in remembrance of the sacred oil. Popular fried foods are Latkes (potato pancakes) and Sufganiyot (sweet jelly- filled doughnuts).
FAMILY CELEBRATIONAs in many other celebrations of many other cultures, Hanukkah is about family. It's a joyous time of year when those you love gather together to share food, blessings, and music, as the traditions are passed on through the ages.
New testament - infancy narratives
miracles
Parables - Lost Sheep/Lost Coin/Two Sons
Old Testament - Genesis
- Moses
- Noah
- Psalms
Hannukah -
HANUKKAH (THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS)The history of Hannukah predates Christmas. Antiochus, the Greek King of Syria, outlawed Jewish rituals and ordered the Jews to worship Greek gods. Most Jews were angry and decided to fight back. In 165 B.C.E, the Jewish Maccabees managed to drive the Syrian army out of Jerusalem and reclaim their temple. Hanukkah is the celebration of this victory. In history, Hanukkah has been a minor holiday, only gaining in popularity since the late 1800's. In Hebrew, the word "Hanukkah" means "dedication."
HANNUKAH CELEBRATION DATESHanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights, starting on the 25th in the month of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. Since the Hebrew calendar is lunar rather than solar, Hanukkah falls on a different day each year, anywhere from November to early January on the standard calendar.
GIVING OF GIFTSAs part of the celebration, children received gelt (Yiddish term for "money") during each of the eight days in order for them to learn about charity. More recently, the tradition of children receiving a small gift each of the eight nights has become more popular. This gift giving is frequently associated with the Christian Christmas tradition of gift giving.
DREIDELSDuring Hanukkah, Jewish children enjoying playing with a toy called a dreidel, which is similar to a top. The dreidel has four sides and features the Hebrew letters nun, gimel, hay, and shin. These letters stand for the Hebrew phrase Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, "A great miracle happened there." The game is played with candy. The player who has all the candy in the end is the winner.
HANNUKAH FOODSFried foods are traditional during Hanukkah, in remembrance of the sacred oil. Popular fried foods are Latkes (potato pancakes) and Sufganiyot (sweet jelly- filled doughnuts).
FAMILY CELEBRATIONAs in many other celebrations of many other cultures, Hanukkah is about family. It's a joyous time of year when those you love gather together to share food, blessings, and music, as the traditions are passed on through the ages.