To coincide with the beginning of the Year of Faith and the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, a new Catholic primary religious education programme is being launched next week. Come and See explores the mystery of faith through Scripture and Tradition. It is designed to help children grow in religious literacy and understanding.

Monsignor Kevin McGinnell VF, Episcopal Vicar for Education and Formation Northampton Religious Education Service and Chair, National Board of Religious Inspectors and Advisers (NBRIA ) said: “The very title, ‘Come and See’, Jesus’ invitation to his first followers, fulfils the basic aim of primary religious education. As a programme it enables our teachers to draw our young people closer to the person of Jesus, his teachings, and how that should shape their lives.

"It is clearly imbued with the scriptures and the tradition of our community, and will help our children and hopefully also their families strengthen their appreciation of the gift of faith God offers, so that they can put into practise what they learn. It also makes the vision of Jesus accessible to those in our schools of other traditions or none without any compromise.”

The theology of ‘Come and See’ is based on the teaching of the Church, including the documents of Vatican II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Three themes are studied each term; Church, Christian living and the Sacraments. It is designed to support and enable teachers to have confidence in their delivery of religious education.

‘Come and See’ integrates the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Catholic Levels of Attainment, the new Religious Education Curriculum Directory and the recent liturgical revision. Particular attention has been given to ensuring provision for pupils with special needs. Experts on Judaism and other religions have generously given their advice and guidance.

It has benefited from the guidance of its Steering Committee, whose members include diocesan directors of religious education and representatives of primary and secondary diocesan advisers – the group is chaired by the Bishop Emeritus of Wrexham, Edwin Regan. It has taken into consideration the changes in educational thinking, the current trends in society which affect the teaching of religious education and the changing profile of pupils and teachers in Catholic schools.

The programme includes teachers’ books for each year group, offering a range of input and activities. The programme is supported by an interactive website. The programme was trialled in many dioceses in England and Wales during the summer term, and responses from teachers have been overwhelmingly positive.

Angela Warren; primary Inset Co-ordinator at CAFOD said: "CAFOD is delighted to have been involved in writing the Universal Church units for Come and See. The units provide an opportunity for children to learn about global justice issues and to put their faith into action in order to build a fair and just world.

For more information see: http://www.comeandseere.co.uk/