To Know, Worship and Love: Year 10

Dr Kathleen Engebretson commences the book with a scriptural basis, in the first chapter The Formation of the Gospels, followed by a focused chapter, The Good News of Mark.

However, Church history is the main area offered in the Year 10 text. Four chapters on major phases of Church history follow, The Reformation and Catholic Reform, chapter 3, traces the course of the Reformation from late medieval times through to the response of the Catholic Church at the Council of Trent, with studies of the Jesuits, and the great mystics, St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila. Chapter 4, The Changing Church, covers the history and achievements of three of the great ecumenical Councils of the Church: Chalcedon, Vatican I and, in more detail, Vatican II. Chapter 5, Monasticism, presents Benedictine and Cistercian monastic life not only in the past but as it is practised today. East and West, One Faith in Many Communities provides the historical details that complement work begun in Year 8, and anticipate ecumenism in Years 11 and 12.

Ancient and Indigenous Religions, chapter 7, covers this interesting field in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Asia, with specific emphasis on the spirituality of Indigenous Australians, a recurring theme in most of these texts.

The Eucharist in the Christian Community continues sacramental and liturgical catechesis, by going back to the Passover roots of the Eucharist, in the past and as celebrated by the Jews today. Then the development of Eucharistic faith, worship and devotion is set out, as this has unfolded across the centuries into the present time.

At this stage of religious education, a stronger emphasis on moral principles and ethical issues is evident, particularly in the last four chapters of the book. Chapter 9, Conscience and Decision Making, deepens the theme in Years 7 and 8. In Right Relationship, chapter 10, focuses on Catholic teaching about sexuality and marriage. Chapter 11. Some Moral Issues for Young People, includes the issues and questions involved in drug abuse and alcohol, and homosexuality.

Finally, in chapter 12, Christian Love and the Kingdom of God, students are offered a spiritual approach to “living justly” in our world today. These ethical and justice themes are pitched at a level that speaks to the needs, doubts, problems and ideals of the mid-adolescent.

Most chapters conclude with suggested prayer. All propose engaging activities leading into research. The same Appendices appear as in the previous secondary text.