Studia Pastoralne
Rocznik Wydziału Teologicznego UŚ

THE SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVEN’T REACHED THE USE OF REASON (AND FOR THE MENTALLY DISABLED FROM BIRTH).
Summary
Relying on the Code of Canon Law which states that „[t]he anointing of the sick can be administered to a member of the faithful who, having reached the use of reason, begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age” (CCL Can. 1004 §1), the author of the present article aims at proving that, from the theological point of view, there are no contraindications against administering this sacrament to seriously ill persons who, with all certainty, haven’t reached the use of reason and whose loved ones ask for it with faith. This problem concerns very small children and the mentally disabled from birth. On the basis of careful biblical, historical and theological analysis, it has become clear that the penitential dimension of Anointing of the Sick is not primary, and as such is not an obstacle to confer this sacrament on those who, having been baptized, have not reached the use of reason and do not bear the personal guilt. The act of faith, which is essential in all sacraments and which is required on the part of the recipients, can be realized through the fact that the sacrament is administered in an environment of faith surrounding ill children or the mentally disabled. The act of conferring this sacrament to them is a sign of their unity with Christ, crucified and risen, and will serve as a spiritual strengthening for their loved ones.

CATECHESIS INTRODUCING THE CHILD TO THE SACRAMENTS OF PENANCE AND OF THE EUCHARIST IN THE LIGHT OF THE POST-VATICAN II DOCUMENTS OF THE CHURCH
The reflection taken up in this article shows that the documents of the Church which have been published after the II Vatican Council are a rich source of information concerning the preparation of children to the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation and to the Sacrament of the Eucharist. In Church teaching after the Council we find not only indicated the content, which should be present in the preparation of children to Penance and the Eucharist, but also its forms and method. The documents of the Church generally outline a certain program or direction of sacramental formation, so the demands given need to be supplemented by a catechetical and pastoral reflection, which would lead to more detailed and practical suggetstions, possible to use in pastoral and catechetical ministry. Although each elaboration must take into consideration elements that are characteristic for the introdution formation of the child to the reality of Penance and the Eucharist, which - in accordance with requirements given in the Church documents after the Council - regard above all the following issues:
- the preparation of children to the Sacraments of Penance and of the Eucharist takes place through a number of stages, which can be called: far, close and direct;
- the formation of penance and eucharistic attitudes begins already in the first months and years of the children's lives, thus the important role of parents and family;
- in the process of introducing children to the reality of Penance and the Eucharist initiation catechesis has a principal role;
- on each of the stages of preparation one has to take into consideration the situation of the catechized, the level of personal development and family environment.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN AND STUDENTS IN THE TERRITORY OF POLAND IN THE LATE 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURIES IN THE LIGHT OF LITERATURE AND MEMOIR WRTINGS.
Summary
The research objective of the article is to show the methods and forms of religious education of school children and students in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the territory of Poland based on fiction and memoir writings. Religious instruction teachers were responsible for teaching religion at schools. Some of them conducted classes in accordance with the teaching methodology; they were able to make students interested in religious matters, and they were treated as authorities and became their students’ spiritual mentors. Others did not contribute much to the religious and moral shaping of young people, due to the lack of teaching skills or appropriate knowledge, or because they treated their duties carelessly. The authorities representing foreign rule in the territory of Poland, by treating religion instrumentally, forced students to various religious practices, which created a negative effect, and turned the students off religion and the Church. Many students were deep believers and practicing Catholics. However, lack of proper educational impact caused some students’ difficulties with faith. Some of them even considered themselves atheists. The source material presented in the article can also be instructive for contemporary teachers of religious education.

TRANSMISSION OF FAITH TO THE YOUNG GENERATION IN THE PERIOD OF II^ND REPUBLIC OF POLAND – „CATECHETICAL AND EDUCATIONAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE” 1918–1939
Summary
The articles published in the Catechetical and Educational Monthly Magazine present the pastoral activity in Polish schools in the interwar period of the 20th century. Proclaiming of faith to students took place during religious education classes within school pastoral care, in parishes and in church organizations. In the twenties, differences in the way of teaching as well as in its level were clear what resulted from historical conditions. Discussions on the curricula of religious education placed in the magazine prove priests’ commitment to the pastoral care of youth. The insight on the Bible was one of the elements, but it is the Catechism that formed the basis of faith contents passed. During religious education classes, the attention was paid not only to religious knowledge, but also to the formation of faith attitudes among children and young people.
Keywords: catechism, children, Church, faith, Miesięcznik Katechetyczy i Wychowawczy (Catechetical and Educational Monthly Magazine), pastoral, teaching program, youth

INTRODUCTION OF CHILDREN INTO THE MYSTERY OF HOLY SPIRIT IN THE FAMILY ENVIRONMENT.
Summary
Most specialists in pedagogy and catechetics agree that in the process of introducing children to the mystery of the Holy Spirit, parents should not concentrate as much on a speculative way of presenting Holy Spirit, but rather unite and combine children’s everyday experiences with faith reality. The first task of Christian parents should not be the transmission of Catechism, but the care of creating childhood full of love, trust, respect, forgiveness and joy. Only on the basis of faith experiences parents may start to talk with children about the Holy Spirit using correct, interesting and rather simple words. Of significant role in this process ist he person of Jesus Christ. Listening to his words the child will discover the Holy Spirit not as an „anonymous Power,” but as a person, who is present in the Church, keeping vigil over Church development and inspiring Christians for opening, creativity, conversions and perfecting life.
Keywords: child catechesis, family, firstexperiences, first talks, Holy Spirit, mystery of faith

DIE ZELEBRATION DER SCHULMESSE.
Zusammenfassung
Kirche empfiehlt die Zelebration der Eucharistie mit Kinderbeteiligung, besonders an Werktagen, weil sie Kindern mehr geistigen Nutzen in ihrer eucharistischen Formation bringen kann. In unseren Pfarreien wird sie „Schulmesse” genannt, die jede Woche für die Kinder aus der Grundschule gefeiert wird.
Direktorium für Kindermessen legt einen besonderen Wert auf die Vorbereitung der Gebete, Gesänge, Lesungen und Fürbitten. Diese vorangehende Vorbereitung verlangt vom Vorsteher eine Verständigungskunst mit Erwachsenen und Kindern, die besondere Aufgaben in der Eucharistiefeier übernehmen.
In diesem Beitrag werden die pastoralen Adaptations- und Gestaltungsmöglichkeiten einzelner Teile der Messfeier mit Kindern an Werktagen präsentiert, in Anlehnung an Direktorium für Kindermessen und Allgemeine Einführung in das Römische Messbuch.
Schulmessen mit einem großen Kinderengagement sind eine ernstzunehmende Chance für die eucharistische Formation, aber sie können keineswegs die einzige Messfeierform für Kinder bleiben, weil Kinder stufenweise in die Sonntagseucharistie mit Erwachsenen eingeführt werden sollen. Aus psychologischen Gründen ist die öftere Zelebration dieser Messfeierform jedoch nicht zu empfehlen. Man kann dadurch leicht den Hauptakzent der Kinderbeteiligung an der Messe auf die Einführung verschieben und die Zelebration der Eucharistie banalisieren.

DER PASTORALE DIENST DER KIRCHE IN DER SCHULE

Poverty of families in Poland as a challenge for the Church
Summary
Economic and social conditions of families are diverse. There are a lot of families of upper and middle class in Poland. According to the report of the Central Statistical Office (GUS) of 2014 entitled: The living conditions of families in Poland there are families in Poland which suffer poverty and are not able to secure even basic needs of their members. It particularly regards children. These families, regardless the causes of their poverty, represent a main challenge for the social services, but also for the Church. Besides material, mental and social needs the Church seeks also to meet spiritual needs of the members of these families. The problem of this study can be summarized in the question: how serious is the problem of poverty among families in Poland and how the Church can support them in the process of overcoming poverty and its consequences? In addition some proposals will be presented regarding ecclesiastical development aid for children from dysfunctional families.

SUPPORTING ROLE OF CATHOLIC MAGAZINES IN RAISING CHILDREN IN THE FAITH
Summary
The article is showing the possibility of exploiting numerous advantages of children’s religious magazines at the Christian body. Starting from guidelines of the programme first periodicals for children, is analysing present values of magazines addressed to this group of recipients. Against this background it is portraying the prominence of religious magazines. Next a degree of the execution of the fundamental tasks of catechesis – promoting knowledge of the faith, liturgical education, moral formation, teaching to pray, education for community life and missionary initiation on pages of chosen periodicals for children. Recapitulating the supporting role of magazines in bringing up in the faith, it is appointing children for applying them in employing the family for the Christian body. In conclusion he is giving specific possibilities of using magazines in school teaching the religion, including correlation between religion and education.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FAITH OF PARENTS IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OF CHILDREN
Summary
The faith of parents is an important factor to be taken into account while weighing the problem of educating children. The parent’s part in religious upbringing of their children is constant meeting the challenges which are the consequence of the sacrament of baptism and the tasks it imposes. The problem is vital, because in the process of religious upbringing the parents should be witnesses, not only instructors. The child’s faith is built on the faith of his parents, who, in their lives, should be authentic witnesses of their faith. They should create appropriate situations that may stimulate their children’s willingness to meet God. Simultaneously, they should observe their children’s spiritual development, without using any forms of pressure. The parent’s faith is an example for a young growing person how to get to know God. Christian parents should not only talk about Christ, but also let their children know Him through their own testimony of life and love.
Keywords: children, faith, parents, religious upbringing, witnesses of faith