Religious Education News - Erika Tokich
This week I was privileged to attend the “A Current of Grace’ International Schools Conference. Delegates from 13 countries gathered together to discuss the key role of evangelisation in Catholic schools. Keynote speaker Archbishop Christopher Prowse discussed the 3 principles of evangelisation; encounter, discipleship and mission and how they all work together to make Jesus known and loved.
Educators from around the world shared how their schools nurture faith and how staff and students bear witness to the gospel values. A number of students also shared their personal testimonies of their own encounters and how the Holy Spirit is helping them to put their faith into action.
Listening to speakers from across the globe, it was both inspiring and affirming to hear that we all have one shared mission. We all want our schools to educate both the mind and heart; for students to encounter and become disciples of Jesus. We all experience many of the same challenges including adapting to our ever changing world and being inclusive to the diversity of our students.
The words of Barbara Coupar, the director of the Scottish Education Service resonated with me. She said that Catholic Education needs to be, ‘Inspirational, Intentional and Inclusive’. She spoke of how our schools need to be a positive and powerful force for God’s love and mission to be stewards of all creation.
The conference was also an opportunity to share how different dioceses create pathways for their students' faith formation and encounter. Staff from our local Canberra Goulburn Archdiocese discussed the CSYMA (Catholic Schools Youth Mission Australia) program. Last year St Michael’s started the first phase of this program with a Journey with Jesus retreat day. This year we are in the second phase using CSYMA resources that support our Religious Education curriculum. We look forward to continuing the implementation of this program.
Catholic Education certainly has a big responsibility, but what a privilege to journey together as families and schools, with Jesus at the heart of all we do.
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This year all the Year 4 students at St Michael’s and St Monica’s will be joining for a Eucharist Retreat Day next Thursday the 30th of May at St Monica’s school Evatt. The day will focus on learning more about Eucharist through Scripture and reflect on the importance of Eucharist in our lives. Parent’s of Year 4 students have received a Compass note with additional details for the event. They are asked to give permission and advise of any dietary requirements by the end of the week. |