Mission & Catholic Identity News
What is Catholic education?
This week was to be Catholic Education Week in the Diocese of Sale. Therefore it is timely to reflect on what is a Catholic education.
Catholic schools have been a major component in Australian education for over 180 years and provide young people with the means to acquire the knowledge to find their place in society. According to the National Catholic Education Commission there are over 1700 Catholic schools in Australia that hold close to 800,000 students and employ 80,000 plus staff. It is a large organisation and very complex.
Catholic schools have adapted to changing circumstances and changing times. In recent decades, as both the Church and Australian society have changed, Catholic schools have continued to develop and to grow in quality and public esteem. Compared to previous generations, today’s Catholic schools are relatively well equipped and staffed by well-qualified, committed teachers. They also have distinctive goals and features that derive from a core of philosophical and theological truths that are central to their character and mission.
The product of Catholic education is an education for the person and for society, for inviting students to find meaning in their lives through forming a mature relationship with their God, for developing communal obligations and aspirations. Goals and ethos will remain and be incorporated into a new product that is more appropriate to the multicultural and pluralistic faith dimensions of modern Australian society.
The idea of Catholic education includes the concepts and philosophies its education is founded and is continually being consumed by a diverse clientele. Catholic education at its grassroots was an education system based on providing an education to the needy and less fortunate in society. A majority of Catholic schools were set up by religious orders, whose main focus was to provide a better life and opportunity to those who may otherwise miss out and give priority to educating the spiritually and financially poor and being their advocates.
It is always timely to celebrate and promote what is a Catholic education and the great work being done in Catholic schools such as St. Peter’s College. May we listen to the spirit and see where it guides us, with the future of Catholic education.
Mary – a strong female role model
With the celebration of Marian House Masses postponed, Marian House gathered together in a remote environment to hear the story of Mary. Mary portrayed the values of holiness, piety and humbleness. And as a teacher, Mary instructed women on the importance of trust and perseverance. I think this last point is her most valuable strength, her ability to persevere. Mary went through many trials in her life, but she never lost sight of her moral purpose and used her strong will to overcome obstacles and setbacks. A great role model for young people.
Prayer to Mary Help of Christians, official patroness of Australia (May 24)
O Immaculate Mary, Help of Christians, Queen of heaven and earth, and tender Mother of humanity, at this time when a pandemic threatens all your children, we entrust to you our nation, Australia, and all who live in this country.
We commit to your intercession all the members of our community, beginning with the weakest ones, from the unborn to the sick, the disabled and the elderly.
We commit to you our families, our young and old, and all who are vulnerable, those who are quarantined or anxious.
We entrust to your Immaculate Heart those who have lost their livelihood or employment, our pastors and other essential service workers, and our leaders at this time.
We implore your intercession especially for the protection of doctors and nurses and those who minister to the contagious sick in this crisis.
Reign over us, Mother of God, and teach us how to make the Heart of Jesus reign and triumph in us and around us, as it has reigned and triumphed in you!
Matthew Williams
Deputy Principal - Mission & Catholic Identity