Issue 17, May 2012, of the bi-annual journal, 'Le Chéile', has just been published and circulated to schools in the North. The journal, a publication of St Mary's University College, aims to celebrate and promote the vision of Catholic education locally:
- By identifying, exploring and promoting ways in which this vision can be lived in Catholic schools.
- By seeking to empower teachers with a renewed and revitalised sense of the spirituality and vocational nature of teaching.
- By aiming to encourage and inform practitioners in Catholic education locally.
This edition's editorial is entitled: 'Living from the Power of the Eucharist'. It reads as follows:
The 50th International Eucharist Congress will take place in Dublin in June. Preparations for it are by now far advanced in parishes and dioceses throughout the country and many schools have been to the fore in promoting awareness of the event. Yet, many people may be wondering what exactly the Congress’ purpose is. Let it suffice to say that a Eucharistic Congress is an international gathering which aims to promote greater awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church. It also seeks to encourage our appreciation of and participation in the liturgy, and to draw attention to how the Eucharist calls and empowers us to work for peace and justice in our world. It is hoped that the Dublin event will be experienced as a weeklong festival of faith (June 10-17), consisting of seminars, concerts, workshops and exhibitions, culminating in the Statio Orbis (final Mass) in Croke Park.
It is eighty years since an International Eucharistic Conference has taken place in Ireland. It does so now at a time when many Irish Catholics feel disorientated by revelations of past abuse and an advancing tide of secularisation. It is to be hoped that the Congress may be a time of renewal and new beginnings for the Irish Church. A time when we will discover anew the Eucharist, the Bread of Life, and, in the words of Pope Benedict XVI, 'live from its power'. Our schools in many and various ways, to the degree that they are authentic in their distinctive educational ministry, draw their life and inspiration from that same power, Jesus Christ.
The articles in this edition are as follows:
- Dr Roisin Coll's research among probationary teachers in Scotland underlines the importance of the principal's witness to the ethos and values which should shape the Catholic school. Where they typically find a principal who is committed to gospel values and the example of faith, the student teachers find encouragement, their own faith is strengthened and they are more effective as religious educators.
- Dr Richard Clarke, the Church of Ireland bishop of Meath and Kildare, reflects on the need for a more coherent and heartfelt appreciation of what Christian education can offer society in the face of the increasing challenge that all Christian traditions are experiencing in a more secular society in the Republic. He calls for more cooperation between Catholics and Protestants in the provision of primary and post-primary education.
- Professor Robert Enright explains the rationale behind his Forgiveness Education Programme.
- Dina McManus reflects on Holy Family Primary School's experience of Forgiveness Education, praising its positive and freeing consequences for both staff and pupils.
- Marian Curran welcomes the new catechetical directory for Ireland, Share the Good News (Veritas, 2010) and she encourages teachers to ponder more deeply their calling as Catholic educators, charged with helping their pupils and students to discover love and meaning in their lives in the shape of the Gospel message.
- Mairead Watson (writing in Irish) rightly recalls that all children are precious in the eyes of God and that the teacher should seek to help each one of them recognise the special individuality that God has given them.
- Karen McCloskey discusses one very interesting initiative which seeks to help pupils to develop a deeper sense of God’s love as she shares her experience of leading P4 children in meditative prayer.
- Paula McShane's article is a reminder of the importance of our schools also encouraging outreach and practical compassion. We learn about a visit of some of her sixth formers to Kenya where they were touched by the warmth and vitality of young people they met, even though they had so much less than them in terms of material possessions.
- Peter Stevenson's article has a similar starting point, as he describes his impressions of life and grinding poverty during a recent visit to Zambia, all of which stir him to make a strong case for the inclusion of the global dimension in the curriculum.
- Finally, Perry Gildea finds in Tom Groome's recent book, Will there be Faith? Depends on every Christian (Veritas, 2011), encouragement and helpful advice on how teachers, parents and the wider faith community are to hand on the Christian vision to the young.
For further information please contact Rev Dr Niall Coll, Tel: 02890 268262.