LANCASTER - 26 November 2007 - 520 words
Bishop
O'Donoghue issues new teaching document for Catholic schools
Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue of Lancaster has issued an appeal for
Catholic schools to strengthen their fidelity to their Catholic
identity and mission.
In his new teaching document, 'Fit for
Mission? Schools : See with His Eyes, Love with His Heart, Share
in His Virtues', Bishop Patrick calls on schools to "renew
the fire of faith dampened by the secular agenda'"
The 68 page document was launched at Diocesan Conferences for
Heads, Governors, and Clergy on the 20 and 22 November at Penrith
and Garstang.
The bishop acknowledges the dedication, struggles and hard work
of teachers, pupils, governors, parents, clergy and chaplains
involved in making so many of our schools 'outstanding' or 'good'
according to Ofsted's judgement. But he expresses concern
that that the pressure of so many demands made on our schools
can mean that ensuring and maintaining Jesus Christ as the true
centre of all we do can be neglected
In order to give his wholehearted support, the Bishop of Lancaster,
Patrick O'Donoghue, has published practical guidance to every
primary and secondary school and college in his diocese on how
to further develop and enhance an authentic Catholic ethos.
The Bishop's teaching document Fit for Mission? Schools:
See with His eyes, Love with His heart, Share in His Virtues
will be the subject of a year long consultation in the Diocese
of Lancaster involving parents, teachers, governors, and students
culminating in diocesan conferences in November 2008 to consider
the progress of 'Fit for Mission? Schools'.
In the light of the document and the contributions from all involved
in the life of our Catholic Schools, plans will be made to incorporate
the ideas and proposals which arise.
'Fit for Mission? Schools' is an integral part of the Diocese
of Lancaster's 'Fit for Mission? review that began in Lent 2007,
the overall aim of which is to strengthen the sacramental and
mission life of every parish in the diocese. This has involved
evaluating the development needs of each of the diocese's 108
parishes, and a year long consultation about proposals to retain,
link or merge parishes.
Bishop Patrick states: "I have come to the conclusion that
our hopes to strengthen and deepen the missionary and sacramental
life of the Church in this diocese depend largely on the engagement
and commitment of our schools and colleges. For many pupils and
parents the local Catholic school is their only experience of
Church our schools are at the cutting edge of the new evangelisation,
called to make Christ known and loved in our communities."
"By writing the 'Fit for Mission? Schools' document I want
us to celebrate the success of many of our schools in cultivating
a Catholic ethos. I also want to encourage our schools to enhance
this even further by looking again at the ways in which we may
develop and deepen the Catholic ethos and Catholic identity in
every Primary and Secondary School, and Sixth Form College throughout
the diocese. To this end, we must find ways of sharing the best
practice."
At the heart of Bishop Patrick's teaching document 'Fit for Mission?
Schools' is his conviction that the vitality and authenticity
of a school's or college's Catholic ethos depends, in large part,
on cultivating and maintaining the integration of faith as believed,
celebrated, lived and prayed.
The document recognises that the best modern resource for creating
a Catholic ethos in our schools is the Catechism of the Catholic
Church, and the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic
Church, which present the 'rich and full symphony of faith."
Bishop Patrick expects to see the Four Pillars of the Catechism
the Profession of Faith, Sacraments, Morals, and Prayer
as prominent sources informing the Catholic ethos in the
diocese's schools and colleges:
To that end, 'Fit for Mission? Schools' presents practical guidance
drawing on the Catechism of the Catholic Church under four
sections:
Pillar One: The Profession of Faith. This section includes,
amongst others,
The Way We Teach the Faith; Faith Beyond Our everyday Experience;
Teach the Trinity; Teach the Profession of Faith with the Catechism;
Use the Core Curriculum of the Catholic Church.
Pillar Two: Sacraments. This section includes, amongst
others, Liturgy is a Basic Human Need; What is Authentic Catholic
Collective Worship Liturgy and Prayer; Teach the Real Presence
from a Young Age; Challenge the Loss of a Sense of Sin.
Pillar Three: The Moral Life. This section includes, amongst
others,
Schools on the Moral Flash-points of Society; The Size of the
Mountain We Must Climb; Promote Our Call to Holiness; Always Teach
Sex Within the Sacrament of Marriage; Teach Respect for the Language
of the Body; Fight for Justice.
Pillar Four: Prayer. This section includes, amongst others,
Young Christians at Risk!; Do we live Our Lives as if Christ Did
Not Really Exist? Teach Meditation on the Word of God; Teach Adoration
of the Blessed Sacrament; Teach Devotion to the Most Holy Rosary;
Teach Devotion to the Saints.
For more information see: http://www.lancasterrcdiocese.org.uk/
http://www.fitformission.co.uk/
© Independent Catholic
News 2007
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