Category: Mission & Catholic Identity

As we begin a new school year, we are in the throes of another presidential election cycle that presents educators with some extraordinary challenges and opportunities.

Providing meaningful prayer services for faculty, staff and students is one important way educators in Catholic schools engage in faith formation. This blog post will help you learn the skills to develop a prayer service. Links to prayer services for the start of the school year are also provided.

As Catholic school leaders, our job is to uphold our mission and Catholic Identity while inspiring our colleagues and students. That is a TALL order.

While we know that our schools are blessed with caring and compassionate people who selflessly give of their time, talent and treasure, it is wonderful and rewarding to recognize these people, within the walls of our schools, in our local arch/dioceses and through NCEA.

We can have a spiritual sense of being sent by Jesus to teach and assist children and young people, but the fullest sense of being sent is realized when we are sent on mission within a ceremony or ritual by a person representing Jesus.

“Through reading about Catholic Social Teachings, I grew in my faith as I learned that I should always be working towards helping those in need as it is what God calls me to do.  I have always valued justice and believed that everyone deserves to be treated fairly and with respect…I realized that this is something that I could be (and should be) doing for the rest of my life.”

The key to a quality faith formation program is building Christian community in a school that supports students and families living the Catholic faith daily.

Research consistently demonstrates that when teenagers take ownership of their faith, it transforms into a deeply personal and meaningful aspect of their lives.

Does your school have a story to tell about a student who goes above and beyond the required service hours to affirm the concepts of virtues, valor and vision?

By focusing on listening, Catholic educators can help students shape their own faith, making it more personal and meaningful. Listening lays the groundwork for trust and meaningful conversation, which is where true faith formation happens.